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THE MAZE RUNNER
──── ❝ he's fast ❞

CHAPTER THREE
.ೃ࿐, someone to remember
*ೃ༄ ﹌﹌﹌ღ ‗ ❍                 . . . . . 🌚🥀
•◦• ACT ONE
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AIFE TAPPED HER SLENDER FINGER ALONG THE RIM OF HER GLASS, her face twisting into a mean grimace as a burning sensation traveled down her throat. A light cough fell from her chapped lips, hearing the light laughter of a few gladers around her. she glanced to her left, spotting the boy who had conjured up the drink whilst he had a bit of free time.

His name was Gally. He had a larger frame, his long sleeved shirt hugging his broad shoulders. His hair was chopped rather short, freckles coating his large nose and eyebrows always appearing to be knitted together. When he first came up in the box, he had caused nothing but trouble amongst the few gladers that were in the glade. It'd only been three months since Alby showed up, and since then, he had shown that he could be quite useful in their community.

In the moment, the small number of teenagers were crowded around a small bonfire, low chatter being shared amongst the group. Aife's eyes fell to their newest greenie, seeing his damp blonde hair stick to the skin of his forehead. His chapped lips formed a frown as he tapped his finger along his knee.

Pushing herself to stand up, Aife approached him. At seeing her figure, he met her gaze.

"Hey, Greenie." She nodded her head.

The boy pursed his lips at the title. Aife sat down next to him. He seemed a bit skittish, his knee bouncing at a rapid pace.

"Why do you call me that?" He asked, his voice hoarse and fingers twitching.

"What, you don't like 'greenie?' What else should we call you?" Aife shrugged while lifting her eyebrows, teasing him. It had become a regular thing. Each time a newcomer showed up in the box, they would earn the title 'greenie' until the next person would show up to the glade.

The greenie itched his nose, "my name is Ben."

Aife narrowed her eyes, "Ben?"

He softly nodded, heavy exhale pushing past his lips, "i remembered a few hours ago. i just... wasn't sure if i should trust you guys." He confessed.

Aife scoffed at his words. Whether he liked it or not he would have to trust them. They're all he's got now.

Aife said nothing more to the boy before standing on her feet and shouting, "Right then, guys! meet Ben!"

At those words, cheers erupted from the boys that surrounded them. A few chanted his name, others clapped him on the shoulder. Gally approached, a sly grin on his face while he cocked his head at Ben, seemingly sizing him up.

"What do you say we see what you're made of, greenie?"

Aife turned to Ben, noticing his blue eyes had already been trained on her. It seemed as though he had been unsure, should he take up the challenge. Aife only shrugged, motioning for him to stand. Ben rose to his feet, striding towards Gally who stood intimidatingly.

A few cheers sounded as they circled around one another, seemingly sizing each other up and waiting for the other to make a move. Gally reached out to shove Ben, causing him to slightly stumble.

Aife narrowed her eyes and watched as the boy nervously regained his footing. She ran her tongue along the inside of her cheek, silently encouraging him to continue. Ben swiftly ran forward, using all of his body weight to tackle Gally to the ground, shocking all of the Gladers. Holy shit. He had been so fast, none of them were expecting it. Gally fought to get back on top, sand flying every which way as they wrestled. Cheers erupted, some called out Gally's name, others called out Ben's.

Before they knew it, the two boys were back on their feet, circling around once again. Aife tilted her head, fixating her gaze on a boy that sat across from the fire, the beaming flames illuminating his features. Minho was his name. His hair was gelled into a swoop, and he gave a slightly unapproachable demeanor. Aife made her way over to him, now occupying the seat beside him. A moment of silence was shared between the two.

"He's fast." Aife commented. Minho nodded, and slowly fixed his gaze onto Aife.

"Yeah, he is."

"And so are you."

Seeing the unreadable expression on her face, he tilted his head a bit, "Yeah. . .What're you thinkin'?"

Aife let out a light chuckle, "I don't know. . .how would you feel about being out there?"

Aife nodded towards the maze doors, causing Minho to stare at her in shock. She knew she was crazy for even suggesting that idea, but, she also knew it was their only way out of here.

"Out there? But, i thought you said it was too dangerous?" He frowned, eyebrows furrowed deeply. By now, Ben and Gally had finished their fighting, and everyone had been conversing with one another.

"I know what i said," She avoided his gaze, "I know it's risky, but it's our only way out of this place. I don't know about you, but it's a risk i'm willing to take."

Minho considered her offer, knowing that she had a point. She had done all she could to keep the boys out of the maze, claiming that whatever was beyond that wall wasn't worth seeing. For the most part, they obeyed her, realizing that they valued their lives more than anything. But, how much longer could they take?

"So, what? Me and Ben will just run out there, and hope for the best?" He joked, though, Aife could tell he was growing nervous at the thought of being vulnerable beyond the walls. Even though Minho hadn't known Aife for long, he knew she would never send them out there blindsided.

"We know those doors open every morning and close every night, just before the sun sets. If you go out there and map it out, we could be out of here." She shrugged, at his silence, she shook her head. She didn't want the boy to feel pressured into risking his life. But, what choice do they have?

He seemed to be in deep thought, "Have you talked to Nick about this?"

Aife looked at the said boy from across the fire, seeing his gaze already trained on her.

"Not yet. But i will." She said shortly before pushing herself to her feet, "why don't you get some rest."

The korean boy nodded at her words, and Aife took one last swig of her mysterious drink before calling out, "It's getting late! Let's call it a night."

At that, a few groans were heard, but they obeyed her orders, their conversations dying out as they began to pack their things and make their way towards their hammocks. Aife itched her nose as she watched the small crowd dissolve.

"Everything okay?" A familiar voice asked. She craned her neck to stare up at Nick, seeing a look of concern etched on his features.

She exhaled deeply and gave a curt nod, "We'll talk in the morning."

Eventually, the large bonfire died down and stopped illuminating the glade, signaling that it was time for the gladers to get their rest before the sun shone once again.

AUTHORS NOTE —
FINALLY ANOTHER UPDATEEE, sorry it's short and sorry this took forever. since this is a rewrite, i want to make the writing as good and detailed as possible, as my last books were rushed and the writing was very embarrassing. pls don't be a silent reader!!!