TO LIVE FOR

0.6 IN THE CIRCLE

They had lit a bonfire near the North Door. 

The flames reached toward the last bit of sun as it set, casting a warm glow on the faces of nearby Gladers. Marie followed quietly behind Newt as they draw closer to the group.

"She's over here!" One of the Gladers announced as they neared.  "Looks like Newt found 'er!" 

Then, as if summoned by their master, more Gladers began trickling in from various places. Newt had told her that they were looking for her, but she didn't really think anything of it. Marie didn't think anyone would even realize she was missing. Yet, looking at dozens of Gladers coming out of the woodwork, she realized she was very wrong. Once again, Maire could feel her blood go cold. Could she leave even if the doors were open? Or would they find her and drag her back?

When everyone was close enough, Nick stepped onto a large crate and spread his arms wide. "Welcome, everyone! We're here to celebrate the coming of our newest newbie. Tonight, we welcome a Glader!" His voice radiated excitement in his display of showmanship. Marie's cheeks warmed as he motioned to her. "Let's begin!" 

As the words left his mouth, a fast rhythm began playing as somebody banged on a makeshift drum. Everyone began moving in no one direction as a lively buzz spread through the busy crowd. Marie watched from a distance as a strange and slightly sketchy yellow drink was being passed around and Frypan began serving up some amazing smelling food. 

"You hungry there, Marie?" Newt asked, pulling Marie from her thoughts as he took in the drastic environment change. 

"Uh yeah, I could eat." She nodded politely.

Newt smiled. "Great, I'll be right back."

"I'll just walk with you." Marie told him as she took a step toward where Frypan was set up. 

"Nope." He said, putting his hand in front of her. Marie stopped and looked to Newt with furrowed brows, tilting her head slightly. He looked back at her with a warm sternness. "I want you to talk to at least one other person by the time I get back." 

Marie felt her body freeze at the words. "What? No."

Newt chuckled and took a few steps away. "You'll be fine. Just one person. That's it."

"No, Newt. I can't. Please." She could hear the ring of desperation in her own voice.

"Yes, you can."

"I'm not hungry." She rambled. "I don't need anything. Just don't leave me alone."

"I'm walking away."

"Please, Newt. Please." She was almost tempted to reach for him.

"Sorry Love, I can't hear you."

Then he was gone. And again, she was alone.

"Jerkface." Marie muttered at him as he disappeared into the crowd. 

One person. She couldn't talk to one person. 

How would she even go about doing that? 

Marie wrapped her arms around herself as she stood and watched the crowd silently. Her eyes drifted from one glader to the next. Morgan. Zart. Alby. Nick. Everyone she laid eyes on either was not on her preferred people list or, if by some small chance that they were, they were already talking to someone and interrupting a conversation was the last thing she wanted to do. 

She felt a sliver of hope when her gaze fell on Minho. He was leaning against one of the rickety wooden beams supporting a homemade canopy just on the outskirts of the crowd, quietly observing his fellow gladers. Hesitantly, Marie began shuffling towards him. What would she say when she reached him? Should she ask a question? Should she just stand next to him until he talks first? No, that's weird. Marie began to panic internally. She was already halfway to him, and she had no plan. She could make a comment about the weather, but it didn't seem to change at all. Maybe she could-