"I have to kill you. They're telling me to kill you" He cocks his head to the side, and raises the knife.

I feel my heartbeat kick up a few notches, and try to think as quickly as humanly possible. Scream Lori! Do something!

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. It feels like my throat has been stuffed full of cotton. My breathe in and out so quickly, I'm basically hyperventilating.

Just as he is standing in front of me, a switch clicks in my mind, I turn on my heel and run out the door. I run down the hallway, towards the stairs, I look back to see Xander following close behind. I snap my gaze back forward, and begin to go down the stairs, trying to stay up right. I'm almost a quarter of the way down, when someone grabs my wrist. I feel myself stop, and turn towards my wrist.

I look up to see Xander, gripping tight onto my wrist.

"Let go!" I shout, trying to pull myself away. He holds tight as I struggle, hitting him with my free hand. He laughs mockingly as he shakes his head, sliding the knife's blade along my cheek.

"I have to kill you. They're telling me to kill you" he mumbles, repeating it over and over underneath his breath.

I'm freaking out, as I see someone slowly walking up behind Xander. Jeff. And he's holding a plank of wood. Just as Xander begins to raise the blade, I pull away once more, and Jeff swings the plank, until it connects with Xander's head, resulting in him stumbling. Letting go of my wrist in the process, at the moment I had tried to pull away.

I feel the air slip out of my lips, as I begin to fall. I tumble down, limbs flailing and colliding with many steps on the way. After a few hits to the head, arms, legs and all other body parts, I stop falling abruptly.

I take a deep breath, dizzy and disoriented from the fall. I look up, to see Gally holding me. He stopped me from falling any further, I think to myself. I look down, to notice that I barely fell more than half way. He saved me from what could have been some major damage.

"Thanks" I whisper. He nods his head in reply, as he helps me to my feet, and walks me the short distance back up the steps, to the hospital room. He helps me set up in one of the beds, and goes to leave.

"Gally?" I say, getting his attention. He turns and raises his eyebrows expectantly.

"I really meant it when I said thanks"

"I know" he says quietly, and I see the slightest smile tugging at his lips.

At that sight, I can't help but feel that Gally and I are beginning to land on stable ground, an understanding from both of us, that I'm just like them. Except the fact that I'm a girl.

////////////////

I wake to someone shaking me, and poking my arm. I open my eyes, to see Minho seated beside my bed.

"You just can't stay out of trouble, can you shank?" He laughs.

I groan as I pull the blanket off and swing my legs over the side of the bed. "I'm just having too much fun" I smile.

Minho laughs and relaxes back into his chair, "So what happened with you and Xander?"

I cock my head to the side, and grin "Why should I tell you, Minho? You're not in charge."

He leans back forward, a more serious look painting his features. "I may not be in charge, but I'd like to consider us to be friends. I am the one who found you and all that."

I feel a slight shame wash over me, as I realise that I forgot something. "I don't think I ever actually thanked you for finding me and getting me out of there. So, thanks" I smile.

"Don't mention it shank. Now stop trying to change the subject! What happened with Xander?"He leans towards, a frown creasing all his features.

He's right. He's my friend. He also seems to be one of the only people here who care.

"Okay. Look, he just, freaked out. We were just talking, and he seemed to space out for a few seconds. Next thing I know, he's coming at me with a knife, and saying that someone told him to kill me" I raise my hands dramatically for effect, slightly laughing nervously.

I look at Minho, to see his forehead creased, deep in thought. "So he just attacked you randomly?" He asks me, disbelief lacing his words.

"Are you serious? I tell you all that and you don't even believe me? He tried to kill me! Someone told him to kill me!" I shout, tears threatening to spill. "I trusted you to understand, and you don't even-" he cuts me off mid-sentence.

"Slim it nice and easy. I never said I didn't believe ya Lori, it's just strange that you're sayin' someone told him to"

"I know that, alright? I understand that I sound like a shuck-faced nut job" I used their language again, to think to myself. "I need you to believe me Minho. I need someone on my side. Please?" I practically beg.

Minho takes a few minutes to consider, putting his elbow on his knee and leaning his chin onto the palm of his hand. Finally, after what feels like a millennium, he sits up straight, running his fingers through his dark black hair.

"Okay. Alright, I believe you. It's just strange, that's all." He mutters.

"Thank you" I breath out as I try to stand up. Unlike last time, I stood up easily, only with a small ache in the back of my mind. I notice that I have brought my hand to my head,

Minho stands up quickly and grips onto my shoulders, asking if I'm alright.

I look towards him and smile reassuringly "I'm fine. Really. Just have a headache"

"You fell down a flight of stairs" He attempts to remind me, raising his eyebrows.

"Half a flight of stairs" I point out. "But thanks for caring." He nods, a smirk taking hold of his features.

"Are you up to talking to Alby?" He asks as he lets go.

"Do I have a choice?"

"Well, no, but I wanted ya to feel like you had the option" He smirks.

"I see. You know, you can be a real smart ass when you want to be" I laugh.

"I try" Minho continues to carry out his smirk. "I'll go find Alby." I nod in reply as he walks out the door, leaving me standing in the middle of the room. I sigh and walk out the door, heading out into the Glade. On the way out, I notice the stairs have small dots of stained blood on them, and I fight back the thoughts, a small fear itching in the back of my mind.

As I walk across the grass, I notice that it has gotten dark; meaning the doors will be shutting any moment now. I decide I want to take a close look, so I turn towards the West door, which is closest to the Homestead.

The large, stone doors are still gaping open, leading out to the Maze. The Maze. It all leads back to that Maze. And no one will let me out there! Agh.

Just as I am a few meters from the threshold of the Maze, I hear someone call my name from behind.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing, Lori?" I hear the voice shout. Newt.

I purse my lips, before turning to see I was correct. Newt is limping quickly towards me, anger almost fuming from his being.

"What? I'm just takin' a look. No need to get your panties in a twist" I smirk as I look him in the eyes, noticing a shade of pink paint his cheeks.

He has chocolate brown eyes. Beautiful eyes.

I shake the thought from my head. Now it was my turn to blush.

He continues to walk "Lori, the doors are closing soon. You can't be near them."

I look from the doors, and back to Newt. "Yes, because people trip and fall three meters forward all the time" I shoot at him sarcastically. "I can take care of myself."

He sighs and mutters something under his breath.

"What was that?" I ask him.

"Nothing. It was nothing. Just, they're waiting for us at the Gathering. Please step away from the doors and come with me. Please" He pleads. I basically give in immediately, and walk alongside him towards the Gathering.

We walk in silence, sunset streaking dark colors across the once bright blue sky.

Newt clears his throat and begins to talk "I heard what happened with Xander. I'm sorry." I look towards him, to see he is focusing intensely on his shoes. I just shrug, not really knowing what to say.

Once we reach the room, Minho lets us in and we sit in our normal spots. The boys in their crescent and me at the centre. I look around to see no emotion displayed on any boy. I even notice that Gally isn't glaring at me. He's not smiling either. Oh well, one thing at a time.

"Alright so we all know why we're here. Xander attacked the Greenbean here" Alby states. "Now, we have already discussed and come to the conclusion that the shuck face will be banished, but we need to do something about you."

My mind flashes back to what Xander had said. 'I need to do something. They're telling me to do something.' They're all turning against me, is the thought overtaking my sub consciousness. I feel myself begin to hyperventilate.

"Calm down shank, we aren't gonna banish ya" Alby tries to reassure, but to no avail.

Minho stands from his chair and walk over to me, crouching down enough that his face is visible. He actually looks . . . concerned.

"Hey" he whispers so only I can hear. "You're going to be fine. I won't let them touch you. You're not going to be banished."

I can't help but smile at the gesture of kindness. I want to hug him, but I restrain myself, considering the circumstances.

I whisper a thanks under my breath and he goes back to his seat.

As Alby begins to talk again, I can't help but notice Newt. His lovely eyes are flitting from myself to Minho and back again, trying to figure something out. He looks confused, and something else that I don't recognize.

"So it's agreed. She stays in the Slammer until the new Greenie arrives tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully things will can down then" Alby announces. They all voice agreements, before standing to leave.

Minho and Newt walk towards me, prepared to escort me back to my cell.

"You know, with the way things are going, this may as well just be my bedroom" I joke, trying to lighten the mood. It doesn't work.

Once I'm locked in, no one says a word. After a while, Newt looks at me in a disappointed way and walks away. Minho quickly looks around before leaning in between the bars.

"You're in here until Greenie day. Tomorrow shank. Tomorrow" He looks at me as if I should know what he's implying. "When are you going to tell them about the dream and the guy yapping in your shuck head?"

It dawns on me. "I- I don't know. He hasn't spoken to me since last time. I don't know." I also remember that I haven't told Minho, or anyone, about the memory.

"Minho, you are one of my only friends. I need your help."

A nervous look dons his features, as I can practically see the wheels turning behind his eyes.

"Do you want me to tell them?" He asks half-heartily, even though he obviously knows he's wrong.

"No. I need to be a Runner."