Not Your Average Glader (Completed)

Chapter 18: Agreements and Arguments

Slipping off into the darkening woods and away from the crowds, I consider what I am about to say to these young kids. What lies I will have to spin off to sound convincing.

Behind me I hear movement. My pulse quickens and I duck behind a tree. The shadows conceal me and my eyes dart around. I feel so panicky it's almost too much to bear.

'Must be the adrenaline.'

'Or the guilt.'

I ignore that last thought and tune my attention to whoever was following me. I'm relieved when I hear the voices.

"What did Graham want?" Asks Bobby.
"He didn't say." John says.
"It could be something dangerous. He is a Runner." Morris adds in
"Graham is my friend." John says ready to defend me.

'Nothing like a guilt trip. No, this is mandatory. They will understand.'

I causally step out from my hiding spot and plaster on the fakest smile I can muster.

"Thanks for taking the time to meet me here, guys."

There is unsure silence until John speaks up.

"What's the big secret?"

I frown and put a finger to my lips. I'm ready to spin my lie.

"Not so loud, no one can know about this."

"Then why are we here?" Morris asks suspcisially.

"I will get to that later, but right now I need you all to promise to not breath a word of what I am about to tell you."

All five of the young Gladers promise and I take a deep breath for effect.

"I found something in the Maze. Something I need help with."

I'm not surprised when I see them back up tintivily, the Maze still holds a powerful fear over them.

"Wait, let me explain first! I have found a way out. A way home."

I emphasis the last part, playing on the boy's emotions and hopes of returning to their homes someday. I smile gleefully within as the boys come closer, eager to hear what I'm about to say.

"You should go tell Alby and Newt." Kevin says quietly.

"That's what I thought too, but I can't. See there is a secret room inside the Maze."

"What secret room?" George asks.

"I found it by accident one day and I haven't been able to find it since but I've never forgotten what I found inside."

By now the kids are staring at me with wide eyes, seeping in every word I say.

"A kindly old man was sitting at a table. He offered me food and drink. And the exit. He told me the direct way out but there is a catch, if I tell or guide anyone to the exit, the Maze will swallow everyone whole."

Bobby glances fearfully in the direction of the Maze.

"Can it do that?"

"Do you want to take the chance?" I reply evenly.

I take his silence as a no and continue.

"The man told me the only way for all of us to escape is to collect the stones. There are ten stones laying deep inside the Maze. Only those with an innocent and pure heart may pick them up-"

"Why don't you just go collect them yourself?" Morris inturptts.

I shake my head in mock frustration and praise myself on the inside for thinking up all the answers.

"I asked the man the same thing. He said I'm too old so my innocence is gone."

"What are you supposed to do with the stones?" John asks.

"Once all are collected and brought together, they will glow and the way out will be showed to everyone."

Silence as the words sink in. I quickly finish,

"I have asked you all to come with me tomorrow and search for the stones. This might be our only hope."

As the woods grow darker I can barely make out the boys exchanging glances.

"So, you want us to be Runners?" Bobby finaly says.

The words come out sounding flat and I'm surprised at them.

"In a way. You'll need to be fast to find them."

"Are you sure about this?" Kevin says fearfully.

I throw my hands up and sigh.

"Fine, I understand if you're all too scared, I just figured with you guys helping-"

"Who's scared? I'm not scared." Morris replies roughly.

"What will you do while we look for the stones?" Asks George.

"Run. I can't let on that I don't need to run anymore."

"Let us talk it out first." John says.

I watch as they leave the woods and I'm left alone, palms sweating, as I await their reply.

》》》》》》[]《《《《《《《

"We've come to a decision." John announces as the five return back to our meeting spot.

"Rather we admit it or not, we are afraid of the Maze. The decision cannot be majority rules," Kevin finishes.

I nod as the statement makes sense. "So to make this quick, raise a hand if you are going inside with me."

I watch as one, two, three, four hands go up.

'That's more than I expected.'

"Ok, I will have packs ready for you in the morning. Meet me at the doors at dawn."

Bobby, George, Kevin and Morris leave and I'm left facing John. The one who didn't raise his hand.

"Graham, I did consider everything you said but-"

"But what?"

"But it's foolishness."

Thoes words slap me and I'm stunned.

"Sending a bunch of unexprienced kids into a Maze to look for some stones?"

My cheeks burn as I feel the doubt of my story ozzing out of his words. My moment of embarrassment quickly changes to anger.

"At least I'm willing to look for an exit!"

"Graham." His tone is quiet and calm. "You're not the same. You've changed."

"And you're the same sniveling baby I met that first day." I regret the words but refuse to take them back.

"No, I'm not." He says defiently, though the pain in his face is clear, even in the moonlight. "If I didn't know any better I'd say that Maze has done something to you."

"You know nothing about the Maze!"

"I know it's bad and it's hurting you. I know I'd help you if I could, to bring my friend back."

I glare at him and as I roughly shove past him, I mutter to myself words that burn my tongue and taste as bile.

"I'm not your friend."

A/N
Ok so I'm feeling extremely evil and mean toward John but I'll get over it.... eventually. And yeah in case anyone was wondering I made up that story literally as I went along so I apologize if it sounds stupid.