"I think she's dead."

XI ~ Harriet

Disclaimer: all characters apart from Peyton and Alex belong to James Dashner.

Harriet ran after Alex as everyone stood there in silence, jaws touching the ground. She found her sitting against a thick tree, attempting to hide. Her knees were held up to her chin, her head down. From what Harriet was able to hear, she was stifling her sobs. She knelt down beside her. "Hey Alex."

Alex lifted her head. "What do you want?"

"To see if you're okay."

"Well, now you know my secret," she said. "You happy?"

"Alex." Harriet sat down beside her. "I'm not mad, if that's what you think."

"Why not? I lied to you! Even after Aris and I got mad at you and Sonya for not telling us Sonya has a brother."

"It's fine, really," Harriet said. "I don't blame you for not telling us."

"I was - and still am - in love with Peyton," Alex said. "And she killed herself right in front of me! She died in my arms!"

"I know." Harriet put her arm around Alex. "I can't imagine how that feels."

"And now that I've met Chuck... what if he has the same fate as Peyton?" Alex asked quietly. Harriet shook her head.

"We won't let that happen," she said. "I promise."

"How can you be so sure, Hare?" the Icer asked. "I couldn't stop Peyton. How do we know we'll be able to stop him if he does the same thing?"

"Look - it's clear he won't kill himself," Harriet said. "He's too cheery."

"No one thought Peyton would kill herself," Alex said, "and look at what happened."

The two sat in silence.

Alex said, "I was gonna tell her. I was gonna tell Peyton how I felt. But then she freaking stabbed herself in the chest before I could."

"I know what happened to Peyton, Alex. I think it'll be better to just- forget about it," Harriet suggested.

"What do you mean?"

"When Ximena died, I couldn't stop thinking about her, which led to my poor leadership. But then I did everything I could to stop thinking about her, and then I was able to be the leader that the Icers needed. And you, Alex, you've been dealing with this much better than I dealt with Ximena."

"That's because I hid my pain from everyone. Believe me, I've considered joining her several times."

"'Joining her'?" Harriet asked. "You mean - killing yourself?!"

Alex nodded.

"Lexi-"

"Look, I know, okay? I know I can't do it, Harriet, but that doesn't mean I don't want to!" She stood up. "For months, I slowly fell in love with my best friend. Then when I finally plan to tell her, she kills herself right in front of me and dies in my arms. She'll never know how I feel because she's gone, Harriet. I had months to tell her and I never did. So now I have to live with that guilt until the day I die."

Harriet stood up as well. "You're right. I'll never fully know how you feel, but that doesn't mean I can't help you."

"Help me with what?" Alex yelled. "Getting over Peyton? 'Cause guess what, it's too late for that. I'm never getting over her, okay?"

"I can help you cope-"

"With her death? I've been handling the pain of losing her since she died by myself and I'm fine on my own. I don't need you making this worse than it already is!" Alex turned her back on Harriet and went further into the Deadheads.

Harriet sighed and went back to the Glade. The crowd had dispersed, leaving only a concerned looking Sonya and Aris.

"Well?" Sonya asked.

"I mean, she's upset." Harriet shrugged.

"Obviously," said Aris. "Where is she?"

Harriet pointed towards the Deadheads. "She went further in."

"Should we go get her?" Sonya asked.

"No." Harriet shook her head. "Let's just give her time."

Aris shrugged and went back to the Builders. Sonya and Harriet were left there in silence.

"So how's it going with Newt?" Harriet asked.

"Okay, I guess."

"Sonya," she said warningly. Sonya sighed in defeat.

"I- I don't know," she admitted, then turned to Harriet. "Harriet, for so long, you told me that I don't have a brother and my memories were fake, and now you believe me? After I stayed up for nights on end, trying to remember more to prove you wrong. We have to come to a place with only boys in order for you to believe me. I almost died, Harriet. Now all you care about is proving that Newt's my brother."

"Sonya, I-"

"Just leave me alone. Don't you have some work to be doing?" Without waiting for an answer, Sonya walked towards the Homestead. Harriet sighed and went back to work.