The Fighter 》 The Maze Runner

Twenty-Five

The boys began cheering as Alby and Ruben lit the firewood.  Joe and CJ started banging on their drums - how those boys remember how to play, I never understand.  Gally was passing around his secret recipe.  When he handed it to me, he gave me a nod while raising his glass up.  I gave him a smile as I raised mine up with his and we clanked ours together.

"You feel like going another round?"  He asked as a group of Gladers began forming a circle.

I shook my head, "Naw, I think these shuck-faces need their asses handed to them."  Then a smirk appeared on my face.  "And who better than Captain Gally?"

He pointed at me, "You got that right, She-bean."  He handed me his glass and walked towards the circle.  "Alright, who's first?!"

A few hands were raised and James ended up being pushed in the ring.  I chuckled as I started walking around the Glade.  I saw Chuck talking to one of the Baggers - Hans, I think - and decided to leave him alone.  I scanned the area and a smile formed on my face when I see Newt sitting next to Thomas.

"Here.  Put some hair on your chest."  I heard Newt say as he passed Thomas a glass.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."  I said as I plopped myself next to Newt.

Thomas glanced at the cup, then back at me, "Why?"

I opened my mouth to say why, but Newt wrapped his arm around my shoulders and covered my mouth with his hand, "Ignore her.  Just give it a try."

Thomas looked back and forth from Newt to me before taking one big chug.  Automatically, he spat that thing out and began coughing.

"Oh...my god.  What is that?"  He choked while Newt and I laughed.

I removed Newt's hand from my mouth and grabbed the glass, "We don't even know, it's Gally's recipe.  It's a trade secret.  But, I think he just pissed in it or something."

"Yeah, well, he's still an asshole."

"He saved your life today."  Newt pointed out.

I scoffed, "Oh, please.  Greenie wasn't even gonna go inside the shuck Maze."

"Unless his curiosity got the better of him."

"Then, I would have tackled him down."

We laughed as Newt kissed the side of my head, "I know you would."

"We're trapped here, aren't we?"  Thomas asked after a moment of silence.

"For the moment."  Newt answered.  Then turned around and pointed at the Runners.  "But you see those guys, there by the fire, those are the Runners.  That guy in the middle, that's Minho.  He's the Keeper of the Runners.  Every morning when those doors open, they run the Maze.  Mapping it, memorizing, trying to find a way out."

"How long have they been looking?"

"Three years."

"And they haven't found anything?"

I gave a sad sighed as I ran my hand through my hair, "Easier said than done.  The Maze changes every night, so we can't actually map it the same way."  Newt gave me a sad look.

"How is that even possible?"

"You could ask the Creators, if you ever meet those bastards.  Listen, the truth is, the Runners are the ones that really know what's out there.  They're the strongest and the fastest of us all.  And it's a good thing, too, because if they don't make it back before those walls closed, then they're stuck out there for the night."  Newt said.