When she woke up the next morning, her stomach hurt, but she wasn't sure if it was because she didn't have dinner or because she remembered what had happened to Ben. The left side of the bed was still warm, but as she opened her eyes, she saw Minho walking around the room and getting ready.
''Minho?'' Y/n asked, her eyes still half-closed.
He turned round at the call of his name, a small, almost invisible smile on his lips. ''Hey. Mornin'.''
''What time is it?'' Y/n asked as she touched around the ground of her side of the mattress, trying to locate her watch.
Minho sat down on the mattress and pressed a quick kiss on her forehead. ''You still have five more minutes if you want to sleep in. I have to go earlier.''
''Earlier?'' Y/n asked, looking at him as he stood up. ''Why?''
''I'm running in with Alby today,'' Minho said. ''We're retracing Ben's steps. You're running with Ricky.''
Y/n quickly stood up at that. ''What? Can't I come with you guys? Alby isn't even a Runner. What if something happens?''
Minho sighed, placing a hand on her cheek. ''I know. But Ricky doesn't have a partner, we can't have him running alone. Especially with the Griever activity.''
''Fine.'' Y/n gave up - he was the Keeper, so he knew best. ''I'll see you at dinner, then?''
Minho nodded. ''Yeah. Can't wait.'' He leaned in, pulling her face closer and gave her a long kiss before he slowly pulled away, bid her goodbye and walked out of the door. Y/n frowned, realizing it was going to be another boring day.
Ricky wasn't a bad guy, not in the slightest. He was just a bit too flirty for Y/n's liking. However, that day he was quiet, still mourning Ben. That made Y/n feel even worse.
How was Minho feeling? He was acting normal, but he can't be feeling well with retracing his dead friend's steps, right? He might discover Ben's body. Or he might not, which sounds even worse. She wanted to make sure he was okay, but she couldn't do that until dinner later today.
''Hey, Y/n,'' Ricky spoke as rumbles were heard from the sky. ''It's about to start raining. We should probably go back, no?''
Y/n looked up, seeing the grey clouds making their way over them. Nodding at Ricky, she said, ''Yeah, let's go back.''
By the time they set foot back in the Glade, both Ricky and Y/n were drenched to the bone. Y/n noticed Newt, Gally and Frypan, along with Thomas, standing near the kitchens and she quickly ran over to them, halting when she made it out of the rain.
''There you are,'' Newt stood up straighter as she stopped next to him. ''I was wondering when you'd be back.''
Y/n nodded, looking around with furrowed eyebrows. ''Yeah, I'm freezing. Where's Minho.''
''He's still not here,'' Gally spoke, causing Y/n to shift her eyes to him, seeing his pursed lips.
''He's not?'' asked Y/n, looking at Newt for confirmation. He only shook his head. Y/n felt her chest tighten at the sudden worry, but she quickly dismissed it and walked over to Gally to sit down. There was no way Minho won't make it, despite being with a non-Runner. There was nothing to worry about.
Checking her watch, Y/n realized it's been about half an hour since she arrived back. Minho and Alby still weren't back and she'd unknowingly started bouncing her leg. Gally put a hand on her knee, telling her to stop and she apologized. He removed his hand and she started bouncing her leg again. Gally sighed, deciding to let her be.
''They should be back by now,'' Thomas said as he, much like everyone else, was staring at the walls. ''What happens if they don't make it?''
''They're gonna make it,'' Newt said with no hint of doubt.
Thomas walked over to Newt. ''What happens if they don't?''
''Minho's a Keeper for a reason, Thomas,'' Y/n said, causing Thomas to snap his head towards her. ''They're gonna make it.''
The rain eventually stopped and all Gladers moved to stand in front of the doors. Y/n bit on her nails as she stood next to Chuck, staring at the Maze. The vines seemed to almost mock them, as if they were saying Ha! We're here, right in front of you, but Minho and Alby aren't! Y/n was really starting to feel sick.
What if he really doesn't make it? Y/n thought, her eyes unfocusing. No, there's still time. He'll be back.
''Come on, guys, can't we send someone after them?'' asked Thomas.
''That's against the rules,'' Gally, who was crouching down next to Y/n, spoke. ''Either they make it back or they don't.''
''It's too late to send anyone out,'' Y/n said, even though her heart was telling her to run into the Maze right this moment and drag Minho out by herself.
''Can't risk loosing anyone else,'' Newt explained.
A gust of wind hit the Gladers as the Maze groaned and Y/n's heart dropped. The doors started moving towards each other and Y/n gasped. Her eyes moved frantically, searching for Minho and Alby through every corner possible in the corridor. ''No. No, no, shuck.''
''There!'' Thomas pointed inside the Maze and Y/n and the rest of he Gladers looked forward. Two figures had appeared at the end of the corridor.
''Wait, no, something's wrong,'' Newt observed.
Minho was carrying Alby on his back, his arms crossed around Minho's neck. The Runner was struggling to walk. ''MINHO!'' Y/n heard herself yell as she watched him slowly come closer to her and the others. ''MINHO, YOU CAN DO IT, COME ON!''
Minho's panting was so loud she could hear it from all the way in the Glade, which scared her even more.
''COME ON, MINHO, YOU CAN DO IT!'' Chuck yelled as well, as did the rest of the Gladers, yet no one moved.
On impulse, Y/n took a step forward, ready to run through the closing doors and help Minho. Alas, a firm hand was placed on her shoulder, causing her to turn around and look at Gally. ''Don't even think about it.''
Her tears burned her chilled skin as they rolled down her cheeks. She looked back towards the Maze as Minho continued to struggle and the doors kept on closing quicker. ''MINHO, PLEASE, COME ON!'' she yelled out again, seeing as there was nothing else she could do at the moment. ''MINHO, PLEASE!''
Minho dropped Alby on the ground. They were still far as Minho grabbed his legs and started pulling his body towards the doors.
''MINHO, YOU GOTTA LEAVE HIM!'' Gally yelled out, still holding onto Y/n in case she decides to run forward last-moment.
''MINHO, LEAVE ALBY!'' Y/n agreed with Gally, knowing there was no other way.
But she also knew Minho. He wouldn't leave Alby in there.
''They're not gonna make it.'' Y/n heard Newt's voice over the screaming, but she refused to acknowledge it.
''MINHO, RUN! YOU'RE A RUNNER GODDAMIT, RUN!'' Y/n yelled with all her might. her throat starting to hurt as she continued yelling at him to hurry.
Minho let out a scream as he started running, still pulling Alby's body along.
It was as if everything was in slow motion as Y/n looked at Minho through the small gap left. He was looking towards the Gladers, towards her, and in that moment she truly knew.
Minho was not going to make it.
''HEY!''
''THOMAS, NO!''
Y/n blinked as she watched Thomas suddenly squeezing himself into the thin gap, blocking her view of Minho. ''THOMAS YOU IDIOT, STOP!'' But it was too late.
The doors slammed shut. Minho, Alby and now Thomas remained on the other side.
Y/n felt her knees give out and hit the ground. She heard people yelling her name and arms wrapping around her, but she couldn't hear anything. Her eyes were wide, unblinking as the hot tears continued streaming down her cheeks and meeting at her chin. ''Minho . . .'' she whispered, watching the grey walls.
No. That couldn't be happening. ''MINHO!" Y/n yelled as she pried the arms that had been around her and slammed her fists on the giant door. ''MINHO! MINHO, NO! COME BACK!''
''Y/n-''
''MINHO! YOU SLINTHEAD, COME BACK!'' Y/n yelled at the top of her lungs, ignoring all the other Gladers behind her as she continued hitting her fists against the stone. ''SHUCK!'' Y/n hit the stone one last time before she slowly fell on her knees, her body wracking with sobs.
''Y/n-''
''Come back, Minho,'' Y/n sobbed as she leaned her head against the stone. ''Please, come back.''