Left Behind//The Maze Runner

T W E N T Y S I X

Sandy

The last thing I remember was seeing Newt and the others in the bright light. But when I tried to reach out to them it felt blocked. I felt like I was in a large glass box, unable to touch or move around. Then I remember waking up and seeing a bright light shining in my eyes. I remember Toby telling me everything was going to be alright. I was saved.

At least from the Flare.

I don't know how I survived. Toby has explained it so many times. "You landed on top of the rubble, only suffering a minor concussion and a few broken ribs and femur." That was always the explanation, but I could never bring myself to believe it.

Luck, to me, that's all it was. Pure, unadulterated luck.

I come back into reality and stare into Minho's eyes, my heart racing. I've missed him so much. I remember falling in love all over again at the second WICKED compound. I remember the way his eyes lit up when he saw me, the warmth filling my chest. And how he held me as I slept, telling me everything was going to be okay, just like he did when we were kids.

"You look hungry. Do you want anything to eat?" Minho asks, his eyes soft and filled with affection.

A loving smile stretches onto my lips as I nod. "Yeah, that'd be nice," I say, excitement filling me. I can't wait to see everyone again, I've missed them all so much.

We walk along a wooden dock, a gentle ocean breeze blowing around us. My bare legs start to grow goosebumps, making me shiver. Minho wraps his arm around me, pulling me closer to him, my whole body filling with warmth and excitement.

Man, I've missed this.

A bubbling feeling grows in my stomach. This is the first time in two years I'm going to see my twin brother, Griffin. I turn to Minho, stopping us from walking as I take his hands in mine. "It's been two years since I saw everyone, I don't want it to be weird,"

"Everyone here, who knows you, already loves you. They'll be thrilled to see you again." He says, flashing me one of his debonaire smiles.

I let out a soft giggle, lacing our fingers together, his hand giving mine a gentle squeeze. We walk down the stairs and onto the grass, meeting with Thomas.

"Hey shuckface!" I say, engulfing Thomas in a hug, pulling back with a bright smile on my lips.

"I'm glad to have you back shank." He says, softly clapping my shoulder.

"I can't believe I'm here." I smile as I look around at the beauty of the Safe Haven.

Beautiful mountains are cascading behind the camp. Tons of people are bustling around, a few in the gardens, others around what looks like a makeshift kitchen. The rest are gathered around a large fire pit, seating for everyone set up behind it.

I wish Newt could've seen this.

I miss him so much. Every day since I lost him I've thought about him. He was my best friend. He was always there for me, and when we went to find Minho he protected me with everything in him. He was like a brother.

One of the guys I was friends with back in Denver helped me through my mourning. His name was Lucca and we grew so close in the six months I knew him. He helped me learn that Newt wouldn't want me to sit around and mourn, he would want me to live my life and be happy, so that's what I did.

We make our way to the crowd gathered around the fire pit. There is a fire lit, the flames flicking around in the wind. My eyes move around the crowd as I hope to see if I can spot Aris, Sonya, or Harriet. Instead, I see Brenda sitting with Frypan in front of the fire, both of them laughing, a newfound joy seeping from their faces.