The Tributes from the Maze (Newt/OC)

The Gathering

Goosebumps rippled up her flesh as she entwined her fingers with his. Ariadne and Newt held onto each other's hands like a lifeline as they walked back through the forest together. She was sure she had never met any boy as caring, gentle, charming and as perfect for her as he was. Newt was absolutely everything she'd ever dreamt of and so much more. She was entranced by the way words just flowed for him. And they weren't just meaningless words to fill the silence. They had truth and passion behind them. He would never just talk, everything that came out of his mouth was speaking his mind, and she loved that.

She loved him, she always had. Except now, she cared for him differently and perhaps in a way she wasn't supposed to feel about her best friend. This was more than her childhood fancy. He had always been...well Newt. Except now he had grown. She had tried not to notice the changes too much but now that she let herself look as she walked slightly behind him, she noticed he was far taller. He'd filled out his lanky frame with toned muscle and his jaw had sharpened. His boyish features had matured and his voice had deepened. He was a man now. An attractive man.

Now that Newt had found Ariadne, he let himself worry for his sister. If the people who had captured her were so merciless as to kill Aris without hesitation and provocation, who knew wha they would do to Sonya. He had to find her. He had made a vow to protect her and he had failed. He would do everything he could to correct his mistake.

When the duo arrived back at the safe haven, no one could be seen. It was as if the place had been abandoned. The only sign of human life was the loud commotion coming from the REC centre. Newt and Ariadne followed the noise and when they entered the building, they found everyone was crowded inside.

"Alright! Everyone, settle down! Settle down!" Gally shouted over the chattering population. The keepers who were present sat in their chairs and Minho, who was still a little hungover, sat in the one right in the middle.

"We have called you all to a gathering to discuss the events that unfolded early this morning. A little over two hours ago." Minho said, clearly bored with the formalities.

"What happened?" Brenda called out from her seat. The gathering erupted into questions. Gally raised his hands and they fell silent, used to obeying his orders as most of them had been rescued by the Right Arm when he was the leader.

"A giant flying ship thingy-majiggy flew into the forest, captured  Sonya and shot a spear through Aris before disappearing. We can be pretty sure he's dead but we don't know about Sonya." Minho said unenthusiastically.

Several girls who Thomas guessed were friends of Sonya and Aris burst into tears. Thomas had to try to stop his own eyes from spilling water as well. He hadn't known Aris for long, but saving each other's lives and depending on each other like they had to in the Scorch created bonds that would last forever. The Gladers were a perfect example of that.

"Don't sound so bloody sympathetic for them, Minho. Their friends have just been killed and captured." Newt's sarcastic voice wrung through the hall and he walked in through the mass of people, clutching to Ariadne's hand. Thomas didn't miss this little detail and from the smirk Teresa sent his way she didn't either. "Sorry for my dispassionate friend but I'm sure most of you noticed that he had a rather bloody lot to drink last night. The buggin' shank was face-planting off of stages, singing like a crank and reciting clunking Shakespeare. How did you know all the words, by the way, Min?"

"Can we please not talk about that. It was in the past and I let the past go. Unless you were a pretty girl who I was chatting up. If so, come find me." He winked to the crowd. Harriet groaned and rolled her eyes at the reaction of a group of giggling girls behind her.

"Hello! Maybe we should focus on the matter we have at hand? The whole reason we called this meeting in the first place? Comprehendo muchachos?" Jorge called out, earning an appreciative rouse from the audience.