Griever [Newt V.S Thomas]

IV

The Glade was alive with conversation early that morning, the many boys that dwelled within the large walls of The Maze delved into a world of suspicion and rumours of the strange girl who had shown up in their vicinity. What did she want? How did she get there? How did she survive a night in The Maze? So many question that remained answerless.

By the time Newt had pulled the young female to the safety of the Glade, the entire community was crowding around the entrance, although not one made a move to help the blonde haired boy, their eyes alight with weariness and shock.

The girl had long since lost consciousness, her body limp and heavy against the boys arms, but he managed to hoist her along despite it. Her body curved forward, her head hanging whilst wild locks fell before her face, shielding her appearance from the prying eyes of the boys. Dark eyes were narrowed with concentration as he pulled the girl along, her rag-doll like body proving to be a problem for the lean man until the leader of the Glade finally offered his assistance. Grasping the girls other arm and hoisting it over his shoulder.

Alby sent Newt a look and within it said all the words that he had not.

You were right. I'm sorry.

Newt's lips quirked up into an almost Cheshire smile, the huff of a laugh escaping his throat as he revelled in the fact behind it all. The had all doubted him and now look at them, staring at him as though he were almighty and important, as though they had committed a sin by not believing his unbelievable story. And he quite liked the feeling of being so powerful, but like most humble men, he didn't allow it to go to far to his head and instead returned his full attention to the girl as they brought her broken body to the Glade's homestead.

~

They lay the red-headed female upon the makeshift bed, their movements clumsy yet gentle, not exactly sure which places to touch and which were out of bounds - after all, they had never been in the company of a girl before. The hut was empty, save for Clint, the Med-Jack, Alby who was scratching the back of his neck in an unsure manner and Newt himself in whom was cautiously gazing upon the beaten up figure of the girl.

However, outside, much ideal chit-chat could be heard from the Gladers, who had gathered outside of the hut in hopes of catching a glance at the strange new member of their community.

"So. . . This is the girl?" Alby began, his words slow and collected as he crossed his arms firmly over his chest.

"This is the girl." Newt confirmed, biting back a smile.

"This is the. . . girl." Alby repeated. He seemed perplexed, unable to fathom exactly where and how the girl had come into existence in the maze. He was weary, worried and a little scared if he was to tell the truth but then again there was the slightest shred of hope. If she hadn't entered through the box, there must be another entry point which could also serve as an exit - an escape.

"Well. . . I'll be honest, Newt. I actually didn't believe you when you said that you had seen her," admitted the larger member, watching as his blonde friend nodded his head slowly, taking in the honest words before shrugging his shoulder and letting out a breath of air.

"It's not exactly something that's easy to bel-"

"What are you doing? Don't crowd around! Get to work you slackers!" Barked a booming voice from outside of the hut, the sound of feet scrambling away from the building soon following. Afterwards, Gally entered, a look of irritation drawn across his boisterous features. He pursed his lips, glancing towards the unconscious being on the stretcher before sending Alby and Newt unconvinced, almost angry looks.

"What are you thinking of doing with her?" He questioned, brow furrows.

"What do you mean?" Newt cut in, eyes narrowing steadily.

"What do I mean? What I mean is the fact that this girl had shown up in The Maze where she's spent god knows how long and you're letting her walk on through in the Glade! How do we know that she hasn't been stung?"

"Bloody hell, Gally. She looks hurt, not infected!"

"What's the difference? She could very well be a psychopath, you could be putting everyone in danger!"

Alby massaged his temples, "both of you, calm down-"

"Are you kidding! There's fifty of us boys and there's only one of her! I doubt she would poise any danger!" Newt defended.

Gally slapped a hand to his own forehead, as though it was painful to keep up with the conversation. "What if she's with the ones that sent us here, huh? Did you ever think of that, genius?"

"Why would they dump her in The Maze, then?"

"I don't know! To study us, destroy us from the inside? Think about it you-"

"That's enough! The both of you are acting like children! This girl needs rest and until she's healthy and well she will be joining us in the Glade, we'll decide what to do with her until then but for now, deal with her. Now, get out. The both of you," Alby growled, his voice dripping with irritation and demand.

The pair instantly stopped their bickering, Newt swallowing hard as he frowned and Gally pulling an annoyed face. Clenching his fists, Newt turned on his heels and stormed out of the hut, dark eyes brimming with withheld anger, Gally following shortly after but the two went their separate ways once they were greeted by the morning light.