Phase 1- The Maze

Keeping the Ball Rolling

They all went into the weapons room and found the hidden Maps. Casey stood beside Newt and behind Teresa. She was just as eager to see if they had gotten the hint.

"Okay," Thomas started, "The Runners have always compared these day to day. You said you did not know what you were looking for. Right?"

Minho only folded his arms and grunted.

"Well, what if the walls spelled out words? Some kind of clue that could help us escape.

"You don't know how much time we have spent studying these Maps, man. Do you think we could have seen if it was spelling freakin' words?" Minho argued.

"Maybe you were supposed to look at all of the maps from one day together?" Thomas rebutted.

"Man, I may not be the smartest guy in the Glade," Newt commented, "but I think you are talking right out of your butt."

"Guys," Casey interrupted, "Just listen. I think Thomas is on to something. Keep going."

"Okay, what if all of the eight sections were supposed to be compared with each other? One day, one clue." Thomas clarified.

"We tried that. We tried everything." Minho spat.

Thomas up one piece of paper on top of another. Then he stood up and looked at Minho.

"Trust me on this. We need wax paper and scissors. And every black marker and pencils you can find."

~~ 

Everybody stood there shocked, and apparently, unable to move. Then motion snapped into them, all at once. Casey went with Newt and Minho to get black markers from the burnt Map room. They all went scouring around the ashes to find anything pencil-shaped. After ten minutes, not that anyone was counting, but Newt had 10, Minho had 13 and Casey had 19.

"Girls must be exceptionally good at finding pencils." Newt commented as they were walking back to the weapons room.

"Let's put it this way," Casey explained, "Girls find more when they know how much is at stake." She stopped for a second, pondering whether to say her thought.

"We need to get out of here. I know you will never knew what happened before the Maze and what is to come afterwards. But let me say, don't blame it on me, whatever happens after this, I mean. You guys are the ones that want to get out." Casey stopped suddenly. She had already said too much.

"I wasn't going to anyway." Newt paused, "How do you know what is going to happen?"

Casey pointed at her neck, "My job is to keep the ball rolling."

She continued to walk off, leaving Newt standing still and puzzled.