I try not to devour my oatmeal. Being  social is harder than I thought,  especially when the Maze is calling me. The doors opened a few minutes ago and I'm here at the table trying to make small talk with my friends.

"Did you hear about the party Alby is planning?" John says excitedly.

That grabs my attention seeing Alby doesn't strike me as a party planner.

"No I haven't heard."

"Well it was more Newt's idea. It's to celebrate our first month here."

"That's actually a good idea."

"It's tomorrow afternoon, the last day of this month. We are all taking the day off."

John stops suddenly, as if unsure of what to say next.

"So, uhh are you going to take the day off too?"

I'm taken back at the thought of giving up a day of running just to celebrate. According to Minho it won't be our last month here. When I don't answer right away I see John's face fall a bit and I see a hint of that same fear in his eyes from when we first met.

"Sure, I'll be there."

He brightens up but says nothing. Glancing at my watch I see I'm seven minutes late.

I shovel in my breakfast, squeeze in a short goodbye and sprint out into my Maze.

》》》》》》[]《《《《《《

Panting, I lean against a wall and slide down. With shaky hands, I pull my notebook out of my bag and write down another tip,

Never ever try to swing from the vines!

It may sound like a fun and faster method of transportation at the time but when the vine snaps with you in mid-air, let's just say I'll stick to running.

I lay down my notebook, take out my water bottle and enjoy a long gulp of water.

I allow a mental break as I remember what John said about the party. That just shows how much one can miss running all day. Still-  I'd rather run.

whirr- click - click

I jump at the sudden sound. I gag at the instant smell of overheating engines. I quickly pack up my things and stand alert.

'Think positive- what if it someone coming to help?'

All positive thoughts are drained when I see a large, mechanical shadow on the wall before me. What ever the creature is, it's just around the corner.

Without a moments hesitation I run. Not caring where I'm headed- only that I outrun that creature. It's shadow is embedded in my mind, twisted arms with sharp objects protruding out.

Running faster and faster until I have to stop. I make a last dash around a bend and back up against the wall. I'm dying to let out a breath but I hold it in.

Mustering up my courage, I risk peeking around the corner behind me.

Nothing.

I quickly pull back and let out a breath that threatens to choke me. I again look around the corner.  There is still nothing there.

'I need to get back to the Glade. I've seen enough for the day.'

I tighten the bag around my wrist, wipe sweat from my forehead and take off at lightening speed. I notice the burning smell is not as strong and I take that as a good sign.

Before long I realize I'm close to the  entrance to the Glade.

'It's still early, what do I tell Alby?'

If they knew I was running for my life I would surly be banned from ever running the Maze again.

'No one can know about this. I won't even write about it.'

It would definitely bring down the mood of the party tomorrow  if everyone knew about a monster in the Maze.

'That's it! I'll tell Alby I was so excited for the celebration I decided to come help.'

As I enter the safety of the Glade I collapse on the ground in thankfulness. That's when a new fear slaps me down.

'What if it comes inside the Glade?!'

"Graham! You're back early, are you ok?"

I look up to see Newt coming toward me, squinting in confusion. Who can blame him? The Runner practically flew in like death was chasing him.

'Wasn't it?'

I stand up and brush myself off. Now is as good as time as any to try out my excuse.

"Yeah I heard about the party this morning and decided to call it a day early so I could help." My words come out ragged and almost desperate.

Newt looks at me curiously, almost unbelieving. I give a fake smile and say,

"Plus I figured I would surprise John. He was worried about me not showing up on time."

'Now I pulled an innocent kid into my lie.'

"The party isn't until tomorrow," He says evenly.

I now give the confused look and bury myself further into lies.

"Tomorrow? I thought it was today?"

Newt finally lets it drop.

"Well since you're here, go make yourself useful."

》》》》》[]《《《《《《

I can feel eyes on me as I help to care for the animals. Eyes that are curious. The Runner is back early. Why?

I try to shrug off my fears but they grow into confusion.

"What was that creature? Is it really dangerous? Why haven't I seen it before? Would my knife have been enough?'

My knife! How could I have forgotten it? Alby's and Frypan's fears were correct after all.

That when a new thought comes to mind.

'What if I imagined it all? Is that possible? To imagine the smell, the sounds and the eerie shadow?'

No. It was all too real.

'I would have remembered to use my knife. I had been tired, maybe when I fell off the vine it did some damage to my vision. After all this time I would have ran into- whatever it was. Technically I never saw the creature, just a shadow. Whoever put us here surly wouldn't add in monsters.'

Maybe it was just my imagination. If it was, I've got a better imagination than I thought.

A/N
Sooo.... The first Griever! What are your thoughts?? Things are only going to get worse from here on out so be ready!