This is a bad idea. This is a really bad idea.
Eleanor's flight response had been triggered as soon as she saw the Keeper of the builders. She had been waiting around for twenty minutes for him to be alone, observing as they managed to stick two large poles on the ground in front of the West Door of the Maze. Eleanor's stomach had flipped. They were really planning on doing it.
Her wait was proving to be useless. The older boy seemed to be constantly surrounded by his minions. She was sure she wouldn't get him to talk to her if he was always surrounded by all his brutish friends but she didn't have much time. The minutes were ticking by and she knew she had to act fast.
The girl observed the Glade from behind a group of trees and she doubted that disguise would last for long. She was bound to be spotted sooner or later.
Perhaps, she could go back to the group and ask one of the boys to get Gally alone with some made-up excuse. Although she knew that would most definitely mean getting on the Builder's bad side.
She looked around, hoping for a solution to magically appear.
Then, she checked the time.
21:32
It was late, very late.
Although the light in the Glade hadn't changed at all, the rest of the Gladers were organizing for the night. She didn't have much time until they went looking for the Greenies.
No chance of doing it in secret then.
The girl stepped out of the cover the trees had offered and waited, her gaze set on the tall blonde. She tried to slow down her breathing as her heart pounded in her ears.
After everything she had endured, how could she feel so terrified of having a simple conversation?
Finally, and luckly for her, before anyone else could, he noticed her.
He went still for a second.
She waited and forced herself not to look away.
The Keeper said something to the boy next to him and started walking her way.
She inhaled and stepped back inside the protection of the trees, fighting the urge to run away.
"What is it?" He spat as soon as she became visible again.
Eleanor braced herself. However, he looked tired and seemed less angry than usual. The girl avoided his gaze and took a deep breath, telling herself he hadn't dismissed her straight away. That was something.
"You know why I'm here." She said.
He wasn't an idiot. She knew that.
"If you expect me to follow that shank and watch everyone get killed-" He did sound angry.
She shook her head.
"I don't expect you to agree with me." She explained honestly. She knew that was a lost cause. "I just-"
She tried to reorder her thoughts.
"Gally," She forced herself to look up at him, "Don't be the bad guy."
His gaze locked into hers as he furrowed his brows, a flash of hurt slipping through his facade.
"I'm not-" He spat, "They have you convinced that I'm some monster, that they are saints. I could tell you stories about your little friends that would... You don't know what happened before and- Thomas is the worst of them! He is bad. They are going to get us all killed. Can't you see that? I'm not the bad guy here. The shucking Greenie is!"
He was breathing fast. He looked angry and something else... Desperation, hurt, fright... She didn't know.
She took a few seconds to answer, knowing that defending her friends and fighting him would not get her anywhere. She didn't want to rile him up any further but she had to get her point across, somehow.
"Killing two people is not the way, Gally."
Everything felt surreal and she tried very hard not to cry in front of him.
"I'm not killing them." He replied. "They are the reason all of this is happening. The girl freaking admitted it!"
"Even if that were true." She tried to reason. "You think killing them will make it stop?"
"I'm not killing them!" His glare burned her.
"But you are!" She took another calming breath. "Listen to me. Whoever controls the Maze is out there. It's not Thomas or Teresa. Sacrificing them is not gonna make any difference. Only that two more kids will be dead."
"You don't know that. Maybe that's what they want us to do and they'll leave us alone."
It was such a desperate theory that she was almost sure he didnt even believe it himself, but he was holding onto the only hope he could find to stay in the Glade.
"Then, you shouldn't be the monster they want you to be." She said simply.
"I don't have a choice." He was desperately trying to get her to understand.
"You do have a choice."
She couldn't feel sorry for him, not when she could see he was clearly willing to murder two Gladers for a far-fetched theory.
"You think they're gonna leave us be if we do nothing?" He questioned.
"No, I dont."
She knew what came next would sabotaje her chances of convincing him, and she also knew he was too far down his own rabbit hole that he would not change his mind.
Even so, she had to be honest. "I think they want us to find a way out."
His gaze hardened, "Is that what you want? To find a way out?"
He started at her. She could see it now, the feeling of betrayal written in his eyes.
"At this point, I want to survive." She breathed out.
Why did she feel like she had to justify herself to him?
She set her jaw.
"But yeah, I guess. We can't stay here forever and I'd like to be in charge of my own life."
"Freedom..." His voice came softer as he seemed to ponder the concept. She could once again see how tired he looked. "And how do you know a way out will make you free? How do you know whatever's out there is better than here?"
It was clear he didn't believe it was.
She answered honestly. " I don't know. But, I'm sure it's better than staying here waiting to die."
"This is our home." He argued.
No, it isn't. She immediately thought.
But that wasn't true. She remembered all the nights laying with him on their sleeping bags, looking up at the stars. The sound of Chuck's laugh as he pulled a prank on an older Glader. The feeling of running through the forest during the sunset. Waiting for Minho by the doors observing the activities around her. Sitting with Newt on the high platform watching day turn into night...
"You're right." She broke out of her reverie. "It's our home. But it's also a prision."
He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "There's nothing for us out there."
He sounded so sure, like he knew it for a fact.
"You know?" She spoke. "I had a dream last night, a memory- I think... And I think I- I heard my mother's voice. And I... I don't think my real name is Eleanor."
She stopped.
She didn't know where that confession had come from. She didn't even know if it was true or not.
"Maybe, there's something out there... For all of us." She said softly.
Gally had fallen silent and he stared at her. He looked young. He was young, and terrified. And so was she.
"What if there isn't?"
She gave a soft simle. "But what if there is?"
He exhaled and closed his eyes. She took a step forward but when he looked up, his walls had been reconstructed.
"I have to protect this people. They're my brothers."
"Gally..." She brought a hand forward unsure on how to help him see reason.
He took a step back.
She had failed. It was clear in his gaze.
"One day you'll see. I did this for your own good."
Eleanor didn't bother going after him as he took long strides away from her. Not able to control her emotions anymore, she let the tears fall.
She knew she had lost the battle. But that only meant there was still a war to be fought.
"Are we really doing this?" She questioned.
It was too late to back down, she knew that. They were about to do something extremely stupid and possibly suicidal, she knew that too.
"Yes, we are." Replied Minho, passing her yet another handful of bandages that she stuffed into the backpack she was holding.
"Okay." She tried disguising her fear as nerves. "Just checking."
Although, it was definitely better to have a plan than to wait for the unknown, she didn't feel calm at all. She would most likely suffer a long and painful death by the hands of monstruous gigantic spider-like creatures but it was the best plan they had. Thomas had been sure of it when he had regained conciousness and he was their best bet at surviving.
Fight and die, or not do anything and die anyway.
She had made her choice.
"Hey." Her best friend's voice made her look up. "I won't leave your side."
He didn't say that she'd be alright, that they were going to survive. It would have made no difference. But they would be together. That's what she needed to hear and he had known that.
"Thank you." She said, suddenly overwhelmed with the bond they had managed to create. "You know I love you, don't you?"
He smiled, "I know, I love you too."
She couldn't believe she had gotten so lucky with him.
Eleanor shook her head, there was no time to get emotional. They had to prepare, fast. Newt and Chuck would soon be done.
"Okay, bandages, alcohol, tape..." She enumerated.
"What else do we need?" The boy asked.
"Umm... painkillers?"
"Right." He turned to find them in the cupboard. "Actually, you should take one before all hell breaks loose. How are you doing?"
He passed her a small container and she measured it in her palm.
"Well, it hurts a little bit but I don't know, there are not many."
The Runner shrugged, and turned to check the cupboard once more. "It's your choice, El."
Eleanor was mildly surprised. She had half-expected Minho to insist.
That's what Newt would have done, she realised.
She was struck with how different both boys were. Newt would have surely ordered her to take a pill and dismissed her downplaying her suffering. Minho, on the other hand, probably saw right through her but he understood her pride and her wish to do things her own way. He wouldn't pressure her.
They both cared, she thought, only in different ways.
Newt had always put her well-being above her own character, and Eleanor understood why, whilst Minho respected her decisions to deal with things the way she wanted to.
Not always, she remembered. He had locked her in his room that one time.
"I kissed Newt." She blurted out.
Before she could think about what had possesed her to say that so suddenly, Minho had ceased his movements and seemed to think for a few seconds.
"I know..." He turned to her confused, "We talked about it..."
"No, I-" Eleanor took a deep breath.
No turning back now. He had the right to know.
"It happened again."
She waited for his response. The Runner adverted his gaze but didn't say anything.
When she couldn't stand the look on his face she spoke again.
"I don't know if it means anything. I don't-" She swallowed a lump in her throat. "I don't wanna hurt you."
"So you lied to me?" He spoke, finally, continuing to avoid her gaze.
Her stomach clenched. He didn't sound angry but there was a underlining edge to his tone.
"I didn't- I-"
"You said you didn't like him."
He was still speaking calmly. Eleanor furrowed her brows. He was acting strangely out of character.
"I don't." She defended.
Was that a lie? Did she like him?
She scratched her hair, she didn't want to lie to him.
"I don't know." She sighed.
Minho turned to stare at her, surprised at her confesion.
He scoffed and soon turned his back on her, shaking his head. "Fuck, Eleanor."
"I'm sorry."
She felt desperate now. She knew that had hurt him.
She should have kept her mouth shut. Being honest wasn't worth antagonizing Minho right before their suicide mission. She couldn't let that be their last conversation.
"So why are you here with me? Go to him if you like him so much."
Okay, he is angry.
"Minho, calm down." She tried. "I never said I liked him. I don't."
He turned to her again, except he had stopped concealing his anger which now stared back at her in full display.
"Oh, so you just like kissing him, is that it?"
His accusing gaze fell to her. Eleanor felt terrible.
"I-"
She couldn't lie to him. She couldn't admit the truth either. It would make him even angrier.
Minho scoffed once more, accepting her silence as confirmation. "Who else?"
"What?"
"Who else have you been with?"
"What?" She said quickly, "No one!"
"Oh yeah," He replied, his voice full of loathing. "What about Will?"
Eleanor had to process his words before a wave of shame ran through her.
She stared at him, hurting.
Had Minho known about Will all along and he had never said anything?
"You know?" He started, "When I heard the Builders talk about you I almost gave Will a black eye but now I realise he was telling the truth..."
No, that wasn't right. She shouldn't be ashamed of that. It hadn't been her fault. She had done nothing wrong.
How could her best friend use that against her?
"...Who else have you kissed? Huh? Have you fucked any of them yet?"
She had never slapped anyone harder than she did then.
Her hand stung at her side as they glared at eachother but she was too furious to care.
She simply stood there, not believing her best friend could have said something so cruel.
Minho's eyes were glaring into her own. In a long stride he had grabbed her upper arms. He looked so furious, for a split of second she thought he might hurt her.
Then, his lips crashed into hers.
He was harsh, not asking for permission. Eleanor's mind was stunned for a few seconds, taken aback.
Then, she realised what was happening.
Hot pulshing rage filled her as she pushed him away with all her might.
"What the fuck Minho?!" She was seeing red.
The boy stared at her wide-eyed.
"You call me a slut and the you kiss me?"
It was her turn to walk forward, making him retreat. A few angry tears escaped her eyes but she quickly brushed them away, frustrated. She was fuming, there was no time for crying anymore.
"What happened to being friends is good enough? Huh?"
She couldn't believe Minho had treated her that way. Her best friend, her Minho.
Minho seemed confused about what was happening. He didn't seem to comprehend the change in the argument.
"You think you can kiss me when you want like I have no say in the matter?"
She knew what he had done was not okay, she could feel it and she had a right to be angry. But she also noted she was taking all the frustration with the way the boys had treated her over the past months out on the runner.
"I'm not some toy you can just play with whenever you want. You can't all just grab me and- and-"
"El, I swear it's not like that." It was his turn to look scared as he tried to explain.
But she was furious and she couldn't stop, she wouldn't stop. "Oh, it's not?"
"No, I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that. I- I didn't mean to, I was just angry and-"
Angry tears flodded her vision then as she had stopped bothering to stop them. "And you thought you'd kiss me?!"
"No, I-" He looked so scared and sorry, like he really meant it. "I didn't mean to."
She was so close to him, she could see the beads of sweat on his forehead, could smell the musly scent of the Maze and see the desperation in his eyes very clearly.
Deep down she knew he was truly sorry but she felt used and furious and betrayed. She was exhausted, physically and mentally. She was frustrated and terrified and very very furious with Minho. She wanted to punch him, slap him, tear his hair from his hair...
Instead, she crashed her lips to his, pulling, grabbing, holding everything her hands could find. Her anger didn't seem to disipate but seemed to grow, surrounding her, swallowing her.
Minho sprung to life after the initial shock, responding to her movements slowly, as in a daze, only frustrating her further.
He was soft and gentle, too gentle.
She pressed further, wanting to forget her anger, her fear, wanting more.
Whatever doubt remained in her mind was gone as they moved more fervently. It was strong and rough and so different from everything she had felt before.
Suddenly, her eyelids sprung open as Minho's lips travelled down her jaw, through her neck. And she was on fire. Not anger or fury, just heat and electric currents. Her eyes fluttered shut as she grabbed onto his shoulders for support feeling her knees weaken. His warm breath hit her colarbone and she gave a shudder. She brought his face back to hers, wanting more.
Their gaze locked.
And just like that, it felt very intimate, too intimate, and scary and full of promises she couldn't keep.
Minho saw the retreat in her eyes. He closed his own giving a long sigh and letting her go.
Eleanor didn't release him nor did she take a step back.
"I'm sorry." She said out of breath, feeling hot shame invade her cheeks. "I shouldn't have done that. I was mad at you and I just did the same thing."
"I'm sorry too."
He looked at her and she knew it was true. He seemed shaken, his hair was messed and his lips swollen. Eleanor couldn't believe what had happened.
"I get jealous, but..." He started.
"I know." She said. "I don't want to hurt you."
It was the last thing she wanted.
"It's okay, you can do whatever you want." He tried to give her a small smile but barely succeeded.
Eleanor shook her head. He took a step away from her, her arms fell to her sides, but continued to look at her.
"El, it's okay. If you don't like me and you like Newt, or you like someone else, or no one at all. It's okay." He explained softly. "I can get over it. You should never have to neglect what you want for me. I don't want you to."
She sighed, feeling overwhelmed. How had they gone from planing an escape to fighting... to kissing, to that? To Minho being so considerate towards her feeling and leaving her feeling like she didn't deserve him.
"I don't like Newt." She whispered, stepping back and turning away from his caring face. "I don't know what I want."
"Hey," Minho walked around and softly caressed her cheek. "It's okay."
Eleanor took a deep breath but leaned into his touch.
"I want to survive." She spoke, more clearly. "I want us to live. That's all I know."
Minho nodded, searching her eyes and promised, "We're gonna try."
The corridor seemed much bigger and darker than ever as she stared at it from the several feet that separated her from the gate. The darkness seemed to hide all sort of moving shadows inside the maze.
"It's time." Newt signaled as he observed the Builders appear dragging an unconcious Thomas and a raging Teresa, who seemed to be trying to bite the two boys carrying her.
Eleanor gulped, securing the straps on her bag for what was probably about the twelfth time. She wasn't ready but she had no chioce.
Minho nodded and the two of them took a couple of steps away from Newt, trying to avoid suspicion until the very last moment. From the corner of her eyes, she once again checked that Chuck was in position.
The boy was almost doubled over from the weight of his weapons and backpack. His cover behind a small tree wasn't very effective but no one paid him any mind as the whole Glade observed the approaching Greenies being carried towards them.
Teresa was shouting insults at whoever came into view. Eleanor spied Thomas peaking through half-closed lids and resisted the urge to snort at his inconspicuousness. No one seemed to take notice, however.
Gally stood in front of the poles with a somber look. At least, he had the decency not to look smug. Pablo, on the other hand, stood a few feet from him with a stupid smirk on his face. Sick son of a...
Thud.
Thomas' body hit the ground as they released him near the poles. The builders that were carrying him moved to help their friends with the other Greenie who was swinging her limbs and putting up a fight.
"Cowards!" She shouted.
Eleanor felt, more than saw, Minho and Newt slowly inching forward and found herself doing the same.
In a few seconds, Teresa had been tied to the pole, not strong enough to have fought the four much-bigger-than-her boys.
Eleanor brought her hand to her lower back, grabbing the handle of the kinfe she had hidden in the back of her pants, concealed by the bag she carried. She crept forward, her heart hammering in her chest. The builders were reaching towards Thomas. She took another step.
"Gally." Frypan's voice took everyone by surprise. She halted. "This doesn't feel right, man."
Eleanor risked a look around, most Gladers looked scared and skeptical, like Frypan. She tried to relax a little bit, that was a good sign.
"Yeah, what if Thomas is right?" Spoke Jeff. Clint nodded from his side. "Maybe he can lead us home."
"We are home, okay?" Came the Builder's annoyed response. "I don't wanna have to cross anymore names off that wall."
Jeff gulped and nodded to him, clearly still unsure.
Eleanor had already known Gally was beyond convincing but if the rest of the Gladers weren't sure of the plan, they might actually have a chance to pull it off.
"You really think doing this is gonna solve anything?" Zart said.
The Track-hoe looked more hopeful than uncertain, like he wanted to believe the other Keeper.
"I'm not letting Thomas back into the Maze after everything that's happened." The Builder's tone was final.
Then, he turned to adress all of them signally all the wreckage around.
"Look around you! Look at our Glade! This is the only way."
His gaze stopped on her for a moment through the crowd, asking her one last time to trust him. She could only feel sadness and pity.
"This is the only way. And when the Grievers get what they came here for... Everything goes back to normal."
"Are you listening to this?" Teresa interrupted him, straining her neck to look at the group of children. "Why are you all just standing there? He's crazy!"
A mumur travelled through the crowd.
"Shut up." Pablo spat, taking one step closer to the tied up girl.
Eleanor's grip on her weapon tightened. She had to wait for the signal but if he dared to touch the girl...
He didn't.
To Gally's nod, he and Will had moved towards the other Greenie to drag his unconcious body to the remaining pole.
And just like that, They sprung into action.
Thomas was on his feet. He struck his elbow against Pablo's nose and the boy fell backwards. The Newbie moved on to kick Will in the sin making him trip and fall over.
"You shut up." The boy spoke loud and clear. Then, adresses the Glade. "If you stay here, the Grievers are gonna come back, and they're gonna keep coming back until you're all dead."
Minho, Newt and Eleanor had finally made it to the front of the group but none of the kids seemed to notice as the attention was completely focused on their new leader, who walked forward, turning red.
"Shut up! Tie him up." He yelled.
No one moved.
"Do you hear me? Tie him up!"
As Gally took a few steps towards Thomas, Eleanor advanced too and through the corner of her eye checked that Minho had reached him. The Keeper of the Builders came to a halt as he felt Minho's weapon on the back of his neck. She continued, following her side of the plan.
Pablo had regained his footing and, although, supporting a bloodied nose, he was quickly moving towards Thomas. Eleanor was faster. She had been ready. As soon as she had reached him, she pressed her rusty blade to his throat. He stopped short and sent her a loathful glare.
She wasn't shaken. For the first time, he was helpless and she was the one in control.
A cutting sound behind her told her Newt had released Teresa and, with a quick glance back, she checked that Chuck was approaching them, his backpack rattling on his back.
"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" Gally said angrily and he glared as Minho joined Thomas.
Newt and Teresa did the same, Chuck clattering behind them. Eleanor shifted the knife to her other hand without lowering her arm. She allowed herself the pleasure of sending Pablo a smirk as she rounded him and joined the others.
Thomas turned to the group of surprised boys. Eleanor gazed at the congregated Gladers in front of them too, their shocked and betrayed looks greeted her.
That was it. The moment had arrived. Could they save them?
"You don't have to come with us, but we are leaving." The Greenie announced.
The kids regarded them with unconcealed fear, except for the few Builders who seemed nothing but angry.
"Anyone else who wants to come, now it's your last chance."
Eleanor would have rolled her eyes. So much for trying to convince them. But she knew there was not enough time and they were giving them a choice, they couldn't choose for them.
"Don't listen to him." Gally intervined. Somehow, he still appeared to be in control of the situation. "He's just trying to scare you."
The Greenie shook his head.
"No, you're already scared. I'm scared. But I'd rather risk my life out there than spend the rest of it here. We don't belong here, this place isn't our home. We were put here, we were trapped here. At least, out there we have a choice. We can make it out there. I know that."
A few seconds ticked by. Eleanor thought he had been very convincing but she knew most Gladers did view the Glade as a home of sorts. She stared around at the familiar faces as they looked around themselves and at the group in front of them. They gazed between Minho and Newt, two people they trusted, and Thomas, someone they barely knew. Eleanor silently pleaded they would see reason.
Then, slowly, one by one they started moving.
Jeff, Clint, Zart, Frypan... And many more. They crossed the space and reached the group. Even Will moved, deliverately avoiding his Keepers gaze, and keeping his head down even after reaching the others. Eleanor found herself feeling relieved. She had no sympathy for him but she didn't want him to die.
The Runners had joined their Keeper and he passed them a weapon each. Chuck and Teresa helped the rest of the new boys find means of defense in the child's backpack.
But Eleanor stared forward at the Builders that stayed behind. They'd die, she knew that, those boys that hadn't treated her well. They had been mean, nasty and cruel, but she found herself mourning their future losses. They were kids. They didn't deserve to die.
Her gaze unavoidably travelled to her former friend next. How could she let him die? The feeling of betrayal his eyes gave away made guilt fill her guts. She wouldn't save him.
"Gally, it's over." Minho spoke.
The clinking of rakes and spikes stopped. Everyone turned back to look at the remaining boys.
"I'm sorry." Said Newt looking tormented at his friends.
Eleanor gulped, that couldn't be it. They could not leave them there.
"Just come with us." She hadn't bothered to hide the desperation in her voice.
Gally gazed at her. His expression had cleared and he looked calmer then. He had accepted his fate. Very slowly, his face changed and for the first time in a very long time he gave her a small smile, a real smile.
"Good luck with the Grievers."
Eleanor couldn't stop the sob that escaped her as she felt her heart break for the same boy a second time.
One by one, the Gladers started turning, following Thomas' lead.
She felt someone's arm surrounding her, guiding her to turn around. With Gally no longer in her line of sight, she looked up at Minho who stared down at her. He gave a small nod. She nodded back and they turned to the immensity of the Maze.
No turning back, she thought as they moved forward, crossing the space between the doors.
A tingle travelled through her body as she stepped on the dirt corridor.
It was time.
Time to live or die.