Since That Night (NewtxThomas Maze Runner fanfic)

Deeper in the Maze

THOMAS'S POV

When Minho finally pulls his shank head out of his arse and realises what's going on, he starts chasing the Griever. I almost turn around so the creature could put me out of my misery.

"Minho, what are you doing?!" I yell back, looking straight forward. I'm a little out of breath, so I might sound madder than I'd intended.

Minho keeps chasing. "Just keep running! And bank right, for crying out loud!"

The nerve of him, getting frustrated with me. This is pathetic, I came in here to save him. Now, he's trying to save me?!

Despite my reluctance, I'm getting tired, so I do what he says, turning to run deeper into the Maze. The Griever speeds past me, before it could comprehend the change in direction. Minho comes dashing to me after that. He grabs my arm to keep us running, but doesn't seem happy about it.

"Why did you follow me in here, Thomas?" he pants, running pretty hard to keep up with me. I guess, even when I'm tired, I'm pretty fast. "Don't you know how broken Newt will be if something happens to you?" He spits out those words, as if they were venom in his mouth.

"Newt is the one who sent me." I say simply. I definitely wouldn't have come on my own if I'd known I'd be hassled while I'm running for my life.

Saying that seemed to quiet Minho. The Griever still rumbled and screeched behind us, and Minho speeds up as much as he could. "I still think you should have stayed." he says, a bit quieter. He was right beside me, now, and I realise that I'm slowing down.

"Well, I really didn't have much of a choice, did I? What'd you go and do a thing like this for?" I demand, though it doesn't seem as intimidating because I don't have the breath to say it. I feel like I'm going to collapse. I really wish that I had gotten more sleep last night. Though I have no regrets.

"What'd you go snogging Newt for? In the nude, might I add!" His voice had suddenly gotten louder, getting energy from some unknown source. Possibly fury.

"That's none of your concern..." I say under my breath. Though I smile slightly, thinking of how that sounded like something Newt would say.

"Yeah. Right." There were traces of a scowl on his face, but we had more pressing issues. Namingly, the bloodthirsty predator that was still chasing us, though it was a lot closer. Those things had unbelievable stamina.

We realise that we aren't going to be able to out-run this Griever. A few more yards and it'll get us. I look around, but I don't see anything but a few vines hanging from the Maze walls. I wonder...

"Minho..." I try saying between gasping for breath. "Grab..as many vines as you can, all right?"

He's hesitant at first, and doesn't seem to understand why I want him to do this, but he complies. He and I begin yanking down as many vines as we can, feeling the Griever rumbling closer as it takes advantage of our delay. That's okay, though. I'm relying on it to get closer to us.

"Thomas..." Minho urges, daring a glance back. "We don't have time, he's almost shucking our heels!"

"I know, I know. Just, get ready to pull yourself up on one of the vines that are hanging." He gives me a strange look when I say this. "Here, take the end to one of my vines and tie it to one of your vines. We'll do all of them like this." We run with all of the energy we had left as we tie the vines together, making four, sturdy vines. I take the ends to one side of the vines and he takes the others.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Minho asks, when I finish explaining my plan to him. The Griever is a lot closer than I thought it would be when I originally thought up the plan.

"Nope."

Soon, we get to a spot where there are two low-hanging vines on opposite sides that are perfectly sturdy enough to climb on. I look at Minho to see if he's ready. He looks nervous, but nods.

We both jump and pull ourselves up on the vine. When I feel comfortable where I am, I let down the arm with the vine so that it stretches out across the entire space between Minho and I. I look at him and he's struggling to get on the vine. The Griever is right behind him.

"Hurry up, Minho!" I call out and climb higher up the vine, though this time, the Griever doesn't seem interested in me. It scoots, needles sharp and extended, closer to Minho. That's when the unthinkable happens.

The vine snaps.