Now beta'd, yay!

Yeah, remember what I said about not being able to keep chapters short? This was supposed to be a "short little chapter" to kill some time. Six friggin' thousand words again. Go me.

ANYWAY enough with the rambling. I hope you like this one, I shall warn you tho: there'll be a lot of action.

I own nothing.

CHAPTER 4

"Earth to Tommy."

I snap out of my thoughts to look at Newt, who's smirking at me from the other side of the table. It's an early morning and we and a bunch of other Gladers are eating breakfast, and the Runners have already left to the Maze. I guess it's been about two weeks since I came to the Glade, more or less.

I don't know whether it's a good or a bad thing that I've adjusted to my new life well enough to stop counting the days I've spent here.

"What? Sorry, I wasn't listening."

"No shit," Newt scoffs, "I've been calling you for five minutes now."

"No, he hasn't," Chuck, who's sitting next to me mumbles to his sandwich, and I roll my eyes. "See, Newt? Chuck here is a real friend, unlike your lousy ass."

"Well, fortunately it's not my ass you hang out with," the blonde winks at me. I snort, and Archie, who's also sitting at our table, groans: "Sure, let's all discuss about Newt's shucking ass while I'm trying to eat."

The second-in-command sticks his tongue out before shifting his gaze back to me.

"As I was saying, before you totally zoned out, Alby wants to see us after breakfast."

I raise my eyebrows in confusion. Funny enough, I don't actually remember the last time I properly chatted with our leader. It's only natural that he has a lot to do since he is the leader, but the reason he's always unavailable is not because he has some leader stuff to deal with – it's because he's always with the girl.

She's still as comatose as she was the day she arrived, and I don't get what Alby gets from sitting by her side day after day. Judging by the way the others look at each other after hearing Alby wants to see us, they don't get it either.

"Wow, as in interacting with you two?" Archie blurts out, and Chuck adds in a snarky way: "Yeah, like actually seeing you and talking to you? I'm impressed."

Newt shrugs, but the frustrated expression on his face reveals that he agrees with the two.

"So anyway, you might wanna hurry up and finish that lousy sandwich if you wanna have time to meet Alby before the Builders wake up. You're with them today, aren't you?"

His question makes me remember that I'm, indeed, with the Builders today. Builders, as in Gally, Stan and Jackson, who alone are enough to creep me out, but also Ben. I groan – I've been doing such a good job with avoiding the asshole after the incident at the Bonfire party. After that he was thrown into the Stammer – which apparently is the prison in the Glade – and he was there for two days without food. And taken that he definitely will blame me for the punishment, I really don't feel like seeing him.

"Judging by the reaction, I take it you're right," Frypan, who's arrived to the table to eat a little something before going back to the kitchen, smirks. "And what was this talk about a lousy sandwich I heard? Certainly not one of you losers mocking my, may I emphasize, amazing cooking skills?"

"Sure, and we'd starve without you and Chuck's actually your son and Tommy wants to marry you. Bye, Fry," Newt rolls his eyes and hauls me up from the sleeve of my T-shirt.

"Hey, I'm not finish –"

"Eat while we walk," comes the order, and I manage to grab the half-eaten sandwich and wave goodbye to the others before Newt drags me outside. Sun's already risen, and from the looks of it it's going to be another sunny day. Not that I'm complaining.

"So, is Alby really expecting our visit or did you just want a chance to harass me alone?" I ask before taking a large bite of the sandwich. I know as well as everyone else that Frypan's cooking is pretty friggin' amazing, just like he claimed. It always surprises me how good the food is when I take a bite of anything Frypan's cooked. Even something as ordinary as a sandwich turns into a friggin' symphony of taste in his hands.

Newt chuckles and nudges me with his elbow. "C'mon, that only happened once. No, Alby really wants to see us, dunno why." The second-in-command sighs deeply before continuing: "I don't really know what's going on with him. He hasn't left the stupid girl's side for days. I even caught Chuck delivering some food for him by Jeff's order."

I stare at his worried expression, and press my lips together, unsure of what to say. I know Alby and Newt were one of the first ones to arrive in the Glade, and along with the shared history they also are close friends.

Or they were close friends anyway, before the girl arrived and Alby suddenly forgot all his other duties. I know Newt's been doing most of the leader stuff lately, since Alby's never there, and that on his shoulders really seems to really burden him, judging by the dark circles under his eyes. He hasn't been able to work with the Track-hoes for days, and I know he loves working there so it must really tire him out.

And sure, I don't get how anyone could ever love planting and gardening and all that other shit, but nonetheless it makes me really sad to see how he has to give up his favorite things to take care of shit that's not even his responsibility.

"Well…maybe he just wants to be there when she wakes up, you know, so that he can immediately start asking questions," I suggest, but Newt just huffs and runs his fingers through his thick, blonde hair in annoyance.

"Still doesn't mean he has to spend every bloody second of the day drooling over her."

I hum in agreement, feeling angry at Alby for just abandoning us. I gulp down the rest of the sandwich as we arrive to the Homestead and head to the stairs. Newt enters the room first and I follow right after him.

Alby's in his ordinary place – sitting next to the unconscious girl, hands crossed, a thoughtful look on his face.

We stand in silence for a couple seconds until Newt says: "Hey, Alby," and Alby raises his gaze to us as if he just noticed we're there. The thoughtful expression stays on his face as he slowly nods at Newt and then shifts his gaze to me, a glimpse of something unrecognizable flashing in his eyes when they meet mine.

Then his expression turns blank and it seriously gives me the chills.

"Thomas, you've gotta be honest with me. With us," the leader starts, and I wrap my arms around myself, feeling defensive.

"I have been honest with you," I blurt, eyes narrowing a little as I stare back to the dark, cold eyes.

"So you really claim that you have no idea who she is," Alby raises his eyebrows, nodding his head towards the girl and still not taking his eyes off me. I just shrug.

"I told you already. I don't know her."

It feels like the staring contest lasts for ages until Alby breaks it by standing up and crossing his arms with a dark expression on his face.

"So why has she been saying your name in her sleep?"

The room grows silent for a moment and I'm feeling dumbfounded.

"She…she has?"

"Yes."

I take a deep breath.

"You know – I don't recall anything from my past but I'm pretty sure I'm not the only Thomas in the entire world," I'm suddenly drifting into sarcasm-mode, but that only makes Alby narrow his eyes more and look even more dangerous.

"And there just happens to be a Thomas here, the very same Thomas who just happened to be the last greenie we got before her?"

Okay, I admit, it does sound worse when you say it out loud.

"I don't know, Alby – what do you want me to say? I. Don't. Know. Her," I emphasize every word, getting a little annoyed myself, too. Who's he to judge, he hasn't even bothered to so much as speak to me after the girl arrived.

Alby looks like he's just about to snap something back when Newt, who's been strangely quiet for the whole time, opens his mouth.

"Slim it, you bloody idiot – who are you to throw insults at Tommy? You haven't left this bloody room for days, and you're supposed to be the shucking leader here," Newt snaps angrily, his hands curled into fists. Alby looks like he's a little taken aback by the sudden outburst.

"Cases like this are the reason why there is a second-in-command," Alby snaps back, quickly recovering from the surprise. Newt pinches the bridge of his nose, eyes shut, clearly trying to stay calm.

"There's no case here – there's just you drooling over an unconscious girl and pretending there's no other things you need to worry about," Newt snarls, exasperation clear in his voice, but this time Alby just smirks in a cold way.

"What, is my job getting too hard for you already? Are you mad because you haven't had time to play a little green thumb with your beloved Tommy?"

And the way he spits out my nickname is as far from nice as it could.

Newt eyes have narrowed dangerously and I open my mouth to say something, but then Alby continues, interrupting me: "Thomas, you can go now. I wanna talk to Newt."

I take a deep breath and glance at Newt, who simply nods without taking his eyes off Alby. I really don't feel like going and leaving the two of them here to fight, especially when Newt looks like he's about to explode, but I decide it's best if I do as Alby says.

I walk to the doorway and just as I'm about to step out of the room, Alby snarls: "And don't think I'll forget about you."

"Send the love letters to my address," I blurt and hurry out before he has a chance to say something else. I know it's not wise to drift into Alby's black list, but it kind of seems a little too late, now. Just like Ben, Alby thinks I'm somehow responsible of – of something. Which is kind of friggin' ridiculous, taken that nothing bad has even happened.

Yet, anyway.

I decide to wait for Newt outside the Homestead because I'm kind of worried about what Alby has to say to him. I have a nagging feeling that it's something about me, and the last thing I want is to Newt start agreeing with Alby and thinking that I'm a threat.

It sure doesn't take long until Newt storms out so fast he doesn't even notice me leaning against the wall.

"Newt!" I yell, getting his attention as he glances behind and sees me. He stops and runs a hand through his hair, his posture revealing how upset he is. Then I get to his side and he faces my look and wow – he's not upset.

He's furious.

"Newt, what did he say?" I carefully ask, touching his arm gently. Newt's gritting his teeth, his eyes slightly narrowed and full of anger.

"He is a bloody idiot who has no shucking idea how deep he is," he snarls and turns his gaze away from me.

"Deep? In what?" I furrow, not sure what the blonde's talking about.

"In– I don't shucking know, he's seriously bloody messed up, making those ridiculous accusations and thinking I'll agree just because –"

"What do you mean? What did he say?"

Newt sighs deeply and pinches the bridge of his nose. "He wants…he wants to have a Gathering. It's a...well, all the Keepers plus Alby and I gather to discuss serious matters."

I have a feeling I know just well what he wants to discuss about. Or rather – who he wants to discuss about. "Serious matters. You mean me, right?"

"I– yeah. He thinks you're a threat because she keeps saying your name. Alby thinks it's a bad sign. He wants to, I dunno, punish you or throw you into the Stammer 'til the girl wakes up. It's– it's just so stupid, I mean nothing's bloody happened. What is he even accusing you of, in the first place?" Newt sighs, and I scratch my neck in confusion.

"I don't get it – if you should be worried about someone being on the wrong side, it's the girl. She's the one who changed the matters and all that crap, not me," I try pointing out, staring at the ground.

I suddenly feel a warm hand on my shoulder. "Hey, don't worry. I told Alby he's the shuckiest shuckface there is and to go eat shit. His own, preferably."

And just like that Newt manages to make me smile again. Since I came here, he's been the one who makes things a little better by just friggin' existing. I stare down to him – he is a couple inches shorter than me – feeling sudden gratefulness of the blonde standing next to me, and Newt stares back with a smile so warm it could melt icebergs.

"I guess I should go – the Builders have definitely woken up by now," I say and Newt squeezes my shoulder.

"May God embrace you in comfort during this difficult time," he sighs theatrically with his hand over his heart, and I snort, nudging him with my elbow.

"Shut up, I'd rather have a friggin' hot bath with Alby than face Ben," I say, and Newt laughs.

"You serious? Man, I'd rather pop my eyeballs out of their sockets than spend a second with his naked, hairy ass," the blonde shivers to the thought and this time it's me who's laughing.

"Thanks for the images burnt to my vision for the rest of my life."

"Thanks for informing you'll be picturing Alby's very hairy ass for the rest of your life. I think I'll never eat again."

"I think I'll never be able to look Alby in the eye again."

"What, you'd rather look at his hairy ass?"

We're both smirking like idiots and it's stupid and carefree, the way we joke around, but it makes the day so much better.

Newt makes the day so much better.

"Anyway, try and not to provoke Ben, 'kay? I'd hate to have to rescue you from him again," Newt smirks, and I just roll my eyes, trying to ignore the warm feeling on my chest.

"Yeah, yeah. And I don't need rescuing, you ass."

"At least not a hairy ass."

"Aaand I'm leaving," I inform and start walking away, but fail to hide my grin. Newt pushes his hands into his pockets and smirks at me.

"Have fun." Then he turns around starts walking away, and I turn my head ahead to look at the Builders, who have already started working.

And as disgusting as the thought of spending a whole day with Ben and the other creeps is, nothing seems to cool down the fire burning inside my chest.

It turns out to be easier than what I thought. Mostly because looks like God's heard my prayers – Ben isn't working when I get there. I ask Stan about him, but he just shrugs and says that he hasn't seen Ben all day.

So not complaining.

But being a Builder is boring, I mean, geez. Chopping and sanding wood, nailing nails, replacing some rotten planks on the wall of the Homestead with new, fresh planks – boring as hell.

And I'm constantly getting splinters to my fingers.

So after couple hours of working and sneezing sawdust I'm sweatier than ever and – call me a loser if you want to – so ready to take a break. I drop my axe and sit to the ground.

I only have time to take one breath before Gally notices me.

"Hey, no Slackers, shank," he yells, eyebrows furrowed.

"C'mon, I'll just take a little break," I roll my eyes, and Gally looks at me like I've lost my mind.

"Oh, a break? Did you hear that, boys? The greenie wants to take a shucking break."

Jackson and Stan stop working and turn to look at me. They're both freakishly tall and – as I might've mentioned a couple times already – creepy as hell.

And at the moment they are staring at me like I'm a delicious piece of meat they can't wait to chop into pieces. I gulp down.

"Well…it was okay to take breaks with others," I try pointing out, but Gally raises his freakish eyebrows and turns to look at the other two who are grinning widely.

"It was okay to take breaks with the others," Gally mimics me with a high-pitched voice and earns some more laugher from Stan and Jackson. "Well, guess what, greenie? We're not like the others. So no breaks for you."

Gally crouches to snatch my axe and throws it at me, and I hardly have time to roll over before the axe lands in to the spot I was sitting half a second earlier – the blade sinking deep into the ground.

I stare at Gally with my mouth hanging fully open. "Are you crazy?" Because seriously, if I hadn't moved the axe would be deep inside my leg right now.

Gally snickers and Stan walks to his right side as Jackson chooses his left. They're staring down at me like the friggin' ugliest, most ridiculous looking three men's army ever.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. It just slipped," Gally crosses his arms and fakes an over-sympathetic expression to his face.

"Yeah, I wouldn't just sit on the ground like a shucking Slacker if I were you – might get seriously hurt," Jackson smirks, his eyes narrowed.

Oh please.

"Are you seriously threatening me because I'm sitting on the ground?"

"Oh, are we?" Stan asks, tilting his head to right questioningly, and Gally adds: "I didn't notice at all."

I press my lips tightly together, doing everything I can to stop myself from hitting one of those losers. I had no idea they'd waste time to do something as ridiculous as this. Then I stand up and start walking, not minding the direction as long as I'm getting away from them.

"What did I just say? No breaks," Gally growls angrily from behind me, and I turn around, walking backwards, and decide to do the only thing that comes in mind that doesn't involve speaking.

I flip the finger to them and keep walking – apparently towards the Deadheads.

"You're gonna regret that, shank!" Stan yells, but I couldn't care less.

Damn, we're trapped in the middle of a Maze with no way out and some people still have time to be bullies. How friggin' lame is that?

Before I know it, I've entered the Deadheads, the small – and only – forest in here. Confused, I realize I haven't actually come here before – either I haven't had the time or I've just had something else to do.

The forest, as I notice while glancing up the trees, is kind of spooky in a way. Dimly lit with the trees being tall and leafy enough to prevent the sunlight from properly reaching the ground.

I shiver, but too curious for my own good, keep walking forward. I want to see more.

Mostly the forest is just trees and mold and grass. But after a couple minutes of walking, I notice something else on the ground. Something that's definitely not a creation of the nature. It's a wooden cross sticking out from the ground, and as I get closer I realize it has a name scraped on it.

"George," I read out loud and let my hand wander on the letters scratched deep to the wood. There's no doubt – it's definitely a tombstone. But why? And how? How has he – George – died?

And then I glance behind the tombstone and realize George's not the only one. There's more crosses behind his. I gape at them, feeling utterly dumbfounded – how have they all died? – and I'm about to take a step closer to the one that says 'Stephen' when a branch snap somewhere behind me.

I turn around in hurry –

And then I'm facing Ben.

Just when I thought the day couldn't get any worse.

"Uhm…Ben," I greet, not-so-smoothly. I have no idea what the guy's doing here in the middle of the day. Well, I'm here too, clearly, but at least I've done some work already – Ben, on the other hand, hasn't been so much as seen today.

And as that thought hits my brain I suddenly feel very cold. Has Ben been here the whole morning? Why?

"You," he growls, spit dripping from his mouth as he gapes at me with a furious expression on his face. "You did this."

"What?" My mouth hangs open as he takes a step closer to me. I gulp, silently cursing the fact we're not allowed to carry weapons or knives.

Ben shivers slightly as he continues to stare at me. Dumbfounded, I notice that the veins on his throat look weird – as if they had something much, much darker liquid than blood pouring inside of them. Ben takes another step, a murderous shimmer in his eyes.

"I've seen it. You. In my dreams," Ben snarls, hands curling into fists.

"Ben, I don't know what you're –"

"It's you! I know it's you! You did this to us!" And then he jumps forward, attacking me with full force and I'm too frozen to my feet to dodge as his full body hits me and knocks me down. He's roaring on top of me, hands furiously searching for places to hit or scratch, and I'm doing everything I can to try stop him.

But man, he's strong.

I turn my head as his spit – eww – dribbles to my face, and notice a stick lying just within my reach. I grab it, avoiding Ben's fierce punches, and gathering all my powers I hit him, aiming to his head. Ben 'umph's and although he's only distracted for two seconds, tops, it's enough for me. I push him off me and roll over, getting to my feet faster than I've ever gotten, and start running, not minding the direction, just getting the hell away from him.

Ben growls furiously and I don't dare to look behind, but by the sound of it, he's already after me.

I run, heart thumping in chest so hard I'm afraid it's going to pop out, yelling: "Help!"

I don't really care who hears, I just run and scream for help like a four-year-old, hoping that anyone would hear it.

Then I reach the Glade and for a second I think 'I'm safe' when something giant tackles me from behind and drags me to the ground with a thump.

Ben's screaming like he's the one being eaten alive and scratches my face and my arms and I struggle against him but he's too strong, then his hands are around my throat and I can't breathe I can't breathe and I'm hitting his arms that are curled around me, stars flashing in my vision –

"BEN!" I vaguely hear someone yell and I know that voice and then a loud thump and the weight rolls off me and I'm free, gasping for air. I'm coughing madly and I hear more voices around me, more people, but someone's hands are on me and I'm being hauled to sitting position.

"Tommy, breathe, you bloody idiot!" It's Newt, his hands cupping my face, his eyes full of worry. He's kneeling in front of me, helping me to sit still.

It takes a while to feel like my lungs are properly functioning again.

"Are you okay? What happened?" His voice is questioning and I feel like I want to wipe away the worried expression on his face, no matter what it takes. Newt shouldn't look like that.

"Ben, he– he just attacked me, out of nowhere, I didn't do anything, I swear –" I stammer, turning my head a little to see Ben, who's struggling like an animal against Gally and Winston, who are trying to keep him still.

"C'mon, Tommy, it's alright," Newt's voice is reassuring, and I stare into his eyes, take a deep breath and nod.

"Ye– yeah. Ben just attacked me and kept shouting shit like 'it was you' and…I dunno, I tried to run away but…damn, the guy's fast," I pinch the bridge of my nose, closing my eyes for a second. Newt hums and suddenly I feel someone touching my legs, and I yelp.

"Relax, you idiot, I'm just checking your legs for wounds. You fell pretty nicely there," he snaps, investigating my legs by feeling them through my pants. I stare at him as he moves on to my arms and checks them intensely. Then he touches a sore part and I hiss: "Ouch," and Newt sends me an apologizing smile.

"He got your arm pretty good. You need to get it checked by Clint or Jeff." I nod, and then the blonde stands up and offers me a hand that has become surprisingly familiar to me during this time.

"You gotta stop ending up in this position," Newt grins, and I can't help a small smile spreading to my face, too, as I grab his hand and let him help me up.

Winston and Gally are shouting at Ben and dragging him towards the Stammer, and I have to look away from him because the animal-like grin on his face is too horrible.

"Tommy, come on," Newt nudges me with his elbow and we start walking towards the Homestead. My knees hurt a little from taking the impact when I fell and my throat feels sore as hell and is that a friggin' bite mark on my hand, but otherwise I feel pretty okay and totally capable of walking on my own.

I don't mention that to Newt, though, who keeps his hand on my back the whole time, supporting me as we walk. I have to admit I kind of like the physical contact.

But as always, the nice moments don't last. Alby storms out of the Homestead when we are just a couple inches away from it, his face red with anger.

"What the shuck is happening?" He yells, and I almost flinch to his furious voice. Newt takes a small step forward that would probably look just something casual to everyone else, but for some reason I get the feeling that he's shielding me from Alby.

Which makes me feel strange because Newt shouldn't be trying to shield me from anyone – firstly, I'm taller than him, and secondly I don't need anyone to shield me.

But it spreads something warm to my body again and leaves me fighting with a blush.

"Alby, calm down, dammit," Newt snaps dangerously, lifting his hand to rest against the darker boy's chest as a calming effect.

Alby eyes us suspiciously. "Tell me what's going on right now."

And the way he stares at me lets us know who he thinks is responsible for all the hustle.

Newt opens his mouth to explain, but this time I'm faster. "Ben and I were in the woods and he attacked me." Short and simple.

"Why would he attack you?" Alby asks, clearly waiting for me to reveal something that would explain the other boy's acting.

I shrug. "I have no idea, I didn't do anything."

"He's in the Stammer, now," Newt adds, and Alby shifts his gaze to the shorter boy. He's quiet for a couple seconds, then opens his mouth to say something but then a yell carries through the Glade and makes us all immediately look to the way it's coming from.

"Newt! Alby!" It's Minho, running like crazy towards us. I glance at Newt and he has an utterly confused look on his face. "Shouldn't he be –" I start, and Newt just nods. "In the Maze. Yeah, he should."

Then he takes a couple steps forward and Minho reaches us, panting heavily. He leans into his knees and lifts his finger to sign us to wait.

"It's– there– you've gotta come and see," the Asian stammers, his expression wild, a little mad, even. Alby and Newt glance at each other, and the latter one asks: "What?"

Minho shakes his head like he couldn't really believe what he's about to say himself.

"I found one. I found a dead Griever."

The silence lasts for a second.

"You what?"

"A dead one?"

Alby and Newt yell their questions at the same time, but Minho has no problems understanding. He nods, grinning widely.

"Yup. A dead shucker. Not even that far away – that's why I decided to come back and get you," he says, looking at Alby.

But Alby's expression is blank, and he's standing with his arms crossed.

"To get me? You mean I'd have to come to the Maze?" He asks coldly, making Minho furrow his eyebrows in confusion. "Well, you're the leader and all –"

"I can't. I don't have time for that," the dark-skinned boy interrupts him. Minho gulps and scratches his neck.

"Alby, don't be a bloody idiot! We've never seen one and now we have a chance to study a dead one," Newt snarls, looking like he can't believe what Alby's saying.

Not that I can, either.

"I don't have time to run about in the Maze," Alby snaps back and takes a step back. He licks his lips in thoughts and then adds: "You go, then."

We all stare at Alby like he's lost his mind.

"Me?" Newt asks dumbfounded, while Minho snaps: "Don't be an idiot, Alby."

Alby just shrugs and stares at us with a cold expression.

"If it's so important to you, you go there. Not like you have anything better to do, anyway."

And if he didn't rush away from the scene so quickly after that, I'd hit him, I swear I would. Why in hell does he think he has any rights to speak to Newt like that?

But Newt doesn't look angry as he ruffles his thick hair, he looks like he's deep in thought.

Which – to be honest – scares me even more.

Because that means he's seriously considering Alby's words.

"Newt, c'mon," I groan, and he looks at me.

"I could do it."

"Newt, no –"

"I could bloody do it," he keeps insisting, and I sigh because yeah, sure, maybe he could but that doesn't mean he should.

"Minho, say something," I beg, but Minho just shakes his head.

"I dunno– I really need someone in there with me and Newt is the second-in-command," he points out. "And he used to be a Runner so it wouldn't be breaking the rules. Besides, it's not that far away. We wouldn't have to run the whole time."

"I can run," Newt snaps, making Minho just shrug. He thinks about it for a little while until agreeing: "Okay. Let's go, then."

I can't believe what's happening. Newt's going to the Maze? Kind, sweet Newt who has a limp and friggin' never runs if it's not necessary?

"What, no, Newt – you can't –" I start, but Newt interrupts me.

"Slim it, Tommy. You heard what Min said – he needs someone. And since Alby's to busy being a total ass…" He just shrugs.

I'm pretty sure the tone in my voice is very close to begging, but I don't really care.

"Newt, please, you can't."

He just shakes his head and squeezes my shoulder gently. "C'mon, Tommy. It won't take long, we'll be back before you know it. Keep the bed warm for me," he jokes with a glimpse of playfulness in the corner of his eye, but I'm not really in the mood for joking right now.

"Oh, I'm so flattered how you're reluctant as shuck to let this shank go in the Maze, but have no problems with me going," Minho jokes in a fake-hurt voice, but I barely register his words. I have an annoying feeling in my chest that I should stop him, to make him stay, but then Minho pats him on the back as a sign that they should go, and then they start walking away.

Newt turns to look at me, yelling: "And be sure to show your ugly arm to Clint!" and then they start running, Newt's limp only barely visible since he seems to be determined to show me that he can do it.

I'm left with no other option than to go in the Homestead to find Clint.

I only wish I was as sure about this as Newt is.

Dammit.

Dammit, dammit, dammit.

I was friggin' right. I'm friggin' always right. I never should've let him leave.

They haven't returned yet and it's almost time and I'm freaking out. We are all gathered around the doorway, even Leo's come back from his trip, and the tension is thick in the air. Chuck's trying to calm me down but I'm so freaked out my brains can't even register his words.

Why did I let him leave? I'm so stupid.

I'm biting into my lip so hard I'm pretty sure it'll bruise but I don't care. I just want them to come back. I need them to come back.

"I'm sure they'll –" Chuck starts, but then the familiar screeching sound begins and my heart drops to my knees and I feel like I'm falling into a dark abyss.

The doors are closing.

I'm breathing hard, narrowing my eyes so that I can see deeper into the Maze, to see even a slightest hint that they're coming, that they're on their way…

15 feet. 15 horrible, short feet separating the doors from each other. My hands are curling into fists and it gets harder to breathe every passing second.

10 feet. The more I wish for the walls to slow down, the faster they seem to move. Please, let them come, they can still make it, they can…

5 feet. God, why won't these damn friggin' walls stop moving, they're not here yet, the doors can't friggin' close if Newt and Minho are on the other side –

3 feet. My palms are sweating, my heart's thumping in my chest, and there's still no sign of them.

30 inches. I'm so close to losing it, this can't be true. It can't be happening. Like everyone keeps telling me, no one's ever survived a night in the Maze and if Newt and Minho face that destiny –

A thought comes to my mind. I couldn't do it.

Expect that I could. I can't let them die, I have to do something.

20 inches, and nothing has ever looked as horrible as the doorway I'm staring into, but I can't leave them.

I can't leave him.

20 inches left and I step forward before anyone has time to realize what I'm doing, and squeeze through the gap, and for a moment I'm sure I won't make it and I'll squeeze to death but then –

A cold breeze of air greets me and I'm outside.

I'm in the Maze.

END OF CHAPTER 4

Ta-da!

Lalalalaalallala how did you like it? I know a shit load of stuff happened in this one and I apologize for that, but I felt like I just had to fit the Ben-attack and the Newt-goes-in-to-the-Maze part in this and, well, whoops.

And I want you to know that the idea to this whole fic came when I read and watched the Maze Runner and thought "why in hell didn't Newt go into the Maze, too?" So there you go, Newt in the Maze! I know you want it ;)

So, I finally got this beta'd and oh boy - before betaing you really could notice that I wrote this chapter in the middle of the night and in a hurry. I'm so sorry for the confusing mistakes (first saying Ben was a Builder and suddenly calling him a Runner, for example...he is a Builder in this fic, tho!)

And I'm so, so, so, so sorry I haven't updated in friggin' ageeees. I haven't and I'm not planning to abandon this fic. It's just that I have school and I even got a job so most of my days I leave at 8:00 AM and return home at 9:00 PM and go straight to bed. Also in Finland we have this huuge exams on the last year of high school and I've really been trying to read so that I pass the exams and unfortunately, that takes up my time as well.

But I write a little every now and then and the next chapter is coming, I can promise you. Not tomorrow, probably not the day after tomorrow and maybe not even in a week - but it is coming!

So thanks for your patience, love you all!