❝The Maze Runner❞ Thomas

chapter three

      The sound of a loud alarm filled the air, startling me, nearly knocking my heart right out of my chest. I shot straight up in complete rush of adrenaline, rubbing my eyes quickly as I squinted adjusting to the light. I stood to my feet almost instantly, gripping my quarterstaff and running to the box.

"More supplies," I had breathed out running across the glade, heading over towards the box, searching for the red lights flashing on and off, and hearing the all too familiar metal against metal grinding against one another. I waited patiently before the box had then come to a stop. I watched the side concrete doors open up along with the metal box as I leaned down looking into the box till my eyes fell on something. Or someone. "What the he-" I was cut off almost instantly as I felt someone's strong hands grip my neck, pushing me towards the harsh ground; my quarterstaff falling from my hands. I let out a grunt of pain in complete shock as I tried to gasp for a single whiff of oxygen, my heart feeling as if it had stopped for a mere second.

"Who are you!? Why can't I remember anything!?" A man yelled through gritted teeth. I coughed and gasped for air but he never loosened his grip. I squinted my eyes from the sudden shock of pain. "Tell me!"

"Pl-please," I could barely breath out, trying to grasp air in between words as I began to grow lightheaded. "Please," I could barely pronounce. "I'll tell y- you everything," I squeezed my eyes shut from the pain before he jerked his grasp from my throat. I turned over to my side choking for mere air as I began to spit saliva that was all stuck in my throat. I then began to inhale deep breaths, resting on my right elbow against the ground before the man gripped me from the collar of my shirt; his face only inches away.

"Talk," he threatened.

"Okay, okay." My voice cracked, throwing my hands up in defense before swallowing hard as he increased his grip on my shirt. "Look, the same thing happened to me weeks ago. Memory swiped, I scared, exhausted, and had no idea where the shuck I was," I stated in all honesty. "I've been here alone for almost a month now," I exhaled a deep breath. "I don't know jack. I don't know who put me here and I don't know who put you here," I spoke in all honesty as I stared directly into his eyes. He then had loosened his grip on the collar of my shirt as I let out a sigh of relief. We both stood to our feet brushing off the dirt and dust before I gripped my quarterstaff. "Names, Lynn." I stated, holding out my hand for him to reach. He hesitated before gladly taking my hand and shaking it.

"Sorry about that," he gestured towards the whole scene. I shrugged my shoulders, brushing off the whole misunderstanding kindly.

"If you don't mind me asking," I paused for a mere moment. "Do you remember anything?" I questioned as he looked down for a second. "Name? Where you came from? How you got here?" I questioned some more as he looked up to meet my gaze once again.

"Alby," he breathed out with relief. "My name is, Alby."

"Welcome to the Glade, Alby." I stated, giving him a slight reassuring pat on the shoulder. He nodded his head, still unsure about the whole situation.

"Glade?"

"Come on," I paused with a gesture. "I'll explain everything." I finished as he began to walk away from the Box alongside me. I had then told him everything there was to know about this place. The Glade, the Maze, the Bloodhouse, and even the plans of building more shelters in the future. He was anxious and wanted to start helping out with building our next plans I had formed over the course of a week. Alby had helped me out more than I thought, alongside becoming rather friends than just acquaintances. Trough our period of time, we were able to build the final Homestead, filled with comforters and many other necessities.

I didn't have to rely on my hammock anymore, giving myself a sense of peace and comfort, knowing I was safe in a homestead. Alby was off resting in a separate room of his while I calmly rested my body against the bed beneath me, staring towards the sealing above me in deep thought. I had wondered for so long on if id be the only one defending myself in this horrid Glade. I continued to wonder if we would find ourselves away from this sacred place. I had let out a deep sigh of distress, shifting in my bed before waiting for a deep sleep to fall over me.