Not Your Average Glader (Completed)

A Banished Glader's Account

Hey all! This is a one shot I had done a while ago and I just decided to put it at the end of this book, instead of it being it's own book.

So enjoy... The account of a Banished Glader.....

I give out one last cry for mercy, pleading, begging for another chance. My cries fall on deaf ears. The doors are closing, almost in slow motion. I see the remaining Gladers standing there, watching me within the safety of the Glade. Some have a look of pity for me, most refuse to look.

I feel myself sink to my knees. Unable to hold the weight of all my emotions. The anger, fear, and doom. The doors are closed and the sun has set. The tears come, streaming down my face. I feel sick to my stomach. I begin to gag and cough violently. Before I know it, my last meal is laying in front me. The vile taste corrupts my mouth and burns my nose.

I wipe my nose on my sleeve and try to stand, but my knees buckle under me. My forehead scrapes the ground. I have never felt such anguish before. Never. Not when I arrived in that cursed box, not on my first day as a Runner, not even during the changing, after being stung by a-

No! I will not think of those mechanical monsters. I suddenly feel the blood, from the fall, trickle down my forehead. I angrily wipe it away. Hatred sweeps over me. I pull at my hair and let out a crazed scream. No one should have to endure this torture. I feel myself slowly sinking into insanity.

Suddenly I hear a sound that makes my blood run cold. The unmistakable sound of death in the Maze. I stand up and do what I've done for the past 5 months- run.

I'm breathing heavily, my head pounding. I run like I've never ran before, pushing myself beyond my limit. Blinded by the sweat that has fallen into my eyes, I miss a sharp turn and crash into a wall. Clutching onto the vines that hang like taunting arms, urging me to climb. My chest burns, and my heart is about to burst. I need to rest.

I notice something more terrifying than the sound of a pursing Griever. The lingering silence. I wipe the sweat off my face in vain. I must control my breathing. My eyes scan through the darkness, seeing nothing but sensing everything.

My mind is now playing tricks on me, out of the corner of my eye, Grievers come into view. I look over in fright but see nothing. I peal my fingers from the vines I had clung to so tightly.

I long to be back with my fellow Gladers, to lay down and sleep peacefully, knowing I'm safe outside these walls. My mind screams to me for sleep, but how can I sleep knowing I'm in the Griever's territory? I lean my back against the cold wall. It feels refreshing. Leaning my head back and looking up, I close my eyes, wishing this were nothing more than a nightmare.

My eyes flutter open as I realize I am no longer alone. The all too familiar sound of the Griever is close at hand. I hold my breath, silent tears form in my eyes. I know the end is near. Just as I accept my death, the Griever stops. The fear that is coursing through me is mutiplied at the suspense. I can sense it is close, close enough to kill.

My heart is racing, the madness eating at me. Seconds pass by. To stand this close and wait for death is too much. I've never been one to wait patiently for anything. It may be foolish, but I will not be the mouse the cat plays with. With a burst of built up energy I dart out in the open and take off.

No sooner am I out in the open, the Griever is on the chase. I dare not look back, but press on. I round a bend and suddenly come face to face with a second Griever. I'm paralyzed by fear for only a second before my brain sends out a command, RUN, RUN, RUN!

I instantly obey and turn back to run, only to find the first Griever standing before me. There is no way out, it is over. Accepting the facts that stare me down, I let my knees buckle under me and watch as the Grievers close in to finish of this banished Glader.

THE END