Minho's POV:
Ben was gone. He had been gone ever since he'd been stung by that shuck Griever. Sighing, he bandaged the fist the he had banged against the closed Maze walls and dumped his dirty clothes on the floor. He slipped into a fresh white shirt and less ratty pants and slipped into his hammock. Maria, Ben, Nick, George. They were all gone. And Minho couldn't do a damn thing about it.
Lizzy's POV:
I rolled out of my hammock and glanced around the empty room searching for Ben when I realized that he was dead. No. He could've survived the night in the Maze. Groaning, I jogged over to the showers, checking to see if it was empty before slamming the creaky door shut and diving into the shower. I mumbled something about how they needed to add a lock or I'd kill them.
I scrubbed at my body and let the water pour down, hoping that it would wash away the pain from my body. Of course, it didn't fucking work. I dried my hair with a towel, pushing it back into a messy bun, and then slipped into a black breezy shirt and leggings. Mourning clothes. I stared at myself in the small mirror that was hung up above the sink and sighed. My eyes were red and anyone could've guessed that I'd been crying. It didn't matter anyway. Nothing could fill the dark hole that rested in my chest.
"Shit! I'm sorry, Lizzy! I didn't know you were in here!" I heard someone yell behind me and turned around to see a flustered Thomas. I gave him a tired smile and gathered up all my clothes.
"It's okay, Thomas. I'm already done," I said and started to walk by him when he grabbed my arm and turned me to face him.
"I'm…I'm really sorry, Lizzy. I know that you probably hate me, but I just want you to know that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything," Thomas groaned and put his head in his hands. I tossed my clothes to the side and shook my head.
"No, Thomas. I think that I've finally realized something. Ben was still Ben but he wasn't at the same time, if that makes any sense. But if he was here, he wouldn't want you beating yourself over something that wasn't even remotely your fault. And Ben told me…he told me he was sorry," I gave Thomas a weak smile, gathered my clothes, and fled back to my room.
Minho's POV:
It was morning. Shuck it. The Keeper of the Runners smoothed his hair and slung his pack over his shoulders and started to jog over to the Maze doors, where Alby was waiting for him. Newt stood to the side with a grim expression and ruffled hair.
"Hey," Minho muttered as he got close to them.
"Minho, you shouldn't have to do this. Okay, I get that Ben was your friend," Newt frowned.
"No. We should track him down. I can't treat Ben any differently than the other boys that were stung," Minho replied, patting his best friend on the shoulder and jogged into the Maze with Alby.
Lizzy's POV:
I wandered into the kitchen, ignoring the pitying stares and headed towards Frypan. Minho apparently had instructed me to not run into the Maze today. He probably thought that I would jump off one of the walls or something. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed a plate from Frypan and sat down at an empty table to eat. Fortunately, nobody stopped by. Good. I wanted to be alone. After I'd eaten, I wandered into the Med-hut in hopes that I could talk to someone without tearing up.
There was only one person in there: Newt. He glanced up at me and then back down to his papers and then back at me.
"Lizzy," he yelped and sprung out of his chair. "Are you hurt? Are you alright?"
I pulled away from him and frowned, "Well, let's see. My boyfriend was stung by a Griever because I couldn't even fucking protect him. Then he went through the Changing, and I thought he was okay, but he wasn't. And then he attacked me and Thomas and then got put in the Slammer. AND THEN AFTER A WONDERFUL TALK WITH HIM, HE WAS FUCKING BANISHED NEWT. SO TELL ME! AM I SUPPOSE TO BE OKAY!?"
I was surprise at myself, but even more surprised when Newt slapped me.
"Shuck it! I'm sorry, Lizzy. You were just getting a little crazy there," Newt gasped and held his cheek to my hand.
"Fuck off," I growled and shoved him away from me.
"God damnit Lizzy! He was my shucking friend too, okay? So you are not the only one going through crap right now!" I started to cry. Fuck it. I was so weak. Newt tried to hug me, but I pushed him away.
"I'm sorry, Liz," Newt whispered and crumbled onto the bed and put his head in his hands.
I managed to say in between sobs, "No. It's not your fault, Newt. And I know you were his friend, and I'm sorry that I'm so weak and can't do shit anymore."
Newt crinkled his eyebrows and said, "What? Lizzy…you're not worthless. You're brave and smart and kind and..and beautiful." I looked up when he said that and saw that the blonde boy was crying. Newt continued on and held my hand, "Lizzy, you're good at everything and you're so incredibly brave. I could never be like you."
"But Newt, the thing is bravery isn't everything. I couldn't save Ben. I couldn't even save Maria and Rosa. Shit, I couldn't protect Thomas either. But Newt, the way you lead the Glade sometimes..you're an amazing leader, which is something I could never be," I croaked. Newt gathered me into a hug and whispered two words.
"Thank you."
Thomas's POV:
He approached Lizzy wearily, who was sitting cross-legged next to Newt and Chuck. It was raining, which was apparently a weird thing for the Gladers. It had never rained before. He glared at Gally before sitting down next to Lizzy and Chuck.
"Hey there," the brown-haired girl smiled and nudged him. Thomas smiled and nudged her back.
"Newt, where are they?" Lizzy asked. Newt shook his head and resumed his solid position against the post and watching the doors. I glanced at Lizzy and then back down at the ground. Why was everything so fucked up?
Sorry for being so late and a short chapter. More will come tomorrow! I promise!