Maze Runner - Relentless

V

Eva...

Today's run was incredibly boring just as it has been for a while now. There was nothing new, nothing important or helpful. Minho and I enter the glade, covered in sweat. We're greeted by Newt who seems just as tired as we are. I assume he's been working in the fields. Probably with Thomas since it was his first day trying out a job. 

"Anything?" Newt asks as he approaches.

"Yeah, I saw a pretty interesting leaf actually. It was great, wish you'd been there." Minho states dryly. 

Both Newt and I roll our eyes at the same time. 

I sigh, "How was day 1 working with the greenie?" 

"Not bad, though you could tell he'd had enough by the time we finished. The poor guy looked as if he'd rather watch paint dry." 

"Probably true," Minho says looking around the glade for who knows what.

"Where's he working tomorrow?" I question, and Newt points to the blood house located to the right of the camp, closer to the wall to keep the smell isolated. 

"With the slicers. Hopefully, he won't mind killin' piggies." 

Minho cringes at Newt's words. "I'm so happy I'm not a slicer." 

I laugh, "Yeah, well you may not be a slicer, but you still have a job to get to, so go wait for me in the map room."

"Yes, your highness," Minho says with a playful smirk.  

Minho strides towards the forest to the map room, and I stare at nothing in particular. 

"What's got you in such a mood today?" Newt's voice interrupts my bland thoughts.

"I'm not in a mood," I reply, and Newt gives me this sort of look that makes me groan in annoyance before spilling my guts. 

Not that there was much to be spilled.

"This morning I woke Thomas up to carve his name on the wall. He saw the scribbled-out name and asked about it... I guess I just kinda relived that day, that I'd kinda forgotten about. It just set me up for a bad day, that's all." 

"What'd you tell him, when he asked?" 

I shrug "I didn't tell him anything. I just gave him a general explanation. Dark days." 

After several long moments of silence, Newt's deep voice interrupts the quietness, "You know it's not your fault right?" he says with a sympathetic gleam in his chocolate-brown eyes. 

I run a hand down my face and sigh. "We've been over this countless times. You and I both know it was." 

"No. There was nothing you could do. Blaming yourself isn't gonna help. You need to forgive yourself, and let it all go."

"Easier said than done." 

An angry scream disrupts the conversation between me and Newt and I let out an exasperated groan.

"What're these boys up to now?" 

Newt and I hurry toward the source of the scream. What I see makes me want to laugh so hard, but I force myself to control my laughter and keep my composure. 

Gally stands outside the bathroom, soaking wet. 

My arms cross  and I shake my head, "Gally, what the hell happened?" I ask.