It was early the next morning when Alby, Newt, Gally, Minho met once again with Eve in the dugout. Minho had instructed Ben to wait until the meeting adjourned before heading out into the Maze; today would be a half-day.

Eve, who had had a restless night, had a lot to say. Now that she had accepted the idea that it could be a possibility, she was ready to voice her opinion without fear.

"I just don't think we've thought this through. Is it really wise to try to have a child in the Glade? If we die out, what is the real damage? Repopulating this accursed place seems selfish; especially if we're here forever. There doesn't seem to be much point to it,"

She had been talking for some time now and the boys had listened to her, nodding along when they agreed. After she had summed up her thoughts, Eve sat back, her hands twisted between her legs. She chewed on her bottom lip as she waited for their response.

Alby smiled at her, first and foremost.

"Thank you for sharing with us. You've given the situation a lot of thought and for that, I am grateful,"

Newt and Minho nodded their heads at her, Newt speaking up for the both of them.

"You're braver than most, Eve,"

She nodded, curling her fingers under her thighs, suddenly nervous as to what would happen next. Gally was the only one who had not spoken up and something about his silence frightened her. The blonde was staring at the ground, his hands out before him, one leg shaking under him. He finally spoke, softly, as if to himself.

"It's not about there being a point. It's about the puzzle we're meant to solve. There had to be a reason they send up a girl,"

Ably leaned forward, trying to meet Gally's eye.

"Maybe it was a mistake, we can't be sure,"

Gally nodded, finally looking up.

"We don't know. That's all we know. If Eve is part of the Maze, then trying this could be a crucial part of our ticket out. If we are here forever, dying out just means they win!"

Eve shook her head, no longer concerned about his behaviour.

"Why would we be here forever though? A puzzle is meant to be solved, why would this be a permanent situation?"

"We don't know! That's the point!" Gally looked up at Eve, his eyes stern. "We don't know anything! It's trial and error. Maybe it isn't permanent, but what if it takes us longer than our generation to solve the Maze? Wouldn't a future generation be logical if we were to keep trying?"

Eve frowned. She had been easily swayed when she first arrived, but she had since grown and was not afraid to speak her mind.

"Running the Maze isn't trial and error. Neither are the building projects. They're organized and you have protocols. Minho isn't allowed to stay out later than half an hour before the Doors closes. There's an order, no assumptions. Besides, he's halfway through now, why would it take us longer than we can live to get out?"

Gally shook his head, becoming frustrated again.

"Because we don't know,"

There was a long silence after Gally's last words and Alby finally interceded.

"This is why we must discuss this and come to a conclusion before we jump into anything," He was still not totally in favour of the whole idea and was impressed by the thought going into their options. Newt leaned against the dirt wall, nodding along with all he heard. Minho did not have much to add and merely waited for any opportunity his opinion was needed. Gally, on the other hand, was still determined to have his own thoughts heard.

"There's an order for solutions to improve our living and there are protocols for running in the Maze. But we're trying to get out of here, trying to solve the puzzles. If you're one of those puzzles, then we still have to figure out how to solve it,"

Eve crossed her arms.

"But what if I'm not part of the Maze? What if it was simply an accident like Alby said. What if they didn't mean anything by it?"

Gally shook his head, firm.

"This wasn't a mistake. They would have tried to fix it, do something to take it back. This was on purpose!"

"I thought nothing could be confirmed?"

Gally was starting to get angry, stubbornly stuck on his idea. Eve, in turn, was getting frustrated. Alby, sensing the rising tension, raised his hands between them.

"Alright, you've both made your arguments. You're both right, but that doesn't solve our problem. We have the option before us; I don't exactly see the need for it, but we don't have the luxury of confirmation on our side. We still don't know if an escape is an option, Minho will only know that when he finishes the Maze. When do you estimate that?"

Minho shrugged, not extremely hopeful.

"It's still the same as it's always been. I'm almost finished with the initial run-through, but the changes are another thing altogether. Mapping and charting the changes is taking its time and I can't exactly say when it will become clear,"

Alby nodded, turning back to Eve.

"There is still a chance, but we can't say for sure. We also can't say for sure if Gally is right and you are part of the puzzle. We've heard your thoughts and I still stand by my beginning statement. We wanted you to be involved in this discussion and only you can determine if this option is to be explored. There will be no judgment either way. Are you prepared to answer on how you want to proceed, Eve?"

Eve did not look at him, staring at the ground.

"There are still so many… questions about it all. I don't like…," she looked to her left, grasping for words. "I can't say I enjoy the idea, I was terrified last night," She met Alby's gaze as she continued. "It had been a nightmare of mine, that one day you would force it upon me. But I can see that it's not as simple as all that. I can't say I like being pushed to make a decision, it all seems so... rushed. But it's like you said, we don't have the luxury of confirmation. I know you don't want to rush this, but you also have to think of the Glade and solving this puzzle. It's not what anyone wants, but we have to do what we can," Eve stopped to take in a shaky breath, her eyes bright and shiny. "And, as you said, only I can decide,"

Gally's leg stopped shaking and he leaned forward, his eyes serious.

"So what have you decided?"

Eve chewed on her lip, looking at him, almost through him as she remained quiet. She knew what she had decided, but vocalizing was another thing. Taking a deep breath, Eve let it out slowly and sat up straighter.

"I decided… I decided that I would do it if we took that course of action. If you are really determined to explore all our options and do anything you can in an attempt to get out of here, I'll do it,"

No one spoke for a time, the magnitude of the decision was not to be taken lightly. It also opened up another plethora of questions. Questions that no one wanted to ask. Eve looked up at them after a moment, her eyes shining. She was still afraid, the whole thing was terrifying, but she knew that it was for the good of Glade. It was her choice and she wanted to do all she could for the Glader's. As thanks for all they had done for her.

Alby leaned forward, slowly, deciding what this new confirmation meant.

"Are you sure?"

Eve nodded.

"I've thought a long time about it, as long as I could anyway. We can't confirm or deny anything we have. We only have what we believe. Trying it only gives us another answer; we could always use more of those,"

Alby nodded slowly and Newt spoke up, clearing his throat.

"So… what now? Are we going to go through with it?" The idea had sounded alright when that was all it was. But the reality of it was daunting and even he was uncertain if they had been right to begin with. Alby didn't acknowledge his question, simply speaking out loud as he stared at the ground, rubbing his chin with a thumb and finger.

"It would give us an answer to some questions. Another part of the puzzle solved to open up another problem. It's all in the game. I can't say I ever wanted it to come down to this... but Eve, if you're willing, then I say we put it up to vote and go from there," He looked at the three boys before him.

"All in favour?"

Minho raised his hand, along with Gally. After a moment, Newt did the same, his eyebrows knit together.

"As long as we understand what this means,"

Alby nodded.

"We do, we have it all laid out,"

Gally rubbed the back of his neck, his face tinted red.

"Almost all of it,"

Eve swallowed and looked down at her feet, a whole new feeling washing over her. She was giving her body to the boys or more specifically, one of them. A sense of self-consciousness stirred within her. They had not discussed who it would be. How were they going to decide that? She squirmed, suddenly feeling the discomfort from the night before. But she had decided and she was not about to back down on herself.

The boys, who had distinguished what Gally had alluded to, seemed to be just as uncomfortable. Newt chuckled nervously.

"Which one of us shanks is it going to be then?" He seemed to be directing his question generally, but Eve could not help but feel the choice was, once again, hers. She blushed, her cheeks growing warmer as one by one, the boys looked at her. It seemed impossible, what would they think of her? Surely some of them would be repulsed, while others could be offended. How was she supposed to pick among them? They would become responsible for her, another weight in this god-awful place.

Just as she began to squirm, Alby spoke up.

"Have the day to think about it. Not everyone will be pertinent to this job. There are obviously a few of us who need to focus on other things," He looked at Minho who nodded, his own face turning red. Eve would not meet Alby's eyes as he continued; he had basically pulled Minho off the table. "It's up to you and whoever you choose. I understand you are close to some more than others, that will be your best guide. We'll meet again tonight and you can tell us then, understood?"

Eve nodded, rubbing her hands together, wishing she could disappear and not have to make, yet another, large decision. Minho, Newt and Gally all looked around, unable to meet each other's gaze. Gally was as red as a tomato.

Alby broke up the silence.

"Let's not make it uncomfortable now, this is something we all decided on as a group. I will make an announced at the meal tonight and we'll go from there,"

Eve's eyes got wide and she looked up quickly.

"You're going to tell the others?"

Alby nodded, smiling apologetically.

"I can't keep it from them. They should hear it from me rather than hearing about it later. Don't worry, you won't be treated any differently. There was the first Runner and there will be a first… well, Mother, if this does work,"

There was always the possibility that Eve was not fertile.

Eve did not look at all comfortable, but Alby tried to make the best of it.

"You're relieved from work for the day, stay away from the others if you need to. But they won't bother you about it. If they do, report it to me and they'll be taken care of,"

Eve nodded, swallowing hard as she stood up, yet another day of wrestling was before her. And she was not looking forward to her decision becoming public knowledge. There was no way around it though. Alby nodded to her and she left the dugout, leaving the boys to let out a breath they had been holding.

Newt, as always, tried to lighten up the mood.

"Well, the worst she can do is decide we're all too bloody ugly,"

Minho smirked, staring at the ground. Gally scowled at him.

"She has to pick one of us,"

Newt wasn't bothered, merely leaning back with a hand behind his head.

"I suppose you expect it'll be you, it being your idea and all,"

Gally's face, which had just begun to return to a normal colour, flared up again.

"I'm the last on her list!" His face twisted in a scowl. "She hates my guts and she knows this was my idea. She'll never pick me!"

Newt chuckled, finally able to relax now that Eve was gone.

"It doesn't sound like you're opposed,"

Minho ducked his head to hide a smile. Gally fumed, moving his hands back and forth in a flustered state.

"I'm not! I mean - I'm not opposed! She's gonna choose someone!"

Minho smirked

"And it could be you," The dark-haired runner could not help but join in, the light mood making the whole situation less tense. Gally turned on him, not appreciative.

"Slim it, Minho! What if she picks Newt?"

Minho shrugged.

"I guess we'll have to wait and see,"

Gally's face was burning. He stood up, hands on his hips.

"I guess we will," He stood a moment longer, before turning to leave. Before he could though, Alby called him back.

"Let's leave the choice up to her. But this was your idea, Gally. If she does pick you, I expect you to step up and take care of her,"

Gally swallowed; embarrassment did not suit him. He nodded, trembling as he fought to keep himself calm.

"No trouble there," Minho smirked and Newt closed his eyes, a small smile on his face. Alby waved them off, giving them both a meaningful look.

"Just as Newt will do the same. I don't expect her to pick outside of you two. She's not close enough to the rest of the boys and they haven't been briefed enough to understand. Just let her decide,"

Minho and Newt nodded while Gally crossed his arms over his chest, still angry. Alby stood up and led the way out from underneath the roof and into the sunlight. Work was going on as normal. Minho headed off to fetch Ben, eager to run another portion of the Maze with the time they had. Gally trudged over toward the tower in progress; Winston could already be seen there, shaving down some sticks. Newt followed Ably back to the garden and the Glade leader turned to him as they reached the vines.

"If Eve does choose you, are you willing to proceed with her?"

Newt nodded, a tint of red staining his cheeks.

"I will. It's all part of the game right?"

Alby nodded, placing his hands on his hips.

"I sincerely hope it isn't, but now that we're trying it, I wouldn't trust anyone more than you or Gally,"

Newt smirked and Alby gave him a look.

"Don't give him a hard time,"

Newt waved his hands gently, shaking off Alby's concern.

"I won't. He couldn't be more bloody obvious though,"

Alby smirked and shook his head.

"He spends the most time with her,"

"And it was his idea,"

Nodding, Alby looked out into the garden.

"He's determined to rule out every possibility. I don't think he liked the idea any more than we did, but he's trying to help,"

Newt didn't respond as he walked closer to a line of cucumber plants.

"It's certainly going to give us some answers,"

Alby joined him.

"I certainly hope it will,"

Alby announced the new development at the evening meal just as promised. It was received with mixed feelings.

A few of the Glader's were worried when they heard Hank's death may have closed off any option of escape. But the idea of procreation seemed to make sense if Eve was part of the Maze. Others were confused, puzzled as to why a child in the Glade was a good idea. The idea of an attack from the Griever's only made it worse. If they were to die, what was the good of procreating if their days were numbered? Overall, the decision only raised more questions, just as Alby had predicted. He knew that it all seemed based on assumption and they were not really sure if it would help or hinder them. But he knew that the puzzle was constant and anything could be part of it. Eve was the only girl and something had to come of it eventually. He quieted the voices rising around him with a final word.

"I know that you're confused and I do not have any more answers for you. But we're doing all we can; this could be a key to the Maze. A girl in the Glade could have been a message. We are making what we can out of it and I only ask that you understand. Eve is doing this for the better good. And I expect you to treat her with respect for it,"

A few grumblings had followed his address, but the Glader's trusted their leader. He was doing what was best for them. After a few more instructions, Alby let them go for the evening meal, before meeting with Minho once more. The black-haired Runner had come back early from the Maze that day; he and Ben had discovered something new. The larger sections had been counted once again and Minho now had the order of their opening. This announcement cheered the Glader's. The possibilities were growing and hope seemed to still be alive.

All that was left was Eve's decision.

Following the evening meal, Alby gathered his trusted three to him. They gathered in the dugout for the second time that day. Eve joined them once the fire had been doused and the Glader's had ducked down for the night. She had avoided the boys, just as Alby had encouraged, having been absent from all activity for the day. She had skipped the evening meal and Fry Pan had been instructed to leave her portion for later.

Eve looked no more comfortable than she had that morning, but she looked determined to push through. Sitting before them now, she could not meet their eyes, studying her feet instead.

Alby leaned forward.

"Have you made a decision?"

Eve nodded, not looking up. She was shivering, the cold of the night getting to her as it always did. Her thin shirt and shorts did not provide the protection she needed.

Gally and Newt didn't speak; it was between the two of them. All of the other Glader's had been taken off the list as Eve could not be expected to choose them.

Eve looked up, her eyes shining. Alby smiled at her, sympathy flooding through his body.

"There is still time to turn back if you want," His voice was soft.

Gally looked up, his mouth open to protest. Newt shook his head at him and the blonde remained silent. Eve shook her head, closing her eyes.

"I can't back down now,"

Alby nodded his acceptance and waited. Eve sighed heavily.

"I choose Gally," Eve sounded very uncertain.

Gally didn't react, his eyes fixed on the ground. But his expression spoke for him.

He was shocked.

Newt nodded and smiled at Eve. Not out of relief, but understanding. Gally did not look up, his leg drumming the floor.

"You're sure?" His voice was contained, measured.

"Yes," She definitely did not sound certain.

Gally looked away, rubbing his hand over his neck in silence. Alby looked between them, knowing he would have to give direction if they ever were to start. He could not help but feel a bit of discomfort himself as he spoke up.

"Jeff and Clint can give you use of the Med Jack Hut when you need it. You're free to proceed as of now," He was choosing his words carefully, stepping around the delicate state of the situation. Gally was twitching, his thumping foot causing vibrations through the ground. Eve was squirming, her face burning red as she avoided any eye contact. Gally turned his head to Alby, keeping his eyes on the floor, his voice strained.

"Tonight," He didn't have to say anything else. Alby looked toward Eve for her approval. She looked small, frightened; almost as she had upon her arrival. No response from her indicated that she was not going to oppose.

Alby nodded to Newt and Minho, who stood up, slowly, uncertainly. Gally nodded briefly as the three passed him and left the dugout.

The cramped space was empty now. Only Gally and Eve sat, nearly a world apart, not looking at one another. The blonde stilled his leg, staring at the ground as if he could set a fire with his eyes. Abruptly, he stood up, pushing off with his hands on his thighs.

Startled, Eve sat up, lifting her eyes to look at Gally. He had hardened his face, his eyes avoiding hers.

Eve breathed out a shuddering sigh.

"I'm sorry," Her voice was a whisper.

Gally grunted, putting his hands on his hips. He breathed out a sigh through his nose. For a moment, he only stared at the ground. Then he shook his head.

"No turning back now. Come on," His voice was not harsh, but it was commanding. Eve stood up, unsteadily, wavering unsteadily before him. He huffed through his nose and walked out of the dugout. Eve followed him, trying to keep up as he trudged forward through the Glade. Eve looked back, longingly, at the pond in the distance.

"Can I wash first?" She could not imagine why she would want to drag out the inevitable, but it seemed like her last resort.

Gally did not turn back as he answered, his response short and tempered.

"After,"

Eve frowned. He was taking over as if he was in charge. Wasn't this her choice too? Hadn't she been the one with the deciding vote? She sighed heavily, fighting back a desire to run.

Had she made a mistake?