Author: ?

Y/N was on edge. She had been for a few days now. No matter how hard she tried to keep it a secret, she wasn’t exactly doing so great of a job.

This evening, she stood hunched over the maproom table, staring at the three dimensional map in front of her. Her fingers continually traced over one small, specific section and her focus never left that point. 

Thomas peered into the hut. There, just as she had been for the past few days, Y/N stood with an unwavering blank stare on the map. Even Thomas would admit, things had been rough lately mapping the maze since they didn’t seem to be making much progress. But, Y/N seemed to be taking it the hardest. 

Cautiously, Thomas walked over to Y/N and put a hand on her shoulder. “Hey—“
Y/N immediately snapped out of her thoughts and jumped back, swatting away Thomas’ arm. Breathing heavy, it took a moment before her eyes cleared and she came to her senses. Thomas stood there stunned, unsure of what had just come over Y/N.

“Sorry,” She ran her hands though her hair and sent him a weak, sorry smile. 
“It’s okay,” Thomas eyed her suspiciously. “Just came to tell you dinner’s ready. You should eat.” 

Y/N stretched her arms over her head and nodded. “Yeah,” She agreed. “Let’s go.”
The girl quickly departed out of the maproom, very obviously trying to escape so she wouldn’t have to walk across the Glade with him. In her quick departure though, Thomas couldn’t help but notice a small folded piece of paper on the table with Minho’s name on it.

Truthfully, Thomas knew better than to go through peoples things. All he could wonder though, was what if this had to do with Y/N’s change in demeanour. He was worried about her and what if this answered everything?

He had to read it.

‘Hey man, I might have found a way out. I’m sorry I haven’t told you. I just don’t want to put you or Thomas in danger. So, I’m leaving. I found a door behind the ivy and I’m going tonight to see if it’s a way out. If I’m not back by this time tomorrow, I guess you know not to try and leave the same way. I’m really hoping I’ll be back because I don’t want to lose you guys, but I’m not setting my expectations too high. I’d also feel really bad if you’re the one who has to break the news to everyone that I’m dead. Sucks for you.

Anyways, hopefully see you tomorrow.’
Thomas blinked in disbelief a few times, confused. She’d found a door and hadn’t said anything to him or Minho? She really was going to try and do this on her own. 
With adrenaline kicking into his veins, Thomas dropped the note and rushed out into the Glade. By the sound of if, Y/N was going to try and leave tonight before the doors closed. Of course she was going to do that. That way, no one could follow her and try to stop her. Thomas knew he had to intervene before she got that far.
As he escaped from the deadheads, he scanned the Glade only to find Y/N already at the dinner table, talking to Minho. She had her running gear on and her bag was sat in the middle of the Glade between her and the maze doors. She was going to make a break for it.

“There’s a note for you in the maproom, alright? If I’m not—“ Y/N’s voice faltered as she spoke to Minho, her best friend. “Yeah, whatever. You’ll understand when you read it.”

She placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled slightly before turning away. Minho looked anxious and confused, too perplexed to move his body or mouth.
“Hey—“ Thomas’ lungs forced the word out quietly out of instinct. “HEY!” He screamed.

That caught Minho’s attention. Thomas was now sprinting full speed through the grass, waving his arms at Minho and pointing to Y/N, then to the maze doors. “STOP HER!”

Confused, Minho set out after the girl, pushing his legs to move as fast as they’d go. Y/N was on a mission though, and she was moving a little too fast for Minho to catch.

Thomas took a risk, knowing full well it might not work. He cut behind Minho and Y/N and motioned for Minho to keep following close behind her. He then ran faster than he ever thought he could around the other two and had his mind set on cutting Y/N off at the door. It was a long shot, but knew he had to do it otherwise she’d be alone in the maze for the night.

His legs were burning, pain shooting up his bones from the pain of repeatedly slamming into the ground. He wasn’t giving up though, there was no way he could.

Finally, he started making ground on Y/N, but he was far enough away she didn’t notice. Just metres before the colossal opening in the wall, he cut sharply to his left and ran straight at the girl. Her eyes were set forward on the maze so she didn’t even notice. 

At full speed and force, Thomas knocked the girl from the side and sent both of their bodies straight down into the dirt. They were just inches away from the maze doors. 

Even though he’d stopped Y/N for the moment, he knew his fight wasn’t over. Those doors would still be open for a few seconds and he had to hold her down until then. Luckily, Minho came to his aid and the pair kept her down until the all familiar rumble came, passed, and the doors slammed shut.

Feeling somewhat safe, the boys let off of Y/N and helped her to sit up. Thomas looked to her sadly but could hardly meet her eyes.

“THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?” Minho shouted, violently breaking the silence. “YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE JUST GOING TO LEAVE!?”

Y/N raised her eyes, looking defeated. 
Minho was very obviously trying to hold back his running thoughts but it wasn’t working. “You were going to leave me. Leave like I mean nothing. Have all these years together really meant jack shit to you?”

“Minho,” Thomas spoke up, trying to get his friend to calm down. “Give her a chance to explain—“

“Are you kidding me?” Y/N snapped. “I wasn’t leaving because you don’t mean anything,” She seethed. “I was leaving to see if this door I found was safe. That way, if it isn’t, you’re still here. Who cares if I’m gone? What matters is that you’re here to lead everyone out!”

“Minho,” She fought her wavering voice. “You mean everything to me and to everyone else here. I’m not putting you in danger like that.”

Speechless, Minho’s eyes went from burning with anger to pure self-hatred and shame. “Who cares if you’re gone? What kinda bug you got in your shuck head?” He shot the words in Y/N’s face forcefully. “You have no clue what you going missing would do to me. Everyone here!”

Y/N was silent. She looked to Thomas for help but knew this was something she and Minho needed to sort out themselves. All three runners sat in the grass defeated, sinking into the ground with heavy hearts. They’d been working so hard the past few weeks they hadn’t quite realized how it was tearing them apart. This had just been the breaking point.
After a while, Minho was the first to collect himself and stand up. He held a hand out to Y/N, just like he’d done so many times before, and looked deep into her eyes. “Let’s go talk.”

With that, the pair left and walked for the deadheads. Whenever they had things to clear up, they went to the little pond near the maproom and sat themselves on the rickety old bridge that crossed over the water. 

“You’re not leaving alone, alright?” Minho said, making his position on the matter very clear. “I’m not going to lose you to something stupid like that. We made a promise as runners that we’d see this through together.”

Y/N took in a deep breath and released it slowly. With it, all of her anger towards Minho and Thomas for having stopped her from leaving. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“And I know exactly what you were thinking,” Minho stifled a laugh. “You want out, just as bad as the rest of us. The sooner you could check this door out, the sooner you might be able to get everyone out. Simple.”

Y/N shook her head in disbelief and looked at him with surprise yet just pure contentment to be here with him, knowing he was her best friend. 
Minho raised his brows in his overly self-confident kind of way. “Bet you didn’t realize I knew you that well, huh?”
“You never fail to surprise, Minho. You’re a lot more sensitive than you look.” She teased. 

“Sensitive?” He barked. “Nuh uh! I’m just a genius. And who’re you calling sensitive when you’re the one who told me I mean everything to you?”

“Oh, don’t play that card when I saw a few tears fall.” Y/N fought back.
All of the sudden, she realized they were back to their old ways. They’d resolved this whole ordeal within minutes because they understood and respected one another. They listened to each other. 
“Alright, you got me.” He accepted defeat. 
Reaching over, he pulled the girl close into his side and rest his chin on her head. “We’ve been at this three years, but we’re almost there. I know it. We’ve just got to stick together like we always have.”
“We’re better as a team.” Y/N added.
“Definitely.” Minho agreed. “I love you. You still know that, right?”

“Yeah, I do.” 

“Good! Cause if you’d forgotten it, you’d be in for a major reminder.” He laughed as he ruffled the girls hair and attacked her sides.