Sacrifice

Chapter Five

          One Year Ago 

Claire stared at the tent's entrance with wide eyes. It didn't matter that Alby and the Keepers promised to protect her. It didn't matter that Winston was standing right outside her tent standing guard. Any minute now, she expected her attacker to burst in. He said that he would be back. Alby thought that setting up guards would scare the attacker away. But Alby wasn't there, he didn't hear the voice. He didn't understand how serious her attacker was. Something told Claire that even if the boys built an electric fence to protect her, it still wouldn't be enough. 

Claire checked for the hundredth time to make sure that the dagger Newt had given her was still by her bedside. She knew Winston was right outside, but having the weapon made her feel better.  The fact that it came from Newt made her feel more reassured than it would have coming from anywhere else. Claire couldn't explain it, but the blonde boy had a way of making her feel safe and secure in a way no one else could. Then again, it was probably because she had come into the Maze terrified and alone. Newt had been the first to be kind to her. 

Claire mentally yelled at her brain to turn off and go to sleep. Winston and the other Keepers were cutting into their own sleep time so she could have a chance to have a good night's rest. The least she could do was try and go to sleep. 

************* 

Claire didn't remember falling asleep, or even closing her eyes. But once again, she was woken by someone clamping their hand over her mouth. As they secured the blindfold around her, Claire felt around for the dagger Newt gave her. Just as her hands wrapped around its handle, her attacker also tried to grab it. She heard him grunt in pain right before knocking the weapon out of her hand. Then grabbed both her wrist and looped a rope around them, tying her hands together in front before pushing her back down onto the bed. 

"Hello, beautiful." 

Claire felt her insides twist at the sound of the familiar voice. 

Then she remembered Winston and felt herself panic even more. Where was he? Had her attacker done something to him? 

"Unfortunately we don't have a lot of time. But I promise you, soon it'll just be us." 

Claire felt a pair of hands brush against her thighs. 

Instinctively she jerked her leg up and her knee ended up hitting him in what felt like his stomach. 

"You little shit!" 

She sat up and felt the person's movement in front of her. Despite being blindfolded, and having her hands tied together, Claire swung her hands at her attacker. She somehow managed to make contact. She heard him gasp in pain and stumble away from her. 

"Help!" Claire screamed. "Newt! Alby!" 

Just then Claire's attacker slapped her across the face. The impact caused Claire to lose her footing and fall onto ground hard. Clumsily she removed her blindfold, which proved more difficult since her hands were still tied together. By the time she was able to see again, the top of the tent was coming down on top of her. 

****************** 

Newt was on his way to change shifts with Winston when he heard the screaming. 

"Claire!" he screamed, sprinting toward the tent faster than he thought he could run with his limp. 

Soon the collapsed tent came into view, and the unconscious figure lying in front of it. 

"Winston," Newt said, kneeling down next to his friend, gently trying to shake him awake. "Winston, can you hear me?" 

Winston let out a soft groan. Newt felt a small bit of relief knowing that at least his friend was still alive. Then he turned his attention back to the tent and noticed there was movement under the collapsed structure.