𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 - ᴍᴀᴢᴇ ʀᴜɴɴᴇʀ, ᴛʜᴏᴍᴀꜱ ➀

¹⁷, ᵀʰᵉ ᵛᵒⁱᶜᵉˢ ⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵍᵉᵗ ˡᵒᵘᵈ ᴵ ʷⁱˢʰ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ˢʰᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ

ESMERELDA'S POV

The sun is barely cresting over the horizon, casting a pale light across the Glade. I rise before the others, the silence a welcome contrast to the usual hustle and bustle. The peaceful morning is deceptive, hinting at the chaos and uncertainty that lurks just beneath the surface.

The anxiety of the past few days has been weighing heavily on me. The memory of the girl from the Box and the nightmares that followed have left me feeling unsettled. I find myself drawn to the garden, seeking solace in the familiar routine of tending to the plants. The work is a grounding force, a way to distract myself from the turmoil within.

I step into the map room, to try and find something. I sit in a chair and stare at the model of the maze before me.

As I work, my thoughts drift back to the night before. The moments with Thomas and Minho have left me conflicted. I know I should be grateful for their support, but the voice in my head—the one that seems to be driving me away from Thomas—makes everything more complicated. It's like a whispering shadow that clouds my judgment, pushing me to distance myself even though my heart resists.

The sun climbs higher, and the garden starts to come to life with the activity of the other Gladers. I finish up my tasks and head towards the main area, where I see Thomas and Minho already engaged in their morning routines. I avoid eye contact, feeling a pang of guilt and confusion.

"Morning, Princess," Thomas calls out, his voice filled with the usual warmth.

I manage a small smile. "Morning, Tommy. How's everything going?"

"Busy as usual," he replies, moving towards me. "I was hoping we could talk later. There's something I wanted to discuss."

I nod, though my heart sinks at the prospect. The voice in my head is relentless, reminding me of all the reasons I should keep my distance. I force myself to push through the discomfort. "Sure, let's catch up later."

As Thomas walks away, I find myself drawn to Minho, who is inspecting the entrance to the Maze. He looks up as I approach, a mixture of curiosity and concern in his eyes.

"Hey, Es," Minho says. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah, just needed some fresh air," I reply, trying to sound casual. "I've been thinking about the maze."

Minho nods, his gaze lingering on me. "You've been through a lot lately. If you need to talk or anything, I'm here."

I offer him a weak smile. "Thanks, Minh. I appreciate it."

I spend the rest of the morning helping with various tasks around the Glade, my mind constantly shifting between my responsibilities and the internal struggle I'm facing. As the day progresses, I find myself increasingly withdrawn, the voice in my head growing louder with each passing hour.

The afternoon brings a new challenge. Alby and Newt call for a meeting, and everyone gathers in the main area. The discussion is focused on the Maze and the recent changes we've been experiencing. There's a sense of urgency in the air, as if everyone can feel the pressure of the looming unknown.

I sit on the edge of the crowd, trying to blend into the background. My thoughts are a jumbled mess, torn between the need to be part of the group and the overwhelming urge to retreat. The meeting continues, with plans being discussed and strategies being formulated. My mind drifts to Thomas and Minho, and the conflict within me feels almost unbearable.

As the meeting wraps up, Thomas catches my eye and gestures for me to join him. I follow him to a quieter part of the Glade, where we can talk without the distraction of the crowd.