The Rebel •Newt TMR• HIATUS

6: The Maze

"Come out, come out wherever you are!" Pollux called in a sing-song voice.

I stifled a giggle, peeking around the tree that I was hiding behind. Gally was across from me, literally inside a bush. His eyes watched me through the gaps in the leaves as Pollux began circling the tree I was stood behind. I quickly shifted around the other side to avoid being seen. My hand lifted to cover the smile that was creeping onto my face.

"I know you're in the trees somewhere, Tori!" Pollux shouted playfully, about to turn around the tree again. Thinking fast, I picked up a pebble from the ground and chucked it in Gally's general direction.

"Ouch, fuck!" Gally hissed.

"Aha!" Pollux exclaimed, pushing away the branches of the bush to reveal my brunette friend who glared at me out of the corner of his eye. "Looks like Castoria won again!"

"That's not fair, Tori threw a pebble at me!" Gally retorted, crossing his arms like a child. I came out from behind the tree looking victorious with an amused grin. "I hate you, Tori!"

I laughed, "Why? I'm lovely, right Lux?" Pollux's gray eyes connected with Gally's before shrugging at me teasingly. I pouted. "Come on Lux, we better get home before mom gets worried that we've run away."

We both hugged Gally goodbye, Pollux holding him much longer than I had. As we went our separate ways, Pollux and I grasped each other's hand and walked home.

———

"Rise and shine, Greenbean!" A voice rang in my ear, causing me to cover my ears. "Hey! Come on, the Maze is about to open!" Letting out an annoyed sigh, I opened one eye to see Minho towering over me. "If you aren't standing in the next three seconds I'm going to carry you to the kitchen."

I huffed, thinking he was bluffing. I laid my arm over my eyes, deciding to try to snooze once more. Suddenly, hands hooked under my knees and back, pulling me into the air. My mouth opened as if to squeak in surprise as the Glader carried me out of the room and to the kitchen, where Frypan had already prepared breakfast for us.

Some of the other boys were also in the kitchen, mostly the early-risers. Newt was among them, watching Minho and I closely with a frown. Believing that he was still upset with me, I turned my attention back to Minho who was preparing to set me down.

"Get eating shuckface, you gotta have a full stomach before your run." Minho commanded, sitting down next to me. I sighed and began eating.

———

"Alright, first things first, don't go running off alone. I need you to stay with me, got it?" I nodded, "Secondly, if we see any grievers, you do exactly what I tell you, Newt will kill me if you get hurt." Raising a brow in confusion, I turned my focus to the wall which had now begun to break and groan loudly. "Ready?" I gave him the thumbs up as the wall opened.

"Go!" Minho said, speeding past me and into the unknown. I followed close behind, focusing on breathing steadily as we zigzagged around corners. The asian Glader began explaining the Maze as we ran, telling me that the layout changes every night and that every Runner has their own section to cover. It was quite interesting actually, and for some reason, I felt at peace beyond the walls of the Glade.

I was aware that both Alby and Newt didn't want me in the Maze. But I liked it, and I hoped that Minho would see my determination. After a while, we stopped for lunch. I slide down the wall and Minho cut some vines with a knife, marking our place.

"How ya feeling so far?" The Glader asked, taking a bite out of an apple. I pulled my notepad out of my backpack.

"Pretty good, it's really peaceful in here." Minho hummed in agreement as he read over my words.

"Say, Cassie, how did you lose your voice?" My eyes looked up at the sky as I sharply inhaled, realizing that Alby must not have told anyone else about what I knew. Feeling too lazy to writing it out, I grabbed his knife and held it carefully up to my neck, the point pressing against my skin gently. "You were stabbed?"

I nodded sadly, putting his knife down and continuing to munch on my wrap.

"Now that I'm up close to you, there is a small scar on your neck." He commented, causing my hand to reach up and trace that area in wonder. Newt never mentioned that there was a mark there, but maybe he didn't notice.

We eventually began packing up and retracing our steps back to the Glade. Suddenly, as we rounded the corner, there was a whirling sound followed by the clanking of metal behind us. Minho and I glance behind us, spotting the large machine coming down the same corridor we were. I looked at Minho calmly, ready to make a run for it.

"On three," He whispered, grabbing onto my hand securely, "One... Two... Three!" We darted in the direction of the Glade, our hands clutching each other's tightly as we sprinted. Whatever that thing was definitely saw us because the sound of its footsteps became quicker and louder. It was right behind us.

Minho pulled me around a corner, leading me through a different route. "We need to lose it so it doesn't come into the Glade!" Minho informed me, panting slightly. I understood immediately, picking up my pace even more. The Glader glanced at his watch, and looked back at me with a worried expression. "Looks like we're gonna be cutting it close, meaning that shank is going to absolutely murder me." I vaguely remembered Minho saying Newt would be pissed at him if anything happened in here.

The whirling noise ceased as we neared the doors, which were creaking loudly. The other Gladers were surrounding the opening, screaming for us to hurry. At the worst possible moment, Minho tripped and fell forward taking me with him. I gasped, immediately getting back up and about to start running out but I noticed Minho clutching his ankle, hissing in pain.

Son of a bitch!

Looking back and forth between the Glade and the fallen Runner, I weighed the outcomes quickly. Letting out a determined sigh, I began to move. I knew what I had to do, even if it wasn't the right call.