Turncoat | Maze Runner

ᴇɪɢʜᴛᴇᴇɴ

A couple days went by, each one the same as the last. I would wake up in the Med-Jack bed, my ankle and head would hurt and Jeff would give me some medicine that eased the pain, either Newt or Archie would visit me, bring me food and ask how I was - on occasion Gally would come and see me - and then I'd fall asleep.

The routine was getting tedious and I longed to be out of this tiny, cramped room that smells incredibly strongly of medication and oils. Even with all that happened you'd expect me to be driven away from the thought of entering the Maze but my experience only drew me closer to it. It felt like I belonged out there in and amongst its terrifying beauty. I want to be out there like I was mere days ago with the wind whipping my hair behind me. The Maze feels so familiar to me. Practically everything in this place I feel some sort of connection too. Newt, Archie, the Maze. But still I have this feeling of emptiness inside, like I'm missing something, someone maybe.

"Hey, Lu." Archie said gently as he perched on the side of my bed, a smile adorning my face at his presence.

"Hey, Arch." I returned pleasantries and waited for him to continue the conversation.

"How are you feeling?" I know he meant the question in a caring way but I couldn't help but scoff a little, in doing so I earned a confused look from the curly haired boy sat a few feet away from me, "What?"

"Do you understand how many times I've been asked that question." I let out a small laugh, "47 times, in the last 2 days, yeah I counted." I nodded as if my tone of voice wasn't enough clarification.

"That just shows how much we care about you." Archie offers an explanation.

"Yeah well I don't need people caring about me, I'm fine and I should be out there helping you guys." I reposition myself so I'm in an upright position.

"Jeff said it could take weeks for your ankle to be how it was, and even then there's a chance you could be left limping." Archie explained, my face dropped noticeably as I realised my chances of being a runner were even slimmer now.

"Weeks.." I whispered to myself only loud enough for it to be just audible to him.

"Yeah but don't worry, as soon as Clint and Jeff say your all good to walk around I'll help you get your ankle back to normal." Archie's eyes glinted with hope and a wide grin danced on his thin lips.

"Sure Arch." I yawned weakly and rubbed my eyes. I literally just woke up why am I tired?

"Are you tired?" He questioned and looked me up and down.

I nodded, "Yeah a little." I yawned again.

Archie was silent for a second until he quickly stood up, "Well I uhh... I'll let you sleep, do you want anything before I go?"

"Some water would be nice." The corners of my lips turn upward and the brown-haired boy hurried off, quickly returning with a cup filled to the brim with ice cold water, "Thanks Arch." I take the drink from him and let the cooling sensation take over my senses.

"So how is your ankle feeling anyway?" He waited for me to swallow my water until he asked.

"Do you want the truth or do you want what everyone wants to hear?" I questioned sarcastically and Archie looks at me with sympathy washing over his features.

"I want the truth, Lu."

"It feels like my ankle is slowly being burned off whilst also being severed but compared to how it was a couple days ago it's not too bad." I explain quickly without taking a breathe and his sympathetic look only grows stronger.

"Well when Clint and Jeff say it's alright for you to be wandering around I'll help you get your strength back like I said I will." He smiles and rests his large hand on my wrist, just centimetres away from my hand.