Minho, without saying a word, returned to the Map room. He sat down alone, as the other runners weren't there. All of them must've been somewhere else, feeling equally dejected about Ben.
He sat there in silence for a long time before Newt approached him.
"You alright?" Newt asked.
"Yeah." Minho said, not looking at the blonde boy.
Newt crossed his arms, leaned back on the table in front of Minho. None of them said anything as they both stared at the floor.
"I feel terrible." Minho whispered.
"Me too." Newt's low voice replied.
"I know it was necessary, but... "
"It didn't feel right." Newt finished and waited for Minho.
Minho's voice became loud. "That shucking shank! Went into the maze all by himself. Didn't even tell me... he... I... I treated him like he was some animal."
"Minho, all of us were there. We all made that decision together. We're all equally at fault. I was the one to bloody push him into the Maze. Don't put all the blame on yourself."
"It all just keeps on repeating over and over. It's like we're being punished for something really terrible." Minho hid his eyes in his hand, hanging his head down. "Whoever put us here, it's like a game for them. And every time we're the ones who lose. We're trapped here for the rest of our lives, feeling lost forever. This is just not fair." His voice started shaking.
Minho just couldn't take it anymore. He kept himself firm from the beginning, but it was enough now. The pressure finally broke through him, and tears flowed through his eyes.
Newt moved to sit down beside him and gently patted his back. He let Minho calm down, then said, "We'll find a way out. We can't give up, remember. Get a hold of yourself. Everything will be alright, eventually."
"I'll kill them when we get out! All of them!" Newt could hear the hatred coming out of Minho's voice.
"We'll do that together, too. Those bloody bastards deserve that." They both again went silent, staring at the small maze model in front of them. "Did he say anythin' to you?" Newt asked.
"He kept saying that it was Thomas's fault."
"You think Thomas did something to him." Newt asked in a concerning tone.
"Nah, from what you told me about him, Shank doesn't seem like someone who can make Ben attack him." Minho replied. "It was because he got stung. He was far gone from saving. He attacked me too when I went to get him. He was weak, he couldn't do much."
Newt nodded but said nothing else.
"You should go check up on the Greenie. He seemed pretty shaken up after the banishment." Minho told the older boy.
Newt looked at him, "You sure you're alright."
"I'm fine. I just want to sleep. Alby wants to go into the Maze tomorrow." Minho said, rubbing his forehead in irritation.
"Yeah, he told me right before I came here." Newt got up, "It's not a good idea."
"Try telling him that." Minho said, extending his arm towards Newt.
"I did. Shank, wouldn't listen." Newt took his hand and pulled him up with no effort. "Why didn't you say anything to him?"
"No other runner is allowed to go tomorrow." Minho paused for a second. "And I don't want to go alone."
"Then don't go at all, idiot." Newt said. "It's not safe right now."
"It was never safe." Minho said as a matter-of-factly. "And I can't sit here all day."
Newt looked at Minho, annoyed and worried, but left without saying anything. And Minho made his way to his bed.
The event that took place scared the hell out of Thomas. He ran deep into the forest until he reached the enormous stone wall. He sat down, resting his back on the wall. He felt so bad after seeing what happened to Ben. Not only that, but he was so scared. Whatever those Grievers are, god knows what they'll do to him. He thought.
He sat there for hours, concerned, deep in thoughts, trying to figure out a way he could save Ben. But he couldn't think of one. It was too late now; it got dark. Everyone must've gone to sleep. The stone wall behind his back felt cold now, so shifted until he found a comfortable spot where the stone wall met in a mass of soft ivy.
He didn't feel like going back. He wasn't able to find any signs of sleep, anyway. Slowly, anger started surging through his body. He felt like Ben's banishment was his fault.
"It wasn't your fault." A familiar voice reached him.
Thomas looked up, and it surprised him to see Newt standing in front of him.
"Well, it wasn't Ben's fault either." Thomas replied.
"I know." Newt whispered.
Thomas looked at the ground. He felt Newt sitting beside him.
"Isn't there a way we could save him?"
"You can't go beyond these walls right now if that's what you're asking."
"Do you think he might make it?"
"He got stung. Even if he escaped Grievers, he'll die from the pain."
Thomas looked at Newt. "You're not making me feel any better."
"I told you it wasn't your fault."
"Yeah, but it feels like it was."
"Nothin' you did could've prevented it. If it wasn't you, he would've attacked someone else." Newt assured him.
"He said it was my fault." Thomas murmured.
"The changing made him said that. It does that to the brain."
Anger started rising inside him. "How are you talking so normally? How is everyone being normal after that? Does no one care about him?"
Newt grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him closer so that there were only inches between their noses.
"Listen, Greenie, no one's feelin' happy about it. Alright? Everyone feels terrible about what happened to Ben. But we all can't just sit around mournin' all day. We have to keep on survivin' or else we would be next to die"
"I'm sorry." Thomas looked down. He didn't realize that these people must have known Ben for a longer time.
Newt released him and leaned back against the wall. Newt said nothing after that, and Thomas didn't ask. They both sat there, staring at the trees in front of them. After a while, Thomas started shivering because of the chilly winds.
"Come on, let's head back." Newt started getting up, but stopped and looked down at where Thomas's hands were.
Thomas followed his gaze and found that he was holding Newt's shirt tightly in his hands. He didn't realize he did that and quickly removed his hands, allowing Newt to get up.
"I… uh… um..." Thomas blushed. But maybe Newt didn't see it in the dark.
"Get some sleep, Tommy." he said softly and left him.
Thomas didn't move. He stayed like that, shivering in the cold. His body was aching, but he didn't care. He closed his eyes, leaned back on the wall, trying to remember anything he could. His mind was trying to break the walls in his brain and find some answers, any answers. He forgot about his body, shivering as his mind was racing towards the unknown darkness.
Suddenly, something warm surrounded his body. He felt so comfortable that he couldn't even open his eyes to see what made him feel that way. He didn't remember when the cozy feeling stopped his brain and made him drift off to sleep.
The next thing he remembered was waking up around comfort. It was still very early in the morning. He slowly opened his eyes and snuggled deep into whatever kept him warm. When his eyes fully opened, he saw that someone had placed a couple of blankets over him during last night.
Thomas saw someone moving at the far end of the woods. He got up, covered his whole body except his head in the blankets, not wanting to leave its warmth, and followed the figure.
He almost reached the boundary of the woods and saw three tiny figures standing right in front of the maze entrance. Thomas found out that it was Newt, Alby, and Minho. Just as the wall opened, Minho and Alby ran into it.
Newt stood there, watching them. He looked like he didn't like them going into the maze. He then turned around and went in the opposite direction. Thomas was still tired, so he went back to the spot he was earlier and slept again, curling into a small ball.
He was deep in sleep when someone tapped his shoulder, and he opened his eyes to see Newt staring down at him.
"Get up, you lug."
"Yeah, good morning to you, too. What time is it?"
"Nine o'clock," Newt said with a mocking smile. "Figured I'd let you sleep in after such a rough day."
Thomas rolled into a sitting position, hating that he couldn't just lie there for another few hours. Newt plopped down beside him and folded his legs up under himself. He sat quietly for a few moments, looking out at the trees as a small breeze flew through them.
"So why'd you come wake me up?"
"What, don't like seein' my face first thing on the wake-up?"
"No! I mean yes. No! I mean, no, I don't hate it." Thomas was blushing hard. He slid out of the blanket, hoping his face will cool down.
Newt laughed. "I'm messin' with you. I thought I should talk to you. Take your mind off Ben-"
"So tell me about the Runners," Thomas blurted. The words seemed to pop out of nowhere. But he remained still, despite an odd urge to apologize and change the subject; he wanted to know everything about them.
Newt sighed. "What do you want to know?"
Thomas was so glad to have Newt around. He always answered all his questions, even when they were stupid. Newt was also the only friend he had until now, besides Chuck. But it was different around Newt. He was more mature than Chuck. He looked like seventeen, just a year older than Thomas.
"How do you become one?" He asked.
"The Gathering elects Runners, got a lot of provin' to do before we'll recommend you to the Keeper. Why all the interest?" Newt asked.
Thomas hesitated, thinking, scared to say it out loud. "I want to be a Runner."
"I already knew that. I meant why do you want to become one?"
Thomas was surprised Newt knew it already and frowned, not quite understanding the drive inside him urging him on. Especially after last night. But he still felt it. Felt it all over. He wanted to get out of this place and take everyone with him and never return.
"It's not easy being a runner. Out there, the maze is terrible." Newt said.
"You mean Grievers. I thought they only came out at night"
"Yeah, usually, but Ben got stung during the day."
"Then why is it so terrible out there?" What else didn't he know about?
"Pressure. Stress. Tryin' to picture things in your mind, tryin' to get us out of here. Worryin' about the bloody maps. Worst part, you're always scared you might not make it back. A normal maze'd be hard enough—but when it changes every night, couple of mental mistakes and you're spendin' the night with vicious beasts. No room or time for dummies or brats."
Thomas stood and started folding up his sleeping gear. "Newt, I mean it. I can't pull weeds all day — I'll go nuts. I don't have a clue what I did before they shipped me here in that metal box, but my gut tells me that being a Runner is what I'm supposed to do. I can do it."
Newt still sat there, staring up at Thomas. "No one said you couldn't. But give it a rest for now."
"Yeah" was all he said, then something came to his mind. "What were you doing here in the woods?"
Newt frowned. "Yesterday? Came to talk to you. Don't think I did a good job."
"No, it's okay. You were probably sad too, but I meant this morning, I saw you." This made him remember Alby and Minho too, but he thought he'll ask about them later.
Newt smiled. "I always hang out here in the morning. I like the low breeze and the sound of leaves rustling. It's peaceful. And the greenery is always calming for the eyes."
Thomas didn't realize he was staring at him until Newt stood up and playfully slapped him on the back. "Come on, let's get us some grub from Frypan. And hope we don't bloody choke."
Together, he and Newt walked out of the woods and joined Chuck for breakfast at a picnic table right outside the Kitchen. After finishing their breakfast, they made their way to the farm.
Zart looked happy to see him and Newt. He told them to remove a tree so that he could expand the farm. After a long time of hard work, the tree finally fall off, they only had to remove the stump now. They took a break and sat down on the tree they just cut, talking to each other. After a while, Chuck joined them. He was carving some wood pieces with a small knife. Newt and Zart got up to work on the stump. That's when Thomas remembered the question about Minho and Alby.
"But why would Alby go into the maze? I mean, he's not a runner." Thomas asked, still sitting on the trunk.
"Things are different now. Alby went to retrace Ben's footsteps before sundown." Newt looked at him. "Are you gonna help?"
"So he's gonna go back to where Ben was just stung-"
"Alby knows what he's doing... all right? He knows better than any of us."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, it's like you have heard, yeah? Every month, the Box sends up a new arrival. But someone had to be first, right? Someone had to have spent a whole month in the Glade, alone. That was Alby. I mean, it can't have been easy. But when those other boys started coming up, one after the other... he saw the truth. And he learned that the most important thing... is that we all have each other. Because we're all in this together."
Thomas knew it was time for him to shut up. He sat up and joined him and Zart.
"Yeah. There you go, Greenie." Newt said.
After they finished, they went to have lunch. Frypan was serving everyone the stew he made when it started raining and everyone ran to find shelter.
Newt pulled Thomas into the shed.
Because of the rain, everyone stopped their work and sat in groups, talking and enjoying their meal together. Thomas sat with Newt, Chuck, Zart, Frypan, and Winston. All were keepers beside him and Chuck. All of them liked Newt. It must be his personality. Thomas thought.
Everyone shared interesting stories they experienced in the Glade. Thomas got to know a lot about every one of them. Through their conversation, he realized that they didn't know a lot of things about Newt.
Even he knew about him a lot more than them, and he's been here 2.5 days.
After a while, Newt got up and moved to stand in a corner alone. Winston noticed Thomas looking at Newt. "He keeps it to himself usually."
Thomas looked at Winston. "Really? I think he talks a lot."
Zart laughed. "He only talks to you a lot. That too because you ask so many questions."
It made him happy to find out that Newt talked to him more than the others. Thomas was surprised, "But he seems to be so open and friendly."
"He is," Winston replied. "I don't know how he does that. I've told that guy everything about me. I'm surprised I don't know much about him." He looked like he felt guilty.
"It's not your fault," Frypan said. "He doesn't talk much after he got his limp. He and Minho both."
"What happened?" Thomas asked.
"He told me it was a Griever. Barely made it out without getting stung. But I think it's more than that. Only Alby and Minho know the whole truth. Those three were like brothers, inseparable. But whatever happened changed him and Minho. They didn't talk to each other for days. But they're all fine now. It was a year ago."
"Minho? What happened to him?"
"He was worse than Newt. He didn't talk to anyone. Still doesn't. Only Newt, Alby, and some other runners. Man, sometimes I miss his sassy comments." Frypan knew them for the longest time. He looked like he was remembering something. "You know what, No! I don't miss it."
Thomas looked at Newt. His face had a worried expression, and he was staring out at the rain. He followed Newt's gaze and found out he was looking at the Maze entrance. Then it hit him why he was looking worried. It was getting late and Alby and Minho still weren't back. He got up and to get a closer look at the maze entrance.
"They should be back by now." Thomas said so, only Newt could listen. He looked back at Newt. "What happens if they don't make it?"
"They're gonna make it." Newt said plainly.
Thomas moved closer to where Newt was standing. "What happens if they don't?"
Newt looked at him, Thomas saw the worried expression in his eyes that he was trying to hide. "They're gonna make it."
Just as the rain stopped, Newt ran towards the gate and Thomas followed him. Slowly, every Glader got the idea of what was happening and started surrounding at the doors.
"Come on, guys, can't we send someone after them?" Thomas asked.
"That's against the rules." Gally replied. "Either they make it back or they don't."
Thomas looked at Newt, thinking maybe he'll get how stupid that sounded.
"We can't risk losing anyone else." Newt told him and Thomas understood he was trying to not panic. He was in charge right now. His panicking will only worsen the situation. His respect for him increased inside Thomas. He now knew how much Alby and Minho meant to him.
Thomas nodded, reassuring Newt that he understood. He again looked into the maze for any sign of them.
"There!" Thomas pointed. He saw them.
"Wait, something's wrong." Newt said. Alby was hurt. He couldn't walk. Minho was practically carrying him. Everyone started cheering for Minho to hurry. Suddenly, the walls started to close.
"Minho, you gotta leave him!" Gally yelled. Just as he said that Newt and Thomas both knew what was going to happen. Minho would never leave Alby.
Newt said it, a worrying expression all over his face. "They're not gonna make it."
Thomas glanced at Newt. At this moment, all the noises of Gladers went silent. One look at Newt and then at Minho and Alby. 'Inseparable,' Frypan's voice echoed in his ears, and Newt's worried face flashed in his eyes. He couldn't see Newt like that.
And he ran as fast as he could, trying to get to Minho and Alby.
Only one thing reached his ears, "Thomas, no!" And then the walls closed, bringing the silence with it.
A/N: I think I should explain the ages here. So, Newt and Minho were 14 years old when they were first put in the maze. Newt got his limp when he was 16. Right now Newt's age is 17, and Thomas and Minho are 16. Thomas is the youngest of the three of them.