Be Mine

Chapter 13

   "So, you still want to be a Runner?" Minho asked me.
   I nodded my head. "Yes."
   "Come with me," he said. "I'm taking you to Alby."
   I just realized that Alby was the one person I haven't talked to yet. If anyone, he was the one that I should've asked. His word was law here in the Glade. If Alby said that I could be a Runner, no one could change his mind. Not even Newt.
   "Hey Alby!" Minho called out to the boy. He was standing outside the Bloodhouse, observing the Slicers. He turned when he heard his name.
   "Minho, what are you doing?" He asked.
   "Just taking a stroll through the Glade with Addison here, I obviously called you for no reason," Minho replied sarcastically.
   "What do you want?" Alby asked, acting as if he didn't hear the sarcasm in Minho's voice.
   "I want Addison to be a Runner," Minho said. I felt my heart skip a beat. He actually wanted me to be a Runner!
   "Really?" Alby raised his eyebrows. "Do you think she can do it?"
   Minho nodded. He turned to me and looked me in the eye. "Would you be willing to risk your life everyday in the Maze to help find a way out?"
   "Yes," I said without hesitation.
   "Are you up for the training you will have before you are allowed to step foot in the Maze?"
   "Yes."
   "Are you aware of the dangers of the Maze?"
   "Yes."
   "Are you aware that if you don't make it back past those doors before they close, you will be stuck in the Maze overnight, therefore leading to your death?"
   "Yes."
   "Well then, Addison, as of today, you will begin your training as a Runner."
   "Oh my gosh, thank you!" I exclaimed.
   "But let me be clear, if you slack off or quit during training, you will not be qualified to become a Runner," Alby said.
   "I understand," I replied. "Don't worry, Alby, I won't slack off. I'll be the best Runner I can be."
   Alby smiled. "Good that."
   Minho led me to the kitchen. "Let's go tell everyone the good news," he said to me.
   I nodded my head eagerly.
   Frypan congratulated me along with Gally, Chuck, Ben and all the other boys I'd gotten to know during my time in the Glade. I held my head up high as they gave me high fives and patted me on the back. I looked over to an empty table in the corner and saw someone sitting there. It was Newt. We made eye contact for a split second before I looked away. But it was just enough time for me to see the hurt in Newt's eyes. It broke my heart to see him like that. He looked hurt and afraid. I didn't know why he was. It's not like I was forcing him to go out into the Maze. Maybe if I hadn't insisted on being a Runner, he'd still be the happy Newt that I knew when I first entered the Glade. I tried to push the thought away but it was impossible.
   "Ready for your training?" Minho asked me.
   "Yeah," I said.
   I got up and followed Minho. I glanced over at Newt's table one last time. He was gone.

   "Come on, Addi, you can do it!" Minho called out encouragements as I sprinted from one end of the Glade to the other. It was my fourth and last time I'd be doing this today. Minho said that he was just trying to train me to run as fast as I can without stopping because once I was in the Maze, I would not want to stop often. I didn't really mind the running. I actually enjoyed it. However, no matter how much fun I was having, I couldn't get the look of Newt's hurt face out of my mind.
   I finished the sprint with a jump. I was so full of energy.
   "How do you still have the energy to jump like that after sprinting across the Glade four times?" Minho asked, looking impressed.
   "I don't know," I giggled. "I guess I'm just in shape." I flexed my arm causing Minho to laugh.
   "Those are nothing compared to these," he said, flexing his own muscular arm.
   "Whatever," I rolled my eyes playfully.
   I went to help out in the Med-Jack hut for the rest of the day. Jeff and Clint were happy for me, but they were even happier that I would continue helping them until Alby or Minho decided I was ready to be an actual Runner.
   I smiled up at the ceiling that night as I lay in bed. I felt as though I had accomplished something. Probably my first accomplishment here in the Glade. When I first came here, I thought that it would be a horrible experience, being trapped in here with a bunch of boys. But now, I didn't care as much about being the only girl and although the feeling of being trapped was still there, I didn't mind as much. Besides, now I finally got what I wanted. I was going to help find a way out.