The Rebel •Newt TMR• HIATUS

8: The Return

A burning sensation rose up in my chest as my heart pumped rapidly. My feet were sore and a headache was forming in the back of my head. The screeching grew louder as I rounded the corner, spotting the source. Minho was at a dead end, backed up against the wall, paralyzed in fear.

My brain clicked as I realized he couldn't even fight back, his machete held tightly in my fist. The asian Glader was shaking, his brown eyes met mine and he shook his head. I cracked my knuckles and charged the beast, the machete pointed forward. The blade sliced at the griever in front of me, who whipped around and screeched at me. Everything seems to be in slow motion as I swung at the griever again, this time missing. I cringed as the tip of the blade sliced Minho's bicep instead. The griever tackled me, throwing me to the ground with so much force that my temple bashed against the stone floor. Ignoring the blood that was now trickling out of the new wound, I rolled on my back and slashed at the griever once more. The machine retaliated, knocking the blade out of my grip.

The machete slid far away from me and I let out a gasp as one of the griever's claws slammed down beside me, missing my hip by inches. Another claw came down quickly and I rolled sideways, avoiding being stabbed in the arm.

"Get off her!" The machete was now lodged into the machine's head. It let out a painful screech, turning to face Minho, who had taken a step forward confidently. I moved myself out from under the creature as it began to target Minho, launching at him. My lips parted to let out a shout, but all that came out was a shaky breath. The griever pinned him to the wall, getting too close for comfort. Without thinking, I body checked the griever from the side.

My shoulder tingled in pain and I pulled Minho away from the dead end, being careful not to hurt his ankle more. "You have to leave me Castoria, I'm just slowing you down." Minho muttered in my ear, wincing as he put some pressure on his ankle. I shook my head frustratedly, there was no way in hell I was leaving him to die here. The griever was hot on our tail, but the sun was now rising, lighting up the Maze. The machine let out a horrid cry, rushing towards the wall and climbing some of the vines.

Did it just flee?

I huffed, hobbling along with Minho against me, his arm slung over my shoulders.

We neared the opening to the Glade, spotting a few Gladers who were waiting hopefully. Chuck was amongst them, and his chubby cheeks stretched into a wide smile when he saw us.

"They're back! Minho and Cassie are back!" Chuck yelled, clapping happily. Minho let out an airy laugh as we stumbled into the Glade, falling to our knees on the grass. Other Gladers came to surround us, pulling us into hugs.

"Oh, you're still alive." A familiar voice stated. My eyes trailed up to look at the tall Glader's face. I weakly pulled out my notepad from my backpack.

"Don't sound too disappointed, I might think you don't actually like me."

The group chuckled and Gally smirked, holding out a hand to help me up. My whole body ached in pain, and a sharp pain jolted through my arm. A gasp was heard behind Gally, who was then shoved to the side.

Newt stood before me, his eyes filled with concern as he eyed my shoulder. His fingers lifted to trace the wound carefully.

"You're stung..." The other Gladers let out shocked noises, and Minho scrambled forward as quickly as he could.

"No! No, no, no! When did that happen?!" Minho panicked, examining my shoulder sadly. I shrugged slowly, knowing it probably happened when Minho and I were fighting off the griever.

"Come on, let's get you two to the Med-jacks." Gally suggested, helping Minho walk and Newt pulled me into a gentle hug.

"I knew it was a bad decision to let you go into the Maze. You could have died!" Newt said sternly, his hot breath hitting my neck. I ignored his statement, allowing myself to get lost in his touch. All I cared about was that Minho and I had survived, even if I had been injured in the process.

---

Minho and I sat together, being examined by Clint and Jeff as Gally and Newt watched. Alby had just entered the room to question us.

"Minho was stubborn so I knocked him out and dragged him and his with him but a griever came and I had to get us closer to the Glade without the griever catching us so I acted as a distraction. I went back and Minho was gone. Found him being cornered by a griever."

My writing was messy and rushed, Jeff had told me to not move as he looked at my shoulder. He gave me some sort of needle.

"You're going to be going through the Changing." I looked at the boys in confusion. "The Changing is what happened when you get stung. You lose control and become very violent. You'll be in a lot of pain but most people who've been through it have regained some memories from it." I nodded slowly.

"You're a shucking shuckface, you know that?" Newt said to me, crossing his arms. "And you," he glared at Minho, "You told me you'd keep her safe!"

"She's alive, isn't she? Cassie handed the situation like a champ and saved us both. The important part is that we're here now. You should be happy shuckface." I grinned at Minho, grasping his hand in a friendly manner. Newt's brown eyes watched this exchange, clenching his jaw. Gally whispered something in his ear, causing Newt to relax a bit.

"Anyway, everybody out except these two. They need rest." Clint commanded. The boys sighed, heading out of the room. Jeff and Clint tied me down to my bed, telling me that I wouldn't have control over my actions and it's just for safety. Knowing it had to be done, I relaxed against the bed and grinned at Minho as if to say 'goodnight'.

And with that, I drifted off into a well-needed slumber.