They Don't Own Me

Chapter 16

Ivy threw her backpack over her shoulders, her knife in her boot and her machete on her back. After being trapped in the Maze, she always made sure to carry weapons with her. The girl walked out of the Map Room, walking through the woods to make her way to the Maze wall. The walk didn't take long and in no time, she was approaching the stone walls. What caught her attention was that Alby, Newt, Adam, Minho, Frypan, and Gally were all standing there. Ivy looked at them in confusion as she came toward them, pulling her hair up into a ponytail.

"Everything alright?" she asked as she walked toward them.

Their conversation had stopped the closer she got so by the time she was standing with them, the boys were no longer talking.

"Everything's fine," Alby said, giving her a reassuring smile.

Ivy gave them a look that said she didn't believe them.

"Believe me, Ivy, you don't have to worry about it," Frypan told her. "Just let us take care of it."

"Guys..."

"No. You can't argue with us on this," Gally said. "It's nothing to worry about."

Ivy groaned but nodded. Gally, Alby, and Frypan said goodbye and headed back into the Glade to start their days.

"I hope you that that just made me really suspicious," Ivy stated, looking at the remaining boys. Newt went to say something but Ivy quickly said, "Don't lie to me and say it's nothing. I've lived here for almost a year; I know when you guys lie. Plus the last time you said it was nothing and to not worry about it, there was a goat loose. You boys chased it for over an hour before I had to go and get it."

Newt chuckled, running a hand through his dirty blonde hair.

"Yeah, you were not happy about that," he said. "But honestly, don't worry. I promise you that nothing bad is going to happen while you all are gone. We're not going to do anything stupid."

Ivy gave him another look before sighing.

"Fine. I'm trusting you on that Newt. If I come back and half the Glade is on fire, then I'm going to throw each and every one of you shanks into the pond."

The boys laughed at her words, but each of them believed her. Ivy gave Newt a hug as the doors suddenly began to open. Once the doors were wide enough, the three Runners ducked into the Maze, starting their days. The trio ran their normal route. After almost an hour, Adam departed from the group, taking a different path that he had been following the other day. Minho and Ivy continued on, staying at a steady, fast pace.

As they came to the intersection where they would split up, Minho slowed to a stop. Ivy glanced at him, slowing as well.

"Tired already, Keeper?" she said with a slight frown.

Minho chuckled, shaking his head.

"No, I'm fine," he replied. "I just wanted to tell you that when you get back to the Glade, wait at the Map Room. Newt will come and get you to come have dinner."

"What are you all planning?" Ivy asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"It's nothing bad, I promise!" Minho walked up to her, taking her hands in his. "Listen, everything is fine. Just worry about your run for right now then when you get back, relax."

"Minho-"

"No arguments."

"Min-"

"Nope."

"You don't-"

"Don't worry about anything!"

"But-"