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Chapter VII

Womanhunt

As I finished filling up the trays, the sun was already beginning to set. Though Lennon had helped me out, our chatter had slowed us down a lot. One pair of Runners had already made their way back to the Glade - unfortunately not Minho and Newt. Though I was nervous to talk to them, I would have to if I was interested in becoming a Runner.

I dragged the last bag of today towards the final animal pen - the ram's. He was languidly chewing on some dry grass, while his dull eyes followed me everywhere I went.

"Hi there, bud," I mumbled, pushing the fence open with my free hand.

My comment didn't seem to make any sense to him. As I pulled the bag towards the tray, the ram sauntered over to me - nearly giving me a heartattack when he suddenly showed up by my side.

I pulled up an eyebrow, looking down at the animal. "Impatient, hm?"

In response, he nudged my shin with his nose. I grinned, nudging back with my leg. I shifted the bag on top of the tray's edge, slowly pushing it over. Grains started raining from the opening, making a clattering sound as they hit the metal surface.

I looked down when I felt something funny on my thigh. Slightly panicked, I roughly pushed the ram away from me with my leg. A piece of fabric from my pocket was missing - now in the animal's mouth. His gaze burned into my face as he scraped his hoof against the mud. Within the blink of an eye, I had dropped the bag - spilling all the grain still inside - and stumbled over to the fence.

A yell echoed through the Glade as I suddenly tripped, face-planting directly into the ground. I quickly looked over my shoulder as I scrambled to my feet. The ram was already quickly making his way over to where I lay only a moment ago. He did not look too happy. I couldn't help but wince, noticing the gigantic horns adorning his head.

I stumbled through the open gate, almost forgetting to turn back to close it. Only after I realized that, the ram had already made it's way past. My mind and legs didn't work together - I clumsily made my way out of the animals' pens.

Winston rounded the corner of the Bloodhouse, furrowing his eyebrows together in confusion as he saw me ran towards him.

"Wha-", he began, but I flew past him without listening. I threw a quick glance over my shoulder - the ram was gaining speed, while I was losing it. I silently scolded myself for having such a disastrous stamina.

I almost sighed in relieve when I caught sight of Newt and Minho in the distance, just as they jogged through the west door.

"Newt! Minho!" I shrieked, their heads snapping in my direction as they heard my voice. Both of them were bending over, heaving, trying to regain their breath. They raised their eyebrows in both confusion and amusement as they saw me flailing towards them.

Minho put his hands to his mouth, a wide grin appearing on his face. "Run, greenie!"

I think Newt noticed the reason of my rush, because he harshly jabbed Minho in the stomach and pointed at something behind me. Minho's eyes grew wide. I didn't dare look how close the ram was - I just kept running in their direction. My lungs began to burn, my chest going up and down rapidly. Short, ragged breaths left my lips, but I didn't have time to care about it. I just had to get away, and eyeing the green of the Deadheads, I got an idea.

"Greenie!" I heard Newt shout as I flew past the edge of the forest. Branches and twigs scratched my reddened cheeks, but the adrenaline coursing through my body allowed me to ignore the pain.

I hadn't been in the Deadheads before, and could imagine why. It was dark, even though it was a bright and sunny day. The forest had an eery atmosphere to it, the shadows of the trees making creepy figures.

I was getting too tired - I wouldn't be able to run much more. So I did the only thing I could think of.

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The ram had lost it's interest in me as soon as I had scrambled up the tree. I wasn't sure where he went, but I couldn't see him from my spot up above anymore. I was kind of relieved that I had escaped, and a smug grin appeared on my face. Ram: 0, me: 1.

But soon after, I realized I had to get down sometime. Minho and Newt had probably gone looking for me, or at least told the other Gladers that I went into the Deadheads. Newt knew that I had never been here before, so it was only logical to think that I had gotten lost. They would come looking for me, right?

But how would they find me if I were up in here? They sure wouldn't waste their time looking up every tree they passed. I had to get out, and I had no idea how. Jumping certainly wasn't an option - I had climbed way too high. I cursed at myself for not keeping my calm before. I winced as I looked down. I had climbed up at least 20ft up.

I kept peering down, trying to gather the courage to climb down. My eyes widened as I heard the faint sound of crunching leafs and snapping twigs. Someone was coming closer to where I was.

"Hello?" I half whispered, half yelled.

I stiffened when Gally appeared underneath the tree. Quickly pushing myself back against the trunk, I prayed that he hadn't seen me. I definitely didn't want to be a damsel in distress with him around.

Unfortunately, my prayers weren't heard. "Greenie? What are you doing up there?"

Though I relaxed slightly at the soft tone in his voice, I still didn't show my face - though I did glance down. "Ehm.. Just hanging out? No problems here. What are you doing here?"

A small smile appeared on his face. "You're a horrible liar. Just gathering some wood for the Builders. Do you need help?"

I bit my lip as I made myself visible, kneeling down on the branch I had previously been balancing on. He pulled up his eyebrows upon seeing me, a sight I would have laughed at if we hadn't been in a situation like this - he had noticed the bandage around my face. "Shuck, greenie, I beat ya up this badly? I wanted to tell you yesterday, that I'm sorry, but they wouldn't let me into the Med-Jacks'. But I am"-

Though I appreciated his apology, I was getting a bit frustrated. "Gally, really, it's okay"-

He shook his head furiously. "No, no it's not. I shouldn't have"-

"Gally, just get me out of here, please!" I groaned. "You shouldn't have indeed, but that's not the problem right now."

"Okay, I'll come up to get ya."

He put his feet on a lower branch, causing it to make a painful, creaking sound. It could barely keep his weight. If other ones would snap, he'd fall. And then we both would be having problems.

"I don't think that's a good idea - the branches are kind of thin at the bottom. You won't get up."

He nodded slowly, before putting both feet back on the ground. I slightly panicked when he started to walk away. "Where are you going?"

He looked over his shoulder. "Gonna get a ladder. You stay up there!"

I smiled and gave him the thumbs up. My eyes followed him until he disappeared between the trees and plants. Somehow, I was kind of surprised to see him like this. Especially when he had seemed so uncontrollable and aggressive during the bonfire party. I was glad that he had showed this side to him - I didn't have to be scared of him.

I sat back down on the thick branch supporting my weight, dangling my legs on either side. I leaned my head back against the bark of the tree and closed my eyes, enjoying the coolness of the forest. From up here - even though the height was still terrifying - it was much less scary. It felt freshening to be here, not surrounded by the boys all the time. They were loud and took every opportunity they got to tell me how nice my chest and behind looked. They couldn't bother me here.

The breeze was nice after working in the burning sun all day. It made the leafs rustle and rippled through my clothes, gradually cooling both me and the Glade down. It wasn't cold either, just incredibly pleasant. Then, the situation didn't seem as bad as it had seemed before.

I instantly pulled up my legs - causing me to almost fall out of the tree - upon hearing a twig snap. I almost laughed at my own jumpiness when I realized it was probably just Gally.

"Hey!" I shouted as I peered down.

A face came into my view - but not Gally's.

"Ah, little monkey's over here!" A very amused Minho shouted back, before exuberantly waving with both arms.

I rolled my eyes and groaned. Out of all people in the Glade, exactly he had to be the one to find me here.

"Go away Minho!" I shouted, making a gesture to strengthen my words. "Gally's getting help."

It almost scared me how quickly his expression changed. He narrowed his eyes, looking around. "I'm not seeing the shuckface around here. Did he just leave you here by yourself?" He spat the last words. I remembered what Jeff had told me last night - Minho had been furious with Gally hitting me.

"It's okay, I don't mind. It's not like anything can happen to me up here," I said, shrugging to make it sound more casual.

"Where did he go?"

"He's getting a ladder."

Minho threw his arms up in frustration. "I'm coming to get you."

"No you're not!" I shouted - I really didn't want him to help me. I had thought it was bad to be a damsel in distress with Gally around, but with Minho, it felt even worse to be in trouble.

"Right now," he said, a smug grin tugging at his lips.

"Minho!"

He was already making his way up, swiftly placing his feet and hands on the right spots. He acted as if he didn't hear me. "On my way!"

"Minho!"

Before I knew it, he was by my side, pretending to straighten his shirt and pants. He was so close - I could see small drops of sweat on his forehead, and grains of dust and sand in his perfect dark hair.

"Shuck, greenie, impatient one y'are," he said, putting his arm securely around me. I shot daggers at him and tried to pry his hand off of my waist, but he wouldn't budge. He just laughed. "Let's get you down, hm?"

I shook my head. "I told Gally I'd wait up here. I don't want him to come back for nothing."

"C'mon greenie, he wouldn't care. He wants you to be safe down too." His voice softened. "Let me help you."

I looked into his eyes. They seemed sincere for once, and I trusted him this once. "Alright then."

Within minutes, he had helped me down the tree. When needed, he whispered instructions to me and supported me with his arm, ever so slightly squeezing my waist - making his muscles bulge, which I could even feel through the fabric of his shirt. I really hoped he hadn't seen me blush.

When we were both safely on the ground, he let go of me, before turning to look at me. "See? Not that difficult. Now don't go climbing trees at random again - can't save your shucking ass all the time."

I rolled my eyes, but also grinned. "Sure, sure. I'll be sure to warn you whenever I feel like going on an adventure again."

He cracked a smile. "I'll go on an adventure with you. How about that?"

"Does the almighty Keeper of the Runners even have time for that?"

Minho huffed. "I always have time for adventures."

"Sappy, much?"

We both grinned at my comment, but the sound of someone scraping their throat made us both turn around.

Gally stood a couple of feet away from us, a ladder clutched underneath his arm. I felt heat rise to my cheeks - guilt boiled up in my stomach. He had done so much effort, only to find me already down.

He tried hard to hide his embarrassment, but I could see it on his face as he spoke. "Already down, hm?" His gaze shifted to Minho, who once again, had a smirk plastered to his face. "We really didn't need your help."

"Go cry about it, shank," Minho said, before turning to me and grabbing my wrist. "Let's go, greenie. Can't leave the others worried 'bout ya."

As Minho dragged me behind him, I threw a glance over my shoulder. Gally looked a little lost, standing alone with the ladder still under his arm. My eyes softened as I mouthed an apology to him. He shrugged, a sad smile distorting his face.

And at that moment, I didn't think I could ever get over the guilt of how miserable he looked.

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Hey everyone! Sorry for not writing for so long, I hope this chapter makes up for it. Guest, I'm doing my best! Glad you're enjoying the story so far! BookRain, thank you for the suggestions - I think they're suitable for her too. You should definitely visit Italy if you get the opportunity, it's absolutely beautiful! The snacks are amazing too :). Sparksofrandomness and minstorai, thank you guys! Not sure when I'll be updating, but I've already got ideas for the next chapter (so it should be pretty soon ;) ...). Until next time.

- paperkite