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I don't own the Maze Runner Series

Thomas' POV.

Panting, we stood in the shadow the bridge provided us. We had been running from the Wicked building for what felt like hours, and now we had finally stopped to catch our breath. There used to be a big river or something here, but it had dried up completely a long time ago. Unfortunately we couldn't walk the distance underneath the bridge, because an actual crack in the surface of the earth ran across the landscape- its end nowhere in sight. It was way too big to jump to the other side and the ground around it appeared to be unsteady, so we'd have to walk the bridge itself. This however, was a rather unpleasant thought for the structure was weathered and damaged beyond repair, making it dangerous to cross. Once we were back on our feet, which took a wile because Newt was having some trouble with his leg, we started our journey to the other side.
The surface of the overpass was broad enough for traffic to move in two directions across and as though time itself had stopped, loads of cars stood scattered across, as though suddenly abandoned. It was frightening to walk in between them, unarmed, our eyes scanning our surroundings carefully. So far we had spotted no movement in the wrecked vehicles. No-one dared to say a word, scared that breaking this heavy silence would cause hell to break loose. What if there were dozens of them here, what if the drivers of these cars were Cranks now, waiting for their prey? And how many people have tried to cross this bridge before us?
Thick ropes of ivy ran all the way over the concrete barriers on each side of the road, reminding me of the Maze. The problem here was that we had no specific goal in mind for if we managed to get to the other side safely. We didn't know what to expect, what we would find there and how we'd survive the barren landscape we found ourselves in. Maybe the Maze wasn't so bad after all, at least we had food and water, and a proper place to sleep. In front of me, Minho and Newt walked side by side. They hadn't spoken a lot of words ever since we were reunited, but they seemed to be closer than ever. It had been that way ever since Minho had held onto him when we made him go through that door, back at Wicked. I wasn't sure what it was all about, the words Newt had spoken were left unexplained. 'Alby should have left me in the Maze.' It was actually annoying not to know. I felt slightly left out and wanted to know what it was all about. I would be lying if I said it didn't bother me a little to know that Minho and Newt had been friends for so much longer than myself and Newt. It was a bit childish but I couldn't help but feel a slight pang of irritation whenever one of them brought something up from before I came up in the Box. I had to ask, I was curious like never before.
I was pulled away from my train of thoughts when Minho suddenly stopped. "Shuck."
"What is it?" I ask, walking towards them cautiously.
He needn't explain though, because right in front of us is a huge gap in the road. We can't go forward anymore.

"So what now?"
We all stand there for a few seconds, not knowing what to do, when Newt turns to the right and starts walking. When he reaches the barrier he jumps up to grab the top.
"What are you doing?" Fry yells in a harsh whisper.
Newt doesn't respond at all, instead, he pulls himself up and climbs on. I can see that it takes a lot of effort to do so. We all stare in horror as he shakily gets to his feet and moves forward over the narrow top of the concrete wall. He uses his outstretched arms for balance and with his eyes focused on the horizon he simply walks forward, foot after foot. He sways a little, due to his bad leg, but not once does he look down to the gap in the road now next to him which leaves him nothing but a free fall to the unforgiving ground if he loses his footing. Somehow he seems to know exactly what he's doing, not even stumbling when the wind picks up. How he does it, I don't know, but he seems to be nothing but focused despite his injuries and fatigue.
Obviously not wanting to do something as dangerous and stupid as walking a ledge of death, Fry, Minho and I head for the barrier as well. My friends look like they might be sick at any given moment when they jump up to the top like Newt did. I myself feel a bit queasy too, but there is no other way to do this.
"You have got to be kidding me." Minho mumbles quietly.
He looks unnaturally pale, staring at the depths below. In the meantime, Newt has almost reached the end of the gap.
"Come on, we gotta keep up." I say, trying to stand up.
The wind is throwing me off balance, so I sit down again, heart rate picking up. In front of me, Minho proceeds to swing one of his legs to the other side. Sitting as though he is riding a horse, he shuffles forward on his butt. It's going a whole lot slower than the way Newt did it, but at least it's secure, so I too swing a leg to the other side and follow his lead. In front of us, Newt has jumped down the ledge onto the road again.

Newt's POV.

The world is spinning, perhaps it was a little too much to cross the ledge. It felt familiar though, maybe I've done it before some time when I still had my memories. There are some vague images filling my mind, where Minho, Alby and I sneak around some building. Exploring and such. But maybe that's just the Flare making me fantasize. I do remember one time in the Glade, when we were building Homestead, I had to do all the climbing and stuff. Even now that I have a bit of a limp, I have always been very quick and supple. I suppose it comes in handy.
The crazies aren't as bad as before right now. And while I wait for my friends to catch up with me, I am glad to merely hear some vague voices and whispers in my mind. If only the beeping would stop, though. Now that I'm finally out of the hands of Wicked, I had hoped for the sound to disappear, but I guess I got shucked up bad enough to still hear the noise. At least I don't feel so alone and afraid right now.
"There ya are!" I force myself to be as optimistic as possible, because as long as I'm like this, I will manage just fine. "Took you long enough."
Minho grins at me and we continue our walk. Tommy catches up and presses me to the side a little, so he's walking in between the two of us. Fry is still a little behind. There's something odd about Tommy's demeanor, I can see that he's searching for words. It makes me uncomfortable.
"Spill it." I say.
He looks at me, and then at Minho. "Well, er... I just wanted to ask you something." He says.
"Go ahead, then."
He fidgets with his hands, plucking at his shirt here and there when he speaks up again. "I'm sorry but I had to ask. Back at Wicked, you said that Alby should've left you in the Maze. What was all that about? And that one time when you and Minho got all pissed at each other when your bad leg started to act up. Are you keeping secrets from me? Does Frypan know?" He blurts his words out quickly, like he knows he's on dangerous terrain.
Of course, it's Minho who reacts first. "That is really none of your business, Shank."
Tommy looks a bit hurt, so I decide to keep peace and safe us all from trouble. "I'll tell you, okay? If that makes you feel better."
He nods, and Minho glares at me somewhat angrily. "You can't make him force you to talk about it. Look at you, look what you've been through just now! You are clearly not in the mood for something like this!"
His voice is raised, it's too loud for my liking but I feel too tired to stop his one-minute rant. Nervously I glance around, in case any Cranks heard him yelling.
"Min, I want to tell him and I feel all right for now. Good that?"
We share a long look and eventually he retreats, slowing his pace until he's walking next to Fry.
I take a slow breath to get some thoughts straight, and look ahead. Avoiding any eye contact, I start talking.
He deserves to know.

A/N:

Hello me hearties,

Updates take longer and longer as we go, but I hope you are still enjoying the story.
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DustyBooks