[1] Let Me Go ➝ The Maze Runner ✓ (WATTYS 2015 WINNER!)

*The Runner*

*The Runner*

All I concentrated on was reaching the open walls; my escape to freedom. I was heedless of where I would end up after passing through, but at least I'd be away from those hideous creatures. I hoped so, anyway. My mind was awash with wild thoughts and conclusions as to how I ended up here, but none seemed feasible. Instead, I concentrated on where I was headed, keeping the towering doors in my sight at all times.

Too focused on keeping my breathing regular and my feet straight, however, to be fazed by the sudden sound of thumping footfalls, heavier than my own, until I slammed straight into a running figure as I approached a sharp twist. My body collided with something hard and I plummeted to the ground, knocking the air from my lungs and leaving me gasping and spluttering. My eyes had clamped shut as I fell, arms flailing, but they instantly blinked back open as I heard a deep goran come from underneath me. I was staring into the stricken face of a boy. He looked to be about sixteen, and his slightly tanned face was awash with confusion and incredulity.

We did nothing but stare at each other for a few minutes, regaining our breaths and wracking our minds for an explanation. There were other humans here?! That, I suppose, brought a glimmer of hope.

Finally, I pushed myself of the heaving chest of the boy and got to my feet, brushing down my knees before offering a hand. He was still slightly dazed as he accepted, somewhat reluctantly, and I pulled him up.

"A shucking girl?" He muttered, still gazing at me with an incredulous expression.

"Er, I'm sorry?" 'Shucking'? What kind of language was that?

He studied me with a fleeting glance, something unrecognisable flashing in his eyes. I stared longer than I should have, and I suddenly flushed under his raised eyebrow. Jet black hair, dark eyes, a strong build. "You like what you see?" He snickered, and I blushed furiously in anger.

"N-no! Just... where am I?"

"The Maze. How'd you get here?" His surprise had simmered down slightly, and curiosity had surfaced.

The Maze. Well, obviously!

"I don't know," I sighed. "Still trying to figure that out for myself. How did you get here?"

He studied me again, this time longer, before grabbing my arm and dragging me back the way he came, jogging at a steady pace.

"Hey! What're you doing?!" I shrieked, trying to fight against his iron grip, but the struggle only made him clench harder.

"I'm taking you back to the others."

The others?

I heaved a sigh and allowed myself to be pulled along, but after a while, his trust seemed to have grown and he allowed me to run by his side. I was able to match his pace with ease, and he glanced at me several times in surprise as I showed no signs of fatigue. I was somewhat surprised myself; I didn't know if I'd worked out or something before ending up here, but I was certainly fit. And good job too, else I wouldn't have escaped those beasts.

"What are they?" I asked abruptly, taking his silence as a question. "Those things that haunt the Maze."

He suddenly halted, causing me to run a little further ahead and glance back over my shoulder. He was staring at me, again. More incredulity. It was like he'd never seen a girl before.

"You mean the grievers?"

"The grievers," I murmured thoughtfully. Seemed like a fitting name. I nodded, meeting his gaze, now imbued with slight admiration.

"You saw one?"

"Ran from two, actually," I declared casually, heaving my shoulders in an impassive shrug. Might as well show off to this guy; I needed allies in a world I didn't understand.

"Shucking hell. We gotta get back to the others, come on!"

He suddenly sped past, tugging on my shirt in the process so I stumbled forward with a huff, before running after him.

He led me through sharp twists and turns without hesitation, much as I had done before, only he ran with profound confidence. Like he knew exactly where he was going. The only conclusion I could devise whilst running was that he'd been here a long time, just running. But I couldn't be certain.

"So, you definitely saw them? The grievers?"

He didn't glance at me, but I could discern the skepticism in his voice. He didn't believe me? I suppressed a sigh and hummed my response, not in a mood to protest. He didn't believe me? Fine.

"Mmhhmm."

He remained silent after that, until we finally reached the walls. The open walls. I unconsciously braced myself as we passed round the final corner, and I couldn't suppress the gasp of wonder as we passed through the doors themselves.

I halted in my tracks, eyes wide, trying to take in everything around me. The runner noticed my amazement and grinned sardonically.

"Welcome to The Glade."