After we round the first corner, I fall back and allow Thomas to take the reigns and lead us towards the griever hole. Our group stays close to each other, watching for any signs of an approaching the mutant creatures known as grievers.
"Keep straight at the next turn!" Thomas calls back at us, and we obediently follow him.
I watch pathway after pathway go behind us, and listen to the occasional changing of the maze alleyways. We quickly approach the next intersection, when I suddenly run into a Gladers back, from what I remember, he's called Clay. I quickly gaze around him, searching for the cause of the stop. Within seconds, I spot it, a griever directly around the turn. Gently, I push my way through everyone and make my way to Thomas.
"What're we goin' to do about it? You got a plan, right?" He looks at me and nods, stepping up to claim his title as the new leader and turns to the boys.
"Heads up boys, now's the time we all knew would come no backing out now. If we want to live, we got to fight," everyone lifts their crudely made weapons in agreement. "On the count of three, we run in and go for it's weakest point, the joints."
The demeanor of the Gladers quickly shifts into a confident feel as the grip their spears tightly and try to prepare themselves to charge into battle. I feel a hand place itself onto my shoulder, offering support, and turn around to see Newt looking down at me. I give him a bold nod, which he quickly returns.
"Three." We ready our makeshift weapons.
"Two." We crouch, bracing ourselves to run.
"One." With a yell, we sprint around the corner and head right for the monster in the alleyway.
The first to go down isn't older than twelve years old, we called him Leo. He's one of the builders, the guys and I nicknamed him Shrimp. Leonwas right next to me, putting up a better fight than we could've ever expected. The young boy was watching my back, making sure nothing got to me, when I head him let out a gasp. I whip around just in time to see his small frame fall to the ground, with a hold in his chest. Leo looks up at me with a small, lopsided grin.
"Oh my god, oh my god, Leo! You'll be fine, we'll get you outta here, everything's gonna be okay, just don't move!" I say, nearing the point of tears with every word I speak. He just keeps looking at me with that goofy grin of his.
"Charlie that was awesome!" He says, straining to get out the words, "You looked so cool, we we like soldier, all tough and strong! I know I'm not gonna stay long enough to get out, but you will, you're stronger than all of us!"
His voice gets weaker as he keeps talking, causing my tears to start flowing, leaving little stains on his now dirtied and bloodied blue shirt. Leo looks toward the continuing fight, and he lets out one last little smile, before his eyes go vacant and dull.
"NO!" I yell, lightly taping his face. "Leo! Open your eyes, you're fine! Please, Shrimp, I can't lose you!"
My attempts to convince myself are all in vain as he becomes heavier in my arms. The full weight of the situation hits me as it finally sinks in, the little boy I saw as my brother is dead. I set him on the ground and stand up, looking at the griever, ready to kill. Unconsciously, I let out a strangled yell as I run at it, spear in hand. I hear a metallic thud as the wooden stick hits the metal body of the Griever. It falls to the ground with a loud thump that bounces off the rock walls of the Maze.
I hear a sob from behind me, and discover it came from Chuck, who has just found the body of the boy he's called his best friend since the day Leo arrived. I gather the curly haired boy into a tight hug as he lets the tears fall. By the time he's wiped his face dry, ever single person in the group has noticed.
I quickly realize that we can't take Leo with us through the rest of the maze, everyone's took weak and we can't risk being slowed down. I look at Chuck and I try to tell him gently."Chuck... I'm sorry, but we have to leave him, none of us are able to carry him that long. I know you two were close, but there's nothin' we can do" He nods with tears still in his eyes, understanding that he has to leave his friend.
Thomas jogs over, now giving the younger boy a quick hugs, and the pair walk to the front of the group, ready to lead the way. I jump in shock as someone touches my shoulder from behind, but relax when I see Newts worried face.
"You okay? I saw what happened, and I know he was like a brother to ya." He asks with genuine concern. I nod and start walking next to him, trying to keep with his pace.
"'M fine, he's better of now than if he stayed in this klunk hole. God I just want out of here, but if people'll keep dyin' is it worth it?" Noticing the rising level of emotion in my voice, Newt pulls me into a hug before he continues talking.
"Nobody would've come into this maze if they didn't know what was gonna happen, they died to help the rest of us get out, and I'm not gonna let that go t waste. And I'm definitely not gonna let you join them, love."
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Hey guys! Before yall get mad, I'm sorry I haven't posted, I just haven't had any time to write, but I used every chance i got to write yall this sad chapter.
Also, Thank yall so much for 825 reads!!!!
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Sister of the Glade {The Maze Runner}
FanfictionCharlie arrived at the maze like the rest of the Gladers: in a metal crate with no memories. The other Gladers quickly accept her as they realize she's tougher than she seems. She's earned her place among some of the Keepers, and she quickly becomes...