The First Runner

A really stupid thing to do

When the rain finally stopped, I found myself drifting toward the western doors, my worry gnawing deeper. The others followed, and soon we were all gathered at the entrance, waiting, hoping.

I wiped the rain from my face and noticed Chuck lingering nearby, looking like he wanted to speak but holding back. He was new, but he'd already grown close to Jess. I had to admit, I'd grown fond of the kid too, even if he talked a bit too much.

Beside me, Thomas let out a frustrated sigh. "Come on, guys. Can't we send someone after them?"

If I could, don't you think I'd be out there right now?

Before I could say anything, Gally cut in. "It's against the rules," he said. Since his own encounter with the Maze, Gally had become a stickler for them. "Either they make it back, or they don't."

I nodded grimly. "Can't risk losing anyone else," I added, catching Gally's eyes. We both knew what we were thinking—about that first time, over a year ago. The time when it all went wrong.

A gust of wind howled through the Glade, and the Maze doors groaned ominously. No. No, no, no, no.

"Oh no," Chuck muttered under his breath, his voice filled with dread.

Then I heard it—footsteps. My heart leaped as I caught sight of three figures limping toward us.

"There!" Thomas pointed, his voice filled with relief.

But something was wrong. I could see it. "Wait, no... something's off," I muttered, eyes narrowing as I spotted Alby slouched between Minho and Jess.

"Come on, Minho! Come on, Jess!" Chuck yelled, his voice cracking.

"Come on!" Frypan joined in. "You can do it!"

But the doors weren't waiting for them.

"You've got to leave him!" Gally shouted, panic rising in his voice. But I knew Jess—she wasn't going to let that happen. Not if she had any say in it.

"They're not going to make it," I whispered, dread pooling in my stomach as I locked eyes with Jess. Her gaze burned with determination, but they were still too far away.

The doors were nearly shut now, and just as I thought it was over, Thomas lurched forward. Too late, I reached out to stop him, but he was already gone, slipping through the narrowing gap between the doors.

And then, the Maze swallowed them whole.

I slammed my fist against the cold stone. This couldn't be happening. Not again.

Thomas POV

I barely made it, slipping through the gap just as the Maze doors slammed shut behind me. My momentum sent me tumbling forward, and I hit the concrete hard, face-first. Pain shot through me, but I scrambled up as quickly as I could.

Minho and Jess had dropped Alby, and Minho collapsed to his knees, completely spent. His face twisted in a mix of exhaustion and frustration. "Good job," he muttered, breathless but somehow still managing a dark smile. "You just killed yourself."

I stared at him, my heart hammering in my chest. The gravity of what I'd just done hit me like a punch to the gut. But there was no turning back now.

Jess shot me a quick glance, eyes sharp with worry but masked under her usual fierce determination. She brushed past me and placed a hand on the door, her back rigid.

"What—" I stuttered, my mind racing. I crawled over to where Alby lay, unconscious with a large, angry bump on his head. "What happened to him?" I asked, trying to keep the panic out of my voice.

Minho's head snapped toward me, his eyes tired but filled with frustration. "What does it look like?" he shot back bitterly. "He got stung."

I swallowed, glancing at the swelling on Alby's head. "And his head?"

Minho sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. "We did what we had to do."

I looked over at Jess, who was still standing by the door. Her hand was pressed firmly against the wall, now curled into a tight fist, her knuckles white. She didn't say anything, but the tension in her body said more than words ever could.

I shifted closer to Alby, unsure what to do next. "Jess... are you alright?" I asked softly, but I knew it was a foolish question the moment it left my mouth. None of us were alright—not here, not now.

She didn't turn around, just spoke quietly, her voice tight. "We have to get moving." Her hand dropped from the door as she turned toward us, her face set with determination. "I don't know about you slintheads, but I ain't waiting around to get eaten by grievers."

Minho grunted when Jess kicked him in the side, but he still didn't move.

"Oh wow, are we all dickless cowards now? No. Get off your asses and help me with Alby," Jess snapped, her voice rising with frustration and for a moment I was actually scared.

Minho groaned but finally pushed himself to his feet, glaring at Jess. "Fine," he grumbled, reaching for Alby. "But we're screwed if a Griever finds us out here."

Jess shot him a scathing look. "Not if we keep our heads screwed on straight. Now shut up and help."

I followed their lead, heart still pounding. We were in this mess together now, for better or worse