The Maze Runner (Hayden Love Story)

Chapter Six

Sometimes I tend to forget that I'm here. I wake up in the mornings and panic, not being aware of my location. Hayden is always there however. He has allowed me to sleep in with him more often now; it's because I get these nightmares, their terrifying, as if I'm really experiencing it.
I'm usually in the maze; alone, and it is dark. I can hear the sound of Grievers approaching me. I then became so afraid that I'm too numb to move. I hear the sound of the Grievers behind me, it's drool landing on my shoulder, but I'm too afraid to look up.
That's when I wake up screaming. I can't help it, it always seems real; a bit too real for a nightmare.
Perhaps my nightmares are warning me about the maze; as if I weren't scared enough as it is.

I've been in the Glade for almost a week now; life is getting better gradually. I've been working with Clint and the Med-Jacks for the last few days, apparently I have 'doctors potential'. It's been a rather easy role to play; I've been taught the Art of stitching up wounds and using different herbal medicines Jeff and Clint have been like the brother's I've never really had. Gally has been keeping his distance from not only me; but also Hayden, Newt and Alby. He usually calls a weekly meeting but so far all has been quiet. Sometimes I wonder if I had anything to do with it. Since day one Gally has been unhappy with me being here; he still thinks I'm a curse, an omen; I sometimes question if I really am one.
'She's a bleedin' curse' is what everyone's says, and I'm not surprised by this. I've caused nothing but chaos since I've been here. I occasionally regret not running into the maze all those days ago; but I could never do that to Hayden, I could never hurt him like that. Something has grown between us; but I can't tell what. He is what I think of every moment of the day, his beautiful blue eyes, his warm embrace and his brown hair. I'm still scared to feel anything either than concern or worry however. My greatest fear is hurting him; I could never live with that on my conscience. I may appear to be strong and independent; but inside; I'm terrified.

I woke one morning to that same nightmare, beads of sweat ran down my face. I slept with Hayden as I do most nights, but he was still fast asleep. His hair fell upon his pale and tired face, his arm still wrapped around my waist. He is the reason I feel safe when I wake in the mornings, because of him; I'm not so afraid.
I slide out of the bed and pull on my black boots. My movement however woke Hayden, he stretched his arms above him and turned on his side to face me.
"Morning." He says with a sleepy smile.
"Go back to sleep." I say with a light giggle as I sit on the bed beside him. "Don't wake on my behalf."
"I don't want to sleep." He says as he sits up in the bed. "I want to be awake when you are."
"Suite yourself then." I laugh as I stand and and buckle up my boots.
"Are you hungry? I'll see what Frypan has whipped up." Hayden says as he pulls on his long sleeve white tee.
"I'm not awfully hungry." I reply as I push a strand of my long hair behind my ear. Hayden looks at me unimpressed for a moment.
"Ashlyn..." Hayden says with a serious expression upon his face.
"Hayden..." I mimic as I copy his seriousness, folding my arms.
"You need to eat." He says.
"But I don't wanna." I say as I head towards the door.
"You're a twig; look at yourself." He says as he slides his feet into his vans.
"Well geez; thanks." I laugh as I lean against the door frame.
"Seriously though." He says with a frown. "You gotta eat."
"Alright; fine." I huff as I leave the room.

We reached the kitchen and I sit at a bench under the outside canopy.
"Get this girl something to eat before she starves to death." Hayden says in a jokey yet concerned voice.
"Mornin' Frypan, Hayden." A Glader said as he pats them both on the back and sits opposite me on the bench.
"And mornin' to you too, Ashlyn? In it?" The Glader asks as he places his bowl of porridge on the table.
"Yes." I reply as I tap my fingers  on the table repeatedly, leaning my head on my hand. Hayden then returns from the kitchen with two bowls of porridge. He places one bowl in front of me and sits beside me with the others.
"Oh; so I see you've met Minho then?" Hayden asks as he places a spoonful of porridge in his mouth.
"Just now, yes." I reply with a smile.
"So, you been busy? What role has Alby, Newt and Hayden got you workin'?" Minho asks with a mouth full of porridge.
"I've been with Clint and the Med-Jacks for the last few days." I reply as take a small sip from my spoon.
"Sounds pretty boring Greenie." Minho replies.
"Better than a runner by the sounds of it." I laugh.
"Well anythings better than a runner." Hayden adds as he stares down at his bowl of porridge. Minho looks to Hayden in concern.
"You alright mate?" He asks.
"Yea, yea." Hayden replies. "I'm just gonna skip on breakfast, got a wall to finish building, catch you later."
And with that, he takes his bowl to the kitchen and leaves.
"Was it something I said?" I ask as I push my finished bowl away.
"Nah; Hayden's a toughie, just got a few problems with the maze n'all." Minho replies as he finishes his porridge.
"What's the issue with the maze?" I ask in concern. Minho looks around to see if anyone was around then leans forward ever so slightly in his chair.
"Hayden was a runner." He says quietly. "But somethin' happened to the guy, something startled him."
"What happened?" I asked.
"No one knows; must've been something pretty bad though cause the guy tried to kill himself." He adds quietly. "Tried jumping off the bleedin' wall he did, that's how he got that limp of his."
For that moment I felt a new type of pain, not physical but mental pain. I want to know what drove Hayden to the idea of suicide, surely he didn't see a Griever.
"What did he see that drove him to it?" I ask in disbelief.
"No one knows, the dude told is nothin'." Minho replies. "Well I gotta head off but I'll catch y'later." He adds as he leaves the bench.