The Rebel •Newt TMR• HIATUS

17: The Chase

"Tori?!" I perked up at the echoing voice that was bouncing off the Maze walls. It sounded distant and the voice was full of anxiety and stress. "Tori are you out there?!" It took a moment for my mind to register that it was in fact Thomas calling out to me. But why is he in the Maze?

This dumbass is out here acting like I can just tell back a response, what a shank.

My sore feet carried me in the general direction of his voice as I mentally prayed that I'd find them soon. Unfortunately, I was quite lost in the darkness of the Maze, feeling like I was running in circles. As I sped around a corner, I collided with another figure. I stumbled back, catching my breath as I made eye contact with the Glader in front of me.

"Cassie, oh thank shuck!" Minho exclaimed in relief, pulling me into a brief embrace. I was aware that that last time we saw each other was when I was fighting off a Griever, the boy probably thought I had died. "You're not stung right?" I shook my head with a reassuring smile, before my expression fell to one of confusion as I glanced around the area behind Minho.

"Alby and Thomas?" I mouthed, tilting my head slightly. The Runner sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as his eyes flashed with a look of regret.

"I left them. That shuckface Greenie thinks that he can be a hero and save Alby. A Griever showed up so I left them in the dust." My brows furrowed in anger as I reached out and punched the Glader's shoulder roughly. He took the hit, knowing he deserved it. There was a repetition of cries and screeches coming from the corridor Minho had come from, followed by machines whirling. Minho clutched my arm and pulled me along, beginning to sprint the way I had just came.

I internally groaned, keeping up with the Keeper as I focused on not looking back. The whirling got quieter and we decided to slow to a walking pace. Minho sighed, noticing that I was glaring daggers at him from the corner of my eye.

"Look, I know you're angry that I left them behind. But they're as good as dead, especially Alby." I clenched my fist. Without thinking, I slammed Minho into the hard wall, pinning him with my forearm across his throat. The Runner gasped for breath. "Never–" He gasped again, "Harm another Glader."

I locked my jaw, stepping back and letting him breathe. Before waiting for a response, I ran off to look for Thomas. The consistent noises of Grievers walking kept me on edge as I peered around a corner to see if the coast was clear. I could spot some of the ivy rustling ever so slightly and I hurried over, diving into the cover when I heard a Griever close by.

"Cassie– I slapped a hand over the Greenie's mouth, holding a finger to my lips as the machine came closer. After silence was achieved once more, I brought my hand away from Thomas' face and let out a breath of relief. As we sat within the safety of the vines, I pulled out my notepad from my bag quietly and scribbled a message.

"Are you shucking insane?! You shouldn't be in here, this is against Alby's rules! Wait, where is Alby?"

The brunette skimmed my irritated message and pointed up. I rose a brow, tipping my head back to look above us. Alby hung from a harness of vines, clearly unconscious. Part of me felt impressed with Thomas but another part of me wanted to slap him. I sighed, massaging my temples slowly as I tried to think of a plan. Thomas suddenly crept out of the vines, quickly tying the piece that held Alby in the air around a root as the clanking sounds of a Griever got closer. I smacked my forehead, hurrying after him to make sure he doesn't get killed. Thomas managed to get the knot secure and I shoved him around the corner, following close behind. We held our breath as the footsteps faded. Without waiting, Thomas darted out down the corridor, stumbling along as he tried to pinpoint where we were. I watched as he stepped into a small puddle of slime, which made a gross squishy noise. The Greenie looked at me confused, his eyes filled with concern as I came to stand beside him.