CLARITY, (newt.)

nineteen

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     SAMSON AND MINHO MANAGED TO SNEAK AWAY TO THE MAP ROOM WITHOUT BEING SEEN. Everyone else had gone to sleep early after the day they'd had. They were all so burnt out after the Banishment and Samson couldn't blame them. He was tired, too. But he knew that Minho approaching him meant one thing; he was ready to go into the Maze.

     Minho opened the steel door, holding it open for Samson. He stepped into the room, which was much bigger on the inside than it seemed from the outside. Samson took in the area. Running gear was strewed everywhere, along with weapons and pieces of parchment paper and pencils. And sitting in the middle of the room, was a small-scale replica of the Maze itself. It was so detailed and complicated it gave Samson a headache just looking at it. The door slammed shut behind him and Samson winced.

     Samson wanted to get straight to the point. "So, can I go into the Maze?"

     The Keeper took a deep breath. "I...I think so," he made his way over to the table and Samson turned around so he faced him. The two of them stood at opposite ends of the table, staring at each other.

     "Since Alby announced the Banishment yesterday, I've been thinking. Without Ben, I don't have a partner to run the Maze with. So, I figured you could replace Ben," he said. Samson nodded but kept quiet because Minho still looked like he had more to say.

     Instead, Minho lowered his head. His hands clenched into fists and he sighed. "Ben was my friend," he said, and he let out a shaky breath.

     Instinctively, Samson stepped toward Minho. Proceeding with caution, Samson slowly reached for him and rested his hand on the Runner's shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.

     "Hey, Minho," he said quietly. "It's gonna be alright."

     But Minho kept his head down. Samson knew he was trying to hide how upset he really was over losing Ben. Minho took a deep breath and Samson braced himself. If Minho started to cry, he wouldn't know what he'd be able to do to help him.

     Samson dropped his hand down and Minho relaxed his shoulders and hands. He shook his head. "I still don't know about this. Seeing Ben like that scared me, I don't wanna-" Minho's eyes widened and he finally lifted his head. "Samson, I'm kinda--afraid," he said so quietly that Samson had barely heard him. They both frowned at each other.

     "Don't worry about me, Minho. You've gotta have a little hope, okay?"

     Minho just nodded. He rested his hands on the table in front of him, but his expression didn't change. Samson didn't know what else to say or do, but he did know they needed to get to work.

     "Right. Now, tell me about the Maze. Every last detail. Everything you know."

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