Fervency

CHAPTER- T W E N T Y-EIGHT

"He's toying with me!" Elle marched into the hut in the deadheads.

"Oh. Thomas." She stopped in her tracks. It wasn't just Minho but Minho and Thomas.

"Who's toying with you?" Thomas tilted his head in question. Amusement filled his expression as he awaited her answer.

"No one" She deflected. Her face switched from frustrated to stoic in a matter of seconds.

"Sure." Thomas drawled and then turned to Minho, "This about Newt?" The two of them left the hut. Elodie's jaw dropped and she hurried to follow them.

"He knows you like him. What's the problem?" Thomas laughed as they made their way to the maze.

"That is the problem." she grumbled, throwing her arms out.

"Where does he get off making me look stupid like that? I don't appreciate it one bit." she ranted, while they reached the opening of the maze. Thomas and Minho exchanged glances. They were both confused and amazed-they didn't have a clue what she was talking about but it was still entertaining.

"We have things to do!" She proceeded, "A maze to escape from. I don't have time to be entranced! I need to run." She turned away to enter the maze.

"Woah there tiger!" Thomas shouted. Minho put an arm out to stop her.

"Slim yourself nice and calm, Smelly." he consoled her, placing both palms on her shoulders.

"Deep breaths" Thomas added. "You like Newt. So what? It's a good thing."

"Listen you two. I don't even like caring for you."

"How could you!" Minho gasped, placing both hands over his heart to display his sadness.

"Wow. Yeah, I'm feeling the love alright." Thomas enjoined.

"How could you say something so cruel???" Minho sulked dramatically.

"Because... If you don't care about people you don't have to worry about losing them..." She spoke softly.

"AWWWWW ELLY! Minho gushed, yelling her name to the sky. "Come here!!"

Elodie's eyes widened as the runner's arms were wrapped around her frame.

"Who knew you had a heart!" Thomas joined in, making it a group hug.

"Uh.... guys, what's going on?" a voice came from afar. There stood Chuck not far from them. His brows cinched together in confusion.

"Help me, Chuck! Please!" Elodie shouted, struggling for air.

"Just spreadin' the love, Chuckie, just spreadin' the love." Thomas explained.

"Come on! Bring it in, Chuck. You know you wanna!" Minho persuaded, holding an arm out so that he could join.

"Fine." he sighed and turned to Thomas, "just don't call me that"

"Alright Chuck" he laughed.

"Can she even breathe?" Chuck inquired. He gave her a quick hug and then let go.

"She's fine." Minho responded for her.

"Why you here, Chuck?" Thomas asked.

"I just wanted to wish you guys luck before you went back in"

"Thanks" Elodie sent him a warm smile, but he didn't reciprocate.

"You alright?" Thomas asked him.

"It's just...Alby got stung and you almost didn't make it last time." the boy looked up to Minho.

"Don't worry." Minho patted his arm, "We'll be fine."

"Besides, we might be onto something." Elodie flashed him a wink.

"Really? What?!"

"We'll let everyone know once we're sure" Minho told him, "Now go get some rest. It's way too early for you to be up"

"Be safe" Chuck told them, reluctantly turning his back on them.

"Let's do this" Thomas announced.

"This way!" Minho called, leading the two of them down the path. They made several turns, until finally, they entered a clearing. Elodie marveled at the sight before her. Several tall metal walls stood separated in uniform lines. The edges looked as sharp as daggers.

"What is this place?" Thomas asked while they walked through it.

"We call it blades. It's not supposed to be open...-"

Suddenly, a clicking noise was heard. Elodie jumped at the sound, looking in all directions for a griever.

"Relax" Thomas snatched the griever part from Minho's bag and raised it up "It's this" He stepped forward and the noise it was making became more erratic once he went a certain direction.

"I think it's leading us over here" he motioned. Elodie and Minho exchanged fearful glances.

"This better not be a trap."

They followed Thomas to what looked like a tunnel. Suddenly, Minho stopped.

"What?" Thomas looked back to him.

"I've never seen this place before..."

They continued down a pathway that led to a circular door. Suddenly, the griever part made to beeps as if confirming it was in the right place.

"Look at this!" Elodie pointed to the wall. It was a metal keypad.

"Looks like we need a password to get in." Thomas assessed.

"T-H-O-M-A-S-IS-you got that? A-S-H-A-N-K" Minho spelled, "That has to be it"

"Seriously?" Thomas rolled his eyes. A giggle pooled from Elodie's lips.

"Oh, it's extremely likely and you know it"

Suddenly a loud creaking was heard. The maze was shifting, and the floor behind them began crumbling apart.

"Let's go!" Minho called. The three of them ran as fast as they could from where they were. The walls slammed together, closing where they had just been. A deep rumble was heard from the wall closest to them and part of the wall was sent collapsing downward. Elodie's eyes widened and she leapt to the side to avoid the giant object.

"You alright?" Minho asked, pulling her to her feet. She nodded in response.

"Let's get going!"

"We gotta get past blades!" he warned. Instantaneously, the metal walls turned, forming a wall piece-by-piece. Minho went first, sliding between two of the walls. It closed just in the nick of time. Thomas went next, just barely making it. Now it was up to Elodie as the boys cheered her on. Fear filled her chest-as every time she got close to an exit-it closed before she could slide in.

"Come on Elly! You got this!" Minho cheered. Then, she took a leap of faith. She came out unscathed, but the ends of her hair got snipped in the process.

"Oh my god..." she huffed.

"This way!" Minho shouted, "Hurry!"

They turned a corner and where they needed to go was beginning to close, except this time, the walls were closing vertically.

"Go! Go! Go!"

They each had to army crawl through, but they made it.

"That was close" Elodie sighed dramatically after she was last to hit the stone ground.

"Let's get out of here" Minho stood to his feet and leant her a hand.

"Thanks"

They just had three more turns to make, then they were out.

If only it had happened that way.