➊ 𝐑𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 - 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐨, ᵗᵐʳ

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟖: 𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧

Every Keeper were already there when I entered the Homestead. Alby had called a meeting, apparently to tell everyone about my new position. I knew it wouldn't make everyone happy, but I hoped it would at least alleviate the rumours surrounding me. They were true, yes, most Gladers already knew that, but I was already starting to hear other makeshift stories.

"Evelyn, come here."Alby greeted, leaning against the wall. The builders sat at their respective places on the sculpted rocks. I sat in the same chair seen by all, the same places where I became a Runner. At first, it had been the chair punishment that was given, but most of my good news had been announced there.

Winston wasn't paying much attention, lost in a conversation with Frypan. Zart leane<d against his chair, removing the dirt from his fingernails. Jeff was quiet in his corner, studying the anticipation of the others. Gally argued with the Keeper of the Slopper about the meeting while Minho stared at me.

I learned to appreciate Minho, as asshole as he could be, he would probably be the first to have my support if things started to get heated. Thinking about it―after I told him I quit the Runners―he had been acting moody and childish. I swear I could see Chuck in his manner.

He noticed I was looking back at him, probably wondering who would break eye contact first. Instead, I saw him straighten his spine and adjust his arm on his knee. He opened his mouth, to my surprise, mouthing the words only we would see in the agitation of the room.

"What have you done again?" He murmured.

I furrowed my brows, reading his lips. "Nothing bad. Why do you care?"Before he could catch what I was saying or reply, Alby asked for silence.

"Alright, settle down. This meeting won't be long and is not up for discussion. After further questioning, Evelyn decided to quit the position of Runner. Protocol would say she gets to choose her next job, yet nothing fulfilled her."

"Which is why Newt and I grant her the title of Third-in-Command."

I stood up, smiling at the familiar faces. A few smiled, a few nodded. And... Gally. He was pised, not to say utterly mad. Ever since I told him about the true meanings of the paper, he has been acting weird around me. Ignoring and forgetting all about our reconciliation. He ran away right after I told him about the bracelet.

I just wish he wasn't playing kind to get that information out of me. He must have been scared of what I knew, but I was terrified of what he would say. If the papers came out, Alby would question me about it, ask how I already knew Thomas. I was frightened of a single face he was making, a single face that could ruin my entire life.

If that was even one.

"How come she always gets everything easily? We've been busting our asses for three years, and she's been here for a month." The builders said.

I scoffed. I was right, that bastard shucking played me. I thought he truly wanted us to start over on the good side, yet he was here throwing everything up. He was never sorry, never apologized for everything I went through. He must have had his fingers crossed.

I had to get it together; I couldn't risk him saying anything more. What would they think? Of the lies and secrets? What if I were the one to be banished next?

Breath.

I walked closer to him, watching as his eyes towered over me. He was taller, but that didn't mean anything.

"Have you ever run in the Maze Gally? Been the only girl with fifty teenage boys? Survive the night out there? Have you ever killed a shucking Griever?" I exhaled as I continued making my way to him. He didn't move, and I swear I could hear him hold his breath.

"You may have been here longer, but I know way more than you―" I added, but before I could finish, Minho pressed his hand just over my chest, pulling me away from the boy. He got in between us as I shared a look with Gally. Something unspoken that weighed so much.

Minho crossed his arms, going in front of me as everyone looked at the scene intrigued. None dared to move an inch, not even Alby stopped them.

"Reminds me why we made you a Keeper, huh? You are supposed to be a leader, yet all you're doing is guiding us down. You're afraid of chance because it's out of your shucking control, and yet you find a way to blame it on us, on her. I had the same arguments when she became a Runner, because shuckheads like you don't trust her. And why? Because she's a girl who is tougher than she looks, or because she is the closest thing we have to getting out of here?"

I was speechless. Minho knew I could defend myself, but stepping in like that? Something in my stomach floated, like a hundred butterfly wings. It must have been stress, yet the same thing happened when he gave me my arrow. He spent the time getting this piece of wood. He spent the time to find the words to defend me.

Minho defended me. He defended me.

No... It couldn't be.

Something resonated in my head, an alarm so sharp everyone seemed to notice it. That's when I realized something was off. It wasn't in my head; it was in the Glade. Minho and Gally stopped their bickering, looking around in the hut as Newt mumbled something.

"The box..."

But it was early; it should have come up two days later. Everyone looked around to see Alby, and he looked at me. Based on the looks, whoever was about to come up was the second unusual arrival. Gally would have more reason to reveal my secret and even more reason to believe I was what started the downfall of the Glade.

The leader left, everyone at his feet as they regrouped with the other confused Gladers. Ben caught up with me. He looked pale, almost scared. I didn't have time to think; someone was about to take my place as Greenie. All it had to be was a girl, and hopefully someone who could help me understand.

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