➊ 𝐑𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 - 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐨, ᵗᵐʳ

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟔: 𝐍𝐨𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞

The second I stepped back into the view of the Gladers, I could already sense the mess I was in. As everyone warned me, Alby would be angry—like really mad. Since all the Runners had already gone far in the Maze when I returned, the look I got from them wasn't the most encouraging.

Gally wasn't by my side since he had left ahead of me. Apparently, he was 'needed' for some reason, but besides lingering with some wood and nails, he would only be needed to create more damage than actually repair any.

This is why most of the Homestead seemed to be falling down and not standing up. But it's not like I'd gotten to actually try the job on my first days; it wasn't enticing, to say the least.

I dragged my feet across the packed dirt, ignoring the whispers that stirred around me like mosquitoes in the heat. Frypan gave me a look, one eyebrow raised, and Newt didn't say anything, just shook his head and turned away like disappointment alone could sting more than words.

But it wasn't them I was worried about.

"Evelyn!" Alby's voice cracked through the yard like thunder, and I stopped mid-step. Not because I was afraid of him, Alby wasn't cruel, but because I owed him at least that. A stop. A pause. An explanation, maybe. Or the beginning of one.

He stormed over, almost yelling. "You left without clearance. You're supposed to be a Runner, why didn't you leave already?"

My hands found my hips before I could think better of it. "I needed air."

"You needed air?" Alby's tone was disbelieving. "You disappear in the wood, then show up looking like you've seen a ghost, and say it was for air?"

Alby ran a hand down his face. "Look. I know you and Hawk were close—"

"We weren't." I cut him off sharper than intended. "We ran together. That's it."

"Still, after what happened, after you fell unconscious and he got stung the next day—"

"He didn't get stung that day." My voice dropped to a low, flat tone. "He got stung because he was reckless. Because he couldn't handle someone telling him no."

That shut him up.

Alby sighed, softer this time. "What are you saying? Is there something you're not telling me?"

I shook my head, he had had so many opportunities to trust me, but still, he always looked back at Hawk. "No. All you need to know is that I'm not going back," I said quietly. "I'm done running."

That... didn't feel as weak to say as I thought it would.

Alby didn't argue further. He just nodded once, almost like he understood, which he obviously didn't, then turned and walked away.

I stood there a second longer, unmoving, then turned toward the lumber pile near the Homestead. Gally had left his hammer half-buried in a rotting beam. I picked it up, brushing off the splinters.

Even if I wasn't a Runner anymore, I would still have to figure out a new job. No matter what I tried, Alby wouldn't let me stay here doing nothing.

"Taking up carpentry now?" a familiar voice asked.

Minho.

He was standing a few feet away, sweat clinging to his brow, clothes dirty from the Maze. He had only just returned, and somehow he still managed to look sharper than the rest of us. Or maybe it was just that he actually had purpose left in him.

"What are you doing so early? I thought I was the only one leaving."

"The boys and I found something, had to come and get Alby. And I think that's what made you quit." He crossed his arms.