The First Runner

Its gonna be alright

Jess POV

Minho and I ran through the Maze, our feet pounding against the uneven stone. I could hear Minho's breath coming in short, quick bursts as he chatted away, his usual energy not even slightly diminished by the run.

"So, Jess," Minho said between breaths, glancing over at me with a grin, "you noticed the new Greenie?"

"Yeah, I saw him," I replied, keeping my pace steady despite the challenge of navigating the shifting walls.

"He kinda looks like you, you know," Minho continued, dodging a looming wall with practiced ease. "Like a younger version of you."

I shot him an incredulous look, "Seriously? Minho, you're just saying that to mess with me."

"No, I'm serious," he said, laughing as we reached a fork in the path. "He's got the same kind of look—holds himself in a similar way. Share the same looks"

I couldn't help but smirk, despite the seriousness of our situation. "Well, if he's anything like me, he'll figure things out eventually. Hopefully faster than I did."

We split up as we always did, each of us taking our usual routes through the Maze. I navigated the narrow corridors with ease, my body moving with the confidence of someone who knew every inch of this place. Minho, on the other hand, darted through the larger open spaces, calling out occasionally with that characteristic energy of his.

As we approached the exit, I could see the Glade in the distance. I picked up my pace, eager to get back. We met up at the edge of the Glade, and that's when I noticed Newt and Alby waiting for us. Their expressions were serious, the tension in the air palpable.

"Hey, what's going on?" Minho asked, his usual lightness absent from his voice as he took in their demeanor.

Alby's face was set in a grim line. "Ben got out of the Med-Jack hut and attacked the new Greenie."

My stomach tightened. I knew what that meant. "Is the new kid okay?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady even as a sense of dread settled over me.

Alby shook his head. "Yeah, he's fine. We need to deal with this situation. Jess, I need your confirmation on something."

I met Alby's gaze, reading the seriousness in his eyes. "What's the decision?"

Alby's expression hardened. "Ben's been a danger ever since he got stung. It's time to banish him. We can't afford to have him putting anyone else at risk."

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision settle heavily on my shoulders. The Maze was unforgiving, and sometimes we had to make the hardest choices to protect everyone. "I agree," I said firmly. "It's the only choice we have. We can't let him endanger everyone else."

"I assume you want us to bring him?" Minho asked his face masking his true emotions.

"I'd rather it be you two than anyone else," Alby said with a nod

I groaned, "Yeah, we'll bring him. Let's just get it over with."

Minho and I turned and headed towards the Pit, the usual banter between us absent as we focused on the task ahead. The walk was silent, both of us lost in our thoughts as we approached the dark, grim area where Ben was being held.

When we reached the Pit, Ben was crouched in the corner, his eyes wide and glassy. His movements were erratic, his breathing ragged. The infection had taken a severe toll on him. We knew what had to be done, but that didn't make it any easier.

"Hey, Ben," I called out, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me. "Time to go."

He looked up, confusion and desperation written all over his face. "What's happening? Why are you here?"