Chapter 25

So here we have it, chapter 25. I'm really trying to get far in this fic and in order to do that I need to get past the fillers and dive into my main plot. But, I'm also moving forward with the relationship between Jo and Minho. Up until now there was an obvious crush and attraction but since this story is a Romantic fic after all I figured I might as well put the boosters on the love between the two. So, from here on out the romance is going to really start blossoming and let me tell you..I'm really REALLY excited to write those scenes ^^ I'm such a sap.

The rest of the day went by rather uneventful, minus the fact that I got a kick out of watching Minho actually do what I asked and finish the rest of sage leaves before the end of the day. His throat must have been more tender than he was letting on because he chewed on the leaves a little longer than he needed to, but he didn't complain and for that I am grateful. I just want to help him heal as best I can from something that I inflicted on him.

After lunch and what not Minho followed me around for a little while before he got bored and met Ben and the other runners at the Doors as they were closing. I spent the rest of my night in the Sick Room tending to a Slicer I patched up a couple days ago that I told to return so I could keep an eye on his wound and when ready, remove the stitches.

When the time to sleep fell on the Glade I was exhausted. My hammock was calling my name and while I wanted nothing more then to fall face first onto my pillow and fall into blissful sleep I was extremely hesitant. What if I had another violent dream? What if this time when someone tries to wake me up I take it too far? What if I do that to Minho? It's already hard enough to live with myself knowing that I had injured him already, even if it was an accident. I wouldn't be able to handle it if I did anything worse to Minho or another Glader. Screw it, who needs sleep? I was just going to keep my mind distracted until I could either slip into a dreamless sleep or until I couldn't hold myself up anymore. And when time did come for me to sleep, I would just have Chuck or someone who I know wouldn't tell if I asked them not to, lock me up in the Slammer so I couldn't hurt anyone else.

Since my mind has been made up I trudged my way back to my living quarters where I dug through my small little nightstand retrieving my Herb Journal that Clint gave me and my sketch pad I haven't touched since Minho's extended stay in the Sick Room. Quietly I made my way out of the Homestead maneuvering around the sleeping boys in their hammocks as well as the ones asleep in the grass. It's times like this when I look at the boys in their sleep, hearing them snores and watching them scratch at their body parts that I was glad I was a girl and had my own private part of the Homestead. Once I made it past the sleeping Gladers I hid myself in the Runners Map Room; yes the room is private and no I didn't care. I had spent plenty of time in here with Minho. I just wanted to be alone with the chance of someone finding me to be very slim. At least if I fell asleep in here I would be alone. The only Gladers that came in here were the Runners and they knew better than to bother me or try to remove me from this place. I wasn't about to indulge in the Runners mapping secrets. I just liked the feeling in this room, it reminded me of Minho and Minho brought me comfort.

I had lost track of time as I sketched out some leaves and herbs for a few things in my Journal before moving onto my sketch pad where I found the incomplete portrait of Minho I had started a while back. Figuring it was around four o'clock in the morning that gave me at least two more hours to draw before I would go see Minho off into the Maze for the day. He said as much as would like to hang back with me, he had a job as Keeper of the Runners to do and while being around me was fun, watching me be a Med-Jack was not. He sure does have a way with words, that shuckface.

By the time I had finished the drawing of Minho; to which I was thoroughly impressed, I could see the beginning of the new day peak through the sticks and branches that made up the door of the Map Room. That meant it was time for me to get off my numb butt and watch Minho leave.

After I stuffed my pencils in my pocket and tucked my books into my arms that I hugged to my chest, I shivered from the brisk morning air as I walked through the glade and to the Doors. From a distance I could already see Minho standing with his favorite running partner and his closest friend(besides me) Ben. In the time that I have been here and the time that I have spent as Minho's friend, I had grown to really like Ben. He's kind, funny, respectful but he also doesn't take klunk from anyone, especially Minho. That's probably why I like him so much. Besides me and a handful of other Gladers, everyone was afraid of Minho.

The closer I got to them the more Runners noticed me and they greeted me with hellos and good mornings. Ben's blue eyes met mine and we smiled at each other, "Morning Ben. Did you rememember to bring your water this time?" I teased and he nudged me with his elbow.

"Please, do you really think I want to deal with moody Minho if I told him we had to come back again because I forgot something? Do you think I'm that dumb Jo? I'm offended." He dramatically placed his hand on his heart and feigned a broken heart.

"If he made us turn around again I would shove my boot so far up his ass he would taste the leather." Minho clapped Ben on the shoulder and gave him a little jostle before turning his attention on me. He stood rather close as he hooked his thumbs on his runners harness and looked down at me, "What? How do they look?" He turns his head from side to side slow enough for me to check out the bruises, and I was right.

"You heal so fast Minho. Normally it takes about twelve days for a bruise to completely fade but in your case, I think your bruise will be gone by the end of this week. I'm jealous of you Min, I wish I could heal as fast as you." He was like a medical anomaly and I was just discovering it.

"Maybe you do, haven't you noticed that the bruises and bumps you've gotten from your fights with Gally usually disappear in a few days?" He says with a shrug like its no big deal. Actually I haven't noticed, I'm a little surprised that he has. But for now, I'm not going to think too much about it.

"You sure you're okay? You can breathe just fine, your throat doesn't hurt you or anything? I asked, a little bit too much concern was laced in my tone and I knew that he had caught it.

"Relax Jo, I'm fine. My throat doesn't make my running suck you know. How about you put your worry for me into helping the dumb shanks you know you're going to see later." He reaches out and gently brushes the tips of his fingers against my left cheek as they disappear into my hair then he rests his palm on my cheek. I can't help but slightly lean into his touch, I memorize the roughness of the calluses on his hands, the soft brush of fabric that peaked out from behind his leather gloves as it tickles my cheek, the warmth of his fingertips that send a shiver down my spin as they graze against my ear so softly I almost thought it was my imagination. If I could I would stay here all day lingering in his touch that covers my skin in goosebumps.

"Oi! Minho! You ready?" Ben calls from the entrance to the maze while the Doors shudder to life, shaking the ground under our feet as they open wider and wider beckoning Minho to leave me here and risk his life running around the stupid maze.

"I gotta go Jo. I'll see you here when I get back?" He asks me while he plays with my flaming red locks that I know he's so fond of.

Smiling up at him I press my palm to the top of the hand he's holding to my face, I try to savor his rough but gentle touch before he withdraws his fingers from my face, "My face will be the first one you see when you come around that corner." At my words he smiles that soft smile he reserves only for me, the one that makes his eyes shine just a little brighter and turns his cheeks a soft shade of pink.

"Good that Red. I'll see you real soon. Try not to miss me too much while I'm gone yeah?" He teases with one last touch as he runs his hand from the top of my head down the side before he steps back and pivots on the ball of his foot and jogging to catch up with Ben who jogs into the maze.

I stand there and watch as Ben says something teasingly to Minho that warrants a slap across the back of the blonde runners head. Chuckling to myself I take a few minutes for myself before I have to head to the Sick Room. By now the sky had brightened significantly and the air around me had heated up, I could feel my sleepless night really weighing on me. Taking a seat in the grass, I lean my back against the cool stone of the wall and close my eyes. At least this time I know that while I enjoy the warmth on my tired skin I won't have to worry about running into anybody.

I sat there in the sunlight with my eyes closed long enough I almost fell asleep, thankfully no one came over to bother me. I either looked as tired as I felt and the boys left me alone or I carried an intimidating look on my face during my nap. Either way, I was glad they didn't come bug me. I was just about to give into the sleep that was creeping it's way into my limbs when I was woken up to a strange sound I had never heard before.

Opening my eyes I stood up and listened for the sound once more. When I heard it again it sounded like it was coming from the inside of the maze, which was weird since the boys just went in maybe twenty minutes ago, there's no way they would be back soon. I tuned out the sounds of the bustling Gladers and the livestock we kept as I zoned in on the sound. It sounded almost like the whirling of something mechanical, as well as the gross sound of what sounded like flesh squishing and dragging on the ground.

What the bloody hell is that noise?

I wondered to myself, I didn't dare get too close to the entrance in case Gally was lurking around but I did try to hone in on the strange sound as it got louder, almost like it was getting closer.

No, forget it Jo. Go back to the damned Sick Room and get some real sleep. I'm losing my mind, hearing noises that don't make sense and probably aren't there. Go on, wait for Minho to get back in the comfort of the Sick Room.

I gave myself a small like logical pep talk then made up my mind and pushed myself off the wall to head to the Sick Room. As soon as my body disconnected with the wall I felt this sharp stinging pain in my side as it spread very quickly up my arms and down my legs. It didn't take long before the pain was so overwhelming that I blacked out.

What just happened?

Ohhhhhh snap! Did Jo just get stung? We shall find out in Chapter 26 :D Im sorry this one wasn't as long as the other chapter I posted but I'm also trying not to crowd my chapters with too much info you know? But yeah! I really hope you liked it and if you did, please review. If you didn't..I'm sorry ;C Thanks guys I really love ya 3