Marooned | Maze Runner | Minho

81. 𝒮𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑔.

Viya's stomach grumbled as she walked into the white tent that was the cafeteria. The smells of dinner filled her nostrils with unfamiliar scents. The food here was not like it was at the base, it was saltier and had less meat. She knew the cooks were no doubt from all over the place but yet every time she ate she became homesick. And she knew she wasn't the only one.

She had found out that everyone had received letters–all those that were still alive that is. Viya tried not to think about the collection of Lawrence's letters that would never be delivered.

Viya heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Gally jogging to catch up with her.

"Hey." He said.

"Hey."
"Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all."

Gally took a breath before speaking, "Did you hear?"

"About?" Viya asked.

"Nash's trial." Gally responded.

Viya nodded, "I did."
"From who?"

"No one." Viya answered honestly, "Found out myself, overheard Vince telling Nash about it."
"And you didn't think to tell anyone?"
"I assumed it would spread fast–and clearly it did." Viya responded in an oddly calm tone.

"Whatever–Just come to the bushes behind Thomas' hut at dusk. We have some things to discuss."
"Who's all gonna be there?" She asked.

"Doesn't matter. Just promise you'll be there."
"Yeah yeah, fine. I'll be there." Viya waved him off.

Gally patted her shoulder as he jogged away no doubt to go inform someone else about this 'secret meeting'. She grabbed her tray of food from the front and went to find her seat. She looked around the mess hall for Minho, a twinge of disappointment sinking in when she didn't see him. She wasn't surprised though. He had been tending to Thomas and any breaks he took never seemed to line up with hers. She had visited him a few times in the hut but she could sense he didn't want to talk to her.

She couldn't help but wonder if he blamed her for it all. If she would've just been smarter than maybe they could've gotten back earlier and nobody would've even gone into the city in the first place.

The sun was almost set before Viya started to walk towards the designated meeting place. She brushed hanging vines out of the way and carefully stepped over roots as she wondered how far into the bush this meeting really was. She eventually heard the voices up ahead, as she walked into the small clearing she was immediately met with Teresa's voice.

"Where have you been?" She exclaimed.

"It's dusk." Viya said. "You said to meet at dusk, and it's dusk."

"You didn't think to be early?"
"No, not really." Viya said with a shrug.

"Why are you so calm about this all!" Nash exploded, "This is a matter of life and death!"
Viya paused, "Last time I checked, nobody held this type of meeting for me when I was banished, so excuse me if I'm not familiar with the concept."

"That was banishing, this is execution."

"Like there's a difference." Viya responded.

"Can you two stop?" Brenda yelled, "Teresa, please go on."
The girl sighed, "I have a plan to save Newt, but I'm going to need your guy's help, all of you." She said while glaring at Viya, "As you know, Brenda had the flare but got cured, I think I know how to replicate that with Newt." She explained, "The only problem is that we don't have enough time. I need you guys to stall the trial as much as possible in the likely chance that I don't finish it in time."
"So what? You want us to interrupt the trial? Start a fire?" Gally asked.

"No! To put you guys to work, I need some of you to draft defenses for Newt that even if I don't get the cure done he will at least have a solid defense. Meanwhile the rest of you will spend the next 24 hours or so helping me research and go through all of Mary's journals."
"Sounds easy enough," Jeff commented, "Who do you want doing what?"
"Gally, Minho, Nash, and Viya will be on speeches."
"Me?!" Viya exclaimed.

"Her?!" Nash yelled.

"Yes." Teresa answered, "She has...experience...with this type of thing."

Viya crossed her arms grumpily.

"The rest of you will help me on research." Teresa said, "Sound like a plan?"
"Yep."
"All good."
"...Yes." Viya muttered.

—------------

Leaves crunched under Viya's feet as she walked back to camp. Minho walked beside her.

"So, what do you think of the plan?" Minho asked.

"It's good." She responded.

"Do you think it'll work?" He asked worriedly.

"I think it has a good chance of working." Viya replied, "There's a lot of chance involved."
"I just..." Minho's voice trailed off, "I thought we left all the cruelty behind. Back in the maze. Back in the Scorch."

Viya touched his shoulder, "We'll stop it." She promised, "We just gotta think of our speeches, focus on our part, that's all we can do."
"When did you get so wise?" Minho asked.

"Who's to say I ever wasn't?" Viya asked with a smile.

"I once watched you tell a kid to see if the grievers liked meatloaf, I don't think you've always been wise." Minho said with a laugh.

"That was a very logical test!" Viya shoved his shoulder lightly.

Minho shoved her back gently.

Viya gasped, "You hit a woman!" She said dramatically.

"The woman hit me first." Minho replied matter of factly.

"Womp womp. You're wrong, I'm right."
"That's no way to end an argument!"
"We were arguing?" Viya joked, "I was simply teasing."
"I don't know..." Minho muttered, "My feelings are pretty hurt." He turned his back dramatically.

Viya sighed dramatically, "I guess I'll just have to sleep alone tonight."
Minho opened one eye to look back at Viya, "There might be one way I'll forgive you."
Viya turned around with a smirk on her face, "That is?"
Minho tapped his lips smugly.

Viya made a point to dramatically sigh as she stepped forwards and gave Minho a light peck on the lips.

"That's it?" Minho joked.

Viya raised an eyebrow, "You want to sleep in the bush?"
"Not at all." Minho gently grabbed Viya's face and kissed her. "Now that's what I call a kiss."
"Oh so it's a competition now?" She questioned.

"That's not a bad idea." he said proudly.

Viya rolled her eyes, "Let's get back to camp, I'm getting cold."

"I can help with that."

"Oh, be quiet!"