MARTYR (A Maze Runner Fan-Fic by Natalia M.)

Chapter 7

Minho had left to take care of what he dubbed 'Keeper Duties'. After spending a little more time in the forest, she decided to make another round through the Glade.

Mostly everyone stared at her as she walked past. Though she knew they meant no harm, she still felt herself squirm under their gazes. Some boys were nice enough to come and introduce themselves to her. A boy or two even complimented her on things like her hair or eyes.

She still thought about the other night when she laid in her bed, thinking about what the future would hold for her. She wanted-needed to talk to someone but she didn't know who. Sure everyone was nice but she felt like they'd all laugh in her face if she told them about her resolve.

After circling the glade one more time, she felt relatively comfortable with where things were and how everything worked. Her favourite place to be was deep in the forests, where the graveyard was.

As morbid as it sounded, she found it relaxing- maybe even soothing to some degree in there. She even found a tree that she could climb and hide in.

Currently she was sitting on a large boulder that rested against the wall, quietly eating an apple she got from 'Frypan', the Keeper of the Cooks. He seemed quite welcoming overall but a tiny bit ill-tempered.

Guess that happens when you have to feed a herd of boys day and night.

She heard a soft crunch and jumped as she snapped her head to the direction of the sound. It was the blond-haired boy from earlier.

I think he's name is Newt.

He walked over and leaned on a tree beside her. With his arm crossed, and a small smirk tugging at his lips, he studied her cautiously.
"Now what are you doing in here?" he asked. His thick accent had caught her off-guard but she thought it was cute. As he slid down the tree to sit next to her, she just shrugged and looked at a spot on the ground in front of her. For some reason he looked very familiar but she couldn't exactly pin-point where she knew him from.
The feeling of trying to remember was an uncomfortable, frustrating itch that she just couldn't get rid of but she shook the thought of for now.

"So, how you settling down, Greenie?", he started, "Saw you come in here and thought I should check up on you."

"Thank you. I've been worse." She responded with a shrug. As she took one last bite of the apple, she threw the core into the forest before folding her arms to her chest.

"That's good to hear. At least you're making yourself at home." He said, reassuringly.

A sudden pain in her chest made her clench her fists as she felt a dark storm of anger and hurt build up inside of her. She muttered"Yeah. But where's my real home?"

Newt looked taken back. His eyes were open wide but his eyebrows were furrowed in confusion. "I'm sorry. Come again?"

"It's nothing. Just really lost is all."

"Ahh. I get it", He said, nodding, "I know things are harsh right now but remember we've all been through the same bloody thing... Or close enough. It's part of what's keeping us alive, get it? Besides, I think you might be our one-way ticket out of this hell. Hang on a bit longer."

Jean couldn't help but smile at his advice. She felt a light spark of hope within all the dark, horrible thoughts she'd been having for the first time since she'd been here and it felt nice. It was small but it was relieving. Almost blissful.
Newt's voice snapped her out of her daze.

"Oh yeah. I've been meaning to ask you about what you saw during The Changing."

"The Changing?"