Fighting Against You: A Mazerunner Fanfic

A Day With the Keepers: Before Lunch

No one came looking for me all night.  The walls were already closed so why should they care where I am?   I'm not valuable to them. Just an unfortunate person that got stuck here.

I had climbed down from the tree as the last light of day disappeared behind the vine-covered walls.  I've been sitting in the dirt, leaning against the rough bark of the tree trunk ever since.  I haven't slept.  My heart keeps pounding in my chest and every snap of a twig causes my head to jerk up, searching for the person that could have caused it, but I never find out. 

I let the crickets hiding in the bushes play me a soothing song.  I can't explain it but the sound calms me, reminding me of something I can't quite remember.  Every time I try to recall something from my past it looks like wet paint, smeared and swirled with so many colors it's unrecognizable. The only thing that's constant is this question, blaring in my mind and unrelenting.

Why me?

It isn't a fair question to ask considering I'm not the only one here. It's selfish and unreasonable. But the question clatters around in my empty brain anyway, no matter how much I try to dismiss it.

I use the tree to help me stand, knowing that I have to go do something today. I wish I could just sit here and ponder my existence, but that wouldn't get me any answers as to why I'm here. There has to be a reason.

I briefly stretch my legs out, listening for the sound of chirping birds or anything else that might signal animal life, but I hear nothing. Even the crickets I heard earlier have fallen silent, their mournful song gone. The shadows under the tall trees don't move. There is no wildlife here.

Red glowing eyes.

I jump back, startled.

" Those are just beetle blades. " A voice says and I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear it.  I turn and find Reed, pushing a branch out of his way and coming towards me.  I subconsciously rub at my puffy eyes and smile as he gets closer.  He smiles back, his teeth white.  Do they have toothbrushes here?

" You okay? " He asks, shoving his hands in the pockets of his dirty pants. 

" Yea. I'm alright. "

" Newt told me to find you. Didn't realize you'd be so deep in the Deadheads. "

I frown.  Deadheads...? 

" Sorry, " I say, a little sheepishly, " I just panicked. "

" It's okay. We've had worse happen. " He says with a light laugh.  I raise my eyebrows, a silent question for him to tell me the story, but he just shakes his head.

" Let's go. You're working with the Track-Hoes first. In the Gardens. "  He turns and starts to walk away.

" Ahh, yes.  My secret talent. "

Reed looks over his shoulder, " Really? "

I scoff, " No. "

Sarcasm. My only defense in this place full of boys.  Might as well make use of it.  Even if it makes me seem rude.  They can think what they want of me.  I just want out of this festering hellhole.

" I don't think you're going to be a Builder, Slicer, or a Bagger. "  He says as I catch up to him, nearly walking into a low hanging tree branch.

" I want to be a Runner. " I say, stepping over a rock.  His steps falter, but he recovers easily.

" You did look like a good runner. " He says, glancing at me with his icy blue eyes, though his voice sounded apprehensive.  I shrug.  " But you might change your mind. "