Hello! Before you start reading I'd just like to say that this has been an amazing project for me to work on. And after some thought I decided against editing to leave this book as a testament of how much my writing skill has progressed over the five years it's taken me to finish. Writing has become such a passion of mine and I'm so grateful that I kept going despite everything in life. With that said, I hope you'll take the time to read through this story not only for the characters and plot but to see how much a writer has developed. Thank you for being here!
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 is swiftly approaching. The noise of the Glade will soon make its way into the walls of the Maze, but its doors haven't opened yet. So, the Maze is 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's infested with.
Nearing hopelessness, the Gladers continued. Unable to remember their previous lives, they are doomed to live one of entrapment. But all is 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 makes 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 carries its hideous body toward its escape. Its mind is fully programmed into getting out of the Maze for the day. So much so that it doesn't sense the creeping shadow that is following it.
Most people won'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 pass by the shadow as if it isn't even there.
The shadow gradually starts to move, creeping out into what sun the Maze's high walls allow in. It carefully follows the Griever. A few minutes pass until the Griever halts, sending the shadow into another hiding spot.
When the ground shakes and the air appeared to rumble, the Maze doors open. An ominously fierce gust of wind barreled through the long concrete corridors, sweeping against the ivy-clad walls and ruffling the leaves and hair of the hidden shadow.
The shadow observes the Griever, waiting for it to move. It twitches a low growl rumbling through its body before it clicks down a different corridor. The shadow, in its panic, follows close on the monster's trail, being sure to keep itself hidden. Things aren't looking good because the doors to the Maze are already opened, and the Griever is headed right back toward the Glade. The shadow is struggling to keep up with the Griever as it picks up speed.
Rounding another corner, the shadow halts in its tracks. Splayed before the person is a horrifying sight. The Griever is in a staring contest between itself and two Runners from the Glade. No one makes a move to escape except the shadow. Ripping its dark clothes off, the shadow reveals itself to be a girl.
With intent on saving the Runners' lives, she charges towards the back of the Griever. She slides underneath its hideous body, her momentum propelling her in front of the Griever. While on her knees, she retrieves an arrow and bow from her back. Aiming, she sends the arrow whizzing into the monster's eye.
The Griever roars in pain and prances around the narrow corridor. While trying to unlodge her arrow from its grotesque eye, the Griever's sharp tail lashes about, and the girl professionally maneuvers out of the way of each of its swipes. Moving over to the boys, that are still sprawled out on the ground in utter terror, she keeps her eyes on the Griever.
"Run," She orders, but it is to no avail. The two boys' sights are solely fixated on the Griever twirling around behind her.
"Run!" She screams at them again. Their bodies remain attached to the earth, so she hastily moves towards them and drops to her knees in between the two.
"For heaven's sake will you two get your klunk together, and go find Alby!" She cries, taking hold of their shirts in her fist. They both finally lock sight with her. Their bodies tremble, and their eyes glisten with horror and profound confusion.
"Everything is going to be alright," She reassures in a softer voice, "Go find Alby, and tell him Kelle needs him."
The dark-haired boy's features relax before he scrambles to his feet, bringing his friend up with him. Staring at the unfamiliar person in front of him, the dark-haired boy looks like he wants to say something but can'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 directs in an unearthly calm manner. She studies him, and it appears the gears in his head are grinding and trying to process everything, "You have to hurry."
He nods, quickly sprinting off towards the exit of the Maze, practically dragging his friend with him.
'They'll be safe now.'
She takes in a deep breath before turning around. A long exhale leaves her throat while she prepares herself for the long and tiring fight ahead.
By the time she turns around the Griever has dislodged her arrow from its eye and is ferociously beating the ground. But, something is wrong.
She knows for some reason that this particular Griever is different. It isn't fully hell-bent on trying to destroy her. Instead, it stands its ground screeching, itching, and waiting for her to make the first move. Its movements don't seem as clumsy either. They appear more agile, and quicker than the others. As if it actually takes the time to plan its attacks. It feels like her blood freezes in her veins when the revolting creature rises on its hind legs, and she can clearly see the discolored flesh of a scar embedded in the Griever's abdomen. That's when it dawns on her that she has a past with this particular Griever.
Venomously hostile adrenaline pumps through her. Gripping the long machete-type sword, she draws it from its sheath on her back. Her eyes darken with fury, and her brow downturns into a menacing scowl. The Griever, sensing her turn of attitude, becomes wilder with its assaults at the ground.
"Today is the day you die." She spits.
The creature grows still, and they both tumble into a staring contest waiting for the other to make the first move.
"I'll KILL you!" she cries, launching forward into what seems like a hopeless battle.
-_...*..._-
The two Runners burst back into the Glade and charge toward the kitchen where breakfast is being served.
"Alby!" The dark-haired Runner calls.
"Why the shuck are you Slintheads back?" Alby demands, looking very flustered.
"Because-" The Runner stops himself, remembering what the girl had said. Looking around, he realizes that she was right. If he were to tell Alby, in front of all the Gladers, that are 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 demands,
"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 to get you." The boy babbles, Ben, to his side, nodding in agreement.
Alby's brow knits together in worry.
"What did she say?" He inquires, rubbing his chin with his calloused fingers.
"She said to find you and tell you that Kelle needs you." The Keeper of the Runners states.
Alby's head lowers, his mind processing what the Runner has just said, a pained shine filling his eyes. It is an emotion that neither of the Runners has ever seen cross their Leader's usually stoic features.
"Minho, Ben, listen to me carefully." Alby suddenly walks toward 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 interrupts. Alby sharply turns towards the Asian. Minho puts his hands on his hips and gives Alby a look that tells him not to fight him. A deep sigh leaves the darker-skinned male.
"You guys can go. I'll tell Newt." Ben interrupts their silent argument. Yet another sigh leaves Alby.
"Fine, but no questions till we get back." Alby directs Minho before they both start jogging toward the entrance of the Maze.
End