Minho was currently working away at digging a whole in the ground. He been at it for a good amount of time now. Joanne sat on the ground a few feet away, arms resting on her knees. They'd been taking turns digging for the past while, and they were beginning to see good progress, however they still had a ways to go. Joanne's arms and back ached but she dare not complain.

Minho drove the shovel back into the ground and it made a funny sound, indicating that he'd hit a rock. He growled under his breath as he started to fight with the stubborn thing, finally loosening it and carrying on his way.

"Can I ask you a question?" Joanne asked, there had been quite a lot of conversation over their past while together and she was beginning to feel comfortable with him.

Minho stopped what he was doing to look at her. A few sweat droplets rolled down his face as he whipped his brow.

" sure thing greenie"

Joanne's faced pinched up in disgust, she didn't like being called that. Her original question became unimportant for the moment.

" it's Joanne..."

Minho grinned and shook his head driving the shovel into the ground to lean on the handle

" nah, it's defiantly greenie"

She groaned.

In the silence between them that followed, all that could be heard was the sounds around them. Joanne felt like there should be a bird singing in the distance, but there was nothing. It may have been a beautiful place to look at, but it hid something very ugly under its mask.

Joanne remember her original question. watching for Minho's reaction, she asked, " what happened to that boy last night..."

"You really want to know?" He questioned without a moment of hesitation, and Joanne shook her head. She needed to know! This state of unknowing was pulling her brain apart in every direction.

"Alright," Minho sat down on the edge of the grave and signalled her to take a seat next to him. She complied. The shovel still stood in it place where Minho had spiked it into the ground earlier. " I don't know how much you've been told already, but there's these things in the maze called Grievers. ".

She listened intently, she had heard that word a few times now, but she repeated it in her head for good measure.

Minho continued, "they are half animal and half machine. We don't know what the shuck their purpose is for being here, but a lot of kids have died because of them".

" how? What happens?" Joanne asked

Minho shrugged, " it seems that if you get stabbed by one of 'em, they inject some poison into you. And the result is what you say last night."

Joanne thought for a moment, "and no one has ever survived?"

Minho shook his head, " not one single shucking one of 'em".

Joanne's teeth bit into her lip as she looked out at the sea of graves. She only now released the terrible fact that these where all once living people, stuck in the same situation as them. Dying for some unknown and most likely pointless reason. Minho must have noticed her gazing out at the graveyard, her facial expression must have given away her emotions.

"What'cha thinkin' about Greenbean?"

Joanne debated telling him the truth or not for a long time. She decided that she would. Minho had been the most open person with her since she arrived, he hadnt given any indication of being untrustworthy... Although, she ha to keep reminding herself that he wasn't going off must information as shed only known him for about a day now.

"What if I'm one of them..."

Minho seemed genially puzzled, "one of who?"

Joanne looked him in the eye, "what of I'm involved somehow. What if I'm part of the reason that you are all here!"

It surprised her at how emotional she was on the subject. What if I've done this to them... What if all this death is at my hands... she couldn't stand the thought that maybe she caused this.

"Your letting that tattoo get to your head." Minho said, he seemed surprisingly relaxed.

Joanne's eyebrows knit together. Of coarse she was worried about the tattoo! It was a branding on her back that told everyone to stay away from her. Also, It was possibly a indication that she was a part of this, that those graves were her own fault. How could she live with herself knowing that?

"Minho. If Alby deems me to be guilty, he'll probably throw me off that cliff in the maze that he was talking about!" Joanne stated, a little annoyed but mostly scared by the whole thing. "so excuse me for being a bit worried!"

"Don't" His voice was demanding as he leaned in closer, his face inches from hers. Joanne was taken off guard and could only stare at him and she noticed how calming his deep brown eye were. "I wont let Alby do that"

Joanne's eyes widened. Had she heard him right? Minho was willing to go against Alby and probably the rest of the Glader's to protect her...He really was insane.

I am so very sorry! An explanation is need and I hope that its a good enough reason :/ I play softball on a Rep team and because it's close to the year end we were away at some tournaments and I didnt have any time to write while I was away. Also, this chapter is really sort because, again I didnt have any time, but this was for a different reason. A really exciting one, may I add! I graduated this week! :) However, I am very sorry for how short this is and for not posting in the past weeks. I think things should be back in order now.

Alright so even though it was a short one, I hope you enjoyed! A special thanks this week to Morgenstern18, Omniscientoctober, and Caitie-chaos! I really appreciate all the support from my readers and I am so excited to see the follows and favorites grow each week. Remember, If you have anything to say about the story at all, feel free to let me know! I'd love to hear anything your willing to tell me.

Until next week,

cheers :)