First

~14~

The true panic of our vulnerability settled as the sun started to set behind the mountains, the burnt orange glow illuminating the planes of earth before us.
"Where are we going to stop?" Thomas asked as he handed me his canteen of water.
"As soon as the sun sets fully, wherever we are we're just going to have to stop and rest. There's no shelter. Well take turns sleeping" I said handing his drink back.
"I don't think Newts happy" Thomas said and I glanced behind us to see an unhappy face glaring back.
"Why?" I asked quieter.
"You haven't spoken to him since we set off. You've been with me" Thomas said, and for a moment it felt like we were normal teenagers , talking to each other about relationships. But that wasn't the case. No matter how much I wanted that to be the case, it never would be.
"Yeah well" I shrugged. "He can't be jealous" I sighed.
"He might be" Thomas said.
"He doesn't really have a reason to be"
"Aren't you two..."
"No" I responded quickly. "Relationships are risky. And now Jansons after us. Me in particular."
"You know we'll protect you. I'll protect you" Thomas said and I smiled genuinely.
"I know. Thank you Thomas"

We walked at least half a mile more before the sky started to turn from burnt orange to a dark blue and black.
"Let's stop here. We'll take turns to sleep. Me and Thomas will go first, followed by Newt, Aris and Fry, then Minho and Teresa as soon as a pair feel tired wake the next pair" I decided and tried to ignore Newts harsh gaze.
Everyone threw down the packs they'd found and slumped over. We we're all exhausted. The miles of walking, the dehydration and the metal strain had taken a huge toll on all of our bodies.
The only noise present was the sound of heavy breathing and coughing at the accidental inhalation of sand.
I looked around the group as Thomas looked around. I sat down next to Newt who has placed himself on the outside of the circle.

"Hey" I said quietly as everyone but him quickly fell into a restless sleep.
"You're talking to me now?" He said rolling his eyes.
"Yes. Are you going to respond?" I said and he shrugged. "Come on Newt. What's wrong?" I asked as he stared off into the distance.
"I'm fine" he said as he brushed his hair back with his hands.
"Get some sleep" I sighed standing up.
As I started to walk. I wished that he would say my name, I wanted him to say anything that would make me stay next to him. But he didn't. And my heart fell. As I slumped down next to Thomas, I couldn't help but let out an audible sigh.
"Let's go" I sighed.
"I'm bored already" Thomas smiled and I rolled my eyes.
"You can't sit still for five minutes can you?" I smiled back and he shook his head.
"Can we do something?" He asked.
"There's not much to do" I giggled, trying not to wake anyone.
"Do you remember anything from before the glade?" Thomas asked and I shrugged.
"When I went through the changing, I remembered being tested by wicked. I vaguely remember Newt. That's about it" I shrugged.
"I remembered you" Thomas said and I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Me? What about me?" I said and turned my whole body to face him.
"I saw you and Janson, he kept hugging you and telling you that he was sorry. Saying that you knew too much and Ava wanted you dead so he agreed to send you into the maze" he told me.
"The video" I said replaying the video we had seen a few nights prior. Thomas nodded and I pulled my knees to my chest. "It's hard. I know he probably does want what's best for me. But this is my family" I told him looking over everyone sleeping.
"Would you ever forgive him?" Thomas asked and I shrugged.
"If he left us alone and stopped being a part of wicked then maybe" I sighed. "What's in our blood? Why do they want us?" I asked but Thomas shrugged.
"I don't know"
"I miss the glade" I sighed. "I could take care of everyone there"
"I had a crush on you" Thomas said and I was glad it was dark so he couldn't see the pink colouring arise onto my cheek.
"No you did not" I smiled.
"I'm being serious" he smiled and I shook my head. "What's not to like?" He shrugged.
"A lot" I scoffed.
He reached out and hit my arm, I hit his back. It turned into a battle for the last hit. I couldn't help but allow myself to laugh. In my mind this could be the last time I would feel happy in a long time.
"Bloody hell, can you be quieter?" We heard and both turned our heads to where Newt sat up straight.
I nodded quickly and my smile surely fell as he went back into his slumber.
"Do you love him?" Thomas asked from beside me.
"It's complicated. Being in the glade, having our routine and being so close, I thought I did. Now, I'm not so sure. I don't think he even wants to know me right now" I sighed and to say those words slowly tore away a piece of my heart.