control ⇢ the maze runner / thomas [1] ✓

Chapter Twenty-Three

"Everybody wanna blame her, blame him.
Just blame it on the motherfucker killing
everyone!"
—Logic, Killing Spree

CONTROL,
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

RUBY HAD A pretty good crowd of Gladers ready to train with her. She was pretty proud of herself, and her turnout, if she were being honest.

Leo was one of her trainees. At that moment, she was working on punchers and kicks with the group. She readjusted Leo's form, removing his thumb from inside his fist. "You'll break your thumb that way", she warned.

"But  this way seems unnatural", Leo whined.

Ruby laughed. "You wanna feel uncomfortable or you want a broken thumb?" Leo looked at her for a moment before untucking both his thumbs. Ruby nodded in satisfaction. "That's what I thought."

Her attention was grabbed by a loud thud. She turned around to see poor Chuck lying flat on his back. At first, Ruby only looked at him with a raised brow. Eventually, she went and helped him up. "Okay there, Chuckie?"

"I tried to do a kick", Chuck said sheepishly. "It didn't turn out."

"Well, you've gotta start simple", Ruby said. "Instead of trying to do a flying kick your first try, and don't beat yourself up because I did one yesterday and fell, just do it on the ground. Watch." Ruby balanced herself on her left leg, kicking out with her right. "See? It's a lot easier."

While the group was training, Newt came out. He looked hurt and angry. Ruby cupped her hands around her mouth. "Newt!", she shouted, waving him over. Newt's thin lips were set into a frown, his brows furrowed. "What's the matter?"

Newt tsked. "Alby. Being a right idiot."

Ruby rolled her head. "Wanna spar with us? Might make you feel better."

Newt cracked a smile. "I think you just like to punch away your problems, Ru."

"Maybe", Ruby shrugged. "But it's fun."

Newt let out a laugh. Now that was something that Ruby was more than glad to hear. She hated to see people sad. Especially if she couldn't do anything about it. "I should get back up there." He nodded back towards the Homestead. "Just in case. Never know what'll happen when..." He trailed off, looking sad. Then he smiled and handed Ruby a key. "Minho thinks that'll do you some good, but anything you take out of the basement must go back in. Understood?"

"I read you loud and clear, sir", Ruby said, giving a mock salute as she took the key from him.

Newt shook his head. "Don't teach them too much. Don't need them turning against each other with weird finishing moves."

It was Ruby's turn to laugh this time. "I don't even know any weird finishing moves." With that, she gave him a gentle shove. "Go about your business."

Ruby passed the key to Leo. "You know more than I do. Bring back anything useful."

"Roger that." Leo ran off and Ruby went back to instructing the boys. They were doing well so far. Ruby was proud. It made her feel less helpless. Now that she knew something. Ruby reached up and touched her neck. The bruises there were fading from purple to yellow. It was ugly. Ruby wished she had a jacket. It would have come in handy with covering it up.

While Leo was gone, she was approached by Gally. When she noticed it was him, Ruby scowled and turned away. Gally looked hurt. He had feelings. Who knew. "Come on, Ruby, don't be like that."

"I'm not being like anything", Ruby said dismissively.

"Lightning bug, I'm sorry!" When Ruby wouldn't turn around, Gally stepped in front of her. She turned her head, avoiding his gaze. "You've gotta understand how this looks to me. I didn't wanna get you into trouble, but you stepped out there after him."

"Because I was worried about him!", Ruby shouted, throwing her arms up in the air.

"And you think he would do the same for you?"

"I—" Ruby had no answer.

DECEMBER 14, 2019
the movie lottery ticket cracks me up. 🤣
sorry about more short chapters. i wanna
try and fill the book out a little bit more.