A/N: I'm back peoples! I'm so sorry it took so long I just didn't know how to begin the chapter, then once I started I kept on reading it over and I just thought it was cruddy. Then again I'm an amateur at best so...

Anyway This chapter starts off with a little thing with W.I.C.K.E.D., just wanted to mention that in case anyone gets confused, and I hope you like it!

My birthday was just a few days ago, so celebrate with me and review!

Oh, and I wanted to note that in my absence I've gotten my first bad review T_T; When I write that reviews are love I mean it, and I believe we should live by the words of Thumper from Bambi; "If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all", but at the same time I have no problem with bad reviews, I just ask that if you do feel the urgent need to make a bad review please have the content be constructive criticism on how I can improve instead of just an opinion of how I suck, thanks.

Aussiesarah: No one's dying...yet. sorry about the wait, I updated as soon as I could. That just shows how much I procrastinate.

Bteam: You're the first person who mentioned the 'let it go' thing! glad you got it!

WomanOfFlames:Sorry about MinElla (nice ship name by the way) they'll have their moments. Only time will tell what will happen to them. As long as I can write there's always a way to turn things around, so you never know.

Sakura Ann Kinimo-san: Thank you for being one of my constant supporters! I've been checking on your story ever since I reviewed; why haven't you updated yet? Practice makes perfect.

EchoSerenade: Thanks for the compliment!

Guest: Well it is called fan fiction, emphasis on the fiction, so I can do whatever I want to the characters thank you very much.

Chapter 18: Fire & Powder

"These violent delights

have violent ends

And in their triumph die,

like fire and powder,

which as they kiss, consume"

Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet

"It's done,"

"Good. Now phase two of the Maze Trials may commence,"

"Chancellor, should we bring her back for more testing? This miniscule amount of exposure has already shown such an exponential difference,"

"Her Killzone is very…enigmatic, is it not?"

"Unlike normal immunes,"

"Sadly we can only observe for now,"

"What of the male counterpart?"

"He has become part of the supplementary study of his own accord,"

"But will he last the duration of the study with his current mental instability?"

"Self-destruction is difficult to control, but not impossible. Her assignment has not changed. She is to keep him sentient, keep him alive,"

"Wouldn't it be more beneficial to observe her in the facilities? In a controlled environment? We can't lose her,"

"An active Killzone is essential to the supplementary study, more specifically her Killzone. This will not inhibit her safety, W.I.C.K.E.D. would never risk it,"

"Although that is true she would put herself at risk for his safety. There's no denying that fact, we all witnessed her do just that,"

"I will concede she has her own destructive tendencies, but their bond will keep them going. They may be each other's weakness, but they are also each other's strength. Their attachment needs to be restored to its former magnitude and that will occur once the grief serum is administered,"

"There's no guarantee it will produce the desired results,"

"It will. I have been working with these children before they were born, and you will soon come to learn that you can't have one without the other,"

"Shall we proceed with Subject A7?"

"It is not his time. It was not predicted that he would accompany the two,"

"Chancellor, her Killzone is active,"

"That can't be, not now. Where is she?"

"You sure you don't want to sleep on the bed?"

"I can't. I know it's impossible since I was unconscious, but I swear I could feel them digging into my brain. Now every time I lay down I feel that cold metal operating table, smell the saw cutting into my skull…"

"You sure because sleeping on a chair has to be bad for my back. A few hours of this and I'll get a crick in my neck,"

"Just shut up and hold me. Makes me feel safer, calmer, like I can maybe doze off for at least a few minutes,"

"I should be getting paid for this,"

"For what?"

"This. You say you can't sleep without me. I always thought whatever you're good at you shouldn't do it for free,"

"You're the one who was so insistent I get a night's rest; I'm fine with being an insomniac. Besides, what am I going to pay you with?"

"Let's just say you owe me,"

"For doing you a favor? Like I said I don't mind dying of sleep deprivation. I'm doing this for you, I don't owe you anything,"

"Fine, but you still-"

"Subject A5, it's time," someone interrupts forcing our attention to the door.

"Time for what?"

"Give me a few minutes," The man nods, but remains at the door watching. Always watching.

"Newt, time for what? You said you were staying this time, you said-"

"Something came up,"

"Things don't just come up when it comes to W.I.C.K.E.D. These things are planned years in advance. What's going on?' I ask glancing between Newt and the man standing by the door.

"Just trust me. I meant it when I said you wouldn't be going through any of this alone anymore. They say all I need is a little…preparation,"

"What did you agree to? Why won't you tell me?"

"Because you won't let me do it if you knew,"

"Then don't go,"

"I have to,"

"You don't have to do anything,"

"Don't be so worried, they said I can help. Then maybe the program may not be as long; they just needed a suitable candidate,"

"But why do you have to go? If this is in any relation to me shouldn't you be tested here in the facilities?"

"You have your tests and I have mine. It's the same as it's always been," with one last sigh he requests, "Say my name one last time before I go,"

"Newt, I-"

"My real name love, I never hear it anymore,"

"We're not supposed to," I say eyeing the man by the door.

"Doesn't matter," He says pulling me closer only to whisper my full name in a hushed voice.

In effort to keep any stray tears at bay I ask, "When will you be back?"

"Not sure. These trials, they're different,"

"Don't go…please,"

"Please, please, please, please, please Clint! I'll be good, no problems at all, just let me do it,"

"You must be jacked if you think I'm going to let you do it Greenie. Go tell Jeff, he'll take care of it,"

An exhale and a few distant footsteps later I find the energy to bring my eyes to a half lidded state. A blurry silhouette, a little too close for comfort, reaching for the pulse on my wrist is all I'm able to decipher, but I assume…

"Clint?" I croak out with a dry throat.

"Don't hit me. I just wanted to know if you were still alive in there," he says referring to the first time I woke in a similar situation.

"What happened?" I ask groggily.

"Well, how much do you remember? It better be a lot 'cause I don't think Alby wants to give another tour anytime soon,"

"What? Never mind. I remember you don't I; that should tell you enough as far as memory loss goes,"

"Specifics Annie. I need to make sure you haven't suffered any head trauma. What's your name?"

"You just told me. Doesn't that defeat the purpose?"

"How old are you then,"

"How the hell should I know? No one ever told me. Next question, and don't you dare ask me when my birthday is or where I was born,"

Chewing on his lip he considers his next question wisely. "What's the new greenie look like?"

"My God, if these are your standards then the whole Glade has head trauma. I've seen the kid once; curly haired and chubby. Maybe I should be the one asking questions,"

"One last question, promise," I huff in response but allow him to continue, "what is the last thing you remember?'

"I don't know. It's all…jumbled. My head hurts," I whine.

"Just think about it. It's important,"

"Well I remember running the Maze for the first time alone and when I got back I found out about…"

"About what?"

"Nick," I exhale while giving him a sidelong glance. "And then I…I," I say scrunching my brow in concentration.

"You what?"

"I don't know. That's where everything starts blurring into one big thing,"

"Well think harder. I need you to focus on that until your shucking head cracks open,"

"Why such the urgency? Why can't you just tell me what happened?"

"'Cause even I don't know," he huffs with slumped shoulders, "Now that you're awake Alby will be coming in here for some answers. I'll be back in an hour,"

"Wait, where are you going?"

He scoffs before answering, "You weren't the only one who got out. It's a wonder how you shanks even survived,"

"Got out of where? Survived what?"

"You really don't remember anything?"

"I told you it's all messed up, like flashes of images that can't be put together. Now stop asking me questions and tell me what the shucking hell is going on!"

"How did you get out?"

"Clint!"

Pushing his hair back he finally answers in an exasperated sigh, "I need to check on Newt. He's…not good,"

"He's-Clint, what happened to him?!"

"That's just it, we don't know. We were hoping you could tell us,"

"Me? What would I know about this?"

"He was with you! He disobeyed Alby! Him and-"

"Minho. They went looking for me" I exhale letting go of a shocked breath, "Where is he? Where are they?!" I demand as the epiphany and memories hit me.

"Can't tell you. Alby doesn't want you to see,"

"Screw Alby! Last time I saw them I thought we were going to die! I even-! I even…did something I'll never be proud of," I even chose. I shouldn't have had to choose that.

"We're doing this to protect you,"

"I don't need protecting! I don't need to be coddled! What I need are answers! Did Minho even survive?! What's wrong with Newt?!"

"How 'bout you answer my question first. How did you shanks survive a night in the Maze?" He asks quietly trying to calm me down.

Taking a shaky shuddering deep breath I try to answer him in the same manner, "I don't know," observing me with a skeptical eye I answer the next question before he has a chance to ask. "I passed out…again. I know, convenient right?" With one last exchange of disappointed expressions I ask again, "What happened to Minho?"

"Minho's fine, it's just Newt,"

"They didn't do anything to him?"

"They?"

"The Grievers. There were two. I saw them, they were poised on top of both of them,"

"Well they didn't touch him; nothing but a few scratches. Newt's the only one. What happened next?"

"I passed out," No need to share my inner turmoil. "You sure he's fine?"

"He's better. Just started running the Maze again,"

"Good, but why'd he go back?"

"It's his job, or at least that was his excuse. I think he saw something, but that could just be my wishful thinking. Wouldn't blame the shank if he never went back,"

Semi-relieved I ask, "What's going on with Newt? Where is he?"

"Alby said no one besides him, Jeff and I are allowed to see him. Especially not the Greenie,"

"Good, that means I can see him. Let's go," I say heading towards the door.

"What? I just said you can't see him,"

"No you said "no one" and the Greenie. I'm not either of those things. I'm clearly a someone and I'm not a Greenie,"

"But you're not one of those specific someones,"

"Listen you either take me to see him or I'll find him myself. Your choice, which is it going to be?" I ask making my way to the main entry of the Homestead.

"Annie, you can't-"

"I don't care," I groan in frustration. Watching his shifting eyes I notice them wander to the stairs. "He's upstairs isn't he,"

"He's gonna kill me," I hear him utter while trailing behind me as I rush up the steps.

"It's not going to pretty," Clint mentions right before indicating the correct door.

"After that night I don't expect it to be," is my cumbersome reply, my voice laced with weariness.

As soon as he leads me into the room I hear Alby's booming voice, "What the shuck is she doing here?!"

"Would you rather have her breakdown the door,"

"Nice to see you too shuckface. By the way I feel like shit, thanks for asking," I say rolling my eyes at the ever considerate Alby.

When I catch sight of him my body completely drains. Protruding veins, red hives, scratches, scrapes, scars, and all other variations of injuries makes him barely even recognizable. The unforgettable feeling of guilt and regret causes an indescribable tightness in my throat at the same time I finally get back the feeling back in my legs. I take a step forward wanting to be near him, wanting to make sure that that really is him, only to be held back by none other than the controlling hard-ass Alby. "What?! What Alby?! What else can't I do?!" I demand with as much venom in my voice I can muster as tears roll down my face.

"He thrashes sometimes. Sort of animalistic,"

"He wouldn't hurt me,"

"He's dying," He deadpans without the slightest amount of tact.

"From what?"

"He got stung. That's as much as we know. Everyone else who's been stung has died,"

"What the hell does that even mean? Stung by what?"

"The Greievers. Call it a poison if you want,"

"How long?"

"Not much,"

"No Alby, how long?"

"A day, maybe less," Hearing enough I run out of there gasping for air.

This is all my fault…

"Jeff, there's got to be something I can do. He's like this because of me, I can't just accept that he's going to die," I say catching up to Jeff outside as he fetches a cool wet towel. Last time I saw Newt he was burning up and sweating out of his skin.

"He's not like this because of you, he's like this because of the Grievers,"

"No, it is my fault. He wouldn't have gone in if it weren't for me. Neither of them would have,"

"Even if that is true it's still not your fault. If we were normal we wouldn't worry about being locked in a Maze, we shouldn't have to. Who puts a bunch of shucking kids in the same space as those monsters. Sick bastards that's who,"

"The Creators…?"

"Who else? This isn't your fault Annie, it's theirs. We shouldn't even be in here,"

"You're right, it's theirs…"I say quietly to myself as I realize what he means. It's their fault our memories got swiped, their fault we're trapped in the Glade, their fault he's dying! This is all their fault…the Creators.

"You got a knife?"

"What for?"

Spotting a knife in his back pocket I take it without preamble and run off vigorously exclaiming, "Extortion,"

Those bloody little suckers have to be around here somewhere. Listen to myself. Bloody, when did I start saying that? Sadly I might not ever get to hear him say that stupid expression ever again…

Damn it! Where are those fucking beetle blade, they're usually crawling all over the place!

But there is one place I haven't checked yet, the one place I ran away from, and the one place with enough privacy to allow myself to do what I know I have to do.

Nick's tomb.

Standing about ten feet away I already get a clear view of one crawling out of the dirt of Nick's grave, only to stop its ascent up his tomb to look straight at me with its bright red eye.

Within mere milliseconds, and without much thought, I let the blade fly from my hand in a fit of rage pinning the creature to the tomb. I know they can see me, let's just hope they can hear me too.

"I know you know what happened, now you better fix it! With one flick of my blade I'll silt my throat and you can say goodbye to your precious experiment, and that's a damn promise! Don't you dare think for a second that I wouldn't," I say spitting every word with the ferocity and anguish that's making my body tremble. Every word said with complete honesty; not just a threat, a promise. Like the promise I made to Newt.

He asked me to never leave him, that's why I stayed, why I didn't die that day. He saved me from myself, he's my reason for staying on this Earth, and he's why I'm alive today. For him I'll make all the sacrifices, threats, and promises, I have to to keep him by my side, because the day he breaks so will I.

I know for a fact he would do nothing short of anything for me, and so I shall do the same for him.

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