Stay // The Maze Runner

Chapter 12

The gate was about 10 feet high. "Maybe there's a button or something," Minho said aging the light around. "I mean there must be security right?"

"What does that say?" I asked, pointing at a white sheet of paper inside the gate. Minho shone the light at it. "Off duty since 02/04/2116."

"Man. How long ago even is that?" Minho asked. I shrugged my shoulders. I took a few steps back, enough to give me a good run at the gate.

I ran as fast as I could and jumped as high as u could, gripping the top of the gate with my fists. I pulled myself up and positioned myself so I wouldn't fall off.

"Do you think you could pass Ghost up to me?" I asked. "I can try," he answered, reaching for Ghost, who growled at him immediately.

"Ghost, behave," I shout/whispered down. "Talk to him," I said to Minho. "What?" "Talk to him!" "Okay okay calm down."

"Who's a good boy," Minho said in a baby voice. I stifled laughter at how awkward he sounded. "Got him," he whispered. "Okay, do your best to pass him to me."

"Put your hands under his bum," I said. "Ew do I have-" "Do it Minho!" "Alright." I grabbed Ghost under his legs and pulled him up.

"Okay, you can get up here right?" I called to Minho. "Already ahead of you," he said, pulling himself up beside me. "Okay now jump off and take Ghost from me."

He landed with a thud and took Ghost from me. I followed quickly, falling on my knees when I landed. I took Minho's flash light off him to get a better look.

There was nothing or no one in sight. A few dingy cottages stood on there last legs but they looked completely abandoned. "Let's go," I said again, taking the lead.

A couple walked out of a cottage and looked at us before turning away and going back inside. My stomach twisted at the thought of Newt being stuck here.

Music blared up ahead and we followed the noise. A massive bonfire was going on in the middle of what was probably the square.

A lump formed in my throat when I remembered the first time I saw a bonfire. The night I began to fall for him.

"Do you think he's around here?" Minho asked, peering around the large crowd that had gathered around the heat.

People were hooting and cheering clutching drinks of who knows what in there hands. All of a sudden there was a high pitched screech and the flames leaped higher into the air.

The screams continued non-stop for five minutes, until the body in the flames was burnt to a crisp. "I think I'm gonna be sick," I said, choking on the smell of burning flesh.

"Don't, you'll draw attention to us," Minho said. As soon as he said that, someone put their arm around my shoulder and Minho's. "Come join the party newbies!" A man said, dragging us into the crowd.

People were pushing and shoving, laughing and shouting. Some couldn't didn't even know what they were doing. The stench of burning flesh grew stronger and stronger until it clogged my pores and it took all I could not to vomit.

The man who had dragged us in had disappeared as fast as he had come. We were now near the top of the crowd, too close to the fire for my comfort.

"Let's get out of here," I said, grabbing Minho's hand and pulling him behind me. "Ooooh look at the cuties," a girl cackled in my face. Her breath stank of rot and the few teeth she had left were black.

I pushed passed her quickly and burst out through the crowd. Once i was far enough away I bent over and vomited. "Are you alright?" Minho asked. "Here," I said, handing him my pony tail as I threw up the last remnants of my stomach.

"You know, you two won't get far of you don't at least pretend to be Cranks," someone said near us. I looked up and there was a boy sitting on the wall.

"What do you mean?" Minho asked before my head stopped spinning. "You guys are new here. I've never seen you before. If anyone else realises that," he jumped off the wall. "You guys are goners."

"Why?" Minho asked. "There hasn't been any new Cranks sent here for months. Except one guy, came in yesterday. That's why you're here?"

"Who's the guy?" I croaked, spitting chunks of nothing out of my mouth. "Newt? He was British anyway."

"Where is he?" I asked urgently. He smiled and jumped off the wall landing on his feet. "What do you want him for?" He asked.

The wind blew the smoke and burning flesh smell in our direction, making me gag and go lightheaded. I leaned up against the wall, afraid I might fall if I didn't.

"He's our friend," Minho said. "I see," the boy answered. "So what do I get if I take you too him?" He asked. "Whatever," Minho answered.

He grinned, this time showing off his toothless gums. "What if I said her?" He asked. "No way," Minho answered. "Is you're friend not worth it?" He jeered.

"She's my friend too," Minho said. "Look at her, she's a mess. She's not going to help you in the long run. Anyway," he said. "If you don't need me, I'll be heading."

"Wait," I said. "What else do you want? Anything else?" He stopped. "Get me out of here."

Minho looked at me unsure. I shrugged my shoulders. "If you want me to show you your friend, you have to take me with you when you leave."

"I'm not sick," he said. "I came here to look after my brother because he was. I had to blend in with them, live in my own shit for months! All for nothing. My brother died. They burned him alive and ate him. You can't leave me in here with them." His voice became pleading.

Minho looked at me and I nodded. "Fine," Minho said. "Show us where he is and you can leave with us, but only you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

// AN - Dun Dun Dun
So what's your thoughts on this guy? Lying? Truthing? Only time will tell.... //