The Maze Runner

Chapter Fifteen

  No, I know what you're thinking. But we didn't. It was a nice makeout session, though. I wake up with my cheek pressed against Newt's bare chest. I smile to myself before nearly falling out of the cot. The noise makes Newt shoot awake.

"Beth? Beth, what's wrong?" He asks, frightened.

"The doors should be open soon, we've gotta get down there!" I say, hopping on one foot as I try to pull my pants on. I almost fall over as I grab my shirt off of the floor and pull it over my head.

"Beth, calm down, we'll get there. Remember, we can't get their hopes up out there," He reminds me. I look down.

"Right, right. You're right," I mutter, brushing my hair away from my face.

"Whatever happens, we'll be okay." He comes over to me and takes my hands. I smile before pushing myself up on my toes to kiss him gently.

"God, I'm so nervous," I tell him, shifting my weight back and forth.

"Me too. But we better get out there," He says. I nod and he takes my hand before leading me out of the tent.

I notice that most of the gladers seem preoccupied this morning, doing their jobs well but solemnly as they mourn the loss of their leader. And, of course, I see Chuck waiting in front of the doors. It breaks my heart how hopeful he is. I don't want to see him disappointed.

Suddenly, the doors rattle and shake, moving apart slowly but surely. The three of us glance down to see an empty corridor.

"I told ya, Chuck, they're not comin' back," Newt says to Chuck before putting a hand on his shoulder. I feel tears start to well up in my eyes but quickly look down and blink them away. That last piece of hope, that last flicker, the last ember-

"No way..." One of the boys says as he comes up next to me. My eyes widen and I look up.

"Yeah!" Chuck says as three figures make their way to the doors.

Minho, Thomas, and Alby all practically fall through the doors, Alby actually falling to the ground as a few gladers rush forward to help.

"Oh my God, Minho-" I cry before pulling him into my arms for the tightest hug I've ever given in my life.

"I'm alright, Beth. It's okay," He consoles me as he holds me. "Now we're even." I laugh through my tears.

"I can't believe you're here, and okay. You are okay, right?" I ramble. He nods. "You look pretty beaten up, come on back to the medtent. Thomas, you too. And can someone carry Alby there?"
"Why are we taking orders from you? You're not-"
"Do whatever the bloody hell she says, alright?" Newt growls at him. I smile to myself. His expression changes. "Wait a second, before that, can one of you tell us what the bloody hell happened?" He asks. I nod.

"How the hell are you still alive? I mean, that came out wrong, I didn't mean it as a bad thing, I just- I'm going to stop talking. What happened to you?" I back up Newt's question.

"Yeah, what happened out there?" Frypan says.

"How'd you make it out?" Another boy questions, though I'm not sure who because I'm too focused on Minho.

"You saw a griever?" Chuck asks as we all kneel down over Alby.

"Yeah, I saw one," Thomas says, as if it's no big deal that he just cheated death. Minho scoffs.

"He didn't just see it, he killed it."