Hi! - So, I've been on Fanfic for awhile but this is my first ever fanfic, and most highly likely a rated M fic, so yeah. It's a huge step for me. Give it a read, and review after you do, it'll mean a lot to me! I'll try to post long chapters and as often as I can. Enjoy! :)

Chapter 1: A New Beginning.

It's only been a week since they left the WICKED headquarters.

It's only been a week since he also last saw his best friend, Teresa, die trying to save his life.

It's only been a week since Thomas last saw his best friend, Newt, slowly giving in to insanity. But thankfully, they found a way for him to get better. He couldn't bear losing another one of his best friends.

He couldn't bare to think about it even more — every time he tried to push thoughts of Chuck, Newt or Teresa, he'd think about them even more, and sooner or later, he'd probably turn into something crazier than a Crank.

He shivered at the thought.

He could tell it was still nightfall— almost dawn. The silhouette of the skies penetrated through his tent. He didn't even know why he was already awake.

Right now he had a few things to be thankful for. For instance: a few of the immunes that were captured by the Right Hand managed to bring a few necessities with them—food, a tent, blankets, clothes— as if they knew they'd end up leaving the God forsaken place they used to call home.

Thomas was now lying on the cold ground of the forest in his tent, on top of a blanket Brenda managed to bring with her before she left the Right Hand headquarters.

As if she heard her name being summoned—Brenda appeared into his tent. He could see a smile plastered on her face. She does that: just barging into his tent without ever asking if he was there or not, and not even bothered if he had his clothes on or whatever.

The thought made Thomas blush.

Thomas had to admit, ever since she kissed him when they first came here, he couldn't stop thinking about it. And her.

"You're up," she said as she sat down next to him. She put her face closer to his, pushing away a few strands of his front hair back. "It's almost dawn."

Thomas smiled gratefully and grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers with hers, "You're up early."

She squeezed his hand and slowly lay down next to him, putting her head in between his shoulder and neck, "Had a bad dream. Tried to go back to sleep and, well… couldn't."

He looked down to her face, "You okay?"

She nodded automatically, "I'll be. Eventually. It'll take some time."

It pained Thomas to know something dreadful like this happened to someone— someone like Brenda, like having your parents being killed by an organisation that supposedly wants to save humanity. He mentally laughed at the irony.

He kissed her forehead for assurance and brought his hand up to her cheek and looked her in the eyes, "And I'll be there throughout the entire time."

This time, the sadness and sombreness disappeared from her eyes as she grinned. "That better be right."

Thomas laughed and kissed her nose— she immediately wrinkled her nose and squeezed her eyes shut, "I promise."

A few minutes passed until Thomas realised Brenda's even breathing, indicating that she's asleep. This made Thomas forget about everything else that haunted him ever since he woke up in the damn Box in the Maze.

He put his arms around Brenda, brought her closer to him and kissed her forehead once more. Eventually he too, fell back to sleep.

"Rise and shine lovebirds!"

"What the—"

"Shuck off, Minho!" He heard Brenda yell and throw something at his best friend— a shoe maybe because his response seemed like it did hurt.

"Ow!" He yelped. "Chillax! I thought you already woke up on the right side of the bed— well, floor."

Brenda threw another— Thomas's guess was right— a shoe.

"Alright, alright, I'm going!" Minho said, defeated. "Thomas, bro, get the shuck up. Both of you, seriously. What were you two even doing?" He smirked and raised his eyebrows suggestively.

Thomas groaned and hid is face in Brenda's neck. "You pervert." Brenda shot back, but he could hear her smirk.

"Eugh. I'd say get a room, but this tent is close enough." Minho replied. "Get up. It's almost noon. I'll tell Frypan to save you two a special brunch set." He laughed and finally walked away.

Thomas could feel Brenda laugh. He finally looked up at her to see that she was looking at him with an emotion that felt almost familiar to him.

She kissed his forehead and slowly got up, "I'll see you at breakfast— I mean, brunch, okay?"

Thomas quickly shook his head, "Stay with me a little more."

Brenda laughed, "Sounds very tempting. But Minho's right. We need to get up." She took his hand and gave it a squeeze, "Later, okay?"

Thomas sighed, but smiled at her. "Okay."

Brenda gave him one last smile before she left his tent.

Thomas lied back against the ground and closed his eyes.

This time, he really believed the worst was behind him.