A/N: I have only read the first two books of this series, so canon may be... Altered. If this annoys you, let's call it an AU :) Also, I know this one's a little short but they'll get longer, I promise. Also, I love reading reviews so please leave some :)

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Newt was uncomfortable. It was rather warm in the Glade, more than usual. The change was obvious in all, and everyone was moving sluggishly, and sweating. It was late evening, and he'd arrived back from his running duties earlier. Alby was somewhere about though where, Newt didn't know. Frypan was chasing people away from his kitchen, and work seemed to have stopped. This didn't sit well with him, and he shifted uneasily. Around the camp, a few boys were still hard at work, but not many. Those that weren't were mostly younger kids, some as young as 12. Newt glanced around him now, eyes scanning the high walls surrounding their safe haven. As he suspected they did to most, they unnerved him. The stone walls made him (predictably) feel trapped. Of course, he'd never voice these to anyone. Least of all-. His thoughts were cut off by the feeling of a presence beside him. Newt turned, and saw the familiar mess of hair that signified Crick, Newt's friend. Crick was tall, and very thin. He wasn't very strong, as was evident from his frame, but he was agile. Crick's arm snaked around Newt's waist. Well... Maybe a tiny bit more than friends. Newt thought, smirking. Newt slapped his arm off, looking warily around. The other Gladers weren't exactly aware of their status. Crick laughed. "Honestly, Newt. You'd think you were ashamed of me." Crick tried to make it sound playful, though genuine concern laced his voice.
"Of course not." Newt laughed. "I just doubt these shanks would be too happy to learn about us."
Crick smiles "Well, shuck 'em. It's our lives." He shrugged, inspiring a chuckle from Newt.
"It isn't that simple." Newt sighed. "Anyway, shush." He said, as Gally came running over, throwing a distrustful glance at Crick.
Crick rolled his eyes, taking the hint. "I'll see you later, shuckface." He mumbled, smirking and walked away.

After the conversation with Gally, something about the kids slacking off, Newt wandered back to the Homestead, hoping to see Crick. It was getting darker, and people were beginning to go back to their beds. As he entered the building, he couldn't find him in his usual place. He looked around the building and still nothing. Just before Newt gave up, he poked his head out of the window. Sat around the back, Crick was staring into the darkness. Newt frowned, and walked down to see him. It had gotten considerably colder since earlier, and Newt shivered as the cold air hit his bare arms. Covering them as best he could, he walked over to Crick. The messy-haired boy was sat silently, just staring at the wall. Newt frowned, raising an eyebrow. "Why are we here?" Crick asked suddenly, causing Newt to blink rapidly.
"Erm..." Newt stammered. "I don't know, Crick." He shrugged. "Maybe this is Hell."
Surprisingly, Crick chuckled. "Hell is other people... This is a very good Hell, then." They both chuckled.
Newt took Crick's hand in his. "It isn't all bad." Their eyes met, and a simple smile was shared between the two.
"Not all bad.." Crick looked around. "We should get inside. Cold as klunk out here." He chuckled. Newt nodded and they both stood, still hand in hand, and walked inside.

They were sat in the corner of the room, Alby with them. Newt and Alby were talking about the runnings of the Glade. Crick was content to just watch. He wasn't even listening to what they were saying, he was just watching Newt. The boy was very cute, Crick had to admit. Every now and then, Newt would glance at him and, seeing his stare, either roll his eyes or blush. Crick smirked inwardly. Soon enough, their impromptu meeting was over, and Alby walked away, to his bed. Soon enough, the other Keepers cleared out of the room. "Looks like we have the room to ourselves." Crick smirked.
Newt chuckled "Seems like it." He turned towards Crick, and found himself in the other boy's hands, at arms length. Newt waited, blinking for the next move. Seconds later, the two boys were joined at the lips. After the briefest of seconds, they pulled apart. Newt was blushing slightly and stammered for a moment. "I, erm... I should go to sleep." He said, and hurried out. Crick watched him leave. Crick smiled softly, and sat down.

Fire. All he could see was fire. The Homestead was burning and people were screaming. He could recognise some of them, though he tried not to. He couldn't hear Newt, though. He chose to see this as a good thing. "CRICK!" Someone roared behind him. He turned to see Gally, Alby and Minho throwing water onto the Homestead, attempting to stop the fire. Newt was nowhere to be seen. He turned away from the fire and saw a figure near the open section of the wall. Before seeing properly, he knew. "NEWT!" He roared, and took off after the figure. Was he... Going into the Maze? Admittedly, he was a Runner, but the Homestead was burning. Surely that warranted a break in routine. Apparently not, as Newt continued on his path into the Maze. Instinct took over, and Crick took off after Newt. Yet, even as he approached, Newt increased his speed. He seemed to be shouting something, but the fire drowned out his sound, along with the blood rushing in Crick's ears. Within twenty seconds, Newt was in the Maze. The world seemed to darken, and the walls closed. Crick reached them just as they closed, and pounded on them, screaming Newt's name.

When he awoke, Crick was still screaming.