The Fighter 》 The Maze Runner

Nineteen

The Glade went back to normal.  Well, as 'normal' as the Glade could get.

Chuck fit in well.  He still gets annoyed when the Gladers call him Greenie.  But...let's just say Chuck gets back at them - by pranking.

Yes, Chuck has been pulling pranks around the Glade.  The only people he don't prank is Alby and myself.  Me, because we're family.  And because if I finished my run early I'll help him.  Alby....because he's 'scary.'

Alby still hasn't been his cheerful self.  Like the light he had in his eyes were completely gone, like they never existed.

And what else is a bit strange is that Newt's been ignoring me all day.  Whenever we would be in the same room, he would just leave.  No words whatsoever.  That's not like him though and I'm starting to get worried.

I was stretching before the doors open.  I thought Newt would come and wish me luck - like he always does - but he's a no show.

"Hey, Minho.  Do you know what's wrong with Newt?"  I asked him.

He shrugged his shoulders, "Dumb shank's been thinking a lot lately."

"About?"

"Beats me.  Why don't you go ask him yourself?"

"I would...if he's talking to me.  Did I do something wrong?"

"Trust me.  You did nothing wrong."  Minho said.  I could tell he meant something else by that

"What -"  I didn't get to finish because the doors opened.  Minho didn't waste a second before running inside.  But, it raised my suspicion.

What did Minho know?

》》》》

"So, you don't know what's going on with him?"  Chuck asked as we ate our dinner.

I sighed, "No.  And he keeps dodging me."

"Are you two dating or something?  Do I need to beat the klunk out of him?"

I chuckled, "No.  No beating the klunk out of anyone.  They might beat it out of you."

"If you're so worried, then why don't you just trap him and ask."

"It won't be that easy, Chuck."

"It should, considering he's right behind us."

I turned around and indeed Chuck was right.  I ignored the rest of my food and went towards Newt.  He saw me coming, and left.

I groaned.  This shank, swear.  I followed after him though, "Newt."  He ignored me.  "Newt...I know you can hear me slinthead."

He finally stopped and turned around.  He began rubbing the back of his neck nervously, "Hey, Danny.  I didn - didn't see you there."

I raised my eyebrow at him, "Really?  You didn't see the only girl in the Glade coming towards you, in your line of vision?"  He sighed and looked at the ground.  "Newt, are you ok?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

I looked around my surroundings before grabbing Newt's hand and began dragging him - ignoring the tingles my chest got.  I ignored his questioning and took him deep in the woods to the spot.  Our spot.

"What's going on with you?  You've been ignoring me all day.  Did I do something?"  I asked with a worried look.  Is this how he felt when I don't talk to him?

He shook his head, "No.  No, Danny you did nothing wrong.  I just got a lot on my mind."

"Then why are you only ignoring me?"

"It's complicated."

I gave him a smile, "Try me.  I mean, we need to solve a Maze - that changes every night - with Greivers.  I don't think it could get anymore complicated than that."

"That's part of it."  He said as he ran his hand through his hair.  I gave him a confused look and he continued.  "I don't - I don't think you should be a Runner anymore."

I crossed my arms and sneered, "Why's that?  Do you think I'm not capable anymore?  What's with the sudden change of heart?  Does everyone feel the same way?"

"No.  I haven't talked to anyone about it."

"Then why should I stop?"

"I don't want to see you get hurt like that, ok!  Not again."  I anger slowly faltered as I took a few steps closer.  "I can't see you hurt like that again, Danny."

"Newt, it's not like I did it on purpose.  It's one of the risks of being a Runner.  You knew that, I knew that, and I still wanted to do it.  You guys spent years here trying to get out.  You guys are dedicated to this and you're not giving up.  Well, I'm still here and I'm not giving up.  I will never give up.  I won't stop fighting until we find a way out of here.  And we will find a way out.  I'm doing this because I owe it to the Gladers, my friends, my brother..."  I looked him in the eyes. "You."

We just kept looking at each other for a while until he broke it, "Danny, what did you see during the Changing?"

I shook my head, "You don't wanna know.  I don't even know if what I saw was real or just some figment of my imagination."

He grabbed my hand, "Do you trust me?"

I nodded instantly, "I do."

"Then you can tell me and I promise you it will only be between us."

I didn't want to tell him.  I'm terrified what I saw might actually be true.  But, I do trust Newt.

I looked at the ground, "Um, I saw me holding baby Chuck when our parents tried to kill us.  Then the scene changed and I was in some sort of room...making beetle blades so the Creators could spy on us.  After that...it was you and me having fun.  I was hitting this fighting dummy and we started joking around.  Then you started to chase me around the room and caught up with me.  You grabbed me and spun me around like it was a normal thing for us to do.  And..."

Newt noticed my hesitation, "And what?"

I kept my focus on the ground as I slowly shook my head, "I can't."

Newt grabbed my face and gave me a concern look, "What happened, Danny?"

My lower lip quivered as I whispered, "I saw you, Newt.  I saw you jump off the Maze walls."

》》》》

A/N: I know I am nowhere near the end, but for the Scorch Trials, do you guys want the movie version or the book?