The First Glader

8

George's eyes flicked to hers. "Because of you?"

Ada looked away, but he saw the answer anyway.

As the sun dipped low, the Doors began to close.

George stiffened at the deep rumble that shook the air. "What is that?"

Ada gestured. "Come see."

He followed her to the edge of the Glade.

The walls towered over them, massive stone slabs grinding shut. The air grew colder as the shadows extended across the grass.

Ada stood with crossed arms, face unreadable. Nick joined them silently.

George swallowed hard. "That's... huge."

Ada nodded. "That's the Maze."

George stepped closer, mesmerized and horrified. He reached out as if to touch the air in front of it, but Ada grabbed his wrist before the impulse could turn into action.

"No," she said sharply. "Not the walls. Ever."

He met her eyes, startled.

She held his wrist an extra second, then released him.

He watched the last of the sunlight vanish between the closing slabs.

When the Doors slammed shut, sealing with their echoing finality, George flinched.

Nick placed a hand on his shoulder. "You okay?"

George exhaled shakily. "...I am now."

Ada tilted her head. "Why now?"

George looked at both of them, then at the Maze, then back at Ada with a small, lopsided smile.

"Because I'm not in there," he said softly. "And I'm not out here alone."

Ada felt her chest tighten.

Nick looked between them with a sigh. "Great. Fantastic. You two are going to kill me."

George smirked. "Promise?"

Ada elbowed him.

But her lips twitched.

And for the first time since she'd arrived in the Glade, Ada laughed.
Barely. Quiet. Quick.

But real.

George froze, eyes widening, stunned and victorious in equal measure.

Then he whispered, "Burn this moment into my gravestone."

Nick groaned and walked away.

Ada shoved George lightly, but she couldn't stop the warmth in her chest — unwelcome, unexpected, but alive.

As night settled, the three of them sat near the fire. The crackling flames lit George's curls gold and cast Ada's face in soft red.

George leaned back, hands propped behind him. "So. Three months here. What do we call this place?"

Nick shrugged. "The Glade."

George wrinkled his nose. "Too boring."

Ada smirked. "It's accurate."

George looked at her, eyes bright despite the day's weight. "Then I'll call it whatever you call it."

Ada rolled her eyes, heart stumbling.

George rested his head on his hands. "I'm still scared," he admitted quietly.

"So am I," Ada said.

Nick nodded. "Me too."