We Didn't Start the Fire - Book 1 (Newt x OC) (Maze Runner)

Chapter 8 - Reality

 They all stood under the roof by the kitchen as rain fell across the Glade, most happy for the break in work, but it left them all with no distraction from the fact that Minho and Alby still hadn't returned.

"They should be back by now," Thomas said, turning from where he was staring at the open doors to where Newt leant against one of the poles, Plune leaning against him. "What happens if they don't make it?"

"They're gonna make it," Newt said without looking at him.

Thomas twiddled his fingers before coming and standing next to them. "What happens if they don't?"

"They're gonna make it," he told him again, looking at him this time. Thomas only looked back at the walls before walking away. Plune put her hand in Newt's as they stared at the open doors. Finally, the rain stopped and everyone in the Glade gathered at the doors and waited in silence for Minho and Alby. Suddenly, they heard the sound of the doors starting to rumble. Newt ran a hand over his mouth as Plune swallowed.

"Come on, guys. Can't we send someone after them?"

"That's against the rules," Gally told Thomas from where he was crouched in the middle at the front. "Either they make it back or they don't."

"Can't risk losing anyone else," Newt explained.

"If someone else goes in there, there's a chance that they won't find them and then get stuck too," Plune said before Thomas could say anything else. The gust of wind came out and the boys either covered their faces or turned away.

"Oh no," Chuck let out as the doors started to close.

"There!" Thomas yelled, pointing to the figures coming around the corner. They started smiling before Newt spoke.

"Wait, no, something's wrong," he let out as they saw Minho practically carrying Alby back.

"Come on, Minho! You can do it!" Chuck shouted first, the rest of the Gladers yelling encouragement as the space between the closing doors became smaller. Minho had to put Alby down and attempted to drag him, but nothing was fast enough.

"Minho, you gotta leave him!" Gally yelled over the others.

"They're not gonna make it," Newt let out, just loudly enough so those right by him could hear.

"Minho, come on!" Plune yelled. All of the Gladers' voices mixed together as Minho yelled in frustration as he pulled as hard and fast as he could. Thomas suddenly took off, Newt reaching for him but missing.

"Hey!" Gally yelled.

"Thomas, no!"

"Stop, Thomas!" Plune yelled at the same time as Chuck, everyone watching as Thomas scrambled through the walls, making it through just before the doors closed. Plune's breath left her as the Glade went silent. They all turned to her as she continued to stare at the closed doors in front of her.

"Plune," Newt said quietly, stepping closer to her. She didn't move, so he moved in front of her, taking her hand in his. "Plune." She moved her eyes from the wall to him and swallowed with a blank face. He nodded to her and she turned around.

"There's nothing else we can do," she managed to get her voice loud enough to address the boys. "We'll eat dinner and go to bed, same as always. For now, nothing changes. We'll wait till the morning and then I'll make a decision about what else needs to be done."

"Plune-"

"I'll make the decision tomorrow," she cut Gally off with her voice slightly raised and he hesitated before nodding. The boys nodded too, slowly dispersing to have dinner while Plune turned back around and stared at the wall.