Ruthie

The tension was real as soon as the meeting started. All of the girls except for Ellie and Harriet, who was watching Aramina for me, were eagerly chatting away as Rachel, Beth, Sonya, Paige, Ruby, and I were preparing to speak. We were all gathered in the living room area by the portrait of the dark-haired woman in the Cabin. We were all sitting in chairs, and I had a yellow note pad and a pencil to take notes. Beth stood up, which everyone else shut their mouths to listen.

"Well, it seems we have a girl who can run," Beth said as she motioned towards Paige. "But is she a Runner? No. Was she allowed to run in? Negative. Did she know what the heck she was thinking? No, she didn't. It's only obvious that this Stick has to be punished."

The rest of the girls including me began to protest. Rachel stood up and signaled for us to quiet down. "Why do you think we should punish her, Beth?"

"Hello. She's broken our rules," Beth explained as she used her fingers to number, "strange things have happened since she's gotten here, and now she thinks she can get us out by nearly getting herself, Ruby and Ellie killed."

Rachel exhaled heavily then turned to me, signaling me to ask a question.

I glanced over at Ruby, who was leaning against the wall with her arms folded. Dark circles were forming under her eyes from running all night. "Ruby, you were there when it happened," I said. "What do you think?"

Ruby was silent for a moment before she stood up straighter and answered, "Well, I do agree on part of what Beth was saying, but not entirely. I don't know whether Paige is smart or stupid; but I know that when I ran away to save myself, she stayed behind to help Ellie. Me and my doubts, all I did was worry about myself, forgetting there were two other lives in the Maze with me: one a Runner, one not. I see a lot of courage surrounding her. If you ask me, she should be a Runner."

Thanks for reading! I'm sorry of not updating in a while and for such a short chapter, but I've been dead brained and school was keeping me busy. I'll try to write longer chapters, but I can't promise anything. I really appreciate your patience. Review, follow, and/or favorite. :)