#lockpiks

           IT’S       JUST      SHORT       OF       COMPLETELY         SILENT      .     the     only     white      noise      that     reached    her     ears     was     the    sound      of       a      water    sprinkler       going     off       outside     the     window      ,      the      sound     of      near      synchronized      breathing     ,     and      the     very     ,      very      occasional      car     bumbling      by    .     the     hype     of      a       sleepover      died       down     into     a      subtle     buzz      ,       bailey       already      asleep      (      or    so       she       thinks     )      to      her       right     .        nina     lay     on      her       stomach       ,      arm      tucked       against       her        cheek        .        she        lets      out       a           content        sigh        ,        before      the       rustling      of       the     shared      blanket        caught      her     attention       .          her        eyes       open     just       slightly      ,     right      in      time         to       see       mia’s      silhouette     ,     highlighted      by      the     faint       glow        of         the        streetlamp     outside        ,        drop         down          to       her       left        .                 ❛          your         feet          are         cold      .        ❜          she        quips    ,    her        voice       a      low     murmur       .            she      nudges     the       other       girl’s         leg     with     her      foot       ,        lips     curling         into         a         sly        smirk        .          ❛       wha’d    you       do        ,     go       outside           or          something         ?       ❜

“You’re safe here. I’m Hood.” Obviously a nickname, though he makes no move to offer anything else for her to call him as.

“Hey…” He’s still holding her face in his hands when she comes-to from the blackout, twisting panic in her expression turning to a sort of relief she probably hadn’t dared associate with him in weeks. He breathes a quiet laugh, even though they’re still very much in danger, even though she probably wished he was someone else. Even though they’re here, in the guts-lungs-heart-whatever of the maze. He can hardly keep track of the shorthand for the various mechanisms of the maze– but then again, he isn’t really here to be the smart, or remotely well-organized one. Hell, he’s not even the emotionally-composed one. “I said I wasn’t gonna leave you.” He drops his gaze quickly, as well as his hands and instead offers his arm to her; maybe they won’t get separated like this. “I think… I think I’ve got this part figured out. Just uh, follow me, okay?” 

Before Mia has the chance to slip away, Jamie’s already closing the space between them, adjusting their positions so he can loop her arm around his shoulder. So she didn’t have to carry everything on her own. “Trust me, we all know you can handle yourself. But you don’t have to. So, just… let me help.” 

“I’m— Jesus, Mia, I’m not leaving you.” Isn’t it true that part of you wants to? To run? His hands are on her trembling shoulders, trying to ground her, trying to ground himself. He feels blood running in a thin line down his temple where he’d been knocked into a wall, Mia couldn’t walk—not with that sprain, not after that fall. Around them, the tunnels rumble, his ears ring, like the air pressure had dropped. They’d fucked up with the dampers—they’d fucked up with everything—and now it was suddenly very apparent that they could get trapped down here, underground, under the Song. Graham closes his eyes, watches the flicker of harsh yellow glow as it moves in the room over. He swallows unease, crouches to help her onto his back, bringing her arms around his neck. “We’re—not dying down here.”  

   “Trust me, this shit’s gonna be bang on.”

   “Bad sleep is still better than no sleep,” he murmured, “just do what you can, and be careful.”

               ❛          W-WELL    I   MEAN    .   .    .       how    else     are     we    going     to    get     in    there    ?       ❜             panic       shoots      through     his     chest    like    a     bullet     .        hadn’t     they    agreed      that     they    needed       to     get      into     this      house      ?       had        he      misunderstood        ?               ❛          if    you      think      there’s      a      better       way      inside   ,   please    um...       don’t     hesitate     to    share    ---       we’re      a       bit        pressed        for      time     .      ❜       a     look          over      his         shoulder      hints        that        if      they      linger        for        too         long     ,      they’re         likely        to      bring       more       attention       than      wanted        on       them        when      they    decide       to      act     .