Subject A6: The Hope

Chapter 10: Fallen Friends... Part 2

Y/N's POV:

The sight of Ben sprinting past us and into the Deadlands left a chill running down my spine. He looked terrified, haunted almost. Minho and I exchanged a worried glance before we resumed our pace back to the Glade. The evening air felt heavier now, filled with an unspoken tension that none of us could shake off.

As we approached the towering walls that enclosed our sanctuary, I spotted Newt waiting by the entrance, his usual calm demeanor slightly marred by a furrowed brow. His eyes lit up as he caught sight of me, but I could sense his concern lurking beneath the surface.

"Hey, love," Newt greeted softly, his hand instinctively reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "You're back earlier than expected."

"Yeah, Ben... he ran straight into the Deadlands," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. Newt's expression hardened briefly before he nodded, his grip on my hand tightening ever so slightly.

"We'll talk about it later," he said, his voice steady despite the underlying worry. "Right now, let's get you something to eat."

Minho and I followed Newt towards the communal area where the other Gladers were already gathered for dinner. Chuck waved excitedly at us from across the room, oblivious to the tension that hung in the air. I forced a smile in his direction before settling down next to Newt, Minho taking a seat opposite us.

Dinner passed in a blur of subdued conversations and uneasy glances. Every now and then, someone would mention Ben's sudden sprint into the Deadlands, but no one dared to dwell on it for long. It was as if acknowledging it too deeply would invite the same fear into our own hearts.

After dinner, Newt and I retreated to a quieter corner of the Glade, away from the prying eyes and murmured whispers. He pulled me into a reassuring embrace, his arms warm and comforting around me.

"Are you alright?" he murmured against my hair, his voice laced with concern. I leaned into him, seeking solace in his familiar presence.

"Yeah, just... shaken," I admitted quietly. "I don't understand what could have driven Ben to do that."

Newt sighed, his fingers tracing gentle circles on my back. "None of us do," he said softly. "But whatever it is, we'll figure it out together."

I nodded, finding comfort in his words. Despite the uncertainties that loomed over us, being with Newt made me feel safe. He was my anchor in this ever-shifting reality of the Maze, a reminder of hope amidst the chaos.

As the night stretched on, Newt and I stayed intertwined, finding solace in each other's presence. The world outside the Glade may have been filled with unknown dangers and mysteries, but here, in Newt's arms, I found a sanctuary that no Maze walls could breach.

Tomorrow, we would face whatever challenges the Maze threw at us. But for now, in the quiet embrace of the Glade and in Newt's unwavering love, I found a fleeting moment of peace.

The following day brought an eerie silence to the Glade. Ben's disappearance into the Deadlands had shaken everyone, but what came next shattered whatever fragile peace remained.

It started with a distant commotion, growing louder with each passing second. Newt and I exchanged worried looks before hurrying towards the source of the disturbance. As we reached the edge of the Glade, we found Thomas staggering back, blood streaming from a wound on his arm. Ben was on him, eyes vacant and wild, teeth bared in a feral snarl.

"Ben, stop!" Newt's voice cut through the chaos, but Ben seemed beyond reason. With a collective effort, we managed to pry him off Thomas, but not before he sank his teeth into Thomas's flesh. Panic swept through the Gladers as Thomas collapsed, clutching his arm in agony.

The truth hit us like a thunderbolt. Ben was stung. Infected by the Maze, driven mad by the Griever venom coursing through his veins. The Gladers gathered around, their expressions a mix of fear and sorrow. Ben, once a friend, now a threat.

"He needs to be banished," Alby's voice broke the tense silence. His words echoed through the clearing, met with murmurs of agreement. The decision was swift, harsh, but necessary. Ben was dragged away, his screams fading into the distance as he disappeared into the Maze, never to return.

I stood there, numb with shock. Ben, who had been a part of our makeshift family, was gone. A victim of this cruel, unforgiving place we called home. Tears stung my eyes as I thought of all the memories we shared, the laughter and camaraderie that had once filled the Glade.

Newt's arms wrapped around me, pulling me close as if trying to shield me from the pain. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "I know how close you were."

"He was my friend," I choked out, clinging to Newt as grief threatened to overwhelm me. "And now..."

"We'll get through this," Newt promised, his fingers gently brushing away my tears. "Together."

In that moment, amidst the sorrow and uncertainty, I found solace in Newt's unwavering presence. He was my rock, holding me steady as the world around us spiraled into chaos. With him by my side, I knew I could endure whatever challenges the Maze threw at us.

As night fell over the Glade, Newt and I stayed close, seeking comfort in each other's embrace. The loss of Ben weighed heavily on our hearts, a stark reminder of the fragility of life in this treacherous place. But together, we would face the challenges ahead, drawing strength from the love that bound us amidst the darkness.

The evening descended upon the Glade like a heavy blanket, casting long shadows that danced ominously across the walls. The atmosphere was tense, weighted down by the recent events that had unfolded with Ben's descent into madness.

baby stood at the edge of the clearing, her heart heavy with grief as she watched the Gladers solemnly prepare for the inevitable. Ben, now restrained and guarded by a group of Gladers, struggled against their grip with a wild desperation in his eyes. His once familiar face contorted with fear and confusion, now marred by the unmistakable signs of the Maze's venomous grip.

"Y/N!" Ben's voice pierced through the quiet, desperate and pleading. He strained against the hands that held him, his gaze locking onto baby with a mix of terror and hope. "Y/N, please... You have to help me!"

Tears welled up in baby's eyes as she took a hesitant step forward, her hands trembling at her sides. Every fiber of her being screamed to run to him, to somehow save her friend from this cruel fate. But she knew deep down that there was nothing she could do.

"I'm sorry, Ben," baby whispered, her voice barely audible over the murmur of the gathered Gladers. She felt Newt's hand on her shoulder, a silent reminder of his presence and support.

Ben's cries grew more frantic, his pleas echoing off the stone walls that surrounded them. "Y/N, please... Don't let them do this! You have to save me!"

But the decision had been made. Alby's voice rang out, firm and unwavering. "He's been stung. He's a danger to all of us. He can't stay."

baby watched in anguish as Ben was led away, his voice fading into the night along with his desperate cries. She felt Newt's arms around her, pulling her close as she collapsed against him, overcome with grief.

"He was my friend," baby murmured, her voice choked with sorrow. Newt held her tightly, offering silent comfort as they stood together in the gathering darkness.

"We'll get through this," Newt promised, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Together."

As the Gladers dispersed, returning to their daily routines with heavy hearts, baby clung to Newt, finding solace in his presence amidst the overwhelming sorrow.