𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 - ᵗʰᵒᵐᵃˢ ᵗᵐʳ

𝟎𝟑, belongs to the maze.

INVISIBLE STRING ; belongs to the maze.

LUCY ༄

I sit with Thomas and Alby, my hands resting in my lap, my eyes tracing the lines of my palms. Chuck sits a short distance away.

Thomas breaks the silence, his voice hesitant. "So... what happened to him?"

Alby glances at me, as if he expects me to explain. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly. "It's called the Changing. It happens when you get stung by one of those things."

Alby shifts closer to Thomas, rubbing his hands together as if trying to warm them. "Listen," he begins, his tone serious, "We haven't been able to get a clear word out of Ben since it happened. He's not making any sense. And it's only going to get worse."

Thomas's brow furrows as he stares at Alby, clearly struggling to process it all.

"The infection is spreading. He's dangerous." Alby continues, his voice low.

Thomas looks down at his own hands. He's clearly wrestling with something, trying to make sense of what Ben said.

Alby's gaze sharpens. "What did he say to you?"

Thomas shifts uncomfortably before answering. "He said he saw me. That... this is all my fault." He pauses, glancing at me briefly before looking back to Alby. "How could this be my fault?"

Alby frowns as he looks away. After a moment, he stands, brushing the dirt off his hands. "Get some rest, Thomas," he says, patting him on the shoulder, then turning to leave.

Thomas calls after him, his voice urgent. "Wait, Alby."

Alby stops in his tracks, glancing over his shoulder. "Yeah?"

"What's gonna happen to him?" Thomas's voice is quieter now.

Alby hesitates, his face hardening. "The same thing that always happens," he mutters. Then, without another word, he walks away.

﹋ ﹋ ﹋

We all stand in tense silence before the gaping entrance to the Maze, making way for Ben.

Newt, Alby, Gally, and the rest of the boys grip large sticks, their faces hardened against what's about to happen.

"Just listen to me!" Ben pleads, his voice cracking as he stumbles forward. Minho walks behind him, prodding him, pushing him closer to the Maze. Ben's hands are bound behind his head, his eyes darting from one boy to another, searching for mercy. "Just please listen to me! Minho!" he begs, but Minho remains cold, forcing him forward.

Desperation fills Ben's voice as he glances at Alby, silently pleading for help, but Alby's face is stony.

I watch from the side, my stomach twisting into knots. I hate this part. Watching someone, once one of our own, being forced into the Maze. But there's nothing we can do about it. There's no cure.