The healer [Maze runner Newt x OC]

"After the maze, I got picked up by a group heading to the city," Gally began as the group followed him. Grace walked near the front, her eyes scanning their surroundings as she listened, her expression skeptical.

"They realized I was immune," Gally continued, his tone grim. "Patched me up and brought me here to Lawrence. This group's been at war with WICKED ever since they took over the city. But WICKED can't hide behind those walls forever. The day's gonna come when they pay for what they've done."

Grace snorted, folding her arms as she threw him a sideways glance. "You're starting to sound like those Slintheads back there waving their signs before they got blown to hell."

Gally paused mid-step, turning to look at her, a flicker of irritation in his eyes. He licked his lips, then shook his head, his voice sharpening. "They're not Slintheads, Grace. They're angry. And you should be angry too."

Grace stopped, her brow furrowing as she stared him down. Her voice came out low, clipped. "Trust me, I am angry. I'm furious." She sighed as she shook her head. ''I have been tortured for the past six months, but I just don't see how yelling and waving a bunch of shucking signs is going to change anything."

Gally's lips twitched into a faint smile as he followed, his voice softer now. "You were always the smartest in the Glade."

She threw him a glance over her shoulder, arching a brow.

He nodded, almost to himself. "Guess you still are."

They walked a few more paces before Gally came to a stop, turning to face the group. His tone became serious, a note of caution slipping in. "Listen, uh, the guy we're about to meet? He doesn't get a lot of visitors."

Thomas narrowed his eyes. "Why's that?"

Gally gave him a pointed look. "You'll see. Just... let me do the talking, alright? And for shuck's sake, try not to stare."

The group exchanged uneasy glances before nodding. Grace stayed quiet, her sharp gaze fixed on Gally, but she didn't argue. Whatever lay ahead, it was clear they were about to step into yet another layer of chaos.

Gally turned on his heel and strode purposefully into another hallway, the echo of his boots fading into the dim corridor. The group followed closely, tension hanging in the air. Grace had drifted to the back, her hand clasped tightly in Newt's.

Newt glanced at her, concern etched into his face. "You okay?"

Grace hesitated before nodding, her gaze sweeping over the walls and the faint hum of distant machinery. "Yeah, I just... it's weird being here. Feels like déjà vu. Like I'm back with WICKED."

Newt's expression softened, and he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to worry, alright? I won't let anything happen to you. I won't let you go again."

He paused for a moment, letting the others move ahead as he turned to face her fully. Gently, he reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face before leaning in, his lips brushing hers in a tender kiss.

"Never again, okay?" he whispered, his voice low but steady, as if it were a promise etched in stone.

Grace nodded, her lips curling into a small, genuine smile. "Okay."

For a fleeting moment, the tension lifted, replaced by the quiet solace they found in each other. Then, the sound of Gally clearing his throat up ahead jolted them back to reality.

"Oi, lovebirds," he called, his tone impatient. "You coming or what?"

Grace rolled her eyes, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips as she and Newt hurried to catch up with the others, hand in hand.