Crashing into the Glade I stumble but catch myself. I speak to no one. I look at no one. If anyone has noticed my early return I don't know and I don't care.

Finally my feet give out and I collapse.

》》》》》[]《《《《《

I wake to the taste of dirt on my tongue and sit up. I spit out the dirt and wipe the sweat off my face.

I realize then that I am in the woods. Somehow I ran all the way here and just gave out. The sun is close to sinking and I'm grateful for the day to end. The events of that afternoon wash over and I can not contain them.

"What have I done?" I whisper as tears begin to cascade down my face, stirring the dirt into mud.

'They are dead because of me. Why did I ever lie to them? Why didn't I listen to John-'

"John! John is still alive!" I say gleefully.

My joy is dashed suddenly.

'What do I do? Who do I tell? What can I say?'

Resolutely I stare foward and watch as the Gladers mill about, further off into the heart of the Glade.

'It's not lying if you don't talk to anyone.'

My stomach growls angrily but I ignore it.

'How can I eat? How can I live?'

My heart is bursting with pain as I lay back down on the hard ground.

'How did things come so far? Why did this happen?'

With buring eyes and an empty stomach I lay there, hating every breath I take and loathing that Maze.

》》》》》》[]《《《《《《

"Graham?"

The voice reaches my ears and the horrific scream rings out. I sit up and fling myself to my feet, to save him, to redeem myself.

Arms pull me down and a hand rests on my burning forehead.

"He has a fever, but is drenched in a cold sweat," A new voice says.

I strain my eyes to look up at my accusers. Two boys I don't recognize stand over me with furrowed brows.

"Let's take him to the Homestead."

I feel myself being lifted up and as the land moves and spins I black out.

》》》》》[]《《《《《《

I wake up to the sound of voices. Concern fills the room.

"He's awake!" A relieved voice calls out and rushes to my side.

I try to place the name but give up as my mind doesn't want to work. I look instead and once I do I sit up quickly.

"John! John it's you!" Tears stream and I can't stop.

John lays a hand on my shoulder.

"If course I'm here, what happened to you?"

All I can do I shake me head numbly.

"So the Runner is finally awake?"

I look beyond John and see Alby walking over.

'No, please! Not Alby! Anyone but Alby!'

Instead of voicing my thoughts I remain silent. He has no trouble marking the pain shrouded over my face. I expect the worst from him: smart comments and suspicious questions. Instead he turns and leaves.

John looks at me intently and I can almost hear the words he wants to say.

'Where are they? What happened?'

Before he can ask, I say something I should have said an eternity ago.

"I'm sorry for what I said."

John gives a pained expression and offers a slight smile. We are friends again.

'Little does he know he is friends with a murderer.'

A/N
I am on a roll!! So yeah... please vote and comment, I love feedback and it means a lot!

If I stay on my schedule there are five chapters and an author's note left!!! So excited!!!