A/N: Here's the next update! :) Thank you to those who reviewed and read the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Maze Runner series.

Ellie sat alone in a room surrounded by computers and machines filled with advanced technology. She was maybe 9 years old, certainly not the age one would expect a child to be while working with such technology. Ellie was looking at a computer completely frustrated because a formula was not working.

"Ugh! I can't do it." She cried out in frustration and stood up from her desk. As she went to turn around to storm out for a break she walked right into someone.

"Where do you think you're going?" An authoritative voice said.

Ellie looks up into the face of one of the head guys at the place she is being kept. In the dream, his face is blurred so she cannot remember his name or what he actually looks like, just his horrible chilling voice.

"I need a break, please." Ellie says with tears starting to come to her eyes.

"No. You will take a break when it is time to take a break." He said.

"But it's not working. I tried everything I know. Maybe you should ask one of the older kids, they might know more this stuff. I haven't taken too many tech classes yet, sir." Ellie said getting more and more upset.

He placed a hand on her shoulder and she flinched. The man guided her back to her seat roughly causing Ellie to want to cry. Ellie bit her lip and kept her tears to herself. She knew that crying would just get her punished and she was afraid of that.

"You will sit here and you will work. Got it?" The man said unquestioningly.

"Yes, sir." Ellie said trying to keep the tears in. As the man left Ellie let the tears fall.

Soon she was full on sobbing and her brother came to her rescue.

"Ellie!" Thomas called and running over and pulling her into a hug.

Ellie sat there gripping onto Thomas.

"Uh, Ellie. You're grip is getting a bit too tight. I can't breath." Thomas said but Ellie only further tightened her grip because her brother was the only thing she was certain of these days.

"Ouch, El. Would you lighten up the grip." I hear a voice cut through my dream and immediately snap my head up to take in my surroundings. I am still cuddled up against Minho from where I fell asleep last night.

"Oh my gosh! Minho, I am so sorry. I was just so tired and I fell asleep. You should've moved me! I am really sorry." I start talking really fast and blushing.

"Relax Shebean. Newt and I fell asleep quickly after you. Ain't that right Newt?" Minho says looking to Newt who still lies on the blanket.

"Yupp." He says and yawns.

"Okay." I say trying to shake the scared feeling from that dream.

"El, what's wrong? It looked like you were having a nightmare." Minho asks slowly sitting up and looking at me.

"It's nothing. Just a nightmare memory from when I was little. Sorry, I was hugging my brother really tight in the dream and I guess I did that to you." I blush and look down.

"No apology needed. I know I can be very irresistible." Minho says with a wink.

Newt just groans, "Oi, do you two ever bloody stop with the blushing and the winking? You were cuddling last night and it was so adorable to witness I might add."

I look to him in shock. He just laughs and shakes his head, "Stubborn. Both of you."

I'm confused. What do Minho's comments have to do with us being stubborn? He's always making sarcastic flirty comments like that.

Minho sees my confused look and turns to Newt, "It's nothing. Right Newt?" He says with an odd edge to his voice.

Newt rolls his eyes, "Yup, nothing at all. Don't mind me. Still half asleep."

"Okayyy?" I say hesitantly and stand up stretching out. Sleeping on the grass isn't all that comfortable after all.

I start stretching out my back and then cracking my hips like I do all the time. Must be because I was dancer before I came to the Glade. Once my back and hips crack I sigh in relief and turn to the boys to see if they're ready for breakfast. However, both of them are looking at me strangely.

"What? You've never had to crack a bone or stretch out a muscle before?" I ask.

"Um, no. Certainty not that loud either. That was just weird Shebean." Minho says shaking his head.

"Come on seriously? Maybe it's just because I was dancer before coming here." I say and shrug, "Anyway I'm hungry who wants breakfast?"

"How do you know you danced...wait, I forgot you get some memories. Doesn't surprise me actually. You have the posture and grace of someone who dances" Newt says.

"Do you think we need to change before getting breakfast? Will people notice I'm still wearing the same clothes?" I ask.

They both just laugh, "Shebean, no one cares about outfits and fashion here. In case you didn't notice, we typically wear the same outfits for a bit before switching it up."

"Really? You don't wear something different everyday?" I ask shocked I haven't noticed it before but they are right.

"No. That seems like a girl concern." Newt says and starts hobbling away.

"Well then I'll meet you guys there. I need to change, especially after sleeping in the grass all night." I say and run off towards the Homestead hearing Minho mutter, "girls."

I quickly change into a baggy sweatshirt I see hanging on the door in my new room and a new pair of leggings with my boots. I'm not sure whose sweatshirt it is but since it was abandoned in the room that is now mine I am taking it, it's probably Minho's anyway and he won't care much. It's also super comfy and warm. I braid my hair and make my way towards the Kitchen for breakfast.

I show up and see Frypan smiling at me.

"Morning Fry!" I smile back.

"Someone's full of sunshine today. How's it going Ellie?" He asks.

"Pretty good! Do I finally get to try something other than toast? I think I'm almost 100% again!" I say cheerfully.

"Clint told me nothing too much so I made waffles for you today. Good that?" He asks.

"Perfect! Thanks Frypan." I say taking my waffles and walking to the tables. I quickly spot Newt and Minho who look at me as I sit. Will and Dmitri are also there smirking at me.

"Nice sweatshirt Ellie. Where'd you get it?" Will asks with laughter in his voice.

"It was hanging on the back of the door in my new room. It looked comfy so I put it on! Why the questions?" I say slightly confused. What's wrong with wearing a sweatshirt for comfort?

Newt laughs and finally explains, "You see dear Ellie that there sweatshirt belongs to none other than Minho." Newt winks at me and I sit there as it dawns on me. So that's why everyone is smirking and looking at me with knowing looks.

I roll my eyes, "Really? Are you all that immature? Just because I'm wearing his sweatshirt doesn't mean anything." I fight the blush creeping up on my cheeks because I do like Minho but I don't need all the Gladers teasing me about it.

Minho stays silent and I can tell something is bothering him.

"Whatever you say Ellie." Will says teasingly.

I blush and throw a napkin at him, "Oh shut up!" We all start laughing. Even Minho joins in.

The rest of breakfast flys by and soon the Runners are off. I finally get to go back to work at the Medjack hut today.

"Clint! Jeff! How are ya?" I ask them.

"Someone's looking greatly improved. Feeling good Ellie?" Jeff asks.

"Very!" I say.

"Alright well, today we teach you all about the injection we gave Gally and just exactly what we mean when we say stung." Clint says and motions for me to follow him.

He brings me towards the bed where Gally is thrashing around. I look at him and then Clint.

"What's happening to him?" I feel my sunshiney mood slowly slipping away.

"Well, we call it the Changing. Do you remember the Griever you were shown?" Clint says.

I shudder and nod so Clint continues, "They have these spikes on them that sting people hence the phrase 'he was stung.' It does something to all Gladers that we can't explain. It took us a while to figure out that the blue injection is what helps them. Without it, whoever is stung dies. But during the Changing, the person relives terrifying memories and nightmares. They scream, are in immense pain, and a couple days later they come back different. Some go mad and end up harming themselves, others kind of retreat into their own minds." He finishes and looks at me upset.

I just nod and tend to Gally the rest of the day. The screaming starts and it is horrendous. I know his screams will haunt me for a bit and they sound eerily familiar. Where have I heard the screams of pain before?

By the time dinner rolls around my happy mood has completely faded and there's nothing to fix it. Stupid Creators. I find a table hidden in a corner and decide to sit there. I'm sit just glaring at my food. It's a plain piece of grilled chicken with a side of potatoes. I apparently can't eat ketchup yet so I'm stuck with bland food. It just adds to my mood.

"What happened to you Shebean?"

Looks like Minho found my hidden table.

"Gally's screams. I can't believe the stupid Creators let this kind of thing happen around here. And also I'm not allowed to eat ketchup because as Clint says 'you just finished being bedridden for two shucking weeks Ellie, ease into things.' Ugh." I say and stab my fork into the potatoes.

Minho sits next to me. His presence alone helps a little bit.

"I don't think you should harm the potatoes. I mean that would be a complete waste of some great food. So if you're not going to eat them..." he reaches over and picks a potato off my plate.

I turn to him in shock, "Hey!"

He shrugs, "I bet you're not going to spend anymore time stabbing potatoes now are you?"

I narrow my eyes at him, "Not if means you're going to eat them all I guess not." I say and stab my fork into another one and go to eat but Minho plucks my fork out of my hand and eats my potatoes again.

I look at him in shock again. "You're a potato thief! How dare you."

Minho breaks down laughing, "A potato thief?"

The way he says it makes me start laughing too. Soon we are both laughing hysterically. Once we calm down we go back to eating in a comfortable silence just the two of us. No one else decided to join us.

I break the silence, "Thanks Min."

"Huh?"

"Thank you for helping me get my happiness back today. Gally, the Grievers, the nightmare and the Changing all gave me the creeps today. You helped me so I'm thanking you." I pause and then remember the sweatshirt, "Oh and thank you for the sweatshirt."

He smiles, "Of course. Plus the sweatshirt looks better on you. It's what I came here with and considering it's been a year and halfish I've outgrown it."

I blush and look down. Minho slowly scooches closer to me and then grabs my hand in his. I look to him with wide eyes and he just smiles.

"Your eyes can get so big when you're shocked." He chuckles. I can't help but giggle at him. I decide to lean my head on his shoulder. We stay like that in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. Neither speaking, just enjoying the feeling of security.

I pick my head suddenly feeling brave. I'm going to tell Minho I like him.

"Min, I have to.."

"There you are, mates!" Newt says and sees us holding hands, "It's about bloody time. But come on. It's bedtime. Nick sent me to find everyone else and it seems you are the last two. I hate to break a beautiful moment but I'd rather you not get yelled at."

Newt crutches away and we get up and follow. We still hold hands all the way back to the Homestead.

We get to our rooms on the top floor of the Homestead and say goodnight. Newt crutches into the room and Minho stays one extra second. He quickly gives me a hug and we go our separate ways. That night I sleep in the sweatshirt and dream of a different world where my friends and I can live happily without any Grievers or Creators.