A5's Subject

Newt

----SU!C!UDE WARNING----

When I set out this morning my conscious was clear. Playful in reference to Marcus's worry. But now it's a cavern of chaos. Darkness taking over. And then there's the thoughts. Horrible, horrible things.

But I just can't shake it. The fast-moving thoughts, plastered on an empty background. And its all to much.

Distracted I stop running and lean against a bare wall. My breathing quickens and it's all too much.

"Stop it. Stop it." I mumble.

I look up across at the wall in front of me. Ivy trails high and thick.

Suddenly, I'm climbing. Ivy bellow me, ivy above me. A oasis of ivy on cobble.

My thoughts still racing. My head spinning. Then everything stops. A black backdrop to a single word.

Jump.

"Newt!" calls a voice that seems far off.

I open my eyes, and everything is hazy. But I manage to make out the body of Minho crouched in front of me.

"The hell happened, you shank?" his voice slightly shaky.

As I try to sit up a sharp pain runs through my right leg causing me to scream.

"Jesus Newt." Minho moves closer to my leg. "Don't move."

Minho checks my leg, careful not to touch anything. "Well its broken." Minho looks me dead in the eye. "The hell were you thinking? You're lucky you didn't crack your skull."

"I'm sorry." I whisper.

Something filches behind Minho's eyes. "Marcus is going to feel like klunk."

"What?' o ask.

"He tried to you stopped him. But he couldn't help you."

I groan. "He wouldn't be able to live with himself."

"Exactly." Minho sits back against the wall. "You had better have a story planned out. Because if Marcus finds out... you're a shank on a stick."

"Yeah." I turn my head towards Minho. "We should get back."

"Yeah." The Runner's keeper walks over and helps me to sit.

Carefully, I manage to stand with Minho's help. Putting most of my weight on Minho's shoulder, we manage to move and start towards the Maze Exit.