Rachel

She tried to reach for Thomas as he jumped through the closing doors, pulling her arm back at the last second to stop it being crushed. Why did her friend have to be such an idiot? First he pissed off Alby by running about the Homestead when he wasn't supposed to, then he broke the Number One Rule. If he survived the Maze he might not survive her.

Thomas, I swear that is the stupidest thing I ever saw. Rachel hissed through their telepathy, she didn't know where it came from or how she had figured it out but it was useful.

Sorry, I'll make sure to get your permission next time. Thomas replied after a moment, Rachel sent a sigh through the bond, even at times like this she enjoyed experimenting with it.

Let's just hope there is a next time. There was silence from the other end of the link.

"Best go get some dinner stick." Rachel wasn't sure when Sonya had appeared. "I'm sorry, but he ain't ever comin' back."

"I'm staying here, till morning." Rachel told the other girl, not knowing her decision until the words left her mouth but she was going to stick to it. She wouldn't give up on Thomas because she knew there was no way he'd give up on her.

"Suit yourself." The blonde girl stalked off to the Homestead.

The only other person left was Chuck, it was odd that Flo wasn't with him, she certainly liked both of them. Rachel had heard that Boxmates, as they were called, always stayed close in the Glade.

"Go to bed." She tried to sound reassuring and probably failed. "I'm only staying here to give Tom a right telling off when he drags himself back here tomorrow." Rachel didn't know where the nickname came from, or her resolve that that was exactly what she would do.

"Okay." Chuck gave her a long faltering look before walking off to their sleeping spot. Rachel was alone, entirely, her best friend in this strange place trapped in a death trap with monstrous killing machines.

What are you doing in there? Everyone's telling me there's no hope for you. But I'm not giving up till I see a body, Rachel added to herself, praying for a reply.

Minho bolted, Alby's nearly dead. Thomas's response was fractured, as if he was thinking hard at the same time.

I'm going to tie Alby into the vines over the door, then try to keep myself alive. It was a plan, probably the best option. For a moment Rachel wished she was on the other side of the wall with Thomas, rather than trapped in the safety of the Glade whilst he had to run from Grievers.

Good plan and good luck, I'm camping outside this door to see if you come back. She wanted Thomas to know that she would be there, whatever transpired that night.

See you in the morning. Rachel could tell that the conversations would be over for some time, Thomas would have to focus on saving Alby and himself, there would be no time to talk.

Rachel didn't know how long she sat, her back to the cold stone wall. After some time she was startled by footsteps and stood annoyed, both at herself for having almost fallen asleep and whoever had come to bother her. Squinting through the darkness she recognised Gally, well that was just great.

"Staying up for your boyfriend?" Rachel wasn't going to deign to give him a response, at least not a verbal one.

"Maybe you'll get to bury him, if there's anything left, they might give you a day off to grieve."

Rachel hated Gally, hated him like she couldn't remember hating anyone ever.

"You listening to me stick?" His ugly face and rotten breath only inches away from hers.

Rachel stepped forward, this made Gally laugh for some idiotic reason.

He wasn't laughing a second later when she took advantage of his self distraction to punch him in the nose.

Bone broke under her fingers and red blood ran over her hand. Gally called her something that sounded like 'ducking witch' as he staggered away. Rachel smiled to herself and sat back against the wall to keep her vigil.

In the morning Rachel was woken by the Doors opening, someone had thrown a blanket over her in the night. Her limbs felt very stiff from having slept against the stone wall.

There was no sign of Thomas, Minho or Alby, Rachel wanted to run in but remembered the rules, it could hardly help. They were either dead or alive and nothing she did now could change that.

She hadn't been standing long when two figures appeared turning around the corner, breathing hard and exhausted. Carrying a third between them.

It was now obvious who it was, Rachel felt elated, Thomas was alive, she wouldn't end up alone in this place forever.

Thomas and Minho placed Alby on the ground and stood, dazed, as boys and girls pelted them with questions and a small group carried Alby off to the Homestead. Minho followed. Most of the Gladers cleared off to jobs when Harriet shouted that they'd better or there wouldn't be any breaks till lunch. Her and Alby seemed determined to make sure the Glade kept running, no matter what.

Once the last stragglers had left, Rachel approached Thomas, his eyes were unfocused, hardly even seeing her. She remembered some old advice and slapped him on the cheek. His vision focused on her immediately, that did work.

"Come on Rach, what was that for?" It was a nickname that no one had yet used for Rachel, but somehow she didn't mind. It was just like how she had involuntarily called him Tom the night before.

"For being a shucking idiot." Rachel wrapped her arms around her friend and they hugged for a long moment, it was the greatest comfort Rachel had felt since waking up in the Box.

"Please never do that again." She said when they finally let go. "I don't want to be alone here."

A/N: This is an idea I had to write some 'missing scenes' from the perspective of other characters. Please tell me if you think it's any good. Expect the next chapter for the main part of Trials Together by Wednesday evening.