teenage wasteland ;; the maze runner

2.31

the midday sun was harsh, streaming through the loose flap of the tent and painting warm streaks across the canvas walls. florence blinked awake, disoriented for a moment as the muffled sounds of camp activity seeped into her consciousness.

she sat up slowly, the ache in her body reminding her of the chaos from the days before. the cot creaked beneath her as she swung her legs over the side, her bare feet brushing against the dirt floor.

the tent was not as empty as she thought it would be, her two other occupants still hanging around despite the fact that it was noon—if not later. antony was sprawled on his back, one arm thrown over his eyes, snoring softly. sammy sat cross-legged on his cot, muttering under his breath as he tinkered with a battered radio.

"morning," sammy said without looking up, the faintest hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"barely," florence muttered, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. she grabbed her boots, tugging them on with slow, deliberate movements.

antony stirred, his snoring hitching into a grumble. "keep it down," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "some of us are still trying to recover."

florence rolled her eyes but didn't respond. instead, she pushed herself to her feet, stretching her stiff muscles. outside, the sounds of packing and preparations grew louder—the right arm wasting no time in readying themselves to move out, even if they still had another sixteen or so hours.

"don't get too comfortable," sammy added, casting her a sly glance as she headed toward the tent flap. "grey's been looking for you."

florence's steps faltered, and she turned to glare at him. "for what?" then she paused, retracting a step as she wondered aloud, "how do you know grey?"

sammy shrugged, a smirk playing at his lips. "we met when he was looking for you. and, ask him yourself."

with a sigh, she ducked out into the sunlight, the brightness momentarily blinding her. the camp was a hive of activity, people moving with purpose as they loaded crates and double-checked inventories. the faint scent of oil and dust hung in the air, mingling with the dry heat.

she didn't have to look far.

"about time," grey called, his voice cutting through the commotion. he was standing near a stack of supplies, his arms crossed and a teasing grin on his face.

florence crossed her arms as she approached him, raising an eyebrow. "what's so important you had to hunt me down? and also introduce yourself to sammy for?"

"relax, flo. you'll see." he nodded for her to follow him, already turning on his heel. "he's a funny kid, by the way."

"cryptic as ever," she muttered, falling into step beside him. "and, yeah. i know. a bit annoying at times, i will say."

they weaved through the busy camp, past clusters of people engrossed in their work. the edge of the camp was quieter, shaded by a canopy under which a small table had been set up.

a woman stood there, her back to them, her hands resting on her swollen belly. her full head of dark curls coiled perfectly next to her shoulders, and she turned as they approached, her face lighting up with a warm smile.

"flo," grey said, his voice softer now, almost reverent. "this is lyla."

"hi, florence," the woman greeted, voice soft and warm.

florence froze, her gaze flicking between her brother and the woman he clearly cared for. lyla's smile didn't waver as she stepped closer, one hand resting protectively over her stomach.

florence opened her mouth to respond but found herself at a loss for words. her chest felt tight, emotions she couldn't quite place swirling inside her.