𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃

" Alright, just- start from the beginning. Are you good, shank? "

I'm in shambles on Gally's bed, trying my best not to cry more.

" Yes. I'm fine, Gallagher. Gallo. Gallup. "

" Stop it. What is wrong with you? " He says, leaning forwards from where he's sitting across the room. " Sorry. But, Gally's fine. "

" For sure, Gallup. "

I see his muscles tighten in his arms and neck, but I can't backtrack at this point. It's funny, and equally a good distraction.

" Uhm- anyways. Can I go? " My fingers are burrowed in my hair, but now, I can't seem to remove them anymore. I guess no one brushed my hair while I was in my coma. It's all matted, a wall created as if my body tried to create a shield to protect me from the outside world, in casing me in my own little bubble.

"You're going to sit your ass back down and tell me what happened. Please. "

A quiet sigh escapes my throat as I fall down onto his cot, my eyes wandering over the planks of uneven wood that composed the ceiling. I wondered how many scars were encased in this building from those who had built it. Reaching out, I could almost touch the planks. I could almost have my fingerprints swirl with the other ones. But mine don't belong there, so I put my arm down.

I felt silly anyways.

I look back up at Gally, his eyes shining over with concern, and maybe suspicion. I wish he trusted me. I wish I could trust him.

But something is stopping me, so I say ; " I just was upset I lost so much time at work. I've been so lazy all week, and I ruined my prospects of becoming a Keeper with the poison of guilt. "

" Oh. Well, I guess that makes sense. Sorry, Tina. I'll try to put in a good word for you, ya know, with the others. "

I force a smile onto my face, and get up to go. Before I do, I turn around. " Hey, could you- uh keep this in between us? "

" Sure. Bye, Valentina. "

" Bye. "

As I walk out, I pass Max, going into his room.

" Ah! If it isn't la beauté. I haven't seen you in a while. Is your head doing better, from your fall ?"

I'm taken aback by how he so casually asks the question, as if it is natural to him.

" Ye- yeah. Much better, Max. Thank you. "

" Perfect. I wanted to apologize for not visiting you. I did try, you must believe me. I went in and a very small man asked me very confusing questions, and I did not want to wake you up with my voice, you see, so I left. "

Max's eyebrows are knitted together as he stoops his head lower, trying to hide the blush creeping onto his face. I force a lopsided grin on my face as I give him a quick peck on the cheek. His face flushes completely, and he chuckles softly as he waves goodbye, opening his door quietly. I hear Steven's voice echoing from inside, but I skip my usual visit. I suddenly feel better, my eyes and hands eager for stimulation.

I leave the Homestead quickly, ignoring the gazes that are tearing my back open.

" Hey, Tina. "

" Hello. " I call unenthusiastically over my shoulder, not slowing down to compute the origin of the voice

" Are you gonna slow down or what? " I recognize the voice now.

" You know, I run all day in the Maze. I think I deserve a break. "

Abruptly, I stop, turning around. I do it so fast that Minho almost runs into me, slowing down at the last minute by putting his hands on my shoulders.

Awkwardly, I shrug his hands off, and he shoves them into his pockets.

He opens his mouth to say something, but suddenly I'm on the ground, getting bodychecked into the dirt.

When am I ever going to catch a break?

Before I can even react, I'm flooded by a little boy's giggles and shouts, his rambles drowning out everything else.

" - And I'm so happy you're alright, Tina, because if you weren't, then who would I hang out with? Plus, you have to help me with the new Greenie, because- Oh hey, Minho, Anyway- "

" Good to see you too, Chuck." I say, ruffling his brown curls as he tries to swat my hand away. " Now help me up, buster. "

As I dust my pants off, I quickly lift my eyes and spot Minho studying me intently, a small crooked smile plastered on his face.

" Hey- Hearts? I wanted to say that um- well you know, that I'm- uh- sorry. For real, I was all shucked up because of...well hell, because of our situation right now. With the Maze, and all. Also, I don't know if you could tell- but I'm pretty bad at apologies...Anyways, I was wondering if you'd, well if you're still up for our friendship? " Minho stutters out, his eyes never leaving a pretty interesting pile of dirt that he seems to be building with his shoe, by scuffing it around.

" I'm sorry too, you know. I shouldn't have said those things, I was just angry. And I'd be so grateful to be your friend again. " Obviously, I'm better at this than him, but then again, I'm not being one hundred percent genuine. I've learnt my lesson. I'm staying one step ahead this time, so I won't end up losing the game at checkmate.

He smiles gratefully, then pulls Chuck away to where people are building up a big bonfire for tomorrow. A new Greenie. I wonder how many have passed since I've arrived.

Almost 24

Wow. That's almost two years. I shake my head as I go back to my hut, the sun setting over the Walls. Two years and we still haven't found a way out.

I'm too preoccupied with that thought, that it takes me a few minutes to realize that I didn't know how many Greenies had passed. Yet somehow, my brain had materialized the information, out of nowhere.

Weird.

⭒☆━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━☆⭒

An alarm rings in the distance. Quickly, I dust off my hands, and run a finger through my hair. Annoyingly, it's still tangled and I'm very tempted to cut it all off.

I catch up to Gally, who gives me a friendly smile, and starts talking about the plans for the bonfire. I nod and smile, feeling happy for once.

Once we get to the Box, he grabs my arm and pushes his way through the crowd, dragging me along with him.

" Wanna do it this time? " Gally questions.

" What, throw myself in a hole with a man that I don't know, with no way out? I'll pass, thanks. "I say sarcastically, one eyebrow raised.

A grin grows onto his face, and he shrugs, turning around.

I peer curiously down at the kid, his shirt damp with sweat, his hair plastered to his face. I smile pitifully down at him, but his gaze just sweeps across me panically, his frantic eyes searching for a way out. As he gets hauled out, I back away. The sun probably hurts his eyes.

I watch as he looks around. I watch as he falls down. I watch as his reality comes crashing down on him.

I look up at the sky, a small frown creeping onto my face

Well, you guys got another one of us in your stupid prison. Congratu-fucking-lacious, everybody.