Day 4

Thomas POV

Thomas stared at Newt's back as they walked back to where the rest of the Glade were waiting. He knew that Newt would be upset with him for running into the maze. They had discussed it before, discussions that often transformed into heated arguments, how he was forbidden to enter the maze. So when he began to scold him, he was not in the slightest surprised. And Thomas noticed another thing. Newt didn't really say in words that he was not allowed back into the maze. He didn't necessarily say "you're forbidden to enter the maze" exactly, just that he could not enter because other Glader's disapproved and that it was against the rules. Instead, he only spouted excuses that the Glade wouldn't like it, not whether he did or not.

Thomas knew if he wanted to learn more about the maze, he had to go back out there. He just hoped that after this meeting, things would swing his way. Although he doubted it would. But first, before anything, he needed to convince Newt. Thomas knew that he'd regret his actions later on, but he was practically desperate. He was going to resort to begging if he had to. He needed to make sure that Newt would help him become a runner. After all, he was the leader with Alby being out of commission. And after their argument, Thomas knew that his relationship with Newt was altering. He didn't really understand how and where it was heading to, but that it was heading in a direction where he knew that it would be advantageous to him in this situation. Later, he would analyze and evaluate the status of it.

"Newt..." He began.

"What?" The scrawny blond didn't turn and continued walking.

He wondered if he was still mad at him. Thomas scratched the back of his neck and sighed. This was going to be difficult.

"Before we go in, I want to make sure of something."

"And what is that?" Newt replied stiffly, still avoiding eye contact.

"I need to know that you'll convince them that I didn't intentionally wanted to break the rules and convince Gally "

Newt sharply turned toward him."But you did! You did break the rules!" He yelled. Newt stepped closer to him, eyes narrowing.

Thomas tried not to flinch and remain composed. Was he really that upset with him for going into the maze? Numerously Thomas had told him how eager he was to go inside the maze, it wasn't a surprise. Okay... he did run in mindlessly and spent overnight stuck in a maze full of metal beasts, but he still thought Newt was bit on the overreacting side.

"And what makes you think you're in any position to bargain?" Newt continued.

Thomas stared at the blond boy. He was right, of course. After his trip in the maze and breaking the rules, he bet that no one in the glade trusted him anymore. Maybe everyone but Chuck. He hoped Newt was also another. He needed him on his side the most. As a friend and for support. But his reaction so far was starting to worry him. Thomas knew he couldn't just enter the meeting room and find out that he was not allowed into the maze anymore. For some reason, Thomas knew he had Minho's support and that he'll vouch for him. But most importantly, he also wanted Newt's support.

"Newt, please. Just think about it." Thomas pleaded. "You know as well as I do that we can't keeping living like this. Surrounded by maze walls and trapped. If running around the maze hasn't led to anyone finding a way out after three whole years, then maybe fighting the grievors is our only shot. I know it."

"How?"

"How? What do you- "

"How do you know that's our only shot, Tommy? Tell me!"

Thomas wanted to tell him right then about the memories and dreams he kept having that have been confusing him since he got there, but he didn't want to risk it. Not after he got this far into the process of convincing him. Thomas knew that Newt would probably think he was lying if he told him, since no one in the Glade remembered anything beside their names.

"I just know." Thomas muttered lamely, silently begging him not question him any farther. "Please, Newt. I need to know you got my back in there."

Don't make me beg, Newt!

Newt crossed his arms and then ruffled his blond hair with a faint grimace. He uncrossed his lanky arms and finally answered him. "Fine. Fine, dammit! But I could only do so much so- "

Thomas beamed brightly. Without thinking, he pulled Newt into a fierce hug, cutting him off. Since the beginning of their argument, he was worried that Newt wouldn't listen to him. Knowing that he was going to help him, Thomas felt beyond pleased.

Muttering his thanks into Newt's exposed neck, Thomas felt him freeze in his embrace.

"T- Tommy, w -what the hell " Newt spluttered, shoving against him and trying to get away. Only then did Thomas realize his embarrassing reaction. In a heart beat, he released him and stepped back hastily.

"Right, sorry..."

"Y- Yeah."

Awkwardly, they avoided each other's gazes. Inwardly, Thomas cursed himself while his heart pounded frantically in his chest. Well there you go, he just fucked things up. Now he'd definitely think he was crazy. Maybe he was.

"Sorry." Thomas mumbled quickly, "I, uh, just thank you."

Before Newt could respond, the door to the meeting room flew open. Winston's face popped behind the door.

"Oh, there you are Newt! We were waiting for you. Gally is getting impatient and the others were wondering if something happened." Winston exclaimed cheerfully, unaware of the tense atmosphere between the boys.

"Nothing happened. I was just talking to Tommy." Newt reassured him and Thomas exhaled silently. He was relieved to hear him call him Tommy again, and that he didn't screw up things between them. As he followed Newt into the room, he wondered what in his damn mind made him initiate the hug. They were friends, were they not? Best friends even. And he was sure that hugging your best friend was absolutely normal. And yet...why did it feel like it was not? He chose not to think about it. For now.

Thomas watched Newt move to stand in the middle of the large room. Despite his scrawny body and five feet eight inches height, he seemed to echo an aura of authority in the room. He was still wearing his saddle with his attached weapons on his backside. The calm, stoic expression he usually wore was back on his face as he regarded everyone in the room with seriousness. Thomas sat on one of the crates, away from the other gladers. Thomas could tell that at least half of them were sending him wary glances, while Gally was making his hatred and distrust obvious with his deathly glares he was shooting across the room.

Couple of seconds later, Minho sauntered over and sat next to him. Thomas nodded hello to him as he sat down.

"Alright." Newt began. "As you all know by know, Alby has been stung and- "

"And Greenie managed to kill a fucking grievor." Gally intercepted darkly. "Not to mention he broke the rules!" Newt frowned, hating to be interrupted.

"I know, let me -"

Thomas glanced at Gally's red face and knew he wasn't going to back down. Newt being the leader or not. It seemed that it did not matter to Gally, for he continued rambling.

"No. No! I'm done with acting like everything is okay." Gally jabbed his finger toward Newt, nostrils flaring. "Because things haven't been okay since he got here!" Gally shot Thomas another glare that made him squirm in his seat.

Thomas awkwardly watched them. He wanted to defend himself but he couldn't. Not when every time someone got stung, the first thing they did was blame him of all people! How would he defend himself against such evidence? Not to mention how he did break the rules, irrational behavior or not. Helping Minho and saving Alby, it seemed that both incidents hardly weighed anything against his rule breaking. He was screwed.

"Calm down, Gally." Newt raised both his hands, palms outward. "We're- "

"Don't tell me to calm down, dammit Newt!" Gally interrupted roughly. Stomping in front of Newt, he shoved his face near his, teeth blaring. "Ever since this shuck got here, shit has been happening! He doesn't follow the rules! Remember the rules? Rules that kept us all together and in check? What would Alby say if he was awake? As second- in- command, you of all people should know how important they are!" He growled with frustration. The rest of the boys in the room watched the exchange silently.

Thomas noticed Minho shift restlessly beside him. "Fine!" Newt spoke through his teeth, not intimidated by the boy's height and steaming anger. "He shouldn't have broken the rules, but arguing right now won't fix anything!"

"I say..." Gally stepped back, nodding toward Thomas. "We punish him. We can't just let that shuck face strut around and break the damn rules all the time!"

"If he didn't break them, I would have been dead and wouldn't have been able to bring Alby back." Minho stood up suddenly. Thomas looked up at him in surprise. He knew that Minho would side with him, but he didn't think he would actually defend him.

Minho saw him gaping and winked. Gally gawked. "You too, Minho? So what are you saying? That it's okay to break the rules now?"

Minho scoffed. "Of course not, but I don't think we should punish him. I don't know about you, but this guy saved my ass. And did more than any of us Runners did in one damn night. He killed a fucking grievor, Gally." The Asian boy exclaimed in excitement.

Gally did not share the excitement, since he began to shake his head with a disdain, unimpressed look. His face was set in stone showing complete rage.

Thomas noticed it. "Um Minho, I don't think- " He blubbered nervously, only for his voice to be overshadowed by Gally's.

"We're not supposed to be killing those monsters, you idiot!" Gally hollered, clenching his fists. "This goes against everything we know! We've been coexisting with them and we survived this long. But killing one? This changes everything and we don't know if it's a good thing! Everything that has been happening here started ever since he got here! What if killing one of them makes things worse? How do we know that killing them is the right thing?" The boys in the meeting room fell silent, digesting his words.

Newt stepped back and crossed his arms. His eyes lowered in concentration. Thomas watched him and then looked at Minho who slumped back down on the crate beside him.

Finally, Newt interrupted the silence. "You're right, Gally." He said. "Thomas should be punished."

Gally's mouth fell open in disbelief. Then, his shoulders sagged in relief after noticing Newt's serious expression which automatically told him he finally yielded.

"He broke the rules. We can't let him just do that freely and get away with it." He said dangerously.

Thomas's shoulder slumped. He felt betrayed. Hurt. He tried to meet the blond boy's eyes, but they remained planted on Gally and everyone else but him. Newt rubbed his arms, a habit Thomas began to notice in him when he was in deep thought.

"You're right. We can't have anyone just break the rules just because they want to. And we can't have non-runners running around in the maze without permission. I'm not sure if I agree with you on whether or not grievors should be killed, but like you said, Tommy broke the rules and has to be punished." Newt said calmly.

Gally grunted appreciatively, obviously pleased with Newt's small speech. Thomas couldn't believe it! He was siding with Gally, even after he promised that he'd help him out. Why? "So as punishment..." Newt continued with a fixed look, surveying the room before continuing. "One night in the pit. No food." He blurted.

Gally kicked a nearby crate in protest. "What? No, Newt! You think that will stop him from going out in the maze again? At least make it a week to teach him a lesson!"

Newt shook his head, frowning. "I wasn't done. I'm also making him a runner. It's against the rules for non-runners to go in the maze, so I decided that by tomorrow..." He turned around and looked at Thomas. Thomas sat up straighter, extremely shocked at the sudden turn of events. "...You're a Runner."

Gally cursed out loud and began to spout more complaints. While other gladers stared in shock, Chuck looked happy. Minho clamped him on the back with a cheerful smile. Thomas kept staring at Newt. Over the sounds of chatter and Gally's frustrations, Thomas peered at the blond boy with grateful look. He wanted to get up and hug him like before, but quickly dismissed that idea. Mentally, he crossed hugging off an invisible list. Instead, he settled on expressing his emotions through words.

"Thanks, Newt." He said quietly. Newt didn't reply. He just rubbed his arms and lowered his eyes.

Thomas thought he heard him mumble, "Don't make me regret it", but he wasn't sure. The meeting room was too loud.

Day 4: Night

For the night, Thomas was tossed into the pit. Just like the punishment was decided, he wasn't given any food that night. Despite his stomach's grumbling, he didn't care. What mattered to him at that moment was the fact that he was now a Runner. A Runner. Just like Minho, he had access into the maze. Freely.

Thomas was beyond grateful Newt followed through with his promises, even after all the desperate convincing from his side and Newt's stubbornness. In the dark, Newt sat against the walls of the pit and recalled how he was thrown in here the first day he got here. He was about to doze off when he started to see images flutter in his mind. Hospital bed. Someone calling his name. A voice of a woman. Water. A laboratory. And then darkness. He was awoken by the sound of someone hissing. Thomas was pulled from his dreams.

Sitting up, he squinted up at the entrance of the pit. It was Chuck. Chuck had stopped by and snuck him an apple. He threw it inside between the holes of the wooden door. Thomas caught the green apple easily.

Eternally grateful for befriending such a sweet kid, he thanked the boy earnestly. "Man, I can't believe you defeated a grievor." The boy said in awe after awhile.

Figures that he'd still be obsessing over that. Thomas couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "I'm not sure if that's something I should be proud of anymore."

"What? Of course! That's bad ass!" Chuck cried in disagreement. "Is it because what Gally said? Gally is just jealous, don't listen to him."

Thomas took a bite from the apple and just nodded with a nonchalant shrug. "I don't want to get on that dude's bad side." Thomas admitted, chewing. "I think after today, he's going to be on my ass more than he was before."

Chuck agreed. "I guess. But I wouldn't worry about him. He can't do anything since he isn't the leader. Newt is the leader now."

Thomas took another bite of the apple and mumbled, "Thank god for that." Chuck grinned. "But watch out. You don't want everyone to think that Newt is giving you special attention just because he is the leader and you two are chummy together."

Thomas spit out chewed pieces of apple in response, choking a bit. Immediately, he regretted his actions after realizing he just wasted precious food. But Chuck's words took priority and he needed to address that. "WE. ARE. NOT. CHUMMY!" Thomas denied, sitting up and eyeing the boy in frustration. "And he isn't giving me special attention." He added in clarification, frowning a bit.

What gave him that idea?! Things were already awkward between him and Newt as it is. He didn't need to add any more confusion on top of things!

"Whatever you say, Tommy." Chuck rolled his eyes and giggled childishly.

Thomas scowled. " Don't call me Tomm- "

"Why?" Chuck interrupted in amusement. For the first time, Thomas had an unbearable urge to strangle that boy. "Only Newt is allowed to call you that?"

"I'm only allowed to call him what?" Someone with a British accent drawled from behind Chuck.

Both Thomas and Chuck yelped in surprise. Thomas knew that voice anywhere. Newt came from behind Chuck and knelt down beside him, looking down at Thomas in the pit.

"I was saying -"

"Hey, Newt!" Thomas quickly interrupted Chuck before he could embarrass him any further. "What brings you here?"

Newt raised an eyebrow, eyes flitting between Chuck and Thomas. Apparently he decided not to question their previous conversation and missed the glares Thomas was sending to Chuck secretly.

He answered his question. "I came to talk to you." Newt replied. "But first, I want to ask...How's the pit?" He asked slyly.

Thomas groaned. He hoped Newt didn't come here to tease him too! "Oh, just cozy. Would you like to join me?" Thomas said sarcastically.

"No thanks." Newt smirked. "Then that wouldn't be quite a punishment, now would it?" Thomas rolled his eyes and shook his head lightly.

"Why? I actually think being stuck here with you would be punishment." Thomas cracked an amused smile.

"Well, I disagree." Newt returned his smile, eyes dancing. "I have yet to see you complain once every time we hung out together. You crave my company, admit it."

"Trust me, I haven't said anything because I didn't want to hurt your feelings." He denied heartlessly, trying to hide another smile.

"Ow. You wound me, Tommy." Newt pretended his heart was just stabbed, clutching his chest.

Thomas chuckled. "You'll survive."

"I'm sure I will. It is you who is in the cold, dark pit alone, not me."

"I already asked if you wanted to join me, idiot."

Holy shit, w- were they flirting? Chuck seemed to think so. They almost forgot he was there.

"Well...I'll leave you two to release your pent up sexual frustration. Bye!" And he jogged away, leaving them alone.

Thomas choked on his tongue, while Newt blushed a deep shade of red and scowled back at Chuck. Clearing his throat, Thomas decided that it was a good time to change the subject.

"So...what did you come here to ask me?" He asked casually. Newt twisted to look back at him.

"Oh...yeah. I just came to check up on you and tell you Alby hasn't woken up yet." Thomas cringed, remembering the last time he saw Alby. This is all your fault. His harsh words rung in his head and Thomas grimaced.

Sighing, he slumped down on the hard floor of the pit.

Newt watched him with a concerned expression. "Something wrong?" Thomas folded his hands together and decided he might as well tell him what he was hiding.

"Remember what Alby said when he woke up?" Thomas began, his voice unsure. Would he believe him? Newt curled his fingers around the wooden twigs of the caged door and furrowed his brows.

"Yeah, I do. What are you getting at?" "N -Newt..." Thomas looked up at him. "I think...I think Alby and Ben was right. This...what is going on...I think it is my fault."

Newt stared at him in surprise. "What the bloody hell you mean it's your fault, Tommy?"

"I know you won't believe me, but I have been getting my memories back." Thomas explained. "I get these visions and I see myself in them and I just know that this maze and everything in it, that I'm somehow involved. I still don't know how much I'm involved, but I know I am. It's weird. I keep getting these flashes in my head and I see myself doing things and..." He trailed off, swallowing hard.

Newt clenched his jaw.

"Newt, I think i'm one of them." Thomas admitted, biting his lower lip and his shoulders sagged. It felt relieving to finally tell someone. To get it off his chest. He couldn't stop blaming himself for everything that happened. What Gally said, it was true. It was his fault that gladers were getting stung because he was somehow involved in this mess. Which is one reason why he wanted to become a Runner so terribly.

"It doesn't matter." Newt's warm voice broke into his thoughts and Thomas looked up at him sharply.

"What?"

"It doesn't matter. Anything of it." Newt's brown eyes pierced his. "Because what we were before, what life we had, it's gone now. Instead of dwelling on who we were before, we should focus on who we are now. And what we do from now on." Once again, Newt proved it to him how much of a great leader he was. He always knew the right words to say.

"I know that, but..." Thomas drifted off, doubtful.

"Tommy. You're a Runner now." Newt pressed on with determination. "You need to focus on getting us out of here, remember? Stop thinking on who were before and what you did, and think about what you're going to do from hereon."

Thomas nodded, caving in. "Yeah, I guess you're right." Newt stood up and brushed the back of his pants. It was dark, but Thomas could still make out the blondish color of his ruffled hair and make out the expression on his face. It was now calm and composed again.

"I know you're going to run out into the maze the next chance you get..."Newt began. "Probably as soon as you're out of the pit." He pursed his lips, looking at him with his calculating eyes. Thomas didn't say anything. He was right.

"But at least promise me that you won't do something stupid like get yourself killed."

A sly smile crossed Thomas's face. He was tired, but he couldn't help taking a swipe at him. "Why? Will you cry if I did?" He asked mockingly.

"You wish." Newt smirked and walked back. Still smiling, Thomas closed his eyes. That night, he dreamt of the dark shadows of the maze, the clicking sounds of the grievors, and the silhouette of a scrawny blond boy.

End Day Four.