'Breath in the nose, out the mouth.'

After only four days of running I feel like I've done it all my life. I run in rhythm to the sound of my shoes as they slap against the hard ground. By now I've learned some of the secrets to the place.

Walls changing overnight, mysterious plaques that haunt the walls but oddly they give me comfort. Beetle Blades, as I call them, roam about freely but they seem harmless and curious. I've yet to find an exit.

As I turn a corner I can tell that the road has changed since yesterday. My mind travels back to the first time I realized the walls move. It was my second day and I got so turned around I barely made it back before the doors closed me inside.

I shudder at the very thought of being out here after dark. I have not had to use my knife as a means of self-defense but I don't feel comfortable about running mindlessly in pitch black. I could request a flashlight but-

Suddenly I hear the faint sound of, what exactly I'm not sure. My eyes dart around quickly and that is when I realize I'm in a new area of the Maze. I stand still and listen intently for the noise again. Not counting the click of the Beetle Blades, it the first sound I've heard in here.

I begin to hear a dull roaring in my ears from listening to nothing for so long.

'Probably my imagination.'

I continue my jogging pace and cautiously gaze about my new surroundings. Out of habit I yank on a nearby vine that is hanging from a wall and lay it on the ground. It didn't take me long to realize how lost one could become so I begin leaving vines as a guide. Especially in undiscovered parts.

'Maybe this will be it.'

With every new path, a flicker of hope burns inside me. Will this be the way out. Just within these past days I have imagined finding a door or a tunnel that leads to freedom. I smile as I can picture myself racing back to tell the others the best news they have ever heard. I've even rehearsed different ways of breaking the news:

"Guess what I found!"
"You all have to follow me right now!"

Yes I admit I have even thought of sarcastic comments to tell Alby.

A Beetle Blade zooming in front of me, it's red flashing light, brings me back to the present. I have not paid attention. To punish my wandering mind I deny myself the break I had considered taking, and keep going.

From what I do see this section seems no different than all the rest of the Maze.

Suddenly I stop dead in my tracks which isn't easy considering the momentum of my speed. This new section is nothing like what I've seen.

Inching foward up the path I look over where the road has stopped and see nothing. Only darkness. To fall down would lead to who knows where. I see a rock nearby, pick it up, hold it out over the emptiness and let it drop.

I listen for a thud, ensuring me that this is nothing to fear. Only I hear nothing. After a full minute I still hear nothing. I back away from this sudden death and run back to the normalcy of the maze.

'I definitely have something to write down today!'

That notebook Alby had given me has actually been useful. After giving in, I began to fill up pages of things I've learned and discovered. The plaques, changing of the walls, tips I've picked up about using the vines, pacing myself and when to take breaks. It's become a Runners Guide Book. Which suits me just fine.

》》》》》》[]《《《《《《

Jogging back into the Glade I walk over to the kitchen where I give Frypan my back pack to refill in exchange for a hot dinner.

As he accepts it he looks at me and nonchalantly says,

"That knife still clean?"

"Clean as the day you gave it to me."

He nods and the conversation drops. He may seem to be only concerned with another knife to wash before bed but I can see behind the bluff. He still fears for me out there.

As I consume a bowl of steaming chili, I open my notebook and jot down my findings.

Laying down for a restful night's sleep I suddenly realize something that has happened theses past four days. I have become a loner. Alone all day in the Maze, taking in a late dinner at an empty table then going right to sleep. The only person I see faithfully each day is Frypan. Even John and Bark-

The loneliness seeps in and slowly devours me. That restful peace I felt is gone as I suddenly want to wake everyone up just to say hello.

My sleep now comes fitfully as I mentally add another tip to my Runner's Guide:

Make time for friends or you'll go mad.

A/N

Oh yeah! Three chapters done in like three days! Things are going to heat up soon so be ready, keep in mind it's the Maze Runner so things will happen.... things that start with G and end in riever!

Keep voting and commenting and have an A-mazing day!