(I do not own Maze Runner. Updated 6/15/18)
Sonya sat drinking and laughing at a picnic table with some other girls from her cabin. Newt was still on high alert as he stood nearby. He continued firing dirty looks towards any boys who looked her way while simultaneously chaperoning Sonya.
"Lizzy go easy on that. Do you want to drink yourself, sick girl?"
Until now she'd been accommodating even as Newt spoiled one fun thing after another. Sonya stood up looking cross.
"Um Newt, can I have a word?"
"Sure, you bet. What is it? Are you getting tired? Ready to call it a night?"
Sonya beckoned Newt to follow her and began walking toward the trail which led back to camp. Once she was out of earshot of the other girls, she spun around with a stormy look on her face.
"Nope, not tired and not calling it a night. Look Newt; even Minho has lightened up tonight. Why can't you?"
Sonya points over to Minho and Harriet dancing slowly to a fast song on the verge of kissing but not quite.
"See? Everyone is having fun except for us. Maybe you should call it a night."
Newt rolled his eyes.
"Well, I guarantee you, Sis, me leaving ain't happening. Besides I'm having a lovely time."
Sonya felt herself losing it. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe she was tired. The more she thought about it, the more she felt like she was watching a preview of coming attractions. With Newt lording over her the rest of her life acting like it was his duty or worse, he was entitled to do so.
"Ok then, that's fine! How about you go have some fun of your own and let me be? You already scared off any boy that wanted to talk to me!"
As Sonya said 'scared off' a half smile crept across Newt's face. Making it clear to her he was proud of his efforts thus far.
"Lizzy listen to me, I'm just doin' what any big brother would do. Half these guys are way too old for you and the boys your age ain't got no business being with my little sister."
First, Sonya was incensed by her brother's wry smile. Then, even angrier at his justification. By the time he finished speaking, Sonya's felt like her eyes had turned bright red with rage.
"SO WHAT'S THAT LEAVE ME HUH? Oh wait, I can be with-"
Sonya snaps her fingers in a mocking gesture of revelation.
"THAT'S IT! NO ONE!"
Newt's had been dismissive of Sonya's protests until now. He could see how upset she was. Newt was about to speak but was interrupted by another volley from Sonya.
"DO YOU REALIZE WHAT THIS PLACE IS NEWT? THIS PLACE IS EDEN! THIS PLACE IS US STARTING THE WORLD OVER! SO GUESS WHAT? I AM GOING TO BE HAVING SEX WITH AT LEAST ONE OF THESE BOYS A LOT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! ALSO WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT, IT IS MY LIFE NEWT! MINE! SO STOP TRYING TO BE DAD AND LEAVE ME ALONE!"
As the words left Sonya's mouth, she wanted to suck them back in somehow, but that couldn't stop her from pridefully marching back towards the party. Newt looked like someone had punched him in the stomach. Any anger Sonya felt evaporated the moment she looked back and saw her brother's dumbstruck face. The scene attracted some attention. Tes was already walking towards them. When she reached her, Tes hooked her arm through Sonya's turning her around like a square dance partner. The next moment Tes was leading Sonya back to Newt who was standing as still as an ice sculpture. Sonya immediately tried to apologize.
"Newt-I'm sorry. You're right; I'm drinking too much I-"
"-Slim it, it's fine. I'll just get out of your hair then Sonya."
Newt never called her that. Ever. Sonya could tell how rejected her brother felt. He turned and was about to walk down the trail when Tes spoke.
"Hold on big brother. Little sister is trying to apologize for being a bad drunk, and auntie Tes needs a word with both of you."
Tes ran a few steps and grabbed Newt's arm around his bicep. She had to reach up to do it. Newt was almost six feet tall, and Tes' petite frame broke five feet just barely. Newt allowed himself to be pulled back to Sonya who was about to cry. Sonya's mouth was full of the heartfelt apology she wanted her brother to hear, but the moment she opened her lips something else poured out.
"Why'd you call me Sonya? Don't you ever call me that again!"
Newt eyes narrowed.
"Why not? She's who you want to be right? She's bloody perfect for all this."
Newt threw his arms open wide gesturing to the wild party going on all around them as he continued.
"A bunch of girls acting twice their age cause they think they should!"
To Tes, Newt's answer felt like watching the first pebbles of an avalanche begin to fall. Tes reached down and squeezed Sonya's hand trying to warn her to tread lightly to no avail. Sonya spoke up again chiding her brother.
"I'm going to grow up Newt! That's a fact! Why do you have to make it a problem?!"
Newt felt something inside him snap.
"BECAUSE LIZZY YOU'RE ALL I HAVE LEFT!"
Newt yelled so loud he felt spit flying from his mouth. His voice sounded unmeasured and primal.
"YOU'RE THE LAST PART OF MY BLOODY LIFE THAT AIN'T GRIEVERS AND CRANKS AND SHUCKING DYING IN THE SAND AFTER BEGGIN MY BEST FRIEND TO PUT ME DOWN! ONLY TO WAKE UP IN A WHITE ROOM TREATED LIKE ALL THAT DIDN'T MATTER CAUSE I'M MIRACULOUSLY FUCKIN HEALED!"
Sonya wanted to run to Newt and throw her arms around him. Tes held her hand tight and fired a sidelong glance at her that Sonya took to mean; 'not yet.' Newt shook his head and continued speaking intensely.
"WELL, IT DOES MATTER! I DON'T CARE IF MY SHUCKED LEG IS FIXED. I DON'T CARE IF I'M CURED. I DON'T CARE IF THEY SENT ME TO THE LAST PARADISE ON EARTH, IT DOESN'T GIVE EM THE RIGHT TO!"
Newt's tirade abruptly trailed off. He points at his head with one strong emphatic gesture. He held the pose shaking for a second in silence.
"All that klunk jacked me, Lizzy-"
Newt's voice started cracking.
"-so shucking forgive me if I'm a little overbearing and defensive about the last part of my life I want to remember the way it bloody was..."
Newt felt water on his face and realized he was crying. He wiped his cheeks and looked up to see his sister Lizzy crying holding Tes' hand. She was flanked by Minho and Harriet looking on with concern. Fry had stopped the music. Minho Spoke.
"Newt, if you didn't feel that way I'd think that was jacked. We're just glad your back Shank. We'll take ya anyway we can get you."
Minho and Harriet started walking towards Newt. Tes released Sonya's hand, and she ran and hugged her brother.
"I'm so-sorry Newt; I don't know what to say."
Newt could feel his sister tears falling onto his bare chest. He started wiping her eyes then looked around, his gaze eventually landing on Tes.
"Who's the bad drunk now?"
Tes hated fake people and bullshit. Hearing Newt unpack his soul to his sister in front of everyone made him seem larger than life to her. There was a raw strength to him that Tes hadn't encountered before. She instantly hated WICKED for naming him the glue. Like it was some reference to him being an expendable cost of doing their insidious business. She put her arms around both of them and spoke.
"Good that, big brother. That's one ugly monkey you just got off your back. For the record, I've seen a lot worst drunks than you Newt. Myself included."
Tes turned to Sonya while still clinging to Newt's arm.
As for you little Sonya. You my darling dear, are goddamn lucky to have a big brother who: is free, immune, and alive; all at the same time. Not to mention he obviously loves you dearly. I promise I'd strangle you both unconscious for just five more minutes with my mum before she got sick."
Tes sighs and continues.
"Well then, now that we have all the drama out of the way."
Tes playfully taps Newt on the nose with her index finger.
"You owe me a dance."
"Newt looked surprised. Minho smiled and gave a signal to Fry to restart the music. Newt hugged Sonya then turned and spoke to Tes.
"I do?"
"Yes, you do. I'd say it was for my words of wisdom but to be perfectly honest you're little speech has me so turned on I'm getting dehydrated."
Newt's eye's got wider. Tesla spoke.
"It seems only fitting to take that out on you for my trouble."
Tes took Newt's hand and started pulling him towards the beach with the foam and lasers once he processed what Tes had just said to him the typically calm and collected second in command of the Gladers was left flustered and stammering.
"Now hold on Tes-uh, I-I need to keep... Um-an eye on Lizzy, ya know."
Tes narrowed her eyes playfully at Newt. She turns to Sonya taking her hand instead.
"Ok Sonya, since your brother is shy would you like to dance with me?"
Sonya giggled. She'd never known Newt to be at a loss for words.
"That sounds fun! I mean, if that's ok with you Newt?"
Newt nodded.
"Sure Lizzy I guess, Uh, no problem."
Newt couldn't see any harm in that; besides he was starting to realize what a killjoy he'd been all night.
"Great!"
Sonya replied cheerfully. Tes spoke.
"Yes grand. One other thing-"
Tes brushed Sonya's hair away from her face and leaned in ambushing her with a kiss. Sonya's eyes went wide. At first, she didn't know what to do, but Tes' lips quickly won her over. She returned the kiss. Newt's eyes got even wider. He spoke.
"Now hold on a bloody minute!"
Tes put her hand up to silence Newt.
"-Too late Mr. Stuffy. If you wanted it to be your tongue in my mouth just then, you should have spoken up. Instead, you wanted to stall so now you'll have to ask me for a dance properly yourself. That is, once we're done."
Tes starts walking with Sonya towards the beach party. She calls back to Newt.
"Keep an eye on your sister!"
Tes winks at Newt. Minho and Newt both stood there in shock. Minho breaks the freeze by slapping Newt on the back.
"Well, good luck with that Shank."
"Good luck with what?"
Minho smirks.
"I think Tes likes you."
Thomas and Teresa were still laying together at the top of his hill swept up in the afterglow. They were smiling at each other between looking at the stars. They had put their homecoming outfits back on, but after the damage done hastily removing them, were still substantially naked. Thomas wanted to break the silence by saying something deep and meaningful to Teresa an articulate revelation that sealed the moment. He looked over at Teresa's and stared intensely into her electric blue eyes and spoke.
"Wow."
Teresa smiled first with her eyes as her whole face followed suit.
"Wow yourself Tom."
They both laughed and held each other a little tighter. Tom spoke again hoping to improve on his opening statement.
"That was... I mean... Just wow."
"I'm guessing I should take that as a compliment?"
"You should! You absolutely should. Teresa, you were just so sexy and so gorgeous and just so... Wow."
Teresa flashed a bright, approving smile at Tom's inarticulate but heartfelt description of what had just happened between them. She brushed her hair behind her ear as the pair sat up overlooking the party. Teresa spoke.
"I can't believe I'm sitting here honestly. I dreamed of this moment for so long I never thought it would be better than I imagined... But it was Tom, I mean it."
Thomas smiled. He put his arm around Teresa, and the pair huddled together admiring the dynamic scene of flashing lights below them. Thomas spoke.
"Is it weird that I want to race down this hill and tell them we chose each other?"
Teresa smiled bashfully as she laid her head on Tom's shoulder.
"No Tom, it isn't. In fact, I've been thinking the same thing."
Just then they both noticed a red light flashing on the ground next to them. It was Syllabus. Teresa leaned over to retrieve it.
"Shit, I forgot I had this hidden in my top."
Thomas chuckled.
"Well, you know what they say. You always find something in the last place you look."
Tom leaned in acting as if he was trying to glance down Teresa's top. She playfully lifted his chin until they were eye to eye.
"Ah-ah-ah Tom. I'm up here."
Tom had a smoldering look in his eyes. He spoke in that same serious voice that Teresa found incredibly sexy.
"Yes, you are."
Teresa abandoned reaching for the device to put both her arms around Tom. She spoke with halting breaths between the kisses she was giving him.
"Although since... you've already seen... me naked... where's the harm?"
Teresa brushed her hair aside for Thomas. The look in her eyes told him what to do. He started reaching behind her neck to untie her bikini top. The red light from Syllabus began strobing more brightly in rapid succession as they kissed. Thomas rolled his eyes. Teresa laughed breaking their kiss. Thomas spoke.
"I don't know which is more annoying, Minho or this thing."
Teresa responded.
"Let's call it a tie."
Teresa stretched out her arm and tapped the device like she was silencing an alarm clock. The moment she made contact Syllabus spoke.
"Teresa-Thomas emergent threat inbound. Northeast approach vector. ETA fifty-eight seconds-correction 42 seconds, the target is accelerating."
Thomas and Teresa clambered to their feet off balance. They both scanned the northeast seeing nothing but the vast impassible forest between the lake and camp. Teresa spoke first.
"Syllabus I don't see anything!"
"Me either!" Thomas responded.
Thomas climbed on top of the stone at the center of his hill and scanned around the perimeter for any sign of a threat. Then he spotted something breaking the treeline from the southwest.
"THERE!"
Teresa looked in the direction Tom was pointing when she saw it. A Griever was racing headlong towards the other immunes. Between the alcohol, loud music, and the elaborate light show overhead, the others were all blissfully unaware. The shambling creature made of more metal than flesh was hurtling towards them and continuing to accelerate. It didn't look like any Griever Thomas or Teresa had seen before. It was at least fifty percent larger. Its entire head was metal, and the areas of exposed flesh were covered in thick sliver plates that gleamed under the light of the full moon. The monster had not one but two scorpion-like tails and from Thomas' estimate at a glance, five spiked legs on each side. He spoke.
"A Super Griever..."
Thomas started barreling down the hill screaming. Desperately trying to alert the others over the sound of the music. Teresa clutched Syllabus.
"Syl! Deactivate music! Amplify my voice now!"
Syllabus chimed, and the music stopped. Teresa yelled into the device as she tracked the Super Griever with her eyes.
"GRIEVER! A GRIEVER IS COMING FROM THE SOUTH FIELD! WEST TREELINE!"
Teresa's voice sounded half human, half machine. Her altered voice boomed from each of the hovering orbs. It echoed through the valley so loudly anyone could have heard it as clearly as a shout in a closet.
Teresa watched as the other survivors spotted the danger. Some dancing on the beach jumped into the lake and started swimming out into deeper water. Others dancing on the flat rocks started climbing Thomas' hill towards her. The majority of the immunes flooded towards the northeast trail towards camp. Teresa could pick out Newt among them. He was in the lead with Tes and Sonya, trailed by Frypan who was making a desperate push to catch up to Sonya. Teresa witnessed a split second kiss between Minho and Harriet. Minho spoke something loudly to her, and the pair parted in opposite directions. Harriet to the northeast organizing the chaotic retreat, Minho to the southwest marshaling a counter attack. Minho started a charge towards the Griever. Teresa focused her eyes on his counteroffensive. Minho was joined by Gally, Jake, and...
"THOMAS!?"
Teresa wasn't even sure it was humanly possible for Tom to have covered so much distance in such a short time. She cleared her mind to speak to him.
*Tom stop! What are you doing!*
*Anything I can. I love you, Teresa. Always have.*
Teresa screamed out loud in her natural voice. She watched as Minho, Gally, Jake, and Thomas race towards the Griever with the same wooden spears Gally had brought only now the apples they'd been capped with were gone. A four-man front alone against the Super Griever who was close to double the size Teresa initially thought. It looked like dump truck rolling downhill towards four heroically overmatched boys holding wooden pikes. Teresa reached out to Tom again.
*TOM LAYDOWN!*
Thomas felt the terror in Teresa's voice but couldn't will himself to follow her order. He knew she was just trying to protect him, but he couldn't desert his friends. The four boys all planted a foot at the base of the long spears each held directed towards the rampaging monster. Minho looked side to side at the three other boys with him. He spoke in an almost supernaturally calm and collected voice that seemed to penetrate the chaos around them.
"Guys... It's been a pleasure."
(Tune in next time for part four! In the meantime, I see you sixteen countries reading thank you, friends. Thank you, all of you, dearly for reading my first fanfic attempt. If you're enjoying this story please, review, follow, or favorite. It just keeps me typing :)
