I was breathing heavy, beyond nervous for the more than permanent departure that awaited us. I know I had only been in this Glade for a matter of days, but this was the escape I had always dreamed about back in Group B. Even if most of us were brainwashed into believing we were doing what we were doing for a righteous cause, myself included, we still hated the place. Being trapped, 24/7. Being scared out of our mind each night when we went to bed. Even is, nothing could take away the terror they inflicted on us each night. It was psychological terror. I felt a strong hand on my shoulder, and I jumped, turning around to face a worried Gally. I sighed in relief, embracing him as he chuckled lightly, wrapping his large arms around my small waist.
"You ok there, my little corn kernel?" He chuckled. I smiled, raising an eyebrow at the peculiar nickname.
"Corn kernel?" He chuckled, nodding."Yeah, like the corn field that I kinda threw you in when the Grievers attacked. Now when I think of corn, I just see you." I smiled, rolling my eyes at his silly, yet sweet-natured intent.
"Plus, you're small like a corn kernel, and the light makes your skin yellow, like you've got some shucking weird disease like, I don't know, Jaundice or something." Gally said playfully, winking to show that he was just kidding. I scoffed, rolling my eyes playfully as I lightly slapped his bicep.
"I'm no corn kernel, Princess. I'm a badass." I smirked He chuckled, reeling me back in as he hugged me tighter, whispering softly in my ear.
"Hey, listen to me, we're gonna make it out of this, ok? You and me, and all of us. We can do this, Lilli. I believe in us." I smiled into his chest, nodding as he finally let me go, running off to gather the last of the supplies. Everyone was standing all ready and prepared at the Maze entrance, only a few more hours of sunlight left. It's probably been about 9 hours, around 3 o'clock in the afternoon. I sighed, making sure the satchel of food and canteen of water slung across me were secure, as well as the knives strapped to my leg, and the dagger in my boot. I also had a machete strapped to my back, just for extra protection. I noticed most of the other Gladers dressed the same. Nodding, I stepped towards the front of the pack, joining Newt, along with Minho, Thomas, Shai and Gally.
"Alright, here's the plan. Thomas and I know this maze better than anyone, so we'll lead. Newt will stay in the middle in order to command and assist the most people, Gally, Frypan, you guys take the rear because you're the biggest and ain't no one getting' through you slintheads." Minho said, a small smirk playing on his lips as Gally shook his head, chuckling slightly as he sighed. I smiled, laying my hand softly against his upper arm. Frypan snickered, shaking his head playfully.
"Aye, man! What the klunk is that suppose to mean? You callin' me fat bro! I'll have you know I may be fluffy as hell, but I ain't fat!" Frypan said in his usual jovial tone, everyone bursting into a fit of laughter. It was almost as if their momentary thoughts of leaving the Glade forever had disappeared, replaced with good-natured humor and socializing with their friends. I couldn't help but smile. Minho laughed, clutching his stomach as he shook his head.
"Shank, you're so damn 'fluffy' you wouldn't know an omelet from a beetle blade! You'd shucking eat 'em both!" Minho retorted playfully. Frypan was laughing so hard he was bent over, letting out random spits of muffled air as he laughed, his throat going dry from the 'cheeriness' of the situation. I smiled, looking to Newt for assistance. We really didn't have time for these jokes, even if they did lighten the mood.
"Alright, ya shanks, we get it. Frypan's bloody fluffy as hell and Minho's nothin' but a shuckin moron! Now can we please get on with leaving this hell hole!" Surprisingly, he didn't seem angry, in fact, he had a small smirk prying at his lips. He was healing, and everyone knew it. Nodding, they all stayed silent and we explained the rest of the pack order. Finally, everyone knew their position, and it was time to leave. I sighed, taking my place near the middle, next to Newt. I knew Minho really wanted Shai to stay beside him, he had grown rather fond of her, and constantly wanted to protect her. Shai didn't object, in fact she was demanding to stay beside Minho so that she could keep an eye on him, and to keep him out of trouble. I doubt she had shown him her subject label yet, it would only make him more nervous. It was more than obvious that he felt an instinctive urge to protect her, and that would be more than doubled if he realized that she was a variable destined to fail. I spotted Gally near the back, and gave him a small wave, which he returned longingly."Alright, ya shanks. It's time to finally make the escape we've dreamed of for years. Let's do this." Newt said confidently. All of the Gladers erupted into applause, but before they could go any farther, Newt stopped them.
"Please, let's just take a moment, to remember every shucking Glader who came before us, who stood along side us, and died. Even the one's who turned, it wasn't their fault. They should be respected, and carried always in our hearts. And especially- especially to Alby. For being a fearless leader, until the very end. Wee never could've done any of this klunk without him. He was willing to die, in order to secure our protection. He made the ultimate sacrifice..." Newt trailed off, staring up at the clear, blue sky as everyone silenced, taking a moment of silence. Newt sighed, flashing a small smile as he nodded.
"Now let's get the bloody hell out of here before we start dropping like shucking flies." He said confidently. And with those last words of "inspiring" wisdom, we were off. Most everyone was getting the hang of running now, although as the sky continually grew darker, the clouds beginning to cover every trace of the sun as it sunk below the peak of the maze walls, even Minho was growing wary.
"Do we keep running after it gets dark?" One of the Gladers -I think it was Clint- questioned from behind me. Minho sighed, and without turning around, he nodded."It's not to much farther now. Maybe an hour. I think you'll survive." His voice was dry, bland, and void of life. I guess running in the maze at dark would do that to a person. We had yet to encounter a Griever, although their high pitched screeches, and clanking metal limbs we a constant sound of terror, distant as they were. I turned my head, catching a glimpse of Gally at the back of the crowd. Most of him was obscured by the others in front of him, but from what I could make out of his face, he seemed less than thrilled. I knew he had wanted to be close to me in the line up, but I also knew that he was one of the strongest, and needed to be able to protect everyone. If something were to go wrong, I didn't want him to be side-tracked with me, rather than helping everyone else to safety. I would manage on my own. I smiled kindly over towards Newt, who was jogging beside me. I noticed his limp was far more prominent now that we were running, but he managed to keep up with everyone else fairly well. He returned the smile, his face slightly reddened from the strenuous exercise. He had been working in the gardens so long, I didn't blame him.
"You ok, Newt?" I asked quietly. He smiled, nodding."Yeah, just reminded of so bloody much...that's all." He said, a distant look in his eye as we continued on. I raised an eyebrow at him in confusion. I thought only runners were allowed in the maze?"But...I thought you were a gardener? Have you been in the maze before too?" I questioned nervously. Newt's smile was small, as though he was overwhelmed with painful memories. He nodded."I used to be one of them. A runner. When we first came to the Glade." He said, his voice soft, barely above a whisper. My eyes widened. Something must have happened."What changed?" I said, my voice trying desperately to keep the sensitivity to the situation that it obviously required. Newt sighed, giving me a small, reassuring smile. It took a moment each time I spoke to catch my breath again. I wasn't exactly the most athletically built person around. And that was an understatement.
"Couldn't take it anymore. Climbed up the ivy on the wall, and I jumped. I bloody jumped. I guess you could say I changed. Or, I don't know, maybe I was always that way...and I just never bloody knew it. Anyway, I got caught in the shucking vines, got this limp, and well- you know the rest." He murmured quietly. My eyes filled with sorrow for Newt, and how hard it must have been for him. "I'm so sorry, Newt." He sighed, shrugging lightly."It was a long time ago. Besides, I'm a lot better now. And, I have people now, that I didn't have in my life before." He smiled, and I knew that the smile was genuine. I also knew that he was talking about Thomas. I nodded, suddenly reminded of a memory that must have been buried away, clouded by WICKED, but was now resurfacing.
"I- I can almost remember someone, a friend. She jumped too. Not from a maze of course, but she jumped...I think..." I murmured softly. Newt's eyes widened slightly, and he pursed his lips together, giving me a small sympathetic smile.
"You remember what ever became of her?" He asked shyly. I bit my lip.
"Died, I think." I said, rather matter-of-factly. He let out a spurt of breath, nodding curtly. I bit my lip, knowing that it probably wasn't necessary to be so frank about it, but also knowing that anything else would have sounded purposefully softened, and would have probably offended him for skirting around the issue. We continued in silence, only a few people talking here and there, the constant noise of distant Grievers an ever-lingering possibility. We had been running for what felt like hours, despite Minho's comforts that we were nearly there. My legs ached beyond explanation, my feet were cramping and soar. The dust that was kicked up from the treading feet in front of me allowed plumes of dust to file up into my hair, sticking to the sweat on my face as I coughed, my throat dry and scratchy from the heavy, drawn breaths I was forced to take in order to keep running. We only took a few breaks, and they were no where near long enough. Even Minho and Thomas were growing weary.
"It shouldn't be taking this long." Newt managed to whisper, through a strained, hoarse voice. I nodded in agreement, forcing my speed to increase as I pushed my way past several Gladers, making my way up beside Minho and Thomas.
"Guys, we should...be there...by now..."I gasped between desperate breaths. Thomas nodded, looking to Minho for reassurance as the dark haired boy finally sighed, nodding in agreement.
"Yeah...I know..."He said, through short, quick spurts of air.
A/N: Thank you all so much for reading, you're all so lovely. <3