Mysteries of the Maze » Newt {1}

Three

Just a disclaimer, all these characters and ideas belong to James Dashner. I only own Maya!   

The words on the note lingered in my head for the rest of the day.

Find Thomas.

Find Thomas.

Who was Thomas?

Where was Thomas?

How did I know Thomas?

Two boys ran out of the maze at sun down, just before the doors closed. They rumbled as the came to a close and I then realized that's what I had heard that morning. Gally and Alby met them there and walked back with them as they gave the leaders the updates of what they had found.

I watched the doors as they closed with much groaning and then a gentle slam. Then that was it. They weren't going to open until sunrise.

Putting my sweater back on, I stayed up on the watchtower until the bonfire started. I wasn't sure what it was for but the boys seemed to be having fun all by themselves. The hatch to the watchtower opened next to me and I shifted uncomfortably as Newt came up and sat next to me.

"You know, you've but up here all day. We don't bite." He said.

"You sure? 'Cause Gally really seems like the biting type." I replied.

Newt chuckled. "You're not wrong."

"You didn't have to come up here. I'm okay, really." I told him.

"No you're not. You haven't really eaten all day, I'm not really sure how you've been using the toilet and the boys need to meet you." He explained.

"You don't need to worry about any of that." I frowned.

"I'm not taking no for an answer. Let's go." He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the hatch before I could protest.

"I really don't wanna do this." I groaned as we walked towards the bonfire.

"Ah it's alright." Newt placed his hand on my lower back and pushed me further into the circle as we arrived.

Gally knocked Alby out of the circle and everyone cheered him on.

"Greenie!" He called out.

He looked around for me but I didn't even get a chance to hide before he found me.

"Greenie, get over here!" He demanded.

Some of the boys pulled me into the circle and I was forced to face the strongest boy out of all about thirty of them.

"I want revenge for that smack yesterday." He said.

"Come on, Gally get over it!" Newt explained.

"No!" He exclaimed. "No one makes me bleed and gets away with it."

"Shuck face." Newt mumbled behind me.

Gally walked up to me casually and backhanded me. The hit was harder than the one from the day before and sent me stumbling to the ground. I closed my eyes to keep the world from spinning.

"Get up!" Gally screamed.

Strong hands helped me to my feet but I quickly pushed them off.

I was not weak.

Gally smirked once I faced him and he came at me again. This time, I was quick. I dodged his punch and drove my fist into his gut. Gally groaned and coughed in response and I smirked. I kicked him to the ground and listened to everyone cheer.

"Get up." I mocked him.

Gally grunted in frustration and got up. "You can't beat me."

"Maybe not. But I'm not giving up any time soon."

He came at me again, but this time with his foot. It attacked my gut, making it hard to breath as I stumbled backwards. Gally punched me hard, my cheek exploding with pain as I was sent back down to the ground.

I couldn't see anything but stars and black dots as I tried my best to breath and regain my vision. The sound of boys cheering and shouting was muffled into one confusing mess. Turning onto my back, I sat up, wincing. Gally was being held back by Alby and Newt, with complete rage rolling through his eyes.

Alby pushed Gally out of the circle and away from the group as I stood up on my own. The hit affected me harder than I thought and I stumbled when I felt a sharp pain in my ribs. Newt caught me and held me up but I didn't dare look at him for the fear of being judged. He carried me away from the boys as they continued to fight behind us as if nothing had happened a few seconds earlier. Once we got inside a hut, he sat me on a bed and looked around for supplies.

"You look like your hurt pretty bad." He said.

I nodded and he put my arms up. I winced from the pain in my ribs as he gently pulled my shirt over my head. Newt didn't look at me, and I continued to look at the ground.

"Bruised ribs." He said.

Again, I nodded.

Newt wrapped some cloth around me and then slipped my shirt back on, just as a memory came back to me.

"Maya." I mumbled.

"Huh?" Newt frowned.

"My name," I said a bit louder. "It's Maya."

Newt smiled softly. "Finally. I don't have to call you greenie anymore."

I smiled weakly and Newt helped me down off the bed.

"Are we done here?" I asked.

"Yeah. I'll show you to your bed, you look tired."

I nodded and Newt did exactly what he said he would do. My "bed" was just a hammock among the other boys, but I didn't complain. I was too tired and hurt to think of anything better. Newt told me a quick good-night and walked off. I didn't want to reply so I just laid down painfully and closed my eyes.

Sleep came easier than I thought it would.