Maze Runner Preferances

I'm a dad!

I slammed a manila folder of papers on the desk, the top read Project 3-41: Maze A.

"We are not doing that," I said matter of factly, "do you realize how crazy and inhumane it sounds when you say that out loud?"

Ava Paige glared at me. "I don't remember asking for your opinion, Rose. Go back to your work."

"No!" I shouted. Then I took a deep breath and spoke in a calmer voice. "This is insane, I won't let it happen."

"It is not up to you what does or does not happen!" Ava cried out. "It's already done anyway, there's nothing you can do."

I turned and raced to the launch room where we sent people up into the Maze. The large doors to the shaft were already closed but I tried swiping my key card anyway, it beeped red and the doors stayed shut. I gave it a kick for good measure then ran off to the control room for a peek inside the box, I might even be able to send it back down if I could get past the scientists.

Like I had assumed, the room was packed full but I was able to get a glance at the box camera. I wish I hadn't.

"Bring it down!" I yelled to the entire room. "Dr. Paige's orders! She wants the Box down right away, there was a mistake!"

Just then Ava Paige herself walked into the room. Speak of the devil.

"You will do no such thing!" Ava glared at me. "Come with me, Rose."

"No," I said. "I'm done being a pushover. Bring the Box back down."

Ava shook her head. "I'll give you one last chance, Rose, come with me or face the consequences."

"I said I'm done being your little assistant! I thought WICKED wanted to find a cure, this is just cruel." I gestured to the box screen.

Ava whispered something into her wrist and a few seconds later guards burst into the room, carrying launchers. I had been hit enough times to know it hurts.

"Let's go Rose, stop being difficult," Ava sighed.

I stood up taller, trying not to think of what was in the box. My voice trembled as I spoke. "I'm not going until you bring the box back down."

"Just shoot her."

I felt the bullet hit my chest and I fell down, flailing with electricity. Slowly everything faded into darkness and pain.

Back in the Glade the Box doors had just been opened. A small crying sound filled the air, freezing everyone in their tracks. Then the noise burst out all at once.

"Is that a baby crying?"

"We can't take care of a shuck baby!"

"You're the baby."

"I am so confused."

"I'm a dad!"

"Slim it!" Alby yelled and everyone went quiet except for the baby. "It's not just a baby."

More chatter burst out but Alby ignored them and sent a few Gladers down into the Box. They first brought out a baby carrier. The baby inside was wailing. She had a small pink headband with a flower on and was wrapped in a light pink blanket.

Alby pointed to Newt. "Baby duty."

Newt didn't really know what that meant so he just sat down next to the carrier and gave the baby his hand to play with. The little girl was still crying but held his large hand in her tiny ones the way that babies do, by wrapping their whole hand around one finger.

Next the boys in the Box brought out a woman, sending everyone into a silence except for the cries of the baby. The woman looked about thirty years old, double the age of most of the Gladers. She had shoulder length blonde hair and a fair skin tone. It was obvious that she was the baby's mother, but it was also obvious she was dead.

A knife was stuck in her chest and had dyed her blue blouse red. The killing was recent too, nothing had dried.

"What are we supposed to do?" Clint asked.

"Shut up, I'm thinking." Alby answered. "Just go back to work for now, Baggers, take the body."

Everyone slowly dispersed and went back to their jobs, talking the whole time. No one quite knew what to make of this.

"What do you need me to do?" Newt questioned.

"Watch the baby while I deal with this," Alby said as he walked off with Clint and Jeff.

Newt sighed and smiled at the little girl. "What should I do with you?"

The baby had stopped crying and he stooped to pick her up but noticed something around her neck. It was a string with a little paper note tied to it. The note read, Julia.

"Well, hello there Julia," Newt cooed. "We're gonna be just fine."

Newt picked her up and cradled her close to his chest.

"Just fine."