Edge of Insanity

Chapter Six

We'd been running for 3 straight hours, side by side, when I came to an abrupt stop. 

Thomas slowed beside me.  "What?  What is it?"

I peered down the dark passage way to our left, not quite sure if I'd heard it...

There.  A flash of metal.  The clicking of gears. 

I grabbed Thomas's shirt in my hand, shoving him forward and around the other side of the ivy covered wall.  I threw myself beside him, trying to control my breathing.  "Griever," I mouthed to Thomas beside me.

He gave a small nod and swallowed.  The clicking grew louder.  I pressed myself against the wall, trying to be as small as possible.

Please just go by.  Please just go by.

The clicking and whirring of gears grew even louder and then suddenly fell silent.  I didn't dare to breath, didn't dare to blink.  I just stayed as still as possible.

The seconds seemed to stretch on for forever until finally the clicking resumed and then grew fainter and fainter as the Griever moved away. 

"Holy shit,"  Thomas swore beside me, letting loose the breath we'd both been holding in. 

My hands were shaking as I started walking in the opposite direction.  "Come on, we need to move."

"I can't believe you saw that.  If you hadn't we'd be- we'd both be..."

"Dead."  I filled in for him.  "Shucking dead."  My hands hadn't stopped shaking and I felt chills run across my back. 

"Are we finishing the run?" 

"Yep," I said.  "Unless you want to explain to Minho why we came back early."

Thomas laughed nervously.  "Yeah no thanks."

And we continued on.

                             ~~~

"A Griever?  In broad daylight?" 

I nodded and Alby shook his head. 

"What the hell is going on out there?"  Newt asked, bracing his hands against the table in the Map Room.  "I mean first that weird tube, which no one can figure out what the shuck it is and now Grievers in the middle of the day?"

"What do you think, Minho?  You're being uncharacteristically quiet."  Alby glanced at the Keeper of the Runners.

Minho pushed off from where he'd been leaning against the wall.  "Honestly, I couldn't tell you.  Three years I've been doing this.  Maybe some things are finally changing out there." 

"I want all the Runners armed when you head out tomorrow morning."  Alby told Minho, who nodded.  "I'm not taking any chances.  I also want you to change your schedules and come back a little earlier that usual.  Just in case."

Minho nodded again.

"Alright," Alby folded his arms.  "Let's get some rest.  We're gonna need it."

I followed the others from the Map Room, heading for the showers.  The sun was setting and the sky was dripping crimson into florescent pink.  I stepped into the first stall and flipped on the water.  It burst out, ice cold as usual.  I let it run down the length of my body before dipping my head under the spray.

"You'll like it, just you wait and see."  Maxton's arms were wrapped around me, too tight for comfort.

"Maxton, let go."

"Shhh, it's okay.  Everything is going to be okay." 

His slimy hands were on my waist now, my back pressed against the cold and unforgiving wall of the Blood house.  He was easily twice my size and I had no where to go- no where to run.  

"Maxton, stop."

He pushed his chest against mine, reeking breath hot on my face.  "No noise, okay?"

I wiggled, panic squeezing my chest as his hands wandered further down before I heard the click of his belt buckle.  I swallowed, a small whimper escaping.

Maxton slammed my head back against the wall and white light splintered through my vision.  "What did I say about noise?"  He hissed.

I didn't answer.

"Good."  I heard his belt hit the ground.  "We don't want any interruptions."

I turned off the faucet and the water ceased it's spray.  Fingers nearly numb with cold, I rubbed myself dry before slipping on my shirt and sweatpants.  Then I almost sprinted back to my shack.

Minho was already waiting for me with the lantern light.  He whirled towards me when I flew threw the door and closed it behind me.

"Minho-" I started but he quickly closed the gap between us and wrapped his arms around me.  I let my body relax in his embrace, standing quietly.  When he pulled away, he traced a finger down my face.  "I was so worried."

"I'm fine.  Nobody was hurt.  I don't even think it saw Thomas and I."  Minho's eyes searched mine.  He brushed back a stray piece of hair.  "I don't know what I would do if-"

I shook my head.  "Don't think like that.  We risk our lives everyday to run the Maze.  Today was no different.  It was just the first time in a while we encountered something."

"Your hands are shaking."  He trapped them within his own.  I frowned.  They hadn't stopped shaking since we'd been in the Maze. 

"What is it?"

"Nothing, I just think it's a symptom from the adrenaline rush."

Minho sighed.  "Please don't ever scare me like that again.  Just-just come tell me first before telling Alby and Newt and me having to find out from them.  Okay?"

"Okay," I agreed but in truth I was only half listening to Minho's words.  The room was starting to blur and I blinked several times before everything was clear again.

Minho ran a hand tiredly through his hair, making it stand even more on end.  It dawned on me how exhausted he must be and I gave him a gentle push towards the bed.  He didn't argue, collapsing onto the small surface.  I blew out the lantern before climbing in beside him. 

He wrapped an arm lazily around me and I breathed in his comforting scent of evergreen and wild grass.  Within minutes his breathing had evened out and I knew he was asleep.  I closed my eyes hoping to do the same.

"Don't cry, bitch."  Maxton roughly gripped my shoulder.  "You know you liked it yesterday, didn't you?"

"No!"  I backed up, hitting the table behind me. 

"Yes, you did and you want more."

I shook my head vehemently, fingers grappling at the table edge behind me.  I'd do anything to avoid it.  Anything to escape. 

"Don't lie to me!"

"I-I'm not," I sobbed .

He pressed himself against me, fingers roughly grabbing my hair.  No- it was happening again. 

I kept reaching, reaching behind me.  There.  The smooth handle of the butcher knife grazed my palm.  I closed my fingers around it, tears running down my cheeks. 

I'd do anything to escape.

Without a second thought I leaned forward and plunged the knife into Maxton's stomach.