Daughter of the Maze // Newt

I watched Newt and Maze Girl stumble toward the Homestead, leaning on each other and smiling as they talked. I could tell already he was falling for her, but who can blame him? She was beautiful, clearly smart, and damn badass.

I jumped up, ignoring Alby's outstretched hand so as to not look weak, but then immediately proceeded to fling my arm around his shoulder as I felt my legs giving out. So much for the "tough guy" act.

"Y'need some ice, shank. Let's head over to the Med-Jacks." Alby supported my weight as we made our way over to the small shed next to the Homestead. I saw Newt and Ayla just inside the door, sitting against the wall, heads back, breathing heavy still.

"Aye Minny!" a voice called. Frypan. I immediately knew. I turned and confirmed my prediction as the tall cook bounded across the Glade as best he could. "I gotcha some grub!" He waved a paper-wrapped oat muffin over his head, and my stomach instantly growled. Us Runners are eternally hungry.

"Thanks man," I said as I sat down, placing my legs into a tub of ice water the Med-Jacks had prepared. "How's it goin' round here? Seen any reactions to...y'know" I nodded toward Newt and Ayla "Greenie Girl?"

He laughed. "Nah. Just Newt's...and yours." He raised his eyebrows suggestively, and I stifled a laugh.

"What? You must be damn near the dumbest piece of klunk I've ever seen if you think I'm into Ninja Girl over there." I defended myself, making sure I said it loud enough for others to hear.

Frypan smirked in a ridiculously suggestive way. "That's two nicknames in two sentences now."

We both exploded into laughter. "Get out!" I managed to say. He responded with an over-exaggerated salute.

"Good luck, shank." He walked out of the hut laughing.

•••

Ayla and I were sitting on the floor of the Homestead, our backs against the wall and heads tipped back, catching our breath as we watched the Glade darken outside. It was a respectful silence, both of us acknowledging that the other needed time to rest.

Shockingly, she spoke first. "Thank you."

I was taken aback. "For what? Slowing you down in the Maze?"

"No," she placed her hand on my shoulder, turning to face me. "For getting me out of the Maze. I had no idea where I was or where I should go." Her eyes became unfocused. "For two days I refused to sleep out of fear that those...things would find me. I ate what healthy vines I could find, drank their sap and juice, but...sooner or later..." she trailed off.

All I could do was stare in shock. She had run faster than Minho and I for almost four hours without sleep. "Well, I think you're pretty bloody inspiring. No one's ever survived a night in the Maze, much less two. That's damn badass!"

She laughed weakly. "Maybe. People used to tell me I'm just too stubborn to die..." her faced molded into confusion. "How do I know that?" her breath quickened as panic set in. "I can't remember anything else about myself, and that's what my mind decides to hold on to?"

I waited until she had calmed a bit, not wanting to make her angrier. "Sometimes we all get flashes of random memories. It's normal, but not particularly useful."

Her breathing returned to normal, and she let out a yawn, clearly exhausted. "Oh...sorry. I just need sleep..." her eyelids fluttered, the effects of our desperate race to the door finally hitting her.

I stood, my muscles stinging in protest, and held out a hand. She took it gratefully and pulled herself to her feet quickly. Too quickly. She swayed, her golden-green eyes rolling back in her head as she crumpled to the floor.

"Med-Jacks! We need a Med-Jack!" My voice cracked and echoed through the Glade as I knelt down next to her as her body started shaking violently. I heard running footsteps behind me and turned to see Clint, Minho, Frypan, and Alby.

"She's seizing!" Clint said. "Get her on her side!"

"What's wrong?" Minho said.

"Her blood sugar's probably low. She'd been running before you found her, right?" Clint looked up at me.

I nodded. "She only had vines and a little dried fruit to eat in the last two days."

Frypan's eyes lit up. "Oh! Y'all are sayin' she needs food? Why didn't you just say so?" He withdrew an oat muffin from his pocket and handed it to Clint, but he held up his hand.

"Not now. She could choke on it."

Frypan nodded and placed the muffin on the floor. "Lemme know if she needs another! I gotta go check on the smokehouse."

I nodded, staring at Ayla's face as foam ran from her lips. Clint tossed me a rag, and I carefully wiped it away. "How long does this normally last?" I said.

"About one or two minutes, anything over three and we got problems." He placed his hand on her stomach, and I stopped myself from grabbing his wrist "Her breathing's slowing down a bit. She'll be fine."

I was relieved, but couldn't help noticing that he left his hand on her stomach a few seconds too long for my liking.

Minho spoke up. "Will it happen again?"

"As long as she's eating regularly, no." Clint reassured him.

Just then, Ayla gasped and sat up panting. "W-wha-who-why-"

"It's okay!" I grabbed her hand, grounding her back in reality. "You need to eat." I held out the muffin with my other hand, which she took and began nibbling at.

"S-sorry," she said quietly. "I don't mean to be a burden."

I almost laughed. "You've been running for days on no sleep and almost no food, and you apologize for having a seizure? Ayla, you're too damn nice."

She chuckled. "I'm sor-"

"Slim it with the apologies!" Frypan said. "Eat a muffin, for klunks sake."

She obeyed, taking the muffin and nibbling on it slowly. "There you go," I said "You'll feel better in no time." I continued to watch as her deft fingers broke bites off the muffin and placed it in her pink mouth. She was beautiful, her cheeks flushed and hair flying.

By the time she finished the muffin, the crowd had dispersed except for Clint, Minho, and I. Clint said something about getting  her some sleep, then left. Minho and I each offered her a hand, both of which she clasped and pulled herself to her feet carefully. "Okay," She breathed "I'm ready for some sleep."

Minho and I looked at each other. "You sure you can make it up the stairs?" I put in, shortly followed by Minho's similar query.

She nodded unconfidently, then hung her head and said "No." That one word stuck a needle in my heart. I could feel her sadness at not being independent for once.

"Here," I said "I can carry you. Minho, go get some sleep yourself." He looked hesitant, maybe even defeated, but did so after bidding Ayla goodnight.

I looked at her. "Ready?" She nodded, and I scooped her up bridal style and began climbing. I wanted her to be on the top floor, where no one else was staying. That way she would be safest, both from grievers and the less polite boys in the Glade. By the time I had climbed three flights of stairs, she had fallen asleep, head lolling against my shoulder.

"Bloody hell." I whispered, walking down the hall trying to find the cleanest room, and then placing her carefully on the bed without waking her up. My arms hurt; they were definitely going to be sore tomorrow, but it was worth it to make sure she was safe. I took the room across the hall in case she needed anything during the night, and I blacked out immediately.

A/N
lol i'm bad at author's notes. hi?

i rly love ayla she's one of my favorite OCs so ignore me as i express my love
for her 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

ok anyway thank you for reading! if you enjoy the story, taking a few seconds to share, vote, comment, or even follow me would be greatly appreciated. thank you so much, chapter 3 is in the works right now!