The Maze Runner

Chapter Eleven

  I can tell Newt's starting to get anxious too, but has to stay calm being second in command. We're all standing by the maze now, surrounding the doors, staring down the corridor in hopes that they boys'll show up.

"Come on, guys, can't we send someone after them?" Thomas asks. Newt looks down and rubs the back of his neck.

"It's against the rules. Either they make it back or they don't," Gally tells him. Newt wraps his arms around me while I stand in front of him and beside Thomas.

"We can't risk losing anyone else," He explains to Thomas. Although I know he's half talking to me because he knows I want to run in to help find Minho and get him home. Well, not home. Back to the Glade. I can feel the tension in my shoulders, building up all day as Minho takes longer and longer to return. He's my best friend. He's gotten me through so much, we've been through so much together. I'm not ready to lose him yet. Not that I'll ever be ready, but definitely not now.

Just as Newt finishes his sentence, the wind begins to blow, signaling the doors closing. Panic wells up inside me. Minho isn't back yet, and I can't even see him down the corridor.

"Newt..." I start to say, but it gets lost with the rumbling of the doors.

"Oh no..." Chuck says. We all stare down the corridor, hoping for any sign that they might make it.

"There!" Thomas points down the corridor as a groan echoes between the walls. My heart slows from it's rapid pace as I spot Minho, but that doesn't last long.

"Wait no, something's wrong," Newt says. Minho's struggling to pull a body alongside him as he tries to run as fast as he can.

"Come on, Minho, you can do it!" Chuck shouts down the corridor. The rest of the Gladers try to shout encouraging things to Minho, but the way he's going, he won't make it out. Not with Alby, at least.

"Minho, you've gotta leave him!" Gally calls down the maze.

He tries to shift his grip on Alby, but it doesn't help. He needs to leave him if he wants to get out. The doors keep moving towards each other, and my heart races as I watch my best friend struggle to make it out in time. Newt keeps his arms tight around me, to make sure I don't run after Minho to try and help. A tear falls down my cheek as I struggle against his arms.

"Beth, no!" He cries.

"I have to help him!" I shout. Thomas looks over at me and noticing my distressed face, I can tell an idea pops into his head. My eyes widen.

"Thomas..." I whisper, abruptly stopping my struggle against Newt's arms. He looks at me before looking back out at Minho in the maze.

"They're not gonna make it..." Newt says. Thomas looks at him. I bite my lip as tears trail down my cheeks.

"Minho!" I shout, starting up my struggles against Newt's strong arms again. But I have no luck wriggling out of his grip.

"You gotta leave him!" Gally shouts again. Minho struggles to pull Alby behind him and still run fast enough to even have a chance to make it out the doors. My heart nearly stops as the doors are almost pressed against each other. Everyone keeps shouting, but Minho's way too far away to be able to make it out alive.

At the last second, Thomas thrusts forward, pushing himself into the maze doors.

"Thomas no!" Chuck shouts from behind him. Newt tries to grab his hand but Thomas is too quick. I cover my mouth with my hands in shock and horror as I watch Thomas try to squeeze through the doors, knowing Minho's stuck behind them and I may never see my best friend again.