Awaking the next morning, the Gladers knew very little about just how much their lives were going to change over the next twenty-four hours.

Everything was fine, the Glade operating as usual, up until Minho returned from the maze. The Glade was desolate. Almost abandoned looking. He heard nothing aside from the wails of agony from someone in the pit. At first he was tempted to go see who it was, but there was something else on his mind. Where was Y/N? The boy raced for the Medjack hut, his heart beating so quick he could hardly feel it.

Crashing through the door, Minho was startled to find the hut completely empty. There was only one other place in the Glade large enough for everyone to be forced inside, and that was the homestead. So, Minho yet again ran out into the Glade, hoping his friends were in the homestead. Because, if they weren't, he was on his own with the screaming boy in the pit. He didn't like that idea one bit.

To his relief, everyone was inside of the homestead, piled up against the walls being completely silent. The only people talking were Y/N, Newt, and Alby at the small table in the middle of the room. His heart leaped into his throat when he caught Y/N's gaze, beyond relived to find her safe. What made him lose that sense of relief was the disheartened, hopeless look cast across all three of his friends faces.

"Any one of you shanks wanna explain what's going on?" Minho searched their blank faces for answers.

"Ben's been stung." Alby spat out the words which left a vile taste in his mouth as fast as he could.

"When?" Minho croaked.

Alby took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Sometime this morning, we think."

The rest of the day was a painful blur. Y/N tended to Thomas' wounds in the Medjack hut, Newt worked to calm the rest of the Gladers, Minho locked himself in the Maproom, and Alby had a very difficult decision to make. When he did, Minho was the first person he told.

Ben was to be banished at sundown.

Y/N, Chuck, and Thomas all stayed back as Ben was forced into the maze. It was unbearable to watch. Even after the doors shut, his screams could still be heard echoing through the maze. Not even the stone walls which surrounded them could protect the Gladers from the guilt they felt for sending Ben to his death.

First to leave the group was Newt, who Minho followed close behind. He didn't even glance at Y/N as he passed. She watched in dismay as the runner ambled through the grass in sheer agony, but her attention was sent elsewhere when Alby called her name.

"Y/N," He began almost breathlessly, walking closer to her. "I hoped this day would never come..."

The girl kept her gaze on Alby and took in a deep breath. She shifted her weight uncomfortably, beginning to clench her fists.

"The rest of the runners quit this morning. We need you more than ever now." Alby admitted.

"What do you mean? I'm a Medjack Alby—" It wasn't that Y/N doubt her abilities. Becoming a runner was something she'd always thought about. The one time she brought it up though, Minho didn't even want to consider putting her through that. She was happy as a medjack and since hadn't asked him about becoming a runner since. She trust Minho, and when he said it wouldn't be worth it, she listened. Now, that was changing. 

He shushed the girl. "If anyone here can do it, you can."

"You're asking me to be a runner?" Y/N croaked.

Alby nodded and then looked to Thomas across the Glade who was talking with Chuck. "You, Thomas, and Minho can find a way out. Just please—"

"I'll do it." Y/N said stiffly. "But I'm not telling Minho."

"That's fine. I'll tell him." Alby sent a soft, thankful smile to Y/N before striding off towards the Maproom where Minho would most likely be.

She was a runner now. Tomorrow, she'd be in the maze. It was her job to find a way out now. She, along with Minho and Thomas were the epicentre of hope for the rest of the Gladers.

It wasn't long before hollering could be heard from within the deadheads, most likely Minho arguing with Alby. The runner came storming out of the woods just seconds later and scanned the Glade frantically. When his eyes met Y/N's he sprinted towards her and clamped his hands down on her shoulders.

"You lost your shucking mind?!" He whispered, eyes afire with vexation.

"Minho—"

"You agreed to be a runner?!" He interjected again.

"We don't have any other option." Y/N muttered.

Minho pursed his lips and held his anxious grip on her shoulders, but soon let go. So many thoughts were coursing through his mind, he couldn't pick which ones to spit in Alby's face for asking her to be a runner. It was a strange feeling. He wanted to punch something because she agreed to such a stupid thing, but that was only because he wanted to protect her. That's all he'd ever wanted. He wanted her to be safe, to always be there when he returned from the maze. Not to be in there with him. 

Now part of Minho was thankful for the thought of having a reliable running partner that knew him nearly as well as he knew himself. A strange comfort washed over him. That comfort was quickly and easily consumed by an overwhelming anxiety of what could happen, though.

"You can't—" Minho heaved. "I can't stop you, and I won't. But this shouldn't be on you."

"Then who will it be on?" Y/N asked. "No one. It's me, you, and Thomas. We're the only people left willing to go into that place and you need all the help you can get."

Minho lowered his head and winced. She made her choice. He was still completely conflicted. Not knowing what to say, needing time to think, he half nod to Y/N and walked off. "You be at those doors at sunrise, Minho!" Y/N called out to the keeper of the runners.