The Implant Variable

A Changed Maze

            Minho sifted through some things in the sloppy little shack that was the Map Room, lingering in hesitation as he mulled over an item before chest-passing it in Thomas's direction. The newer boy caught it with a quiet "oof" as it collided with his breastbone, pulling the item away from himself to inspect it as well. His lips fell into a small "oh," silence settling as he made eye contact with Minho. "This..."

"Was Ben's." The stockier of the two males answered stoically, but Thomas could see how his features grew just the tiniest bit more crestfallen as he discussed his old running partner. "We don't have the resources to afford not reusing perfectly good equipment. Put it on- should fit you just fine."

Was Ben's, Rachel mentally repeated, swallowing thickly at the thought as Thomas did as he was instructed. She didn't know who this Ben was, or his significance in the Glade's social structure, but she knew the pain attached to losing a friend to the Maze. All the more reason she had to lead these guys out.

"You doing alright over there, she-enie? Having second thoughts?"

Minho's taunts snapped the girl back to reality, her head whipping up to meet his gaze. She clenched her jaw, giving him a stony look to convey that she was tough enough and determined to do this. "I'm fine," Rachel blurted out, resting one hand on her hip and the other on the hilt of one of the knives that hung in a sheath off of her belt. "And don't need equipment. I've got quite a bit on me, already. I'll be alright."

The Asian boy hooked his fingers on his own harness and gave the smallest shrug, the corners of his lips quirking up into a miniature smile. "Suit yourself," he stated, before clearing his throat and flicking his attention back to Thomas as well. "We're burning daylight. Grab a canteen, fill it, and let's go." Minho pivoted, snatching a water bottle off the wall and heading out of the door hastily, expecting the two newbies to do the same. He showed them how to fill the bottles in the creek just out back of the Map Room: not the best taste, but far better than suffering dehydration.

"A good look for you." All three stood immediately, practically in sync, upon hearing a new voice from behind them. Gazing her eyes over the figure, Rachel quickly assessed that it was Teresa, and that she was talking to Thomas and Thomas only. It wasn't rude or anything, the two of them were just closer than anyone else, and that was very clear just by sight alone. Rachel smiled a little to herself, screwing the lid onto her water as Thomas stepped forward to talk to the pale girl. They reminded Rachel of Aris and herself.

The Icer didn't hear what Thomas said to Teresa, brought back from her reminiscing by Minho's snappy voice cutting through the air. "You two need a minute?"

Thomas parted from the other girl, returning to Rachel and Minho shortly. Then, they headed towards the creaking and crumbling East Door, which was growing more and more cavernous and gaping as the seconds passed.

All three of them stumbled to a stop in front of it, watching the doors open for the day. They all knew what lie ahead of them. Today, they found a way out. They had to.

Each of the teens took a heavy inhale, and each for their own reasons. For Thomas, it was his first real day running and exploring the Maze, without Grievers breathing down his neck. For Rachel, she was going back into the Maze, back where she'd just escaped from. And for Minho, it was just the start of a new day.

"You two, follow me," Rachel spoke, not bothering to look at the boys as her confidence swelled. This was it. If they were getting out of here, she had to be calling the shots. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Minho open his mouth to make some quip about her being in charge, but for once, he bit his lip and kept it reserved. That was the reason he was even allowing her out there, after all. To follow her out.