Runner of Group D (Maze Runner fanfic)

Chapter 17

Float. Catch. Bleed. Death. Stiff. Push.

"That's a delightful message the Maze sent us," Maxi commented. With the excitement of seeing something out of the maps, the three teenagers had gone back to work. Each day revealed a new letter until they finished PUSH. After that, Sandra couldn't find anything until a weeks worth of maps had been gone through. And even then, it was the same six words that left them a little creeped out and slightly worried.

"I was expecting it to tell us how to get out," Leo admitted, looking at the map message with distaste. "Like, specific instructions of how to leave." Sandra shrugged.

"I don't know. Bleed and death have been options since the beginning." Maxi scolded her.

"Let's try escaping intact and not bleeding." Sandra nodded, realizing now was a strenuous time for playful banter. Hours of work resulted in six words that were supposed to help the Dwellers escape. Somehow.

"Maybe it's a code rather than a message," Leo suggested. Sandra tilted her head, staring at the pages at a different angle. Nothing was coming to her.

"It must be a code," Maxi replied. "The only thing that's sort of like instructions is PUSH." Sandra bit her lip. It couldn't be this simple. All this time they could have escaped with a six word code. That sounded very unlikely.

"Where would we type in the code?" Sandra asked, glancing at her friends. Leo and Maxi stayed silent, thinking this through.

Their thoughts were interrupted by the eery shriek of Grievers. Sandra could tell by the sound they were hours away from the Doors. She looked out the window. Runners were just coming in. The wooden barriers were finished, metal rods keeping them in place. Girls ran through the Field, prepping traps.

"Things will get interesting in a few hours," Maxi said, not having to look outside to know. Leo, however, was right beside Sandra at the window. His eyes darted around, observing every piece of movement.

"If only I had my memories," he muttered. Sandra pursed her lips and stepped away. She gave Maxi a look, which the girl understood almost immediately. She pursed her lips as well, her grey eyes turning away.

"I've gotta go help," Maxi said, opening the door and stepping out. Sandra started cleaning up the strewn papers once the door was closed. Leo stayed at the window, staring at the Dwellers hard at work.

"At least we have a plan," Leo finally said, breaking the intense silence. "I mean, to get my memories back." Sandra kept quiet, making sure to arrange each paper perfectly. When she stood up and turned away from the chest, she met Leo's eyes. He tried to hold her gaze, but Sandra broke the stare.

"Sandra." She didn't look up.

"A girl named Polly got hurt pretty bad a while ago. Busted arm and a bleeding cut. She didn't make it back fast enough and ended up getting stung." Sandra turned to Leo, watching him carefully. "Florence administered the Grief Serum. Polly died a day later." Leo shook his head.

"Sandra-"

"You're more valuable alive without your memories. We'll figure it out."

"We don't have time to figure it out," Leo retorted. "Things are crashing around us. We have to go through with the plan." Sandra stepped between him and the door.

"Your injuries are worse than Polly's were. You have more chances of not making it." Leo tried to get past her, but Sandra put a hand on his chest, holding him back. "Leo, it's not worth it." He backed away.