Minho's feet pounded against the bricks. He didn't have to look back to know that the Griever was following him. Instead he pushed forward, his lungs feeling as if they'd burst with every breath. He knew the Maze better than anyone in the Glade, getting lost or turned around wasn't going to be a problem. What he faced was the inevitability of not being faster than a Griever. How do you outrun something that doesn't get tired? He was going to need a new plan, and soon because dying was not in Minho's book of things to do that day. His only option was to somehow loose the fleshy machine.

That girl better be shucking worth this...

He had told Alby that this was a bad idea from the beginning, but Alby never listened to him. He'd had a really bad feeling about bringing the Green Bean into the Maze from the moment that he heard the idea, but his protest fell on deaf ears.

He wasn't sure whether or not he was happy about being right. He was right, and that meant he could shove it in Alby's face, but then again, him being right was also a major problem. He was undecided on that at the moment. He guessed that it would all depend on whether or not he survived to complain to Alby.

Minho stumbled slightly over a brick that stuck up a little more than the others. Cursing internally he continued on, pushing his legs more to carry him faster. His heart was beating outside of his chest, partly from running so hard but he'd be lying if he said that he was afraid of the possible outcome of this supposedly heroic act.

Since when did I decide to be a hero?

Newt POV

There was a state of shock for both of the Gladers as they were left in the aftermath of Minho's courageous and possibly stupid act, however, that was in the eye of the beholder. Since when had Minho ever been one to do something like that?

That wasn't to say that Newt didn't think the Minho was brave. It was quite the opposite in fact, Minho was smart, and what he just did, didn't seem like a smart idea in the long run. Newt could easily rag on Minho for his choice, but in the end, was there really any other way? He stood the best chance against outrunning or outsmarting a Griever...

Could I really say that I wouldn't have done the same?

Joanne was the first to react, "Newt..."

Her breath was heavy as she looked at him with her stunning green eyes, wide open in shock, "what just happened?"

Newt attention regained, he looked down at the girl, noticing the grip that she had on his shirt. He wouldn't have noticed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. In all honesty though, it didn't look like Joanne had realized that she'd done it either. It must have been her immediate reaction to try to comfort herself. He'd been lying if he said he minded...

His inner leadership qualities came forth, as he felt the overwhelming need to calm the girl and take control of the situation.

"It's going to be fine Joan," He said as he took her arm and walked forward, "but we have to get going"

"B-but Minho" She stuttered

"He'll be fine, I promise"

That was a pretty big promise for him to make. Minho stood the best chance of surviving against a Griever, but that didn't mean that the odds where good. He could only hope for the best though.

Joanne POV

She stopped dead in her tracks, surprising the much taller blond.

"You can't possibly know that Newt... We have to help him"

Newt turned to look at her with his piercing eyes, he wasn't angry.. or at least he didn't look it. He still had a grip on her arm, but it wasn't harsh. His touch was always very gentle.

He bent down a little, coming directly face to face with Joanne, and he wrapped his slender fingers around her shoulders.

"Joan, please listen to me" He was so close that she could feel his warm breath on her face, surprisingly it didn't smell bad, which was amazing considering she hadn't seen a single tooth brush since she'd arrived here. "We have to move. If I could do anything to help Minho I would, but there is unfortunately nothing besides obey his last request. If I don't get you out of here and something was to happen to him, he'd haunt me for the rest of my life"

She decided to trust him. She didn't like having to leave someone, but in all honesty what did she know about the Maze… Even if they were going to help, what could they possibly do? She didn't know. Newt knew what was best for this situation and she just had to except that as a fact and go along with what he said.

She dropped her head and the latter released her. Without any more words the duo continued on through the Maze, heading back to the entrance. Joanne could never have figured it out on her own, if they had left her there, she'd never find her way out. It didn't help however, that her thoughts were currently occupied with Minho and his safety.

If she hadn't have gone along with them… would this have happened? Would Minho's life still inevitably be in danger even if she wasn't there? Or was this a product of her joining the Runners.. She supposed that there was always the possibility of something like this happening, but that didn't make her feel any better.

Minho had made a promise to keep her safe, if he had never done that, would he have thought more rationally in those last moments? Newt had said that it was the best possible solution in the given situation, but how could she believe that. Newt had a very genial personality. It was Newt's nature to make people feel comfortable, how could she know that that was the truth.

Speaking of truth, she wanted to cry. Surprise, surprise, but this was all becoming far too overwhelming for her, and she just wanted it to stop. Ever since she'd arrived here, it had just been one thing after another and she was tired. Tired and very scared…

However, looking at Newt made her feel weak. He wasn't crying. How long had he been here, how much shit had been thrown at him, yet he didn't break.

Taking in a deep breath, she sucked in the tears that were threatening to roll down her cheeks. This wasn't the time nor the place to allow venerability to that level. She wouldn't stand a chance.

The surrounding silence was suffocating, as they continued through their own Maze of thoughts, but the silence didn't last for long.

"Joanne…"

The girl stopped in her tracks and turned on her heel, staring down the stone corridor. Nothing was there, yet she'd distinctly heard someone calling her name from behind them. Joanne searched every inch of the Maze that she could see, but there was nothing. Could it be Minho?

"Newt did you hear that?" Joanne asked as she looked back and was shocked to see that the boy wasn't there.

Panic set in at an unbelievable fast rate. She felt her heart drop into the pit of her stomach.

"Newt?" She called, but there was still no reply

She quickly made her way to the end of the corridor, only to find that the Maze branched off into two directions. She swallowed hard, her legs shaking. How could this happen? How did I lose him so fast!

It didn't seem possible to her that she could completely lose track of him in such a short time. She didn't think that it was in him to let her get lost in the Maze. Newt was always so careful, watching everything around him.

Tears began to form in the corner of her eyes but she balled up her fists. Now is REALLY not the time to cry…

She reasoned with herself as she took a deep breath. Just focus on getting out of here and then you can break down all you want.

She went down the right side of the fork in the maze. No real reason, just why not. She focused out breathing as she jogged through the maze, but the air around her seemed to be choking her and it was becoming increasing impossible to silence her pessimistic thoughts. Which was somewhat understandable, considering there wasn't too much optimism in the giving situation.

She just couldn't understand how any of this could have happened. It all seemed to be too much to simply be a coincidence. It didn't matter right now though, none of that did, and it never would if she didn't find a way out of the Maze or find Minho or Newt.

"Joanne…"

There it was again! The voice that she'd heard earlier, it was back, and sounded closer than before. She couldn't help being drawn to it. She tried to follow where it was coming from, and so continued down this path.

She wondered if it could possibly be either Minho or Newt. However it didn't sound right. It sounded familiar, but a type of familiarity from another life…

Nothing made sense… then again that would imply that at some point any of this made sense to her. Joanne could feel a headache coming on as she continued to run, hoping to hear the voice again. It had become the center of her attention. She desperately wanted something to make sense, she was dying for some form of clarity.

No matter what she tried she couldn't find the voice. The headache only got stronger and she held her head in pain. What is happening?!

"I don't understand!" Joanne finally called out, to no one in particular, simply in frustration.

She groaned as she keeled down, clutching her head as she succumbed to the pain. The sudden headache was overwhelming, and it was going to be the straw that broke the camel's back.

"I can't, I can't.." she repeated manically, her whole body shaking.

Joanne just wanted everything to end in that moment, nothing mattered to her anymore, she just wanted everything to stop.

"What the shuck are you doing!"

She felt a hand wrap around her arm and yank her to her feet. Words immediately flew at her but she could barely make sense of any of it. The headache was front and center in her mind…literally.

She was being dragged along by this person, when her vision finally cleared, she saw a very familiar person. Minho…

The headache dulled slightly "I-I.."

"What were you thinking back there Greenie!"

Joanne couldn't reply, she could only look down at their feet, Minho spoke quietly. "You gave up…"

There was silence for what seemed like forever, then Joanne was shoved harshly against the wall by Minho. "You can't do that, you can't give up! You can never give up hope in the Glade, hope is the only thing that we have! Do you hear me Joanne!"

Everything snapped then and there, he was like a shining light that was breaking through her darkness. How could she be so selfish! She'd barely been here and she was already giving up. Minho never gave up. He saved both her a Newt from the Griever, knowing the likelihood of his fate, yet he still did it. He did it because he refused to give up.

Joanne's hands softly pushed him off of her and she took a deep breath. Minho continued to stare at her, trying to figure out whether or not he'd gotten his point through.

"You said my name"

It was Minho's turn to be shocked, "..what?"

Joanne smiled lightly, "that's the first time you've used my real name"

Minho raised an eyebrow, a grin pulling at the side of his mouth. "Don't get used to it Greenbean. Come on, lets get out of here"

I want to say thank you to all of you reading this, I really appreciate the support that I've gotten from all of you. You honestly may not believe that It helps when you get reviews, but Im telling you it does…whether or not you believe me. Also, It is really rewarding to see the favorites and follows slowly growing. You guys are all awesome and I hope that you are still enjoying the story. Remember, If you have any suggestions or questions, DO NOT hesitate to ask! I always love to hear from you guys. A special thanks to animagirl, chocolatelover2girl,Newtie and Bananagrader! Lastly, I am going to be posting a new chapter once a month. I made it a New Years resolution, so ya.

Cheers