Marooned | Maze Runner | Minho

75. 𝒪𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝐸𝒹𝑔𝑒.

The morning sun beamed through the glassless windows of the office building. It was the second morning trapped in the barricaded building. They had spent all of the previous day trying to move rocks and dig their way out, but with every stone they moved five more would come tumbling down.

The pair had taken turns on watch last night, whoever slept would lay on the torn staffroom couch while the other sat in a wooden chair keeping watch. There wasn't really a point to keeping watch, if they couldn't get out that also meant no cranks could get in. But Viya knew she would never be able to sleep if someone wasn't on watch, and luckily Minho didn't disagree.

They had this silent understanding of one another, ever since Minho had found out about Viya also being taken, he seemed to be more open about his struggles.

"Morning." Minho said with a stretch.

"Morning." Viya said as she slowly ate a can of fruit. "Want some?"

"Don't mind if I do." Minho pinched a mango square with his two fingers. "You know," Minho said with his mouth full, "I'll never understand how this fruit is still good."

"It's canned." Viya said with a hint of disbelief at the question.

"So?"
"That's the whole point of canning something, so it doesn't go bad"
"Okay but how?" Minho repeated.

"Because there's—nevermind." Viya shook her head disapprovingly.

"Not to get morbid or anything," Minho started, "But how are we going to get out of here?"

Viya paused, "I got no clue."
"We can't stay here forever." Minho stated.

"I know." Viya said, "...I guess if it gets bad enough we just gotta try and jump down."
Minho shivered, "Let's keep that one as a last resort."
"Agreed."

"...We could try and climb down." Minho suggested, "Find some rope or something to use as rope."
"We have bandages." Viya pointed out.

"Do you think they'll be able to hold us?" He asked.

"Maybe?"

"Well, let's try it." Minho said ambitiously.

Viya sprang up from her spot, Minho went towards the supply corner and quickly returned with their three rolls of bandages. He unrolled them carefully, giving them a gentle tug before he unrolled the entire roll.

"Let's put two of them together just to be safe." Viya said as she began to unroll another bandage.

The pair tied the rolls together to form a makeshift rope.

"I think you should climb down," Minho said, "You're lighter."

Viya nodded without protesting as she walked towards the window.

Minho held one end tightly in his hands, Viya clung onto the other. She walked towards the window, she pressed her feet against the exposed cement of the building. She slowly let herself down the wall, trying not to look down.

"Go slow." Minho said.

"I am." Viya said angrily.

Viya continued going down, she paused for a second, she could've sworn she heard the bandages making noise.
She didn't make it two more shuffled down before the makeshift rope did it again, only this time louder.

"Minho." She said urgently.

"What–" his voice was cut off by an even louder splitting sound.

"Minho!" Viya shouted as she tried to climb back up.

The rope split again, sending her back down.

Viya glanced at the ground, the rocky, jagged, surface below screaming 'danger' at her. She looked back up at Minho, her eyes filled with panic. She could see the fibers of the rope splitting.

She tried to scramble back up the wall as the rope began to give out. In the last second she lept upwards as she felt the rope tear.
She expected to feel the air rushing past her or the roughness of the ground below. Instead she felt Minho's hand around her wrist.

She slowly opened her eyes as Minho pulled her up. She landed on the cold floor of the office letting out a much needed breath.

"You ok?" Minho asked.

"No." Viya said shakily.

Minho chuckled.

"I can't believe I thought that would work." Viya said, "Never again."

"I'm sorry." Minho said sheepishly as he looked the other way.

Viya sighed, "It's okay, it's my fault too." She said, "And I'm alright so that's all that matters.

"Yeah.." Minho said.

"Minho, it's fine." Viya assured.

"Okay..."

"Don't get all pouty on me or you'll be going out the window next." Viya joked.

Minho smiled, "You're really okay?" He asked again.

"Yes! I'm fine, just a little shocked that's all."

—-----------

Lawrence stared at the messy array of papers that were scattered around his office. He walked through the room, dragging his IV drip with him. His condition had been worsening and no amount of bliss could fix it. He knew he would have to speed up the plan, he wouldn't make it till the final stage. Not to mention Viya also needed to be rescued.

Word of her disappearance had spread like fire throughout the base. Some suspected she had run away out of fear, others were beginning to think she had been killed by a crank interaction gone wrong.

Gally had promised not to say anything—thank god. But nonetheless Lawrence had to put this plan in place.

He would have to listen to Viya and start cutting corners and taking risks.

Guilt had started to eat away at him from the inside out. He regretted not listening to Viya and he regretted all the other bad things he had done in his life.

He used to think himself invincible, even once he got infected he refused to let himself die. But as his expiration date neared closer it all was becoming too real. He wasn't a bad person, but he wasn't a good one either.

As the lamp began to flicker and shadows scattered the walls Lawrence began to plan. He'd have to get into WCKD by the end of the week, it was the only way it would work.

Gally was the only one who knew about his plan, he believed the young man deserved to know what was to come. He wished he would be able to tell Viya in person, but he knew he'd never see her again.

He had spent his nights writing letters. He wrote to every orphaned teen, every loyal follower, every single mother he had taken in. They all deserved some closure, even if they didn't like him.

He tried to apologize, to make them understand why he had to do it. He wouldn't cry when he thought of his death, it was a weight that had been on his shoulders for months. He only wished he could've done more. Saved more kids, stopped more deaths.

He hoped with his final sacrifice that they would all understand, both his followers and WCKD. Maybe peace would be made, maybe it would all only get worse. No matter the outcome, Lawrence just hoped he would be forgiven.

He had never been a religious one, most of that died out after the Flare started, but if there was a higher power he hoped he would be forgiven. He hoped they would understand, maybe praise him for his sacrifice, some would criticize and bash him, but if he could just make a few more lives better it would all be worth it.