Exhausted, I rest myself against a rugged oak tree, sighing as I knock my head back against the rough bark. A blanket of leaves hovers above me, shading me from the beating sun. I slouch down to the forest floor, blades of grass prickling my legs as I release a loud sigh. A sudden flash of silver grabs my attention.

Beetle blades, Newt told me about them. Some of the Gladers suspect the Creators send them to spy on us, no-one knows for sure. Their small body and spindly legs make running an easy task, so catching one is next to impossible, but the red glow from their eyes makes identifying them an easy task. The beetle blade sprints away, disappearing into the Deadheads.

"Heya Tammie,"

I cock my head to the side as Newt lingers beside me, slouching against a tree, "Oh, hey Newt..." pausing for a second, I continue, "...did you need something?"

"Nah, just checkin' up on ya. You all right?" He asks, easing himself down to the ground.

"Well, I am trapped in a giant Maze, stuck with some maniac serial killer, with no memory of who I am apart from my name which is fun." I state sarcastically before continuing, "Seriously though, I'm actually pretty good, settling in quite well. It gets a little bit easier every day, you?"

Newt shifts his gaze towards the ground, then back up to the Maze walls, "Alrigh', I guess, but, uh, sometimes it just feels hopeless, ya know? Like there's no way out of here." Newt stops, a moment of silence filling the air.

He creases his brow slightly, taking in a shuddering breath, "You're a, uh, a really good friend, ya know that?"

"Thanks..." I respond hesitantly, "...are you okay? You seem a bit on edge."

"Yeah, uh, fine," he scoffs, "Just thought I should tell ya, never know when you'll get the chance." Pushing himself up from the ground, Newt clears his through while continuing, "Anyway, um, I should get back to work, see ya around, I guess."

"Yeah..." I say as Newt walks back over to the gardens. My eyes stay glued to him as he disappears into the distance. Suspicion lurks in the back of my mind, an unsettling shiver coursing through my veins.

Shoving the thought from my mind, I rise from the ground, heading towards the Homestead. It does not take long to arrive, considering how close the Deadheads are to the Homestead. Knocking back the rugged door, I step inside.

A smile flashes across my face as I notice the empty bucket lying on the floor, Fry and Chuck must have forgotten to move it after yesterday. The winding staircase makes a loud creak as Gally rushes down it, dashing towards the other door at the end of the hallway.

"Gally? What are you doing?"

"Nothing," he mumbles before bursting out the door. "Whatever..." I mutter as I waltz to the rickety stairs, climbing upwards.

A crack of light sneaks through a broken window at the end of the hall, which is about the same size as downstairs. A stained, white sheet drapes down from a couple of nails on a wall to the right, covering an empty doorway. I wrench it to one side, dust flying off and swirling through the air. Hammocks swing down from the roof, scattered randomly from the wooden beams above me.

Most of the Keepers sleep here at night, along with me and a handful of the runners. Alby stays in a different room though, benefits of being the leader I guess, but most of the Gladers sleep outside. I trudge towards my hammock at the far end of the room, throwing myself on top of it. Slowly sinking into the material, something digs into my back.

Reaching for it with my hand, I try to manoeuvre it from under myself, something like a frayed rope brushing against my fingers. I tug at it, pulling it out. A square of carved, ivory wood attaches to a circle of rope, tied off at one end. It looks to be hand-crafted, with deep grooves running through the wood in a unique pattern, the same as the Maze walls.

A necklace of the Maze? Who would...Gally. There are not many builders in the Glade, even less that I know, and the only one that just left the Homestead.

"Who gave you that?" Chuck asks in a teasing manner, suddenly appearing from behind one of the other hammocks.

I quickly stuff the necklace into my pocket, clearing my throat, "Doesn't matter, Chuck." Eager to change the subject, I continue, "Where'd you come from?"

"Oooh, Gally gave you that, didn't he?" He prys, rubbing his hands together mischievously.

I furrow my brow, "What?"

"I saw him come up here earlier, sneaking around..." He says, dramatically darting his eyes across the room.

Taken back, I scoff before continuing, "Sounds like you're the one whose been sneaking, Chuckie..." I pause for a second, "...speaking of, what exactly are you doing here?"

Letting out a puff of air, he sighs, slopping down on the edge of one of the hammocks, "Well, I was tryin' for the gardens, and Zart said he needs fertilizer, from the forest..."

"And?" I interject, not fully understanding what he is getting at.

Chuck continues, "...well, some of the others were saying that there's a monster or something out there, but if I don't go..."

"...then you'll probably end up in the slammer for slacking off. So you want me to get it?" I ask, raising one eyebrow, "Fine, I guess."

"Really?" Chuck's face lights up with excitement, "Thank you!"

This is the last favour I am doing for Chuck, next time he can get his own fertilizer. This place gives me the creeps. With the sun beginning to fade, darkness starts to blanket the ground. Ducking beneath the overhanging branches, I spot the fertilizer pile in the distance. Quickening my pace, I proceed to make my way over.

I jolt my muscles to a stop, freezing in place. A shadow lurks in the trees, unmoving. I step closer, wincing with every step. My stomach churns as I approach, a rope hanging from the boy's neck. I dash towards him, covering my mouth and nose with my hand. Taking a final breath, I look up to the boy's face.

Newt.