Clara watched in a panic as the Griever yanked Zart away, sending him into its slimy skin. Zart sunk into the monster's flesh until Clara couldn't see anything but his legs dangling lifelessly to the side; the Griever turned and rolled back towards the Maze, calling for the others to follow. Clara scrambled off the ground and stumbled after them in a daze, screaming her friend's name. She was ready to run after them until she was taken too. She didn't care anymore. The Grievers were too quick for her to follow, and she quickly lost them as they disappeared behind the Maze walls, but she kept going.

Before she could get too close, someone had caught up to her, catching her by the arm and pulling her back towards them. Clara tried to break free, and she was almost successful until they wrapped their arms around her waist. She shrieked in anger and elbowed them in the ribs; they grunted but kept their arms locked around her.

"Clara, snap out of it!" She heard Newt yell over her screaming. She turned her head to see that he was the one holding her, and for some reason, she got even angrier. He had no right to protect her after what he said to her. He wasn't responsible for her anymore, and she knew he didn't want to be. Clara continued to pull at him and claw at his arms.

"LET ME GO! I HATE YOU! You piece of-" Clara couldn't even finish before a sickening feeling spread through her, starting in her chest and catching in her throat. It racked her body with sobs and she sank to the ground. She knew she couldn't save Zart, no matter how hard she tried or how fast she ran. There was no point anymore. She fell to the side, her face on the cold, wet grass as her body trembled. She could barely breathe. Newt sat with her and leaned back, trying to catch his breath and examining his freshly scratched arms.

Newt sat with Clara until her uncontrollable sobs turned into silence. She sat up slowly, her side aching, and stared at the grass below her. Newt looked at her solemnly, watching the last few tears leave trails down her cheeks. He didn't know what to do, he knew she was mad at him, that was shown by the way she acted a while before. He wasn't sure if it was best to talk, to offer a hug, or to stay silent. His heart ached to hold her again.

After a long pause of silence and a deep breath, Clara spoke.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "For keeping me back. Probably a good decision." She wiped her eyes and tugged at her brown hair.

"Well, I couldn't let you run back in there again, could I?" Newt replied. Clara nodded, and another pause followed.

"I'm sorry," he said, their eyes met and Clara felt fluttering in the pit of her stomach, but also a tight squeeze in her chest.

"Why?"

"For before. I was acting like a slinthead. You didn't deserve that."

"No, you were right. It was careless of me to throw everything away like that. I'm sorry."

"No, I just..." Newt sighed and ran a hand through his hair, which was slick with sweat. "I was very stressed out. With Alby down, Tommy and the girl... it was a lot of responsibility I don't think I was ready for. And I put all my frustration on you when you were trying to help. That wasn't good of me."

"I understand and I forgive you. And I'm sorry for scaring you." Clara reached her hand out to touch his gently, and Newt's breath caught in his throat.

"Just don't do it again and we'll be fine." he said

"Can't promise that quite yet." Clara tried to joke, which made both of them smile slightly. Newt held out his arms and Clara leaned into him, his arms tightly wrapping around her. It was the first time Clara had felt like some terrible part of her life was looking up, though the recent events did not help. A wave of sadness washed over her and she sank further into Newt's embrace.

"He saved me. It would've been me," she mumbled, her eyes welling up with tears once again. Newt brushed the hair from her face and rubbed her arm.

"But now you can do what he knew you needed to do. Help us get out of this buggin' Maze."