The Maze Within {Book 1}

Chapter 14

Hi guys, so I finally was able to put together a short trailer for this book. I know its not the best I had so many issues trying to find a software that would work with my new laptop. Anyway hope you are all enjoying the chapter so far, have a great day and enjoy the chapter.

Paige xx

=Newt=

I couldn't believe it. Not only was she alive, but she had managed to survive 2 nights in the Maze on her own. No one has ever been able to do that in the 3 years the Runners have been mapping the Maze.

I looked down at Elizabeth. She looked terrible, her skin was as white as snow and her lips had become much thinner. Her weight seemed to have halved as well. My guess was that the lack of food had gotten to her.

I hurried off in the direction of the Homestead. If she had been stung that meant she was going through the Changing and needed to get the Grief Serum.

"Newt!" I looked towards the voice and saw Jeff and Clint hurrying over to me.

"Get her up to the room," Jeff told me.

I nodded before heading into the homestead and carrying Elizabeth up to the Med-Jack room.

"How did she survive for so long?" Clint questioned as I laid her down on the nearest bed.

"That's what everyone want's to know," I replied.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jeff rush off for a moment before returning with a syringe filled with grief serum.

I watched in silence as the Med-Jack pushed the needle into Elizabeth's arm.

"Clint can you grab a towel and a bowl of somewhat warm water for the wound on her stomach and something for her wrist," Jeff turned to the other Med-Jack.

Clint hurried off to get the list of things they needed while I stayed with Elizabeth. Jeff walked off to get things ready I was guessing. I couldn't tell if I was in shock or if I was upset about everything that had happened.

All of a sudden Elizabeth began shivering. Her body shook violently as she slept. Jeff rushed back over to the pair of us and placed his hand on her forehead.

"She's freezing," He stated before walking over to the bed next to her and pulled the blanket from the top.

Without another word he laid the sheet over the shivering girl. We watched in hopes that would work, but it didn't. If anything she got worse.

"It's the Changing. Her body's starting to react to the serum," Jeff explained.

I frowned. "But isn't she supposed to be hot if she's going through the Changing?"

Jeff shrugged. "I guess people react to the serum differently depending on who they are."

I just nodded, hoping the boy was right. I wasn't sure if I could handle losing Elizabeth. I felt like she was the only person I could be fully honest with. Even if I hadn't told her about my limp.

Out of nowhere Elizabeth began screaming at the top of her lungs. The sound echoed through the entire Homestead. It was ear-piercing.

I bent down beside the girl and took her hand in mine. Her hand was as cold as ice, almost what a dead person's hand would feel like.

"Lizzy, shhh," I tried to calm her over the screams she was realising.

I continued trying to quiet her down. Nothing seemed to be working though. In fact, was just getting worse.

Before I could do anything else Minho and Alby ran into the room.

"What's wrong with her?" Minho questioned over all the noise.

I shook my head. "We don't know. She just started screaming. She's turned as cold as ice too."

"Is there anyway you can stop her?" Alby asked.

Was he serious?

"Don't you think I've already tried that?" I snapped.

Alby didn't reply, but rather just looked at me. Did he seriously think I would just let Elizabeth scream herself to death?

Minho kneeled down beside me and placed his hand on the girl's head. He frowned to himself before looking over at me.

"No one should be this cold," He stated.

"Maybe it's an effect of the Changing," Alby crossed his arms.

I turned so I was face-to-face with the leader of the Glade. "People sweat when they are going through the Changin' Alby."

"She's a girl. Maybe she react to the cure differently," He shrugged.

"Or maybe we are too late. Maybe she's dying," I replied.

"Newt we can't think like that," I heard Minho say from behind me.

I turned to face him. "It's kind of hard when you're watchin' someone close to you is dyin' from something you could have prevented."

"This isn't your fault Newt," Alby told me.

"I let her out of my sight for two seconds and this is what happens," I sighed.

I then realised Elizabeth had stopped screaming. She had become quiet and still. Her breathing was still a little ragged, but at least she wasn't screaming bloody murder anymore.

"Just because you couldn't watch her for a second and she did something we all should've helped with. It doesn't mean you have to shoulder all of this yourself," Minho explained.

"Come you two. She need to rest," Alby ushered us out the room.

"We need to try and live normally until Elizabeth wakes up again," He added.

I was just hoping that wouldn't be long.

Word count: 859

Edited: 25/10/2016