Thanks for checking out my story so far. You may have noticed that I've changed some things in the story, and while I plan to keep all the main story points of Maze Runner the same, I also plan to deviate from certain points in the story and change things up. I will be mixing pieces from the book with bits from the movie, and also some of my own ideas. I hope you guys enjoy my adaptation of this story, and I'm more than open to suggestions. Please don't be shy!
Also, I want to take a moment to thank my first 3 reviewers! You have no idea how happy I was to see those reviews. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
In response:
Lola – I'm glad you love it! I hope you will continue reading :)
BookRain – Thanks so much! All will be revealed about Eleanor's banishment soon. I am doing a mix of the book and movie ;) I am happy you are following the story, and I hope to hear more about what you think of it.
Guest – Thank you, I hope you come back to read some more!
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We Are The Cure
Chapter 3: Questions & Answers
Thomas POV
My plan had been to wait until Newt ducked into the Homestead to sneak back into the Tree Grove and find the girl that basically saved my life, but Chuck spotted me and ran over to ask for details on what happened between Ben and I. Apparently word travels fast in the Glade. The Slammer is located directly next to the Homestead, so it makes sense that the others would have seen Alby lock Ben up and wonder what he did to get there. Of course, with Chuck's undivided attention, I was unable to visit the Tree Grove, so I followed him to get something to eat. After that, the council met to decide Ben's fate, and I stuck around, needing to know what was going to happen to him. The look on his face as he attempted to choke the life out of me was maniacal, but I'm not sure I want him to die for it, and these boys don't seem very forgiving.
The council chose to exile Ben within the maze, at dusk. He will die for what he did. It doesn't sit well with me. I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that I just can't shake. Alby hasn't spoke to me since the woods, his face is cold and angry, although I can't say I've seen him wear a very different expression since I met him. Newt warned me to keep my distance until Alby approaches me himself. I think he's looking out for me, but it doesn't satiate my hunger for answers. This place is strange, but somehow it feels familiar; like I was meant to be here, I just have to figure out what for.
Maybe the mystery girl in the Tree Grove will help me find the answers I seek. She could be a piece of the puzzle. That's why, after Ben is exiled into the Maze and most of the boys are getting ready for sleeping, I slip away from the others and head towards the tree line. This time, no one stops me.
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Eleanor POV
The burrow which has been my home for the past ten months was made with the help of Alby and Linc; mainly Linc since he's the Head Builder and also my closest friend. There are two entry points, both being holes in the ground not much wider than myself, and they are hidden by tall grass, fallen leaves, and a couple strategically placed moss-covered logs. The first entry point, which I refer to as the 'front door', is located about thirty feet from the stone markings of the Deadheads. It drops down about three feet, curves to the left for another three feet and drops down another two feet before opening up into my living space. The 'back door', as I call it, is a bit of a climb as it is a nearly vertical five foot drop; it makes for a great quick entrance, like when I was running from Thomas' brown-eyed gaze and dove headfirst into the burrow to hide.
The main living space of my burrow is located underneath and inside a large hollow oak tree. The tree itself is approximately four feet in diameter, so it is not a huge space, but I've never been claustrophobic so it suits me just fine. There is a green canvas covering that is laid out on the dirt packed floor as a rug, a small crate for a seat and a larger crate that serves as a table, one lone candlestick I use sparingly for light in the evenings, two supply shelves Linc built for me to keep my food and other belongings, and finally my hammock-bed made out of another thick canvas material and some rope. The hammock hangs a few feet off the ground and is quite comfortable despite the fact that I can't stretch my legs out all the way. When I'm inside my hammock-bed, I have two peek-holes to see outside with; one at the front of my burrow and one at the back. The tiny windows let in light during the day and help to circulate the air inside my living space. Outside the hollow oak tree, I have a camouflaged bucket which collects fresh rainwater to use for washing up, a tiny garden space which produces enough fruits and veggies to hold me over when I've run out of food between the greenies' arrivals, and my sun spot where I sit and soak up the rays about ten feet from the front door of my burrow.
After hiding inside until the sun goes down, waiting for Alby to come and announce my exile – which doesn't happen – I finally work up the courage to leave the burrow in the relative safety of the dark of night. Also, by this point I have to pee so badly I'm not sure I can hold it for another moment. After relieving myself, I return to my burrow for something to eat. I had been so on edge earlier that I forgot to eat dinner. I grab a roll, a chunk of hard cheese, and a sweet red apple, and then climb out the front tunnel to eat on the soft grass in the moonlight.
I've only just sat down when I hear approaching footsteps crunching through the woods. For a moment, I panic, even though the maze doors have closed for the night and even if Alby is here to punish me there's nothing he can do tonight. A moment later, I hear a short whistling sound that makes me relax; it's only Linc. He always gives a whistle as a warning, so that I know it's him. I whistle back, and soon his blonde, shaggy head appears out of the shadows as he steps into the moon's glow. He smiles down at me in that carefree way of his before joining me on the forest floor.
"Hey," He greets, patting me on the head and ruffling up my hair.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, not out of annoyance but curiosity. He never visits me this late.
Swiping my apple from my hand, Linc takes a bite before revealing, "Wanted to tell you something."
I take the apple back and give him my undivided attention. "Well…what is it?"
"Ben was exiled today," Linc tells me, getting right to the point. That's one of the things I like best about Linc. He's always direct, never beats around the bush, and I value his honesty. "He attacked the greenie."
Almost against my will, I look to the high walls of the Maze and imagine what Ben's fate might be. I shudder, and Linc throws an arm over my shoulder, pulling me close to his side for a moment. "Hey, it's all right. I won't let that happen to you."
I draw in a shaky breath before confessing, "He saw me, Linc. The greenie? I was there today. I heard Ben shouting, and I know I should have just stayed put, but he was going to kill him. I had to do something."
"The green bean saw you?" Linc repeats, his dark blonde brows furrowing together in thought. "Are you sure? Alby didn't say anything…"
"I'm sure," I reply, "He looked right at me."
"Maybe he thought you were a ghost," Linc teases, always one to find the humor in any given situation.
"And if he didn't?" I ask, directing him back into serious mode. "If he tells? Alby said –"
Linc cuts me off, "Forget what that slinthead said. You're not going anywhere, Elle. Except maybe out of this hell hole someday." He shoots me a crooked smile.
I attempt to smile back, but it comes across as more of a grimace. "I hope you're right."
"I better get back," Linc says reluctantly, "I wanted to keep you in the loop though." He climbs to his feet and dusts the dirt off his hands.
"Thanks Linc." I take his hand and use it as leverage to pull myself to my feet. Giving him a hug, I state, "Sometimes I feel like you're the only person who remembers I'm still here."
"Oh, he knows you're here," Linc states darkly, "And it drives him crazy."
"I don't want to drive him crazy," I shake my head, "I never meant for any of this to happen."
"I know, Elle, I know." Linc shrugs, "What could you have done, eh? He's just mad because he still wants you and he knows he's never going to get you back."
"He's the one who sent me here," I remind the blonde-haired teen, "If he wanted me back around, all he has to do is un-banish me. But he won't, because he can't stand to look at me. He can't stand me."
"He loves you," Linc claims. "But don't listen to me. He'll let you come back soon. I know he will."
I want to argue that it has been over ten months, and if he really wanted me back, he would have changed his mind by now, but I keep my mouth shut. It's not worth it. Alby is as stubborn as a mule; he won't forgive me. He doesn't know how.
"Goodnight Elle," Linc says softly, "I'll come again soon, yeah?"
I nod, "Yeah. G'night."
I watch Linc as he disappears into the shadows of the Tree Grove on his way back to the Homestead. Part of me wishes I could go with him, but another part of me isn't sure I could handle being around all the others after so long on my own. What if I forgot how to have a normal conversation? What if I'm not funny anymore? What if nobody wants me back?
A twig snaps and I'm drawn out of my thoughts. Pulling my gaze from the starry night sky, I ask aloud, "Forget something?"
The boy that walks into my vision isn't the one I was expecting though, and I gasp in surprise. This boy isn't as tall as Linc; in fact, he's only a few inches taller than myself. His cropped brown hair and dark brown eyes are familiar only because I've seen them once before. It's the green bean. He seems shocked to see me, even though he's the one who came searching.
"You shouldn't be here," I warn him, my eyes darting around the trees to see if we're alone.
"No one followed me," He says with a tiny frown, taking a couple more steps in my direction.
"It doesn't matter," I insist, putting up a hand to halt his approach, "If someone notices you're gone, if they realize where you went, you won't like what happens."
"What will happen?" The green bean questions, "Why are you here and not back at the Homestead? Why did Alby and Newt tell me there were no girls in the Glade?"
I sigh in exasperation, suddenly understanding why Alby always hated the introduction spiel with the greenies; they always have more questions than we have answers. "I can't answer that."
"No one wants to answer me," He seems discouraged, but he's not giving up, "You helped me today. You might have saved my life. I wanted to say thanks." He clears his throat, "I'm Thomas." He extends his hand and for a moment I simply stare at it.
"Eleanor," I supply, placing my hand in his and allowing him to give it a shake. I find myself smiling at the grin he gives me. He has a really nice smile, and like Linc's, it's contagious.
"Glad to meet you, Eleanor." Thomas says sincerely.
Quickly considering the consequences, I decide that things couldn't possibly get worse for me, so I take a chance and tell Thomas, "Come on, if you want answers, then follow me." I turn and start walking towards my burrow, not looking back to see if he's listened. If he comes, then I'll tell him why I've been banished, and if he returns to the Homestead then he's probably made the smarter decision.
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Hope you liked chapter 3! It is longer this time, as promised. I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions; what would you like to see happen with Eleanor? Are there any changes from the book/movie you would like to see in my story? I'll gladly consider all suggestions :)
