The Maze Runner (Thomas X Reader)

Chapter 8: Return

"Thomas!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.

He slipped through the wall and fell into my arms once it closed squishing the griever behind us. We both panted relaxing after what we had just gone through. He looked up at me and paused. Then, he backed away dusting himself off and looked back into my eyes.

"Whew," he exhaled.

"Are you alright?" I asked concerned.

"Yeah, you?"

"Yeah, just worn out," I replied.

"Me too," he said glancing back to the squished griever in the wall.

"Let's get Alby and head back," I said turning.

He nodded and followed me to where Alby was hanging. He was still unconscious and untouched so Thomas and I worked hard to get him down safely. Luckily we did, and tried to find our way out of the maze. The sun slowly rose above the walls, and we had light to see. We carried him with his arms draped our shoulders, and soon found the exit where Chuck was standing in amazement that we were alive.

"Yeah! Yes! They're back!" Chuck said throwing his fist in the air.

Everyone turned around to see me and Thomas carrying Alby back to the Glade. I was relieved to see that green grass, and to see all my friends. We got to the Glade and set Alby down on the cool grass. Newt put his arm on my shoulder and I stood. He immediately hugged me around the waist tightly and his heart pounded like a thousand drums.

"I thought you wouldn't come back," he chuckled in my neck.

I lightly laughed and parted the hug. His face was excited, but then I focused onto Alby and Thomas.

"What happened out there?" one boy asked.

"How did you guys make it out?" another one asked.

The med-jacks came and observed Alby as Chuck asked:

"You guys saw a griever?"

Thomas looked up, "Yeah, we saw one,"

"He didn't just see it. He killed it," I responded.

Everyone's faces lit up with surprise until Gally came over.

We all gathered at a corner building since Gally was upset that Thomas ran into the maze when he wasn't supposed to. We all sat resting and talking about what happened.

"Things are changing," Gally started, "There's no denying that. First, Ben gets stung in broad daylight, and then Alby. And now our Greenie, here, has taken it upon himself to go into the maze. Which is a clear violation of  our rules here,"

"Yeah, but he saved Alby's life, and Y/n's," Frypan said.

"Did he?" Gally retorted. 

Newt gave a cold glance to Gally.

"For three years, we have coexisted with these things. And now, you've killed one of them," he said pointing his finger towards Thomas, "Who knows what that could mean for us,"

"What do you suggest we do?" Newt asked.

"He has to be punished," Gally said shrugging his shoulders.

Most of the boys in the room protested Thomas' punishment including me. It was unfair. Then, Newt looked towards me with his brown eyes and said:

"Y/n. You were there with him. What do you think?"

Everyone turned to me awaiting my answer.

"I think, in all the time we've been here, no one has ever killed a griever before," Thomas looked at me hoping I wouldn't be harsh, "When I saw that griever around the corner, I tried to run. But he convinced me to stay and help Alby. I have no idea if he's brave or stupid. But whatever it is, we need more of it. I say... we make him a runner,"

All the boys roared in confusion as Newt chuckled to himself in disbelief. I looked at Thomas who was sitting just beside me and he was surprised. Once the boys began talking, Gally shushed them with his words.

"If you want to throw the newbie a parade, that's fine. Go ahead. But if there is one thing I know about the maze, it is that you do not-"

Gally was cut off my gears turning. I immediately knew that it was the box coming back up again. Everyone grew silent in confusion, but I ran out to see what it was. Newt followed and everyone else did. As I ran to the box, the doors opened revealing a person inside. It was a girl with dark brown hair. She was still asleep. Newt and I hopped down and opened the gates, and he hopped down to observe her. The rest of the boys gathered around us watching Newt as he looked at her.

"Newt?" I said as I stood waiting for an answer.

"It's a girl," he said looking up, "I think she's dead,"

"What's in her hand?" I asked.

Newt reached down to open her hand and he found a folded piece of paper. once he opened it, it read:

She's the last one. EVER.

"'She's the last one, ever,' What the hell does that mean?" Newt said reading the note.

Once he finished his sentence, her eyes opened wide and she immediately focused on one particular boy.

"Thomas," she breathlessly spoke.

She then rested her head back down onto the floor and shut her eyes unconscious again. All the boys and I looked at Thomas instantly thinking he was hiding something. He looked as confused as we were.

"Do you still think I'm overreacting?" Gally spoke.