Safe and Sound » Newt [Maze Runner]

thirteen.

AVIA'S P.O.V

I walked straight to the deadheads, ignoring everything else around me. I hate it here. I hate how I'm so looked down upon. I hate how I'm the only girl. I hate how we're stuck here with no way out.

I sighed and sat down, my back against a tree as I played with a loose string on my shirt. I stayed quiet, just thinking about everything.

I don't understand why we were put here and why I'm the only girl. I don't understand the maze and I don't understand why we all need jobs. I don't understand Newt or Minho or Alby or Thomas and shuck, no one understands Gally.

I sighed once more, looking out in front of me at the forest. The vague sunlight snuck through the cracks in the leaves on the trees, random splatters of light peppered across the ground. Rushing water was humming quietly, a cricket overpowering it. It was so beautiful in the deadheads.

I was brought out of my admiration when a twig snapped to my left, causing me to look up. What I saw next I couldn't believe. I swear I felt my heart stop and my body go completely numb.

There stood a man in all black, a gun held tightly at his side. His pants were baggy with many pockets and to top it off, he wore black work boots. His shirt was as dark as everything else, only one thing in particular that stood out in white.

'W.C.K.D'

I slowly met his gaze, a small gasp erupting from my lips. He looked horrifying. His hair was to his shoulders, but it was slicked back like he'd ran his hand through it so many times. It was so greasy, too. His face was covered in dirt, but I still saw a tiny bit of facial hair.

Now, I'm not gonna lie; I was scared. Really scared. It didn't help as he gradually got closer, twigs and leaves snapping under his footsteps.

You shank, move!

I shakily scooted away from him, my breathing now heavy and uneven.

He didn't do anything. He just kept walking.

I clumsily stood up, quickly wiping myself off. He was now a foot away from me, his knuckles white from his grip on his gun. I gulped quietly, my heart in my stomach as he slowly raised the gun right in front of my face. His facial expression remaining the same.

I slowly stepped away, watching him intently. He didn't notice.

I turned and ran as fast as I could, pushing leaves and branches out of the way. I heard him shout and run after me, causing a small whimper to escape my lips.

I tripped over a small rock, "shuck" being yelled as I fell to the ground. I let out a cry in agony as my arm slid on a rock, getting cut open. I screamed this time, the pain getting worse. I rolled onto my back, holding my arm tightly. The blood ran through my fingers and down my arm, causing me to cringe.

"Help!" I yelled, my voice hoarse. I frantically looked around for anyone. Where is everyone?

I glanced at the deadheads, the man standing on the border between the glade and the deadheads. A smirk was evident on his chapped lips as he stood there, watching me suffer.

I looked up as a clutter of footsteps sounded behind me, Minho, Thomas, Alby and Chuck quickly kneeling to my side. I quickly looked over them, my heart breaking when I realized Newt was nowhere to be seen.

"Avia?"

"Avia, calm down."

"What happened?"

"Are you okay?"

I just looked frantically upon them, anxiety taking over me.

"Who the shuck is that?" Minho boomed, causing us all to avert our gazes to the man.

Minho quickly stood, sprinting to the man. I widened my eyes as the man lifted his gun, quickly pushing myself off the ground and trying my best to catch up with him.

"Avia!" Alby, Chuck and Thomas yelled, running after us.

I ignored them and kept running, trying to save Minho. My legs and arms ached, my throat burning. I screamed and covered my ears as a gunshot sounded, looking to Minho. He held the gun tightly in his hand, staring at the man on the ground. I widened my eyes in horror, quickly turning to run.

My plans of running away were interrupted by Newt's chest. I let out a sob as he grabbed my arms and pulled me away from him and looked down at me. He cringed and looked at his blood-covered hand. I shook my head and laid my head on his chest, crying. How did this happen all so quick?

He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, resting his chin on top of my head.

"It's alright," he whispered, looking down at me.

And for a second, I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believed everything is alright and everything would be alright, but I couldn't. Nothing is fine or okay and I had to learn to accept that.