T E N

"I swear I heard yelling."

"Yeah, I did, too." Another Glader chimed in. "It almost sounded like Newt."

"Newt? Nah," The first Glade spoke again, waving him off. "He never gets mad. He's always so calm."

"I just want to know what's going in there."

"Me too, man." The Glade agreed. "Me too."

Elle had been doing her own thing when suddenly Glader after Glader began crowding around the Council Hall. At first Elle assumed they had been summed by Alby, but as she watched them from a far, Elle realized they weren't going anywhere and just continued to stand there, huddled in small groups and chatting away. So, without giving it much thought, she went over and decided to join them. Elle wanted to know what was going and she realized that by remaining where she was, she wouldn't get the answers she wanted.

Elle shifted her weight from leg to another. Her arms were crossed against her chest, while her eyes were glued to the Council Hall before her. She strained her ears in hopes of hearing something; anything. But no such luck. The other Gladers surrounding her were too loud.

"A little heads up would've been nice," A familiar voice materialized beside. "One minute you're next you're standing next to me and we're talking, then the next minute poof! You're gone."

Elle turned to face Chuck, instantly feeling guilty for having just left him.

"I'm sorry," Elle said. "I honestly wasn't thinking. I just looked over and saw everyone here and before I knew it, I was standing here. Again, I'm sorry Chuck."

Chuck waved her off, turning his attention to the Council Hall.

"Nah, don't worry about it." He assured her. "I wasn't really that bothered by it. I just wanted to get you going."

"Thanks a lot." Elle deadpanned.

Chuck opened his mouth to respond, but he was cut off by another, familiar voice in the Council Hall.

"It's too bloody dangerous!" Elle froze on the spot. "You want to send someone in the Maze that has never stepped foot in there before. What if something goes wrong, ya? You shuck-faces aren't thinking clearly! I'm not about to stand by and let it happen."

"We've already decided." Gally shouted back at Newt. "If you don't agree with us, then feel free to leave."

"Good that." Elle had never heard Newt so angry before. "Whatever happens out there, it's on all of you. However, let me make one thing clear; if something happens, you'll answer to me."

And with his parting words, Elle watched as Newt came storming out of the hut. His face was twisted in anger and his entire posture was stiff. Anyone near him took a step back in caution, growing fearful that he might lash on them. Elle wanted to stop him and ask what was wrong, but she soon decided against it as he refused to even make eye contact with her. He just kept walking and soon enough he was out of sight.

What the hell happened in there?

"Elle?" Alby's voice surfaced. "Alex?"

Elle looked forward and saw Alby poking his head out of the Council Hall. As she made eye contact with him, he began to wave her over. Elle and Alex shared a look, but headed towards the door.

The shuffled inside and Alby closed the door behind them. He then gestured to the bench for them to sit. Elle wandered over and Alex followed suit.

Elle took in the scene around her. All the Keepers were standing before them and no one looked happy, to say the least. Frypan looked defeated, whereas Winston seemed done with everything. If she had to guess, he was ready to up and leave. Clint stared at the ground, a far away look in his eye. Zart was talking with Gally, but the conversation didn't appear to be going anywhere. Gally seemed distracted. However, what worried Elle the most was Minho. He leaned against the wall and he looked completely stressed out. All color had drained from his face and his lips formed a small frown. He kept lifting a hand and running his fingers through his hair.

And he wouldn't look Elle in the face. He avoided all eye contact, which was very unusual.

"You're probably wondering why you've called on the two of you," Alby began, standing before them with his arms folded against his chest. "Due to recent complications, we've had to make a few temporary adjustments."

"What kind of adjustments?" Alex wondered aloud, voicing Elle's thoughts.

"Ben is sick," Minho chimed in, his voice emotionless. "It's nothing to be worried about, but as of right now, he can't join me in the Maze. That creates a problem."

"We never like to sent a runner in alone." Alby explained. "It's too risky."

"I don't understand," Alex, once again, spoke out. "Where are you going with this?"

Minho and Alby shared a look.

"We need the two of you to accompany Minho in the Maze." Alby clarified. "You two are the Greenies and it just makes the most sense to have the two of you go. This way you'll get to see what it's like inside the Maze, as I know you both have been curious."

Elle sat froze; gripped with fear.

Elle will be the first to admit that she had wondered what lurked beyond the Maze doors. She went found herself awake countless nights, her mind unable to shut off. She began to form a picture of some sort; in her mind as to what it looked like. But Elle was perfectly happy with just having that picture. She didn't need to see the real thing.

It scared her far too much.

"What do you guys think?"

"I'm all for it." Alex confessed, sounding oddly excited to embark on this adventure.

"Elle?"

Elle licked her lips, while shaking her head clear of all the terrifying thoughts.

"Let's do this."

Not that I have much of a choice. Elle thought to herself.

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"Now remember, we stay together." Minho repeatedly for the hundredth time. "We don't run or sneak off, alright? The Maze is a big place and we only have a certain amount of time as it is. So I don't want to have to spend it chasing you shanks, okay?"

"Good that." Alex said, whereas Elle merely nodded. She still couldn't find her voice.

After the gathering, Minho had taken both Alex and Elle to get geared up. They were given particular things to wear and some supplies. Minho had went over the rules countless times, just to make sure they understood. He seemed to focus more on Elle, for what she assumes it because she had remained silent throughout the entire conversation.

All words died at the tip of her tongue.

"Alright, Greenies," Minho grasped a shoulder each. "Let's do this."

And just like that, they began heading in the direction of the Maze doors. Elle made sure to keep up with them, as she didn't want to get in trouble for legging behind. She was already enough of a mess as it was and if Minho started yelling at her, there's no doubt she'd break into tears.

Pathetic, I know. Elle admitted to herself. But it's just this one time. Never again.

Once they reached the doors, Elle felt disappointed surge through her as she saw Newt wasn't there. She had been hoping he'd bid her a farewell with some encouraging parting words, but apparently that wasn't the case. All that were standing there were Alby, Gally and Chuck.

"Wish us luck!" Minho shouted, a playfulness to his tone. "I'm gonna need it."

Elle rolled her eyes at this comment. She then reached forth and punched him in the arm.
Minho glanced over at her, a grin gracing his lips.

"Ah, there's my Princess." He commented. "I've missed you."

Clearing her throat, Elle was about to respond when all of a sudden she took in her surroundings. What she had been planning on saying to Minho completely vanished. All she could think about was the Maze. Elle drank in the long cement walls that touched the sky draped in Ivy vines. She took in the cement floor on which she ran. Soon the fear that Elle had felt was replaced with fascination.

Elle continued to follow Minho has he let them through the Maze. They turned corners, ran down long corridors, but not once did Minho get lost. Elle was impressed.

"Alright, I need to tell you both something." Minho stopped, breaking the silence. Elle and Alex slowed down and moved to stand in front of him. "Okay, so I may have left out something when talking Alby."

"And that was?" Elle questioned, finally speaking.

Minho reached up to rub the back of his neck nervously.

"I...uh, I saw a Griever yesterday during my run." Minho admitted. Elle's jaw dropped and eyes widened at this information. "I didn't tell Alby because he was already hesitant to let you guys come today and well, I needed the help. But don't worry-"

"Don't worry?!" Elle practically shrieked, her voice bouncing off the walls. "You shuck-face! What if we run into this thing again today? Alex and I have no idea what to do! We're gonna be totally useless to you. If anything, we'll get ourselves killed and probably you, too!"

"The chances of us running into it again are slim to none." He attempted to reassure it, but it wasn't working in the slightest.

In all honesty, she could have gone without knowing.

Elle spins around, her back now facing Minho. She lifts her hands and runs her fingers through her curls, as she feels herself growing frustrated at this whole situation.

At this particular point, all Elle wants is for Newt to comes wandering out from some corner and take her into his arms and tells her everything will be alright. He seems to be the only one who can calm her down when she's angry. His touch is soothing.

Hell, everything about him makes her calm and happy. The only challenging thing for her is trying to keep the butterflies in her stomach at bay and to make sure she isn't caught openly staring at him. Oh and the fact her heart races like crazy when he's around.

"Okay, so what do we do if-"

Elle turns around to face Minho and Alex, only she is more than surprised to find they have completely disappeared. Elle wanders up to the nearest corner and peers over, but they are nowhere in sight.

She feels the panic begin to build and Elle becomes lightheaded. She can't help consider all the worst possible situations and the fact that she is alone makes them 10 times worse. Elle knows that she can't take on some shucking Griever. She won't even stand a chance against it. She has no idea where to run if she comes into contact with one. If anything, she'll look like a chicken with it's head cut off as she scrambles through the Maze, trying to find an exit.

Okay, wait. Calm down. Elle tells herself, trying to relax herself. You're making this out way worse than it needs to be. Think happy thoughts. Like flowers, grass, butterflies, Newt.

A few minutes pass and her heart begins to settle a bit. Elle closes her eyes and keeps repeating those same words. It manages to help her more than she expected, which is always a good thing.

"Okay, alright, just think, Elle." Elle speaks aloud. "Which way did we come from? I remember taking a corner not too long ago. Minho had said it was this way. Perhaps it was-"

Elle cut off as something flew before her eyes. She let out an involuntary yelp and stumbled back, falling on her ass. Elle cried out as pain shot up her back from the fall. She wanted to get up, but found herself growing too afraid to breathe, let alone move.

What the hell was that?

Before Elle had time to process, all of a sudden a bug the size of her hand flew in front of her. It stopped inches before her face and just lingered. Elle's eyes widened the size of saucers and her mouth dropped.

She drank in it's appearance.

It was black and had a massive round body with puny legs. It's eyes nearly consumed it's head and they were dark as the night. Wings protruded from it's back, extending longer than the bug itself. Elle watched as it continued to flap it's wings, keeping it in place and in the air.

Ew. This is so gross. Elle thought to herself. And why the shuck is it just staring at me?

Taking a deep breath in, Elle mustered up enough courage to extend her hand and begin shooing the bug away. Her fingers nearly brushed against it's wings, but she made sure not not to. The bug shifted slightly, causing Elle to squeal.

The bug seemed to react to the noise and before she knew it, the bug flew towards her. Elle felt a tiny prick in the side of the neck and then everything went black.

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ALEX'S POV

"What were you thinking, shuck-face?!" Minho shouted, startling Alex. "Did you not understand a word I said? We stick together! We don't run off. Now, all thanks to you, Elle is alone and wondering where the hell we are."

"Alright, I get it." Alex countered, clearly irritated. "I shouldn't of run off. I wasn't thinking. Just quit with the yelling. You're making my head hurt."

"Am I?" Minho purposely raised his voice. "Well, how bout you learn to listen to me and maybe things like this won't happen!"

"Okay, okay! I get it."

Minho finally realized Alex, shoving him to the side. Alex stumbled a bit, but regained his balance.

Did he feel bad? Hell no. Alex was sure he had caught sight of something barreling around the corner and he reacted before thinking things through. With Minho having told them he saw a Griever yesterday, all Alex wanted was to see it from himself.

He had heard the horror stories. But it would be nice to put a face to the name, you know?

Alex averted his gaze to the ground. He began kicking some random stones along as him and Minho returned to where they had last seen Elle. Alex had no doubt in his mind that Elle remained where she was. She was smart enough to know that running off wouldn't do any good.

Or at least he hoped.

Alex shuddered at the thought of what Minho would do to him if Elle had disappeared. Or worse, gotten hurt. He'd probably sting him up with some ivy vines and leave him as Griever bait.
Alex wasn't stupid. He knew that Minho didn't like him all that much.

Did he care? No. If he was being honest, he didn't like him that much either. To him, Minho was some self-centered shuck-face who only cared about himself. He walked the Glade like he owned it and that itself just pissed Alex off.

However, there was one person Alex was more afraid of than Minho. And no, it wasn't Alby.

It was Newt.

He knew how much Newt cared about Elle. Hell, it's written all over his face every time he sees her. He looks like a love sick puppy and Elle wasn't any better. Alex knew that if something had happened to Elle, Newt would murder him himself, no questions. He'd have to go in hiding, which is difficult considering they live in a shucking Glade.

There's not too many places he can hide.

"Oh no," Minho's voice brought Alex out of his thoughts. "Elle? Elle!"

Alex followed Minho's gaze and he nearly klunked his pants when seeing Elle sprawled across the floor, unconscious. From here, it didn't even look like she was breathing.

Oh no. This is bad. Really bad.

Minho took off towards her and Alex followed suit. Once they reached her, both boys kneeled down before her. Alex took in the fact all the color had been drained from her cheeks and she already she looked sick. However, he did relax once witnessing her chest raising and falling.

At least she was still alive. He couldn't begin to imagine what would have happened then.

What the hell had happened while they were gone?

Alex watched as Minho began searching for injuries; anything that would give them some answers. He checked her arms, her stomach and her head. Minho reached forth and gently brushed back some of her hair to reveal her forehead, just to see if there were any marks. But there were none. But as he did that, something caught the corner of Alex's eye.

"Whoa, wait." He told Minho. "I see something."

Alex gently moved Elle's head to the right, revealing what Alex had seen. It was a large purple gash on the side of her neck. He could see greenish prominent veins all leading towards a small hole in the center of the gash.

Minho cursed.

"We need to get the hell out of here. Now." Minho explained, his voice strained. "Pick her up and put her on my back."

Alex did as instructed. He gently placed both hands underneath Elle and lifted her bridal style. He then, with Minho's help, carefully placed her on his back. Minho wrapped her arms his around neck and placed both arms under her knees, keeping her still and holding her up.

And just like like that, they took off, heading in the direction of the exit.

This is where things get interesting and you start to learn more about Elle.

Anyhooooo, let me know what you think!

Thanks xo :)