Marooned | Maze Runner | Minho

56. 𝒞𝑜𝓁𝓁𝒾𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒫𝒶𝓈𝓉.

The cafeteria was blooming with life. People chatted happily as they consumed their hot food. The autumn chill was in the air, people wore thick coats and lined boots. A old lady had taken it upon herself to knit as many scarves as she could, anyone who passed by her room was practically forced to take one.

Viya wore black pants paired with a warm sweater she had traded for at the market. She had an orange scarf wrapped around her neck with a matching toque.

"Did you guys hear about the rally?" Rhea asked as she brought a spoonful of soup to her lips.

"What rally?" Viya asked.

"Oh right! You haven't been to one yet!" Piper said, "Basically everyone in the surrounding neighborhoods gathers in the main street, a few speeches are given, supplies are distributed and we basically come together to raise everyone's spirits." She explained.

"Interesting."

"It's a lot of fun," Felix informed, "Last month they handed out fruit kabobs that were to die for."

"Speaking of the rally," Gally spoke up, "Lawrence said that he'd like us to ride on top of a truck."
"Really?!" Piper exclaimed.

"You gotta be kidding, right?" Rhea said, "There's no way he'd let us do that."
"He said he'd like us to start taking on more responsibility, we're not allowed to do any announcing, but we'll sit up there to look cool basically."

"I take it that this is a big deal?" Viya asked.

""Yes!" Piper exclaimed, "Usually he only lets the older guys do it, it's a 'earn your place' type system."
"I can't believe he wants us to do it though!" Rhea said in astonishment.

"He must be recognizing my awesome skills." Felix flipped his hair slightly.

"Yeah? The skills that caused you to shriek because a mouse was in your room?" Gally said with a smirk.

"It was a very scary mouse!"
Viya ate the last few swallows of soup before she scooched her chair back. "I'm going to go see if I can beat the shower rush, I'll catch up with you guys later."

"See ya!" Piper waved goodbye.

Viya waved back to Piper as she exited the cafeteria. The halls of the former mall were desolate, those who weren't having dinner must've already returned to their rooms for the night. Her footsteps echoed through the hallways, she kept her hands in her pockets as she walked.

An odd feeling of contentment filled her. She was coming to love her new found home. When she was in the gas station, she dreamed of finding a new group of survivors that didn't know her past. She had found the new group, yet they knew her past and didn't seem to care. It was as if she had taken a breath of fresh air after only breathing in smog her entire life. She liked her new friends, she liked how easy it was to talk with them and she liked how they liked her. She enjoyed Piper's positivity and Rhea's logical thinking. She valued Felix's silliness and Gally's sarcasm.

Maybe this is where she belonged.

Away from her past, where she could spread her wings and find a new path that wasn't affected by her actions.

As Viya turned the corner, she almost collided head on with a stranger on the other side. The boy took a step back before his eyes lit up. He opened his arms and took a step towards Viya as if he wanted a hug. Viya took a step back, only to find herself hitting a wall. Without many choices left, she made the split second decision to punch the stranger in the jaw.

He cowered easily onto the floor—she hadn't even punched him that hard.

"What the hell!" He exclaimed as he held his face.