Disclaimer: I don't own The Maze Runner.

Chapter 25: Minho's Ending #1 (Alternate)

Minho's POV

(During Thomas and Teresa's kiss in the building in the Scorch)

I ran into the building right after Thomas did. I could try to help him if he was fighting or whatever. What if the woman that screamed was Teresa and she was dead? We didn't need Thomas dying on us now. I looked around the dark place, trying to find any source of light—and Thomas.

Suddenly, a shadow passed to my right. My eyes squinted, and I followed it. "Thomas?" I called. No one answered but the shadow moved. I could clearly see an outline of a human figure, so I followed it. "Hey, Thomas! Stop kidding around. Let's get outta here-"

I stopped following the figure when it halted in a room, turning to look at me discreetly from under it's hood. Scanning the figure closer—even if it was dark—I realized it wasn't Thomas. With no weapons whatsoever, I backed up two steps and frowned.

"Who are you?" I asked the figure. The person didn't answer, and I felt myself grow irritated. "Who are you? You better tell me before I break your shuck face!"

And then I heard a laugh. A light, amused, very familiar laugh.

My heart stopped. I think. I didn't know. I couldn't really think at all then. I just knew that laugh. I knew it. It's been a few days but I'd recognize it even I was in the middle of a chattering crowd ten years from now. There was only one person—but it couldn't be. It couldn't. She was dea-

Then a flashlight went off between us. I caught her grin.

"You never change." My breath hitched. "Still so full of yourself."

I stared at her, in a complete daze. How could she be here? How is Andy—wait. No. Simple enough, it wasn't Andy. It couldn't be. She died in front of me and this girl was an imposter. I bet WICKED sent her. How dare they imitate a dead girl? How dare they imitate Andy? Those shucks. The daze I was in snapped to rage as I advanced.

"Who are you?" I glared, stomping toward the person. "Who are you? Why did WICKED send you? What do they want?"

"Whoa, relax, Min," she raised her hands in defense, taking a few steps back. "I'm Andy. Your best friend in the Glade? Ring a bell?" I didn't answer, only sneered, and she continued, "You call me babe, remember? I vent a lot to you and I tricked you into finding a Griever with me? You gave me the pink trainers?"

Min. Best friend. Vent. Babe. Pink trainers. With every word, I felt the grief and ache in me crawl out from where I buried it. How dare WICKED even make this girl use Andy's memory against me. Those shuck faces. I gritted my teeth, "I know Andy. She's dead-"

"She's dead," she mocked, rolling her eyes. "I know what happened but, come on, Minho. I think I'd know if I was dead, wouldn't I?"

It was so, so like her. She sounded and act so much like Andy it hurt.

"You liar," I spat. "Tell me who you are or I'll shucking-"

"What? Hurt me?" she huffed. "Come on. You have nothing but weapons-oh wait. You don't even have that."

My eyes flashed back to the time in the Maze with Andy, a conversation so familiar, but I still couldn't believe this-this stranger! She sighed, seeing my doubt. "I know it looks crazy but you have to listen, Min."

"Stop calling me that!" I hissed. "Stop pretending you're Andy!"

"How can I pretend when I am Andy?" she asked incredulously.

I didn't believe her. I couldn't believe anything and it was apparently visible since the girl sighed.

"Look. I have so much to explain, I'm so sorry, but it'll take too long. You just have to believe me, Min. It wasn't a bullet that was in the gun; it was more like a sleeping serum. It slows down the heartbeat so much and lets-"

"What did I do after we talked about the kiss in the Glade?" I asked instantly, cutting her off. She blinked. If she really were Andy, she wouldn't answer a simple 'pretend it never happened'. No. She would-

"What kiss?"

My mouth fell as she grinned. That was what she would say. "Andy?" I asked, cutting her off. She breathed out something like a 'finally' and smiled. I blinked, still unsure—but suddenly hopeful. "Y-you're alive?"

"Yes! That's what I've been trying to tell you," she said, smiling widely. "It's me."

I stopped in front of her, staring blankly. She was alive. It took me awhile to grasp it. Andy was alive. She didn't die. It was all WICKED's ruse. She was here—her beautiful smile, her wild blonde hair, her bright, twinkling eyes, the sarcastic retorts that she most probably learned from me—they were all there.

"But…but you…" I trailed off, extremely overwhelmed.

She tilted an eyebrow. "Are you gonna hug me or should I make the first move?"

In a second, all the emotions I locked away a few days ago burst out. I didn't know whether to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation or cry of how much of a miracle it was. All I know is hugging her, clutching her like my life depended on it.

Screw being collected. This was Andy.

"You died, you died right in front of me," I mumbled into her hair, my eyes squeezed shut. The memories of her body a few days ago made my eyes burn and my arms squeeze tighter. "You died and I couldn't…I couldn't-I-I'm so shucking sorry. I said I'd keep you safe but I didn't. I'm so sorry, Andy-"

I felt her hands stroke the hair behind my neck comfortingly, making me wince at how much I'd miss that if it all turned to be some sick figment of my imagination. "Min, It's okay. There was nothing you could do. They wanted me. I was a variable."

"But I said you wouldn't die! I promised myself to keep you alive, that you'd be the one to make it out, but I couldn't even do that. I couldn't keep you safe," I said, my voice suddenly hoarse. My arms tightened around her, needing to feel that physical touch of assurance. "Damnit, I'm so sorry, Andy. I'm sorry."

"Stop it, Min. I said it's okay," she continued saying softly. I shook my head, making her sigh and pull away from me to gaze firmly into my eyes. I felt a little silly that I felt so depressed at the lost of contact.

"We can get this done after everything is over. Now, stop crying before I push you out of this building. I don't have long and I don't want to waste this time with tears."

That made me choke any form of moisture that threatened to leak out of my eyes. "What does that mean?"

"It means I'll have to go soon. And you can't tell anyone about me."

I stopped and blinked. Straightened my posture. Cleared my throat. Wiped any wetness of my cheek. Back to calm and collected. "Uh, why the shuck not?" I asked, trying not to let the desperation in my voice show. "Can't you come with us?"

"It's a long story," she sighed, frowning. "But I just can't. WICKED has got tabs on everything. No one is supposed know I'm alive. Even you aren't supposed to know."

"Then why do I know?"

"Because I wanted you to." Her answer made me smile.

"So, is WICKED behind-"

She nodded. "Yeah. WICKED."

"You do know that I can just call the others right now, right?" I asked.

"Yeah? And who's to say I'm not just a figment of your imagination right now?" she smirked. "I can just run off, you know. They won't find me, and they'll conclude that you've finally gone insane."

"You-I don't know why-you're so-ugh!" I threw my hands up in exasperation before pointing a finger at her. "You are still stubborn as ever."

She chuckled, but it was half-hearted. "I really want to go with you, but I just can't. WICKED…it's a long story. But I miss them," she said, looking behind me wistfully. "How's Newt doing?"

Great. And then came the painful envy I used to harbor.

"…fine," I managed to mumble, the old pang in my chest returning. Of course. She still loves Newt. They were together when she 'died'. I shrugged and said, "He was bummed, yeah, still is, I think. He's like a zombie now. He misses you."

Andy smiled sadly. "I do too."

The jealousy in me continued burning. You'd think from all the times they've publicly kissed in the Glade, I'd have gotten used to it. Nope. "Yeah. Okay," I said flatly.

Andy looked at me for a moment before shaking her head and tapping my cheek. "I missed you as well. A lot."

And she still does things like that! I both loved and hated these little moments. How does she say she loves Newt yet gives me these hints that were a little bit more than friendly? Unbelievable.

A few silent seconds pass before she grinned. "This isn't really the time to be jealous, you know," she whispered amusedly.

"I'm not jealous." I answered a bit too quickly. "I'm not."

Her grin widened before she shined her flashlight directly in my face. I recoiled, blinking furiously, and pouted. "Watch it. You could blind someone with that." She only laughed and punched my shoulder good-naturedly.

I quickly intercepted her hand, though, snatching the flashlight from her with a smirk. "Hey, that's mine!"

I raised my eyebrows, lifting the flashlight high above her head. Using my other hand, I ruffled her hair and retorted with what mostly bothered her—her adorable height. "Hey, you're short."

She narrowed her eyes at me, clearly annoyed, and then stomped on my foot. Pain shot through my leg as the flashlight fell into her proud hands. "You're still violent!" I whined, earning her laugh.

I stopped to stare at her, relishing in how she could make things better in such a short while. I thought she was dead not half an hour ago, yet there she was, laughing joyously with me.

"Minho!" someone shouted, snapping both our attentions away from each other. "Minho! Thomas ran off! We need to catch 'im!"

I froze before releasing an annoyed huff. Shuck. The shuckin' shuck-face. Why now? Damn him. Ruined shuckin' everything.

"Goddamn it," I hissed in irritation.

I suppose Andy caught my troubled face, and gently whispered, "Go."

I looked at her incredulously, my jaw falling in disbelief. "What? No. I'm not going to leave you again." I shook my head furiously, holding her hands close to me. "No shuckin' way."

"Min, you gotta go," she said reassuringly, her thumb stroking my jaw. "You need to lead them. Help them make it to the end. I promise I'll see you when this is all over."

She was going to leave me again. Unfortunately for her though, that was not happening. I could hear the Gladers calling me again, and growled angrily. "I said no. I just got you back. You're not leaving again-"

"I can't follow you."

"Why the hell not?"

The voices grew louder. "Minho!"

"Shuck it," I cursed, my head whipping from the voices and back to Andy. In a frantic voice, I attempted, "Please. Come with us. I can't lose you another time, Andy. Please."

She shook her head slowly, tears pooling in her eyes. She stepped closer to me, her hand slipping up my neck smoothly. Hesitantly, I rested my forehead against hers, trying not to look at her distracting lips. She just stayed there awhile, seeming to think of something, before she switched her flashlight off. It turned pitch black, but I could still feel her near me.

And I wanted so badly to just kiss her but I couldn't. I wouldn't do that to Newt and her a second time no matter how much I wanted to.

Andy slipped something into my hand—her flashlight. "Tell them you found this and got lost."

Before I could comprehend what was happening, she pulled herself out of my grip and sprinted off into the darker corridors beyond us. "Wait, Andy!" I tried grasping out, but she was already too far.

"Yo, shuck-face!" I turned around to see a furious Frypan and Clint. "Come on! Thomas ran off! We gotta catch him!"

"What are you even doing?" Clint asked incredulously.

"I, uh, I…" I turned back to look at the dark abyss behind.

Should I tell them about Andy? Will I even see her again? As soon as I doubted her, my hands gripped on what she gave me. I promise I'll see you when this is all over. That was what she said. Inhaling deeply, I shook my head at them.

"Nothing. I just found a flashlight. It'll be useful in the dark."

(A few weeks later)

Andy's POV

I was in a car.

I didn't die.

I remembered it all. My 'death' was merely another variable.

Like Chuck's. I was still mad that they let me live but let him die.

The first thing WICKED did when I woke up in their nightmare of a lab was put me through the Swipe to make me remember who I was before. All my childhood memories—my friendship with Teresa, Rachel, Leo, Thomas, and Aris. We six were WICKED's toys. We were the ones affected and the ones they utilized the most.

My memories gave me nothing but torture. Everything I used to say about wanting my memories back was retracted immediately. If I could just put myself back through that wretched device, I would.

Unfortunately, WICKED was strong enough to contain me, cage me in a concrete cell—or a room as they called it—and continue sedating me again and again until I was tame.

The jerks.

Then I met Leo. He was the 'me' in Group B, apparently—and also the voice in my head. Teresa and Thomas weren't lying when they said they could talk to each other in their heads. Same thing with Leo and I—up until we both hit the Swipe.

Leo told me all about Group B and I told him all about Group A. The similarities were more than we could count. They had Runners, we had Runners; they had weird vocabulary, we had weird vocabulary; he was the only boy in their Group before Aris, I was the only girl in my Group before Teresa.

The stark differences were each Group's majority of genders. His Group was all girls, with only him and Aris being boys, and my Group was all boys, with only Teresa and I being girls. Oh, and Leo designed the monsters for his group—just like me. Amazing, right?

Well, enough about that.

I managed to gather a handful of information during my time back at WICKED. A lot of info, actually. I understood why they were carrying out these experiments—it didn't mean I approved, though. Some other info I gathered against them were too valuable, I had to keep them to myself.

Example:

Gally was alive. I met him a few times whenever I'd escape my room to wander around their building. WICKED kept him in a cell in their Headquarters, but he escaped a while ago to join a resistance called The Right Arm.

WICKED's tabs on the Gladers were still as strong as ever despite them thinking they broke free—that is, until some of them removed the Swipe. Most of them died as well throughout their journey.

Clint. Jeff. Winston. Wright. And so many more that their names I couldn't recognize. They could've helped me in the Glade once, they could've helped me when I was blindly making my way through the Grievers on our day out—but I didn't know them. That was the main reason for my tears drying out. All the Gladers I never had time to know. All the Gladers: dead.

Then there was Newt. He was dead, too. Though, when Ms. Paige told me that Newt had died after being infected by the Flare, I didn't exactly mourn. Well, I did shed some tears, but for some reason—whatever it was—I didn't feel anything. I should have, I know, but I cried like he was just another Glader.

I felt horrible, but I just couldn't bring myself to feel the extreme grief I should've felt.

If anything, Newt's death only made me more worried about that one specific boy. The first thing that came to my mouth when Ms. Paige told me was: "What about Minho?"

Minho. Minho. Minho. Every single day. Minho. I couldn't stop worrying about him and it made me so annoyed.

I thought a lot about Teresa, Newt, Thomas, Frypan and all the other Gladers, but he was always in the back of my mind—always. After meeting him at the abandoned building—I was following Teresa actually—it only intensified.

WICKED had lost track of him when he removed his Swipe, so I wasn't sure. And that was the worst feeling I had to go through. They didn't know anything about the Gladers that removed their Swipes, and I had no idea if he was still alive or not.

So, like me, Leo and I worried after our friends from afar, the guilt of not being able to do anything eating away in our stomachs—until we left WICKED headquarters with Ms. Paige.

A day before, Ms Paige had alerted us of a new plan and sent us somewhere unknown. She told us all about WICKED's Plan B, and where the other Immunes were kept. Leo and I had no choice but to follow her.

We arrived outside a wall. When I stepped outside to evaluate, I realized that it was a mountain. Between the mountains was a rocky path—a path that I was sure we'd have to go through. What made me excited was actually the glimpse of green I managed to see through the mountain openings. It seemed a lot like living, breathing plants.

Ms. Paige and Leo got out of the car, carrying their necessary items along.

"From here, we'll have to walk."

As soon as the three of us had passed the rocky entrance, Ms Paige pressed a tiny button on her car keys. In an instant, an explosion occurred. Leo, Ms Paige and I were far enough not to be harmed, but we felt the slight shake in the ground.

The rocks at the entrance crumbled, immediately creating a barrier between the car and us—sealing us in, and everything unnecessary out.

When I stepped outside of the forest, I had to stop and stare. It had to be a backup plan if the blueprints didn't come together—WICKED must have been planning exhaustively.

We were atop of a hill it seemed. Lush green trees, vibrant and full of life, stretched out for miles end, ending in a wall of rocky mountains that jutted toward the cloudless blue sky—maybe that was where we came from.

To my left, I could make out a grassy field descending and slowly becoming scrub bush…and then sand. And then there was a beach. An astonished breath left me as I watched the big and dark waves crash onto the beige floor. The air around me seemed fresher as well, much more fresher than the air I've inhaled back at the Maze or at WICKED Headquarters. All around me, people were gazing at the place in awe—some were even running and jumping with excitement.

Paradise. That's what they named this place.

"Beautiful, don't you think?" Ms. Paige's asked from behind me.

I nodded, still admiring my surroundings. "Very. Was this your alternate plan?"

"Yes." She walked ahead, stopping just a few feet from me and overlooking the beach wistfully. "I remember my time as a child. All of this and more."

Then Leo stepped out of the trees, just in time to insert a spiteful word. "As a child, I remembered labs and computers and cells."

Ms. Paige sighed. "Mr. Da Vinci. I know you don't believe of WICKED's motives, and I admit, we've performed inhumane acts, but our vision had always been only one: to preserve the human race."

Leo rolled his eyes, eyeing the paradise around us with concealed interest. "Yeah, yeah. I've heard that. Where to next?"

"So impatient." I remarked, cocking an eyebrow, earning an exasperated sigh in return.

"I just wanna go…sleep or whatever. It was a long walk."

Ms. Paige turned to us; her eyes twinkling with delight all of sudden. "Actually, I think there might be a few people interested in meeting you."

Ms. Paige left us outside a humongous tent, muttering about a few of her immune associates she had to meet up with. As she walked away, Leo and I glanced at each other before he swung the flap open. We entered and couldn't help our dropping jaws.

The tent was enormous, like something people used to utilize during major outdoor events. Inside were the survivors sitting in groups, either talking and eating happily, or silently grieving over their past. We watched as a few people past us, exiting the tent, and a few entering.

Then, Leo's eyes caught on something that made him gasp. I turned to see a long table filled with backpacks and a few juice boxes littering around. On the benches were girls, some tired, some spirited, and some emotionless. Their attire and their visible closeness reminded me of the Gladers—and I realized they must've been Group B.

Leo took a step towards their table, attracting their attention. A girl with long dirty blonde hair gaped, her eyes suddenly wide at the sight of him.

"Sonya," Leo breathed out, breaking out into a huge smile.

The girl—Sonya—however, didn't. She and the other girls blinked in shock, their faces pale as if they've just seen a ghost. Sonya's eyes even seemed to fill up with tears. I frowned in confusion before remembering—he was technically dead.

Leo took a step forward in Sonya's direction, but the girl swiftly pulled out a knife, aiming it at his throat.

"Whoa! Sonya, what the hell?" he asked, tumbling backwards and retreating as she stomped up to him, the knife still in place. I thought of helping him, but then resorted to just staying behind, smiling in amusement.

Sonya's face twisted into a sneer. "Who are you?"

"What? It's me! Leo!" he shouted incredulously. I mentally shook my head at his straightforwardness.

The other girls behind Sonya didn't dare to stop her as she sliced through the air with her knife, barely missing Leo's cheek. "You liar! Leo is dead!"

"Do I look dead to you?"

His foolish question made me hold back a laugh. Sonya apparently didn't appreciate his sense of humor—obviously—and came closer to him, hissing viciously. "He died in front of me, you asshole. Now, tell me who you are!"

"I didn't die! Seriously, I'm still alive-ah!" Leo gasped as he fell backwards, his left cheek bleeding out through a thin line. "Shit! Sonya!"

When blood was drawn, I quickly stepped in, not wanting her to actually murder him. Sonya's arm rose again to strike him with the knife's handle, but I pushed him away, raising my hands in defense.

"Whoa, hey! Wait!"

Sonya's hand paused in mid-air, but the enraged snarl on her face remained. I caught sight of an angry tear running down her cheek, and smiled nervously.

I didn't want her to kill me, so I blurted out, "He's telling the truth! Wicked didn't kill him. It was just a variable…it looked and felt like a bullet but it wasn't a bullet, it was just a sleeping serum."

Sonya stared at me, her eyes wide and wild. Her mouth opened and closed with word unsaid. She blinked a few times, breathing heavily, before asking, "Who are you?"

I took a breath of relief that she didn't want to kill me. "I'm Andy." Her brows furrowed, and I got the feeling I didn't answer her question right. Her eyes flashed to Leo, and I said, "I'm his friend."

No need to anger the girl more by implying anything else.

"And he has a lot to explain," I continued, seeing her hand fall slowly. "But he really missed you."

Sonya's stony eyes softened a little as she looked at Leo, who waved lamely. She stared at him, torn between believing and not. Remembering what Minho did, I told her, "Ask him a question. A question only you and him know the answer to."

She hesitated, while Leo smiled and nodded enthusiastically. After a few seconds of thinking, she asked, "What did I say to you during your first time Running with us?"

Leo's smile slowly changed into a confused frown. "Oh, uh, wait…I remember, I just don't…right now. It had to be something inspiring, right? Was it good luck? No. I think you pushed me down on the poison ivy…or was that my second time out? I think that was the sec-wait. Was it-no…" He stopped for a long while; his eyes squinted in a pensive manner. Then he shrugged helplessly. "Dammit, I forgot."

I groaned mentally, but for some reason, Sonya smiled. "I hope you fall on your face," she quoted.

"Oh, right!" Leo nodded vigorously, finally remembering. "Then you kicked my shoes while I was running! Yeah, I had a nasty bruise." He frowned. "And then you prodded that bruise and made it nastier."

Sonya was already smiling widely by then, furiously wiping away the streams of tears that were making their way down her cheeks. "You were always awful at remembering things."

Leo nodded sheepishly, and in a flash of an eye, Sonya was already throwing herself at him. Leo caught her perfectly as they embraced each other, sobbing and whispering quietly. "Is it really you?" she asked, and Leo nodded, clutching her tighter and mumbling apologies for not being able to find her.

The couple continued showing off their affection, and I looked away to avoid feeling like an intruder.

I waved at the group of girls from Group B.

"Oh, I cut you," Sonya said, frowning, her fingers lightly touching Leo's cut. "Damnit, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay." Leo shook his head and chuckled, resting his forehead against hers. "You were always a temperamental stick."

Sonya closed her eyes and laughed, her hands moving behind his head affectionately. "God, I missed you," she whispered, tears filling her eyes. "I thought you were dead. Heck—I was sure you were dead."

Leo's brows knitted childishly, most probably at the fact that he had to clear things up. "I'll have to explain that to you, don't I?"

"You better."

I smiled, glad that at least one of us was happy.

Suddenly, a dark-haired girl—that somehow reminded me of Alby—from the group behind Sonya piped up. "Wait, you're Andy? As in…the Gladers' Andy?"

I froze, my attention snapping to her. The Gladers? They talked about me? Where they here? How many of them were left? "Yeah. W-where did you hear that?"

"You're their Leo. I've heard about you. From…what's his name…Meeno? Mina?" she shrugged. "The Asian one."

My heart stopped. "Minho?" I gasped, releasing a hopeful breath. "Is he here?"

Her answer made me smile brightly. "Yeah, I saw him somewhere. Probably outside. He was one of the last through the shed."

"Oh. Oh, thanks. Thank you. I, uh, thanks!" I smiled, both excited yet nervous to see Minho and what was left of the Gladers. I was about to turn and walk out, but then looked down at what I was wearing.

I didn't look bad but what if I looked a little too formal? Was a collared shirt and slacks too business-y? It was all WICKED gave me. Well, that and the pink shoes from the Maze-I was adamant that WICKED let me keep that.

Like she could read my mind, another girl said: "Oh, don't sweat it. You look fine, stick."

I blinked. Stick? "Is that a…Group B term?" They nodded, and I broke into a smile. "Okay, thanks. I'll see you all soon."

I walked through the crowds of people, my eyes darting around for any signs of the particular boy and the Gladers. My heart kept beating fast, thrilled that he was indeed alive, and fearing the number of Gladers left. I couldn't locate them around the tent at first, so I walked down the hill, in the direction of where the shed should have been.

I didn't have to walk long, though, before I caught sight of him and lost my breath.

Walking up the hill in the direction of the cafeteria was Minho. Behind him were the rest. They were so little. I could count them all in one hand, literally. But unfortunately, I didn't even spare a second glance at them. My attention was only on Minho.

When he saw me, he stopped in his tracks to blink. I smiled nervously, waving, not knowing if I should run and just hug him or wait for him to come closer. He blinked again, making sure I wasn't a figment of his imagination most likely, before resuming his steps—faster this time.

I couldn't stop the wide smile spreading on my lips as I took a few steps forward as well, yearning to be near him. He was only a few steps away from me when I said, "Minho-"

But I didn't get a chance to finish. His arms were immediately around me, comforting and tight and warm and everything I missed. I tumbled a bit from his impact, but was steady on my feet as he caught me. I let out a soft laugh, wrapping my arms around him as well as burying my head in his neck.

He mumbled out my name a few times, resorting in me hugging him tighter. We stayed like that for a while, his nose and hands buried in my hair and mine grasping his back.

After a few seconds, though, I whispered, "Hi."

"Hey," Minho answered, his voice sounding…giddy somehow. One of his hands untwined itself out of my hair and held my waist; a happy chuckle escaping is lips. "You're here."

"I told you I'd be," I said, grinning against his shoulder.

Minho's chest rumbled as he laughed in disbelief, perhaps still processing me. "I can't believe you're here."

"I can't believe you are." I laughed, shaking my head. My hands hugged him tighter, the time I spent apart from him finally weighing down on me. Sighing, I murmured, "I missed you so much."

He kissed the top of my head before muttering, "You have no idea, babe."

I couldn't help the happy laugh that escaped me when he said that. It sounded so much like him and god—now that he was here was when I finally realized how badly I missed him.

"Andy?"

"What in the shucking world?"

The two surprised cries had me smiling as I pulled away from Minho. He chuckled and gave me a smirk, running his fingers through my hair for good measures, and finally tucking them away behind my ear. I grinned at him before shifting to see Thomas, Frypan and Gally's.

"Hey, guys," I greeted. "It's great to see you again."

I suppressed a laugh at their dumbfounded expressions.

"How are you…you died!" Frypan said incredulously, like he was seeing a ghost. "How are you here?"

Chuckling quietly, I explained, "Just like Gally, WICKED kept me alive. I was just a Variable." When I saw Gally, I waved. "Hey, Gally. Escaping did you good?"

He nodded back as a reply. "Yeah."

That earned head turns from the three other Gladers.

"Wait-you knew she was alive?" Thomas asked, his eyes wide in question as he looked from Gally to me.

"I was imprisoned at their headquarters. Of course I knew."

"Wait," Minho interjected. "If you knew she was alive…and you escaped…why didn't you bring her with you?"

"The Right Arm trusted him. Me? Not so much." I explained. "Leo and I were Ms Paige's henchmen or something in their beliefs. We were 'up there' with her. They wouldn't risk it."

Gally, if surprised that I knew so much, didn't show it. We all talked for a bit more, Frypan seeming still disbelieving my state of living. Every question he asked, I tried my best to answer. Minho would only listen as we talked, a hand draped over my shoulder protectively.

That was, until Thomas brought up what he remembered of his past. "There was this other boy. I know you, Aris, T-Teresa"—I saw the way he choked out her name—"um, and the girl Rachel. But he-"

"Leo," I immediately said, knowing. Thomas' eyebrows lifted. "His name's Leo. He was my counterpart in Group B."

"He's still-"

"Alive. Taken in like me." I confirmed, before I frowned. "Thomas, is Teresa…?"

His eyes abruptly clouded and fell to the ground. His demeanor turned somber and by the look in his troubled eyes, I knew the answer. I felt my breath hitch, and my shoulders slump. Teresa was gone.

"She saved me," Thomas said, his voice laced with both shame and sadness.

I looked at him, remembering Teresa and him since they met each other during our days with WICKED. "She always cared about you," I said softly. "Even back then…you were the only person who mattered the most to her."

Thomas's eyes snapped up to me, and for a moment, he seemed like he wanted to cry. Her death was recent—probably a few minutes ago—it must've taken a harsh toll on him. His eyes quickly hardened though, and without a word, he walked off.

Frypan tried calling him, but Thomas didn't listen. He turned back to me and waved a hand. "Don't mind him. He's kind off…upset right now."

"He has to be." I nodded solemnly, understanding.

Everything before the Maze, our friendship—Thomas, Teresa, Aris, Rachel, Leo and I—it could never be restored. It was impossible for it to go back to how it was before. We had gone through too much.

The four of us faced each other, at a lost for words, until Frypan puffed, "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. And they said there was food." I nodded, pointing towards the tent, and he nodded. "Come on, Gal. Good to have you back, Ghost-Andy."

"I'm real, Frypan."

"I need a day or two to believe that."

I laughed, waving them off.

And then it was just Minho and I.

I turned to him with a smile, only to be immediately asked, "Who's Leo?"

"What?" I asked in disbelief, raising my eyebrows. "All that talk and that's what you ask?"

Minho shrugged indifferently. "I'm curious."

I felt a stupid grin creep onto my face, and shook my head in amusement. Minho. "Come on." I pulled on his hand gently, smiling. "There isn't much to it but I'll tell you everything while we walk."

Before I could start my story, however, Minho sliped something into my hand. "You better take care of that. I had a tough time keeping it safe."

I frowned in confusion, before opening my palms and finding the last thing I gave to him. I couldn't help the smile that grew on my face. It was the flashlight.

I was introduced to a lot of people afterwards. Brenda—who might or might not be vaguely interested in Thomas—Jorge, Aris, Harriet, Sonya, and a few more interesting people. They were all nice.

That night, after curing everyone's ravenous appetites, Ms Paige and all her surviving associates had left to discuss further action after a profuse speech of apology to the survivors. There were shelters here, apparently—apartments—but they needed to brush up the count of the survivors before segregating us into our new homes.

Minho and I left the others right after dinner, walking along the grounds of Paradise and taking everything in. We found a few rocky paths overlooking the beach, and Minho just sat down without a word.

I sat down next to him, wondering about his quietness. He had been fine earlier with everyone else. He had been talking and smiling with no trouble.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

Minho looked at me, then at the people strolling by the shores of the beach, and shrugged. He heaved a heavy sigh, shaking his head.

"I'm just…I'm just tired."

Of being too strong for so long.

Of not being able to protect the Gladers.

Of his friends dying.

Of everything.

Those were the words that remained unsaid, but through his eyes, they were never louder. I stared at him, at his suddenly hardened eyes, and placed a comforting hand on his arm.

Minho's mouth opened and closed—as if he wanted to speak, but he didn't actually know what to say. I reached for his hand, silently assuring him of whatever he had to say.

"Tell me everything," I said softly.

So he started at the beginning, back to when I 'died'. They were brought to a building where everything was what they dreamed of—real beds and sheets and pizza and hot showers. They were fed, kept safe, and cared for—even if it was only for a night.

Then, the next day, their saviors were strung up by the ceiling and Teresa went missing. In her place, was Aris.m

Afterwards, they found out about the Cranks and their separate tattoos, Thomas's being 'to-be-killed-by-Group-B' and his being 'the-leader'. I cracked a tiny smile at that. Later on, they met Janson, or Rat Man as Minho called him, and were told about a Safe Haven that they had to search for.

So then they had to face the Scorch. And WICKED. And Rat Man.

I laid my head on his shoulder; listened as he continued his story about the journey, listened as he described the deaths of each Glader. His voice was in a monotone, nothing like his usual vents but more like…a forced recap. He didn't smile—not even once—when he talked. I didn't attempt to butt it.

But behind his words, behind his stories, I knew better. The carefree boy I knew once in the Maze was broken. The friends he lost, the things he went through, the life WICKED stole from him—all of it was too much.

He'd been so strong throughout the journey, so strong when one by one, the Gladers died—when Newt left for Crank Palace, and later died as well. The worst part was that Minho didn't even know.

So that night, we stayed by the rocks, overlooking the beach and the survivors who ambled aimlessly. When Minho was done, I remained silent. My mind was a jumbled mess. Until-

"Whoa. What a journey. I just sat in a bland room for weeks."

As soon as the words escaped my mouth, I was afraid they were too harsh or inconsiderate after everything he let out.

But Minho wasn't mad. He chuckled—and I knew he wasn't completely gone.

So I left it at that, promising that the next day, I'll put back all of his pieces back together.

That was not a satisfying ending at all, I know. This isn't the end of Minho's ending. I thought of making 3 parts to Minho's ending, just so it's a fair after the entire time with Andy and Newt in the Maze.

So the next two chapters are all Minho and Andy. But...that'll probably be up after I finish Library of Souls. :D I just got it and I can't wait to read it. I'm sorry, but I WILL READ FAST and get to the second one. Expect fluff. :D

iristmr: Thanks for reviewing! I love seeing new pennames :3. And thank you so much for loving the story! :D

LottieLue1: You review everytime! :D So thanks a lot! And for PMing me as well to continue. It means a great deal! Hope you liked the different endings!

Dylanbaeberry: Thanks so much for your review-and for forgiving me! AND THE CAPS. I LOVE CAPS. It TELLS ME I SUCCEEDED. You're right, she didn't even tell Minho she loves him. Not even in this chapter! But don't worry, that'll come. It means a lot that you consider this one of your favorites! :D And more Minho to come so, look forward to that! THANKS AGAIN! :D

RitalinRansom: I'm so sorry for making you right in CAPS but oh my god, i LOVED YOUR out of control REVIEWS. And won't you look at that! ANDY'S BACK. YAY! As for who she ends up with, you choose. I think you deserve that after what I did :'D THANKS AGAIN! I HOPE I'M NOT MEAN ANYMORE! :D

Maxonlover12: She's back! I'm so sorry! I just had to do it :D But thank you for the review! And I couldn't help but notice your username. Do you read The Selection? :)

Abbyjubs: Don't worry, I hate sad endings too so there ya go! A happy ending for both! (even if Minho's isn't finished yet) Thanks for reviewing! :D

Run. The. Maze: No, she's not dead. I'm sorry for making it like that! *laughing until crying face emoji* She's now alive and with Minho again (but it's not finished yet) so stay tuned for the next MinhoxAndy chapter! It'll be better than this one. I promise. This was bad. Thanks for the review! :)

AwesomeGirl: HEY! You're back too! :D Thanks for reviewing! And no worries. The film and book was so freakin' different, you NEVER KNOW what's coming in the third film. Like, what happened to Minho in the movie! THAT WASN'T IN THE BOOK AT ALL yet it happened and BROKE MY HEART. As if James Dashner hasn't finished torturing us, now it's Wes Ball. Well, thanks for the review! :D

radposey: Thanks for the review! and it's okay! :D She's alive! She'll be with Minho soon! Thanks again!

Thanks for reading! :)