The healer [Maze runner Newt x OC]

Newt crouched in the shadows, waiting for the train to arrive. His fingers fidgeted with the cuffs of his sleeves, a nervous habit he couldn't seem to break lately. His usually steady hands betrayed the storm brewing inside him. Six months. Half a year since he had last seen Grace or Minho. Half a year of agonizing silence and sleepless nights, wondering where they were, what WICKED was doing to them.

He could barely believe the moment was finally here. If everything went right, in just a few minutes, they'd be free.

Newt's heart ached as his mind wandered to Grace. He wondered how she'd look. Was she hurt? Was she scared? Would she even recognize him after all this time? He hated himself for that thought, but the memories of her laughter, her smile, the way she'd hold his hand when no one else was looking—they felt like they belonged to a different life.

He'd dreamed of this moment countless times, only to wake up to the cold reminder of reality: Grace wasn't there. She wasn't safe. And he'd failed to protect her. Those mornings were the worst, the guilt like a knife twisting in his chest.

But today would be different. Today, they were going to change everything.

"Newt." Thomas's voice snapped him back to the present. He looked up, nodding as the faint rumble of the train echoed through the canyon. Everyone moved into position, tension thick in the air.

As the train rounded the bend and screeched to a halt, Newt's pulse quickened. His mind raced with every terrible possibility. What if they weren't on board? What if we're too late?

Thomas waved him forward. "All right, come on, let's go!"

Newt was on his feet, his heart pounding like a drum. He sprinted toward the train, every step a desperate prayer. "Minho! Grace! Minho, can you hear me?" His voice cracked, the strain of months of waiting and planning spilling out all at once.

The train erupted in chaos, the shouts of panicked prisoners blending with gunfire and the heavy footsteps of guards. Newt strained to make out her voice, hoping for even the faintest sound of her calling his name.

"This one!" Thomas banged on the side of a train car, pointing to the reinforced door.

Newt dropped to his knees beside it, pulling the black goggles over his eyes and grabbing the cutting tool. The sparks from the blade lit up the dark night, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Please let them be in there. Please let her be okay.

"Newt, how you doing?"

"Don't rush me!" he snapped, his voice harsher than he intended. His accent broke through as it always did when he was stressed, but he didn't care. All he could think about was getting that hatch off.

Gunfire erupted, and Newt ducked instinctively, shielding his head. "Shit!" Thomas shouted. "Newt, get up here!"

"Almost there!" Newt yelled back, his voice strained. His hands shook slightly, but he forced himself to focus, guiding the cutter along the edge.

Vince jumped down beside him, shielding him from the incoming bullets. "Newt, hurry up!"

"Got it!" Newt shoved the hatch, the lock finally giving way as the card seperated from the others. He climbed up onto the top of the train car, his eyes scanning the chaos below. "Where the hell are they?"

The roar of the approaching Berg answered him. Newt looked up, relief washing over him as the massive ship hovered into view.

"Lower it!" Thomas yelled, guiding the hook toward the train car.

Vince stayed on the ground, firing back at the WICKED soldiers as the hook locked into place. "Cover me!" he shouted before leaping onto the ladder.

"Vince, get up here! Now!" Thomas yelled as the train car lifted into the air, the entire group safely out of range of the gunfire.