Disclaimer: I only own my characters and the story twists
-….*...-
-….*...- Introduction -….*...-
-….*...- Death is the Hardest on the Living -….*...-
-….*...-
The rising sun's warm tendrils cast a bright luster into the sea which laps at the shore of the Safe Haven. The voice of the shimmering crystal blue water breaking into white foam along the seaside adds to the call of the morning.
The smell of salt drifts in the cool breeze, stinging the boy's nose, while the water gradually erases his footsteps. He solemnly walks across the beach, his dark brown eyes staring off into nothingness as his mind falls deeper into his memories with each of his footsteps against the damp sand.
Every morning he wakes, slips from the slumbering camp, and goes for long silent walks. Wandering through the tranquil atmosphere of the morning and over the shoreline, the boy's mind slips back into times when everyone he cared for was together. Reliving moments when everyone he loved was still alive.
Remembering Ben, Winston, Jeff, and Zart, his heart begins to pang with each of its beats.
His pride crumbles away at the thought of unsuccessfully carrying out Alby's last words to him.
Voices echo in his brain while his focus on his surroundings fades away.
-….*...-
"I may not have known you for very long, but you're like a brother to me," Kelle, the sister he had, not by blood, told him through a twisted memory.
"She's right, mate," his best friend, Newt confirmed in his strange accent coming up beside the girl, "You're our brother."
Newt gently holds the girl close to his body, the two smiling at each other with love and admiration glowing in their eyes. Kelle turns back and speaks one last time,
"You're family, Thomas. Don't ever forget that."
-….*...-
Kelle's soft voice reverberates through his head, while his fingers fiddle with the silver tube tied around his neck. His eyes start watering, and he isn't sure if it's the salt in the air or the agony in his heart that's causing it.
Thomas sighs and shoves his hands into his pockets, trying in vain to make the pain in his soul stop. His fingertips brush against two objects.
He barely remembers putting them there, but, yet again it had become second nature to him. Every morning he would numbly tuck the two items into his pants without even thinking about it. Pulling the two objects out, he carefully examines them while they rest in his open palm.
The first item is a wooden carving. The defined lines of the little character have worn away from the times Thomas tried to scrub the blood of its creator off. His calloused thumb brushes against the aged wood, memories of its owner resurfacing. Chuck, the small boy that was like a younger brother to him. Thomas' chest painfully constricts at the recollection of the first time he met Chuck.
His body is completely frozen in place on the beach, his gaze is drawn to the hue of color cast across his palm by the second object. The tiny vile of blue liquid, given to him by the girl he fell in love with, shines like jewels under the sun.
His lungs start tightening, and his hands fumble to tuck the items back into his pocket. Taking a shaky breath, he turns toward the ocean, completely missing the droplet of water falling from his eye.
"Teresa," He utters weakly. The name leaves his lips so quietly it can only be heard by the wind. His voice has been chased away by the void in his heart. The hole that can never be filled opens and swallows his soul whole because he never told her that he loves her.
He misses them all, and the pain it causes his heart still hasn't faded away like it most often did for other people. It has lingered in his chest for the past ten months, reminding him of everyone he has lost.
With a shake of his head, he turns around and studies the land before him. The Safe Haven. His new home. It marks a new beginning for everyone and promises hope for their future.
"Time to let go of the past, Thomas," He tells himself out loud. He breathes in the salty air and allows his eyes to slide shut. He will try to let go of the pain and sorrow, but never, he vowed, never will he ever forget the people he lost.
The pain slowly subsides while he subconsciously thanks each of his friends that are gone for their sacrifice. When he opens his eyes again and stares at the shore, his blood solidifies.
A lifeless body lay in the sand with an unfamiliar white box off to the side. Thomas takes a step towards the figure, and when he recognizes the body, his heart springs up into his throat. He rushes forward, calling out to the person. Excitement and dread mount up within him as thoughts run through his head.
'How is this even possible?'
-….*...-
-….*...- Chapter 1: -….*...-
-….*...- The Beginning -….*...-
-….*...-
-….*...- During the Maze Trials-….*...-
Dawn was swiftly approaching. The noise of the Glade would soon make its way into the walls of the Maze, but its doors hadn't opened yet. So, the Maze was unearthly silent. The Maze. A stunning and serene structure intricately made to prove the intelligence of the outside world.
But, the Gladers look upon it as everything that destroyed their lives and freedom. With every unending turn that labyrinth threw at them, it defeated each hope they had. Not to mention the overgrown spiderlike-creatures that it was infested with.
Nearing hopelessness, the Gladers continued. Unable to remember their previous lives, they were doomed to live one of entrapment. But all was not lost. It all changed one day, and it started like any other day.
Nothing besides the dead leaves brushing along the ground from the ghostly wind carrying them made noise. Well, except for the unnatural noise of a Griever, its outlandish clinking echoing down the halls and fading into the eerie silence. The spider-like creature slowly carried its hideous body towards its escape. Its mind was fully programmed into getting out of the Maze for the day. So much so that it didn't sense the creeping shadow that was following it.
Most people wouldn't see the shadow even if they were told to look for it, the person blending seamlessly into the crack of the wall. Many of the Glade's Runners passed by the shadow as if it wasn't even there.
The shadow gradually started to move, creeping its way out into what sun the Maze's high walls allowed in. It carefully began to follow the Griever. A few minutes passed until the Griever came to a halt, sending the shadow into another hiding spot.
When the ground began to shake, and the air appeared to rumble, the Maze doors were opening. An ominously fierce gust of wind barreled through the long concrete corridors, sweeping against the ivy-clad walls ruffling the leaves and hair of the hidden shadow.
The shadow observed the Griever, waiting for it to move. It twitched a low growl rumbling through its body before it started clicking down a different corridor. The shadow, in its panic, began to follow close on the monster's trail, being sure to keep themselves hidden. Things weren't looking good because the doors to the Maze were already opened, and the Griever was headed right back towards the Glade. The shadow was struggling to keep up with the Griever as it began to pick up speed.
Rounding another corner, the shadow halted in its tracks. Splayed before the person was a horrifying sight. The Griever was in a staring contest between itself and two Runners from the Glade. No one made a move to escape except the shadow. Ripping its dark clothes off, the shadow revealed itself to be a girl.
With intent on saving the Runner's lives, she charged towards the back of the Griever. She slid underneath its hideous body, her momentum propelling her in front of the Griever. While on her knees, she retrieved an arrow and bow from her back. Aiming, she sent the arrow whizzing into the monster's eye.
The Griever roared in pain and began to prance around the narrow corridor. While trying to unlodge her arrow from its grotesque eye, the Griever's sharp tail lashed about, and the girl professionally maneuvered out of the way of each of its swipes. Moving over to the boys, that were still sprawled out on the ground in utter terror, she kept her eyes on the Griever.
"Run," She ordered, but it was to no avail. The two boys' sights were solely fixated on the Griever twirling around behind her.
"Run!" She screamed at them again. Their bodies remained attached to the earth, so she hastily moved towards them and dropped to her knees in between the two.
"For heaven's sake will you two get your klunk together, and go find Alby!" She cried, taking hold of their shirts in her fist. They both finally locked sights with her. Their bodies both trembled, and their eyes seemingly glistened with horror and profound confusion.
"Everything is going to be alright," She reassured in a softer voice, "Go find Alby, and tell him Kelle needs him."
The dark-haired boy's features relaxed before he scrambled to his feet, bringing his friend up with him. Staring at the unfamiliar person in front of him, the dark-haired boy looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't.
"Just go. Don't worry about me. I need you to get Alby, and don't tell anyone else because I don't want there to be a panic in the Glade. Do you understand?" She directed in an unearthly calm manner. She studied him, and it appeared the gears in his head were grinding and trying to process everything, "You have to hurry."
He nodded quickly before sprinting off towards the exit of the Maze, practically dragging his friend with him.
'They'll be safe now.'
She took in a deep breath before turning around. A long exhale left her throat while she began to prepare herself for the long and tiring fight ahead.
By the time she turned around the Griever had dislodged her arrow from its eyes and was ferociously beating the ground. But, something was wrong.
She knew for some reason that this particular Griever was different. It wasn't fully hell-bent on trying to destroy her. Instead, it stood its ground screeching, itching, and waiting for her to make the first move. Its movements didn't seem as clumsy either. They appeared more agile, quicker than the others. As if it actually took the time to plan its attacks. It felt like her blood froze in her veins when the revolting creature rose on its hind legs, and she could clearly see the discolored flesh of a scar embedded in the Griever's abdomen. That's when it dawned on her that she had a past with this particular Griever.
Venomously hostile adrenaline began to pump through her. Gripping the long machete-type sword, she drew it from its sheath on her back. Her eyes went dark with fury, and her brow downturned into a menacing scowl. The Griever, sensing her turn of attitude, became wilder with its assaults at the ground.
"Today is the day you die." She spat.
The creature grew still, and they both tumbled into a staring contest waiting for the other to make the first move.
"I'll KILL you!" she cried, launching forward into what seemed like a hopeless battle.
-_...*..._-
The two Runners burst back into the Glade and charged towards the kitchen where breakfast was being served.
"Alby!" The dark-haired Runner called.
"Why the shuck are you Slintheads back?" Alby demanded, looking very flustered.
"Because-" The Runner stopped himself, remembering what the girl had said. Looking around, he realized that she was right. If he were to tell Alby, in front of all the Gladers, that were now staring at him, there would be an uproar. "Follow me."
After entering the Council Hall and closing the door behind them, Alby's deep voice stated,
"Want to tell me why you two are back."
"Listen, Alby, Ben and I had just entered the Maze when we ran into a shucking griever, and then out of nowhere, this girl shows up and tells us to come get you." The boy babbled, Ben, to his side, nodding in agreement.
Alby's brow knitted together in worry.
"What did she say?" He inquired, rubbing his chin with his calloused fingers.
"She said to find you and tell you that Kelle needs you." The Keeper of the Runners stated.
Alby's head lowered, his mind processing what the Runner had just said, a pained shine filling his eyes. It was an emotion that neither of the Runners had ever seen cross their leader's usually stoic features.
"Minho, Ben, listen to me carefully." Alby suddenly began walking towards the exit, the two Runners quick to catch up to him. "I need you two to stay here and tell Newt there is something I need to see in the Maze and-"
"I'm going with you," Minho interrupted. Alby sharply turned towards the Asian. Minho put his hands on his hips and gave Alby a look that told him not to fight him. A deep sigh left the darker-skinned male.
"You guys can go. I'll tell Newt." Ben interrupted their silent argument. Yet another sigh left Alby.
"Fine, but no questions till we get back." Alby directed Minho before they both started jogging towards the entrance of the Maze.
End