11

Secrets

Rose was relieved to find it still there. Minho of course had to question her as she picked up the items. Where did they come from, what were they for?

The first time she saw them, she didn't know what they were for. But from a couple of days ago, she finally did.

All the runners made it back, it was a short day due to the new arrival. Eager was the only word to describe how she was feeling towards the new Greenie. The chute hadn't come up since she had arrived, so she had never seen it before.

A lot of the boys hoped that it was another girl, especially Minho. He was counting on the fact that it would be a nice Asian gal. The entire day in the Maze he wouldn't shut up about it. A roll of her eyes was the only response she sent the boy.

By now all of the Gladers knew her name, and frankly she found it annoying. Every time there was a silence Minho would list ideas of nicknames he could think of.

Here they were though, the two walking side by side as he tested out his names. Entering the Glade though, both could see all of the boys crowded around the chute. "Looks like we're late." He smiled. "Come on."

Jogging beside him they were about half way there when a figure caught her attention. Alby sat upon a fallen log sharpening a stick with his knife. "Ugh..." She groaned making Minho stop. "I'll catch up in a sec."

Both looked towards Alby and he nodded. "Just be careful."

"He caught me off guard, it won't happen again." With that, Minho nodded again and took off towards his friends.

Her feet carried her at a brisk pace towards her friend, and withing seconds she was at his side. He wouldn't even look her way. "Alby?" She asked softly. The boy froze hearing his name, but after the pause he continued to ignore her. "Alby come on..."

"I'm sorry." He finally caved. "I didn't mean too. It-it wasn't me." Alby did everything in his power to not look her in the eyes.

Letting out a long breath she crouched before him and gave him the warmest smile she could muster. "Alby... You don't think I know that?" He glanced to her eyes. "I'm not scared of you bud. I've came face to face with a lot worse things than you... Look at me, I'm still here." Slowly reaching forward she grasped the knife from his hand and placed it beside them on the ground. Alby didn't fight it though, instead he dropped his head and sobbed.

"I'm so sorry Ro... I'm so sorry."

She just got up from the ground and sat beside him. It didn't take long before his head was on her shoulder and she was Hugging the boy. "Stop apologizing to me you big softy." This made him chuckle wiping his tears away. "We're all still here Alby, stay with us. The boys need you, we all do."

"But how?" He questioned. "What I saw, it's-"

"I know what you saw Alby. I see it every night. It's okay... I know what the creators want has something to do with me. What it is though, I don't know."

"Aren't you scared?" He asked in disbelief.

Rose just bit her lip and leaned forward. "Of course I'm scared. How could I not be? Just thinking of whatever it is that they want. Once we get out of here, and we will get out of here, what happens happens. I would give myself over any of these boys any day."

"How can you be so certain?"

She just smiled looking forwards. "Because you got a girl now Alby. And girls have a great sense of direction." This made him laugh fully now and she smiled at it. "See! That's something that the creators can never take away. As long as your strong up here-" she pointed to her temple. "-they can't control you in here." Next she tapped her heart.

Alby just looked at her sadly. Then finally, he let out a smile. "Thanks Ro."

She just nodded and with that they both rose upwards. Together they began making their way towards the chute.

Everyone stopped turning to see the two walking together. It was a sight, everyone knew what had happened and just how horrible Alby had felt. So seeing them together, it caught everyone off guard. Let alone to see them smiling together, that was a miracle. Eventually the boys had taken in Alby from her side happy to see him back to the old him.

She earned a slightly appreciative nod from Newt followed by a smile. He rushed to her side and they began walking towards the homestead. "The Greenie. His name is Chuck. Short stubby fellah, bloody well know he won't be a runner." Rose smiled clutching her hands around the bow string. "Here, this was sent up for you." Handing her a pair of boots she took them happily seeing they were her size.

Slowly they made their way through the Glade together. It was only mid day and there was still alot to be done. But the runners, they were back for the day. "Oh yeah!" She suddenly called back making them both stop dead in their tracks. "I almost forgot, come on." She turned taking off her pack as they walked into the woodline beside them.

"What are you doing love?" He asked somewhat laughing as they came to a stop.

"Don't ruin it." She smiled setting her pack down onto the ground. Unzipping it she pulled out a banded group of papers. Along side the papers were pencils.

Immediately his eyes went wide, "What, how?" He asked in amazement. It was a sketch book.

Rose smiled happily seeing he liked it. "It was left in the Maze a while ago, I just never really had a use for it. I figured this was as good as any. And who knows, maybe you'll remember something when you draw. Oh! And this." She reached in her bag again.

Pulling out the next object he chuckled taking it from her hands. "A book." He smiled.

"Yeah! I don't read but you do, so I picked it up."

She had never seen his smile so genuine. "Ugh..." He finally croaked. "None of the guys, they don't exactly-"

"Know you like to draw?" She smiled letting out a slight chuckle. He just nodded his cheeks becoming red. Rose smiled even bigger. "Well don't worry pretty boy, your secrets safe with me." She let out a wink and slowly turned walking towards the Glade.

Newt just smiled watching as she slowly walked off in the direction that they came. His eyes this time though, lingered a little more than they actually should have.