The Rebel •Newt TMR• HIATUS

16: The Non-Runner

I jolted awake, small sweat beads dripping down from my hairline. Flipping over to my other side, I noticed that Newt was no longer beside me in the hammock. Thomas was propped up on his elbows, watching out the window curiously as the Maze rumble deeply outside. Tilting my head tiredly, I followed the Greenie's gaze, spotting Newt sending off Minho and Alby into the Maze.

Alby? Why is he going in, isn't that against his own rules?

I leapt from my hammock, scrambling to find some decent clothes for running. After stripping from my oversized shirt, I froze. The Greenie was staring at me in shock, his brown eyes trailing their way down my figure before returning up to eye level. I glared at him, rushing to put my clothes on before dashing out to the kitchen and packing a lunch.

"Where're you off to, Cassie?" Frypan asked with an amused smile as I fumbled to put my bag on my back. I cocked a brow, as if to say 'seriously?'. The dark Glader knew my routine, and was probably aware that I woke up late. After waving goodbye, I jogged to the opening of the Maze, where Newt still stood. I came up beside him, surprising him with a peck on the cheek.

"Morning sleepyhead." Newt smirked, causing me to nudge him playfully. "Well, you better get going if you want to catch up to Minho." I gave him a look before reaching for my notepad that was in a side pocket of my backpack.

"What about Alby? Don't think I didn't see him run in there too." The Glader sighed.

"He's going to retrace Ben's route." I nodded slowly, patting his shoulder before turning to the Maze entrance. "Hey, Cas?" The blonde grabbed my hand gently. "Get back safe, okay?" A teasing smirk plastered itself on my face as I realized he was protective of me now. I ruffled his messy hair and gave him a tight hug before turning and sprinting into the vast Maze.

It took me around 10 minutes or so to reach Minho and Alby, who were quietly jogging side by side through Ben's usual section. I fell into step beside Minho who jumped slightly.

"Shucking hell, Cassie! Don't sneak up on us like that!" Minho whisper-shouted at me. I stuck my tongue out at him mockingly. Alby rolled his eyes, trying his best to ignore us and stay alert. A distant rumble ran out above us, causing Minho and I told pull out our machetes, thinking it was a not-so-stealthy Griever coming to pay us a visit. Seeing that there was nothing around, the three of us continued, picking up the pace as we neared a more open area. Eventually, the rumbles got louder and more aggressive.

The wind picked up, howling loudly as it kicked up dust from the ground. Soon enough, it began pouring rain. Minho and Alby let out a string of curses, holding their bags over their heads as shelter, whereas I beamed brightly, spinning in a circle as I became drenched.

I don't remember experiencing rain before, but feeling the refreshing water hit me gave me an energetic and happy feeling. We continued moving, refusing to stop for lunch just yet. We were far out into the Maze, very far out. I didn't even recognize where we were anymore, but luckily Minho knew all the sections by heart, so I trusted his directions and timing.

Hours went by, and Minho finally decided that we should take a lunch break. The rain was coming down even heavier now, and I covered my lunch with my free hand, not wanting it to become soggy. The clouds above our heads were dense and dark, as if there was a void up there instead of the sky.

"We should get moving again if we want to make it back on time." Alby and I nodded in agreement, stretching our legs out before following after the asian Glader. The rain and mist ruined out visibility at this point, as we had to squirt and shield our faces everytime we ran against the rain. Suddenly, a shriek echoed through the corridor and Minho came to a dead stop, which made me bump into him and Alby to run into my back.

The hell is the hold up?

I wondered, peering around Minho who was now holding out a protective arm to keep me from darting past him. My eyes landed on a blurry mass on the opposite end of the corridor. I mentally swore, pulling Minho back in the direction we came, only to see another Griever even closer than the first.

"What's the plan?" Alby hissed, his tone was firm but his eyes gave away his fear. I bit my lip, looking expectantly at Minho as the Grievers slowly closed in.

"We should-" His voice was cut off by a powerful crashing sound coming from the Griever's metal legs scurrying along the ground. "Shit! RUN!" Minho commanded, grabbing my hand as he dragged me along. I grasped Alby's wrist tightly, making sure he was still with us. The three of us ran towards the farther Griever, preparing to dodge past it. Minho ducked down as the creature swiped at him, the claw missing him by inches as we dashed past anxiously. Alby yelled behind me, his wrist slipping from my grasp before I could even react.

"ALBY!" Minho shouted. The leader had been snatched up by the Griever, his torso being pierced with a stinger. I desperately swung my machete at the machine as Minho tugged Alby away, struggling to carry his weight. Knowing that the Griever would easily catch up to them, I continued to slash, acting as a distraction to by them time.

"CASTORIA COME ON!" I hit the creature with my blade, which bounced off its metal armor. The Griever stepped back a bit, dazed slightly. Glancing at the Keeper, I shook my head, holding my chin high as my lip quivered ever so slightly. The Glader's expression fell into one of sadness and disappointment as I spun back to face the Griever. The two Gladers made their way around the corner of the corridor, giving me one last nod in gratitude before disappearing from my sight.

Alright, this is life or death.

I blocked an incoming swipe from the Griever before slipping past it and running the opposite direction that Minho and Alby went. Everything went according to plan as the machine followed me. The roaring sounds of the Maze doors could be vaguely heard over the clashing sounds of the Griever. It had stopped raining at this point, granting me better sight as I made my way farther into the Maze once again. The doors of the Maze crashed closed.

You shanks better have made it out.

And once again, I was stuck overnighting in the deathtrap called the Maze.