The First Runner

It shouldnt have happened

The sun was barely over the horizon when me and Minho set out into the Maze, our footsteps echoing in the cool morning air. It was a day like any other—running, mapping, and searching for a way out. The Maze seemed almost peaceful in the early light, the walls towering silently around them.

"Think today's the day we find something?" I asked, half-joking, as I ran beside Minho.

"Every day's the day we find something," Minho replied with a grin. "Just usually, it's more walls."

I chuckled, trying to keep the mood light. The Maze had a way of weighing on us all, and humor was one of the few things that kept us going. We spent the morning exploring new sections, keeping track of shifts and changes, and working seamlessly as a team.

But even as we worked, I couldn't shake a feeling of unease that had settled in my stomach since we left the Glade. It was as if something was off, a tension in the air that I couldn't explain. I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. There was no room for distractions in the Maze.

As the sun began to dip in the sky, signaling the approach of evening, Minho called for us to head back. We turned and started our run back to the Glade, picking up the pace to ensure we made it back before the walls closed.

When we finally broke through the final corridor and into the open area of the Glade, I felt a rush of relief—only to have it immediately replaced by a sense of dread.

Something was wrong.

The Glade was unusually quiet, and there was a crowd gathered near the Homestead. Gladers who would normally be busy with evening chores were standing still, their faces pale and their voices hushed.

I exchanged a concerned glance with Minho. "What the hell happened?" I asked, my heart beginning to race.

"Let's find out," Minho said, his tone serious as we made our way over to the crowd.

As Minho and I approached the crowd, my stomach churned with growing apprehension. The quiet was unsettling, a stark contrast to the usual buzz of activity. We pushed through the gathered Gladers, who parted reluctantly to let us pass. My eyes immediately locked onto Alby, who was kneeling beside Nick.

Nick was lying on the ground, his body still and pale, blood spreading across the dirt beneath him. Alby was trying to stop the bleeding, his hands covered in blood and his face etched with worry. The sight made my heart drop.

"What happened?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the panic rising inside me.

Alby looked up, his expression grim. "One of the huts collapsed onto him with two of the builders on the roof. We tried to get him out in time, but we were too late."

My breath caught in my throat as I processed his words. The image of Nick, so full of life and energy, lying there motionless, was almost too much to bear. The reality of the situation hit me hard, the pain sharp and immediate.

I glanced around at the gathered Gladers, their faces marked with shock and sadness. Some looked at me with a mixture of fear and sympathy, knowing how close I was to Nick. I took a deep breath, fighting to keep my composure in front of them. I couldn't break down here, not with everyone watching, not when they needed me to be strong.

Turning on my heel, I made my way towards the showers, my steps quick and purposeful. I needed to get away, to find a place where I could let the floodgates open and deal with this in private. The chaos of the Glade seemed distant as I walked, the weight of my grief pressing down heavily on me.

When I reached the showers, I turned on the cold water and stepped in fully clothed. The chill was shocking, but I welcomed it, hoping it would numb the ache in my chest. The water streamed over me, soaking through my clothes and mingling with the tears that I fought to hold back.

I stood there, letting the cold water pound against me, feeling a numbness spread through my body. I tried to focus on the rhythmic sound of the water, hoping it would drown out the pain and the guilt that was threatening to overwhelm me.

I didn't know how long I stood there, lost in my own world of sorrow and numbness. The sound of the running water was the only thing that seemed to make any sense in the chaos of my emotions.

Then I heard the door creak open, and I knew without turning around that it was Newt. His footsteps were soft as he approached, and I could feel his presence behind me.

"Jess..." His voice was a gentle murmur, filled with worry. "What are you doing?"

I didn't answer. I just kept standing there, letting the cold water wash over me. Newt's footsteps grew closer until he was right behind me, his hands reaching out to touch my shoulders.

"You're soaked," he said softly. "Come on, let's get you out of here."

I turned to face him, my tears mingling with the water. "I couldn't save him, Newt," I said, my voice cracking with the weight of my grief. "I should have been there. I should have done something."

Newt's face softened with understanding, and he stepped closer, wrapping his arms around me. His warmth was a stark contrast to the cold water, a reminder that I wasn't alone in this. "You couldn't have known," he said gently. "None of us could have predicted this."

"I should have been more careful," I insisted, the tears flowing freely now. "I should have been able to protect him."

Newt shook his head, pulling me closer. "It's not your fault. We all do what we can, but sometimes things are beyond our control."

I clung to him, allowing myself to break down completely. The tears and the sobs came in waves, each one washing away a bit more of the pain and the guilt I felt. Newt held me tightly, offering what comfort he could in the midst of the storm.

Eventually, the tears subsided, leaving me feeling exhausted and emotionally spent. Newt guided me out of the shower, wrapping a towel around me and helping me dry off. He didn't press for more words, just stayed close, his presence a steady anchor in the midst of my turmoil.

As we walked back to the Homestead, the weight of Nick's loss hung heavy on my shoulders. I knew I had to be strong for the others, to lead and to support them through this difficult time. But for now, I let myself lean on Newt, finding solace in his unwavering support as we faced the uncertain days ahead together.