A/N This is immediately after the last chapter, so Alby and Minho are still in the map room, and the Med-Jacks are looking at Newt.
Minho gets off the table and walks toward the door, "I'll inform the runners of Newts condition, and then I will stay with Newt to make sure nothing happens."
"No." Alby says.
Minho spins on his heel, "What?"
"You heard me. You are in no condition to be staying up all night, you pushed yourself beyond your limits today and we need you rested for tomorrow." Alby says, his tone taking a softer edge.
Albys position of power sometimes puts a strain on their friendship, especially when Alby uses it. It also doesn't help that Minho is a leader in his own right, and is a highly respected member of The Glade.
Minho stalks toward Alby, his fists bawled at his side, "Like hell I'm going to leave Newt, -"
Alby cuts him off, his tone now the one he uses when he commands the Gladers, "No. You will go get some water and food and then sleep. I will take care of Newt."
Minho is about to punch Alby in the face when Ander walks in, completely unaware of the situation, "I got some water and food." Ander says.
Minho relaxes, "Thanks." He mumbles. Minho grabs the food and water before he stalks out of the room.
Ander looks back and forth between Alby and the door Minho just exited, he sends Alby a sheepish smile before hurrying after Minho.
Minho is sitting far away from the Glade, the other runners are sitting near him, they eat in silence. Once they are all done they turn to Minho.
Minho sighs, he doesn't want to lie to his runners nor does he want to tell the truth, "Ander you're with Stephen tomorrow, taking the North Gate, and I will take the East Gate, everyone else stick to the plan."
They all have the same unspoken question in their eyes. "Newt broke his leg and will be off for awhile, when he comes back he will become my partner."
"What if can't run again?" Nik asks.
Minho didn't-couldn't let that thought go through his mind, "Lets discuss that later."
Ben clears his throat and says, "What happened to him?"
White hot fury makes it's way through Minho at the thought of what his friend did, but he stays calm, "What part of 'he broke his leg' do you not understand?" Some of Minho's anger bled into his words, causing the boys to flinch.
Ben looks at the other boys before asking, "How did he break his leg?"
Minho puts his head in his hands, all he wants to do is start this day over, no actually he wants to go back to a time he doesn't remember and make sure none of the boys go to the Glade. "If any of you shanks repeat what I'm about to say to anyone, including to each other, you will have to personally answer to me."
They all nod, their eyes wide with fear.
Minho collects his thoughts, "He threw himself off the top of the maze."
The mood becomes somber, everyone is trying to process what Minho said.
"Now go get some rest, and remember what I said." Minho instructs. Minho grabs Stephen's arm while the rest of the boys head off to bed.
"Don't blame yourself." Minho says.
Stephen nods, Minho lets him go.
Minho brings his dishes back and goes to the Med-Jacks, he walks into the room ignoring the way Alby looks at him.
"I'm sleeping right here," Minho points to the 'bed' next to Newts, "Any objections?" Minho asks, though he just looks at Alby.
No one says anything and Minho lays down and closes his eye, knowing he won't get any sleep tonight.
Minho spent the night getting up to check on Newt, the only thing that changed was Alby's face; it became more worn as the night progressed. By the time Minho had to get ready, he didn't get any sleep and Alby looks about ready to fall over from fatigue.
Minho nods at Alby before leaving to go get ready for a day of running and worrying.
For once all the runners are ready when Minho shows up, Minho can see the concern written all over their faces.
Ben clears his throat, "I-we-think-." He stutters, and Minho cuts him off.
"Since when did you shanks start thinking?" Minho teases.
Nik steps forward, "We think you should take the day off." He bluntly says, getting his confidence from the other runners' mumbles of agreement.
The look on Minho's face causes everyone to take a step back, "Take a day off? I've been running this maze since the first day I got here, no one knows it better then me. What are you shanks going to do? Split up, the only one who knows the maze half as well as I do has a broken leg."
The boys exchange a look before Nik speaks up again, "I have been at The Glade longer than you, so I was going to run the East Gate by myself and Ben was going to West Gate alone. We are both seasoned runners and can handle it."
Minho sighs, "I'm going out there."
The runners seem to begrudgingly accept this and everyone goes to their assigned gates. Minho ignores his body's screams to stop, he just pushes through the pain and he gets a small reprieve from his thoughts.
A/N I wanted to show how important Newt is, he was the glue before the scorch and he will be the glue long after.
Please review and let me know if this is good, bad, or boring.
Renko- thank you for your support! I've noticed you only reviewed chapter 6, can you see chapters 7-10?
Thanks for reading!