The Glade always felt different after dinner. Quieter. Softer. Like the maze itself was holding its breath until morning. Like everything could maybe just maybe be better than it always had been.
The fire crackled low in the center of the Homestead, shadows dancing across the wooden walls. Most of the Gladers were spread out—some laughing, some cleaning up, others already settling down for the night. It was the calm after the storm, the part of the day I secretly loved the most. I loved it so much because of the peace. I could just look up at the stars and try to think more clearly than I do during the loud work filled day.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPUyuwU5U7
Chuck was curled up beside me, his head resting against my shoulder, breathing slow and steady. He’d fought sleep for as long as he could, but a full belly and the sound of familiar voices had finally won. He always was scared that one day the walls would just....not close.... he had that fear for the longest time. Though I feel we all did at one point. But I always tried to comfort him by saying something like "chuck for the 2 years I've been here the doors ALWAYS shut" or "don't worry about that Chuck. They will close." 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XSthbc7kQ
I never knew if this was true but you end up lying to yourself so often here that you just start believing yourself.
I brushed his hair back gently. “Out like a light,” I murmured.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUqMMjJYPy
“Kid’s got talent,” Minho said from across the fire, smirking. “Falls asleep faster than a Griever gets angry.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhrF8EnMHn
I snorted quietly. “You’re just jealous you can’t relax like that and that since your a shuckface that can't sleep this well."8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5um2DvIjN0
Minho leaned back on his hands, staring up at the sky. “Relaxing is overrated. Someone’s gotta make sure you don’t get yourself killed tomorrow.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9fsUqbfDQ
“Wow. Touching,” I said dryly.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iqOXwPDLF
"Just what every girl wants to hear, that they can't take care of themselves" I say.
Frypan wandered over, carrying a stack of bowls. “You two argue like siblings,” he said, amused. “Which makes sense, honestly. You act like one big messed-up family.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1Tb9ODfir
I say "Hey fry your in our messed up family. The whole glade is our family."
Newt approached quietly, careful not to wake Chuck. He crouched down beside me, his voice low. “You okay?” he asked. “You pushed yourself hard today.” He always cared so much. When I first got here I questioned it. Every day. But then I got so used to it that I never really thought much of it. 8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzURZEgx4Uf
I reply "Yeah just tired like always."
Newt looks at me concerned like always.
I smile at him and say "I know your gonna say that I should take it more easy tomorrow, but Blondie me taking it slow and easy isn't going to get us out of this maze." I always have called him Blondie or just newt. I never knew why I started calling him that. I just always did. Ever since day one. Ever since he was next to me.
Newt looks me dead in the eyes. His are soft and concerned. I look back. Really look back into his eyes.
Minho cleared his throat loudly. “Alright, that’s enough staring before it gets weird.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIaaLbesyh
I threw a pebble at him. “Go to sleep, Minho.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjsJa41hkQ
“Love you too, sis,” he shot back, grinning. He always had a snarky comeback. Just like me.
The night deepened. One by one, the Gladers drifted off, finding spots near the fire or inside the Homestead. Frypan disappeared with a yawn, muttering about breakfast. Minho stayed up longer than most, keeping watch like he always did. I never understood at first why he would stay up looking, and watching after everyone even though half the gladers were asleep. But soon I found out he was just a big baby deep down. And he loved everyone in the glade.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2E5ZfjKa7
Eventually, Newt helped me ease Chuck down onto a blanket. He barely stirred. Which does not surprise me because when Chuck sleep he usually is out.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVgcTzqyke
We sat there for a moment, just listening to the sounds of the Glade the crickets, the fire, the distant hum of the maze walls settling into place. Just me and newt like we always used to before I became a runner.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRUz7pMp3I
“You know,” Newt said quietly, “when you run out there… it scares all of us.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtpAfthCnx
I swallowed. “I know.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRWiokEg43
“But it also gives us hope,” he continued. “Because if anyone can survive that maze… it’s you.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfP8yPkfos
I look at him again and give a small smile and say "Yeah not without you guys. I always loved seeing people's faces with hope."
"Yeah I know, you always beam at the sight of it you shank" Newt says.
As the fire burned low and the Glade slept, I realized something important:8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3MFyywsaW
I wasn’t just surviving the maze...I was surviving because of THEM.
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and then Add to home screen.