See You Soon: A Maze Runner Story

Part 8

The next morning I woke up wrapped in Minho's arms the same way I fell asleep in them- I guessed the previous day was so eventful and draining, we were even too tired to move in our sleep. I pried myself from his arms and rubbed my eyes as I swung my legs off the edge of the bed. Looking through the cracks in the walls, the light shone a soft pink, signifying it was early morning.

I looked back at Minho who was still asleep and smiled; it was rare for me to wake up before him, and I never got to really see how adorable he was with his messy bedhead. I leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, making him stir slightly.

"Morning sleepyshank" I whispered in his ear. His lashes fluttered as he opened his eyes, breathing a content sigh as he smiled.

"Morning beautiful" he replied.

"You gotta get up, or you'll be late for your run" I said. He raised his eyebrows, slight panic evident in his face. He quickly sprung up from the bed and stepped into his boots, lacing them up, and grabbed his pack from near the door.

"Hey" I said, walking up behind him. He turned as he adjusted the pack straps that wrapped around his chest, and I rested my hands on his, slipping my hands into his.

"Be careful out there" I sighed. He gave me that side smirk I loved so much, and grabbed my chin, lifting my face to his and placing a gentle kiss on my lips.

"Always," he replied. "See you soon..." he drifted off, biting his lips in anticipation of what his next words were.

"I love you" he said, the words making me warm and giddy. I smiled and closed my eyes as he placed another soft kiss on my forehead. I watched in awe as he ran across the Glade, thinking about our lives together thus far. Three years and it took a near death experience for him to say those words. I smiled and retreated back inside our hut to get ready for the day, not knowing at all what was in store.

It was another hot day spent making sure the Gladers didn't work themselves too hard. I noticed the girl, Theresa, sitting by the Homestead with Chuck, and elicited their help in handing out water. Around midday, I made my way to the med hut to relieve Jeff of watching Alby. He had finally woken up and sat at the edge of the bed, knees pulled into his chest, and rocked slightly back and forth.

"He's been like this since he woke up" Jeff whispered to me. I sighed and nodded, before gesturing him to leave. I poured another cup of water and handed it to Alby.

"It's a hot day today. We don't need you passing out from dehydration" I said, trying to add some cheer to my voice. I walked over to the tent entrance and pulled open the cloth, allowing for a view of the Glade.

"I never do this because I hate flies coming in here, but the breeze feels nice, don't ya think?" I asked, again trying to sound chipper. Alby didn't respond. I walked over slowly and sat next to him, taking the cup from his hand.

"Alby... what did you see during the Changing?" I asked. Something clicked inside him, like I had turned on a switch in his brain. But he only muttered one thing.

"Thomas..."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Just then, a loud, metallic noise came from far across the Glade, an all too familiar noise. I shot up and ran for the entrance just as Theresa showed up.

"Stay with him" I said, sounding more like an order as I ran across the Glade to the doors, where a crowd had formed. Lord, what happened now?

At that moment, Thomas and Minho came running through the doors. They were swarmed by the other Gladers and asked a million questions, to which they responded with something that both filled me with hope and fear.