Gally lifted me up.
I didn't protest. Didn't move. Just curled into him, my body limp from exhaustion.
"You're safe now," he murmured, his voice quieter than usual. "Nothing's gonna happen to you, alright?"
I didn't react. I couldn't.
"Come on," he said. "Let's get you cleaned up."
He carried me to the shower hut and set me down gently.
"I'll be right outside," he said. "I won't go anywhere."
But the second he stepped back, the panic crept in again.
"No," I gasped, reaching out before I could stop myself. "No, please...I can't...I can't be alone."
Gally froze.
"Okay," he said. His voice was softer now, almost hesitant. "I'll stay."
I turned away, my fingers shaking as I undressed. I left my underwear on. My skin was freezing and burning at the same time, my limbs weak.
Gally didn't look. He just stepped closer, rolling up his sleeves as he reached for the bucket of warm water.
"Here," he said quietly. "Tilt your head back."
I did as he asked. Warm water poured over my hair, loosening the dirt and sweat. Gally's fingers ran through it carefully, untangling the knots. His hands were rough, calloused, but gentle. He moved slowly, making sure I wasn't startled.
Neither of us spoke.
How long will I be safe? What will they do to me? Will they send someone to kill me? Will I survive the night?
A single tear rolled down my cheek.
Gally cleaned the dirt from my shoulders, my arms. My breathing steadied.
A knock at the door made me flinch.
"Got you some dry clothes," Newt's voice came through, careful and quiet. "You alright in there?"
Gally glanced at me. I swallowed, still shaken, but I nodded.
Gally stepped to the door, taking the bundle of clothes from Newt. "She's alright," he said.
Newt hesitated. "You sure?"
"Yeah."
Newt didn't sound convinced. "Just...just tell me if you need anything, alright?"
"Got it."
Gally turned back to me, setting the clothes down on the bench. "I'll turn around," he said. "You get dressed."
I dried myself and pulled the clothes on slowly, still unsteady. Gally kept his back to me, giving me time.
When I was done, I barely had the energy to move. My knees felt weak again, exhaustion pulling me down.
Gally lifted me into his arms again. I didn't even try to stop him.
The sun set but the Glade was still loud. I leaned against him, my hands gripping his shirt as he carried me toward his hut.
I sat on Gally's bed. My hair was still dripping, the damp strands soaking into Newt's shirt. I didn't care. I just stared at my hands, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on my chest.
"I feel so pathetic." I whispered.
Gally turned to me. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face before walking over.
"Going into the Maze isn't pathetic," he said, crouching down in front of me.
I let out a shaky breath.
"Gally," I murmured. "It called me."
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "It called my name," I said again, quieter this time. "And... and there was this pain, in my neck. It wanted me to go back." My breath hitched. "Why couldn't I stop it? Why couldn't I just...."
My chest tightened, breath coming too fast. My fingers dug into my skin.
"Hey. Hey."
Gally's hands were on my face, cupping my cheeks. His palms were rough, warm. I blinked rapidly, trying to focus on him, on the sharp blue green of his eyes.
"It's over now," he said. "You're here. You're safe."
I shook my head. "It's not," I whispered. My voice was barely there. "They could still kill me somehow. Today's not over, Gally. It's still the fifteenth. What if... what if my fate has already been written?"
Gally was quiet for a moment. His thumbs brushed over my skin gently.
"Then we'll rewrite it," he said.
I swallowed, staring at him.
"Newt will be outside," he continued. "Minho, Alby and Zart too. They'll switch shifts, stand guard." He held my gaze, his voice steady. "And I'll be here. With you. Awake." He gave a small shake of his head. "You can sleep. I won't. I'll watch over you till it's the sixteenth." His voice softened. "Nothing's gonna happen to you. I promise."
I let out a shaky breath. "It still feels weird," I mumbled. "Knowing... that you're gonna die soon."
"You're not gonna die," Gally said quietly.
I looked at him, my chest tight.
He tilted his head slightly, his hands still on my face, thumbs brushing over my cheekbones. Then slowly, carefully, he leaned in.
A single, soft kiss. Barely there. Gentle. Warm.
"Get some rest."
Gally leaned back in the chair, as I settled under the blankets.
"I'm sorry."
I blinked, turning my head slightly to look at him. Gally? Apologizing?
"For what?" I asked, cautious.
He sighed. "For what I said. About not caring if you came back. About... calling kissing you a mistake." He swallowed. "I didn't mean it. Any of it. I was just...I don't know. An idiot."
I stared at him, still half expecting him to say Gotcha! But he didn't. He just sat there, looking... almost guilty.
A smirk tugged at my lips. "Well," I started,
"you could always apologize by kissing me again."
Gally let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "How could I say no to that?"
He pushed himself up from the chair, leaning over me, hands braced on either side of me.
And then he kissed me. Longer this time, slower.
When he pulled back, he glanced at the bed before eyeing me again. "Move over."
I shifted, making space as Gally climbed in beside me. My heart started to beat faster.
"Lose the shirt."
My brain stopped working. "What?"
Gally raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'm not gonna cuddle and kiss you while you're wearing Newt's shirt, am I?"
I rolled my eyes, but there was no hiding the heat in my face. "You're ridiculous."
Still, I sat up, peeled off my shirt, and snatched up his instead, slipping it over my head. I looked at him annoyed. "Happy now?"
Gally chuckled, shaking his head. "Very."
He pulled me in, settling back against the pillow as I rested my head on his chest, his arms wrapping around my like it was second nature.
Gally's fingers traced over my arm, his touch warm. Then, after a moment, his voice broke the silence.
"Please don't go into the Maze again."
I blinked up at him, surprised by how quiet he sounded.
"After I heard the Maze changing, those loud noises... I was worried."
I tilted my head, studying him. Then, before I could stop myself, I smirked. "That's funny. A few days ago, you accused me of being a spy, and now suddenly you're all 'I was worried'?"
He chuckled again, shaking his head. "Yeah, well. That was before I tasted you."
"Mh." I smirked, leaning forward and placing my lips on his.
Slow. Deep. Not like last night in the Pit, when he'd kissed me like he was trying to get rid of me and hold onto me at the same time. This was different. Careful. Like he wanted to take his time, like he actually meant it.
I sighed against his lips, melting into him as his other arm curled around my waist, pulling me closer. And I...well, I was just gone.
And then...
Something crashed outside, loud enough to shake the walls of the hut. I practically jumped out of my skin. Gally swore under his breath and took the knife on the nightstand.
They are here for me.
And then...
"Well, I don't know, guys, but these huts aren't exactly soundproof."
I froze. My stomach dropped.
Gally groaned, running a hand down his face. "Oh, for fu..."
"I mean, I already know your little secret," Minho continued from outside, completely unfazed, "but when the others show up to guard, you might wanna keep it quiet."
I buried my face in Gally's chest.
"How the hell did he find out?" Gally muttered.
I let out a weak laugh against his shirt. "Come on. It's Minho. Nothing goes past him. He knows me too well."
Outside, Minho snorted. "Damn right I do. Now keep it down before Newt has a heart attack."