The Maze Runner Preferences

You Have a Panic Attack

A/N: Newtismybloodybf I love you so much, my beautiful granddaughter <3

If, judging by the title, this may affect you in any way, then give this chapter a miss. Suggest something else and I'll make it up to you by writing that next <3

I should also add that if you want to discuss anything within this chapter (or anything at all, for that matter) I'm always available (not quite literally, sorry) to message. Even if you just need to rant about something small, I'm here.

Gally:

As was often the case, you hadn't seen it coming. That sinking feeling, that shortness of breath, the rising fear -- it hit you within seconds, brought on by nothing remotely identifiable. It just happened, striking you when you least expected it.

This time, it was at the bonfire, celebrating the arrival of the new greenie. You'd been talking to Alby about the time Newt had gotten too drunk at one of these events, when that feeling hit you all of a sudden. You excused yourself, barely muttering more than a single word, hoping to find a place to be alone.

You made your way to the edge of the clearing, your breath already shaky and your hands trembling.

Calm down, you told yourself. There's nothing to worry about.

But your body betrayed you. Your heart began to pound faster and your vision blurred. That sense of urgency set in, taking over all rational thought. You couldn't breath.

"Hey, hey," a voice came from behind you. Gally. He always seemed to know when you needed help. "It's alright, Y/N. I'm here, okay? I'm here."

You fell to your knees and he crouched down beside you, rubbing your back soothingly. "I'm here," he repeated. Then he said nothing more, just rubbing circles into your back.

Your breathing became worse for a bit, and tears pricked at your eyes as you began to believe this would never stop, that you'd just continue to panic forever, never knowing how to breathe or function normally again.

Then it slowed. You were more aware of Gally's comforting touch, the concern in his eyes, his patient demeanour.

You heaved out one more shaky breath, ridding yourself of that awful feeling. It was over.

"You okay now?" he asked, worried about setting you off again.

You nodded once. "Thank you."

He smiled. "Anytime," he said, before adding, "I mean that."

Gally pushed himself up to his feet and held out his hand for you to take. The two of you walked arm in arm back to the Homestead, both of you craving some time alone, away from the chaos of bonfire night.

That night, you fell asleep in his arms, more comfortable than you could ever imagine feeling. You felt safe.

Minho:

You had a habit of overthinking things. You'd always known that. The others had always known that; it was common knowledge now.

But it had never affected you quite this way before.

The maze was a dangerous place for an overthinker. Granted, it was a dangerous place for anybody but for somebody who thought too hard about every possible scenario, the maze was just a ticking time-bomb ready to set you off.

You were on time. You were always on time. In fact, you'd almost finished your route- you were on your way back now, almost at the Glade again. But one stray thought had penetrated your mind.