Fire Starter [NewtxOC]

Five: Ink

"What the hell were you thinking," Grayson whispered into my ear harshly as he pulled me into a corridor with no cameras. My left wrist had been wrapped in a neon green cast. It bumped the wall. I grit my teeth to keep from crying out.

"What else was I supposed to do?" I growled. Setting myself free from my brother's grip.

"You're getting sent into the maze on the next rotation." He said with less force. I stood there for a moment, letting it sink in. It was actually happening. "You're lucky you have me here on this side." I embraced my brother, my head resting in his chest. "You're not going to remember much of anything at all when you go in. But you need to get stung by a Griever. The first won't be that effective in recovering your memories, but the second should do the trick. When you remember, do not let anyone know. That little bit of extra knowledge could make you the focus on getting killed. WCKED is never good."

"I won't die. You know that. I'm too much like mom." I sighed.

"I know. That's what's worrying." He chuckled. "I'll do what I can to keep you alive on this side. But I won't be watching you twenty-four seven. Unfortunately."

I felt like shit. My head ached while my body felt numb. I lifted my right hand and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. "Finally waking up," a voice chuckled. I opened my eyes and sent a soft glare to the blonde sitting on the stool beside me.

"How long," I asked, pulling myself up into a seated position. My head wavered for a second.

"Almost two days." Newt answered. I threw the blanket off of me. My hoodie had been washed and set out on the end of my bed. My tank had been changed. I stared at the ground as fear filled me. Who had changed me? "Jeff took care of you. Said you had some pretty old scars on your back." I shot him a small smile, keeping my front to him and threw on my hoodie. "What happened in your maze?"

"A lot of death," I replied, standing up a little too quickly. Newt rose in an instant and placed his hands on my hips to steady me.

"You lost a lot of blood Lyra, you should not be moving so much." He said, worry plain on his face. I blinked hard a few times, regaining my equilibrium.

"I've to get out of here," I murmured as I attempted to push past him. The smell of all the cleaning supplies were getting to me now. He held me still despite my attempts.

"You need to lie down and rest." He pressed. "It's still dark out."

I closed my eyes in defeat. "I just need some fresh air." He stared down at me for a moment before reluctantly leading me outside. We walked in silence through the forest to the same spot that he had found me in before. His hand around my waist the entire walk in case I fell. He sat me down against the wall before sitting beside me. Shoulder to shoulder.

"So tell me about your maze." He broke the silence.

"It was not very different, really. All girls. I was second in command to Jackie for a long while. Until we were trapped in the maze at night-"

"You were stuck in the maze," Newt interrupted, "at night?"

I nodded. Newt looked out into the forest. "Jackie and I were running it because I had found a new section the day before. But, when we turned to head back, the path was different. The maze began to change during the day. It was no pattern we had cataloged yet. Jackie protected me that night by throwing herself in the way."

"Like you did?" Newt shot me a questioning look, without moving his head. I threw a short fake laugh. "What happened after that?"

I stared out into the forest. "A few of the other's thought that I had killed her out there. I volunteered to get locked in the maze at night. Spent a month out there tracking the movements. Found where the Grievers come from. After that the others learned to trust me and put me in charge."