𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦, minho (tmr)

Chapter Eighteen

Florence noticed the sky beginning to light, only just, and scrambled up from her sitting position against the wall of the Maze.

Her eyes stung from tears and no sleep, and she was shaking slightly from nerves. She needed to know if they were alive, if Minho was alive.

She didn't know if she would be able to forgive herself for not having told him how she felt.

Florence replayed the moment Newt stopped her racing out into the Maze over and over. He was probably doing her a favour, but she couldn't help but think about how it prevented her from seeing Minho one last time, even if the both of them would've died afterwards.

And Alby. 

If her heart wasn't already broken, it broke again. The boy was hurt, and she couldn't help but think if he even had a slight chance of surviving a night.

And Thomas.

He had no idea what he was doing in the Maze. In the back of her mind, the girl had the sound of Thomas's voice talking to her in the Box. She needed to know why she heard him. And he was her friend - she needed him to be okay.

A lump rose in her throat, and Florence felt the scratch of bile at the back of her mouth. But she hadn't eaten, there was nothing she would be able to throw up.

She cast her eyes quickly across the Glade, to see no one at work at all. The place was eerily quiet for a moment, but then she saw them. The group of boys coming towards her, forming a semi circle around the entrance to the Maze, awaiting the unlikely arrival of Thomas, Minho and Alby.

Chuck made his way beside the girl who had not spoken a word, and he longed to comfort her. She deserved it more than anyone in that moment.

"They'll made it. They're strong." He attempted to sooth her worries, but she just whirled on him in her impatience.

"Will they? No one's made a night in the Maze before. No one." She spat at him, then retracted herself, seeing that she had scared the boy.

"I'm sorry Chuck. I just-" Her voice came out softly and vulnerable, but Chuck cut her off.

"-You're scared. It's okay, I am too." And Chuck's words resonated with her.

She was scared. But there's no way she could accept their deaths. No way at all. And if Thomas died, she couldn't help but feel as though it would be her fault.

If Newt hadn't caught her, she would be in the Maze rather than Thomas. And she would much prefer herself dying, than a friend.

Newt approached the anxious girl, placing a hesitant hand on her shoulder, not sure whether she would snap again. She flinched slightly, but allowed it.

Newt was her best friend. He would always protect her, she knew that. She only wished that this time he had failed.

And then the walls groaned into action. Stepping forwards, even closer to the wall, Florence awaited them sliding apart, anxiety and inevitable dread creeping up on her.

The walls finally parted and opened up completely to reveal;

nothing.

Of course. It was what she was expecting, what they were all expecting, but what none of them were hoping for. The group was silent, mourning the loss of the boys,  in disbelief of it truly.

Florence felt the tears pricking at the back of her eyes, and she almost readied herself to run out into the Maze. Newt tightened his hand on her shoulder, knowing her thoughts and knowing her.

"I don't want to lose you too." He told her quietly. She knew she should stay, but if Newt hadn't spoken those words, she would have left.

Florence was too fixed on the corridor of the Maze to notice the crowds of boys leaving in disappointment and despair. Only Florence, Chuck and Newt remained, stood outside the entrance in silence for only a few minutes.