The Reason

The Last One Ever

Nikola had been closest to the door and was the first one out, not wanting to be trampled by the boys, and also not wanting to miss out on what was happening like she missed out on that morning's events. She started across the field, Newt passing her in a wobbly sprint before a strong hand gripped her arm, pulling her back.

"Stay here," Gally told her coldly before running off to catch up with Newt.

She frowned as Chuck, Thomas, and Minho stopped beside her.

"I know that sound.." Thomas muttered.

"The box," Chuck said as he looked at Minho. "It's coming back up."

"It shouldn't be!" Minho said before taking off after the others.

Nikola followed with Chuck, not letting Gally be the boss of her. She saw Gally and Newt share a look as they hesitated at the edge of the box before opening it. Newt hopped down while Gally stayed firmly rooted up top.

"What is it Newt?" Someone asked as Nikola tried to peer over shoulders.

"It's another girl," Newt answered, making her eyes go wide.

She felt Gally's eyes on her and looked up, meeting them for a moment before he turned away, causing the bottom of her stomach to plunge. He still hated her.

"I think she's dead?" Newt was saying.

"What's in her hand?" Gally asked.

Newt bent over and gently pulled the piece of paper from her hand, reading five simple words. "She's the last one...ever," he looked up at them questioningly. "What does that m-"

He was cut off when the girl came to, gasping for breath, startling everyone. "Thomas," she breathed before passing out again, her bright blue eyes closing.

Everyone looked at Thomas who blushed.

"Still think I'm overreacting?" Gally asked with one raised brow.

They put another bed in Nikola's room and moved the girl there, Clint and Jeff watching over her as Nikola helped however she could. Newt, Minho and Thomas came to check on her, Gally strangely absent. Nikola overheard their conversation and how Newt's voice was trying so hard to speak with authority but every now and then a tremor would run through it. They were worried about the box not bringing any new supplies and how long they'd be able to last that way. Newt didn't want to worry about anything like that just yet, instead holding out hope that the girl would have some answers when she woke up. Thomas didn't seem to be a fan of that plan.

It wasn't apparent right then, but the glade had become divided. Thomas was set on going back into the maze to see the dead griever again, to possibly get some answers. Minho didn't like the sound of that at all.

"The runners all quit this morning," Nikola over heard Minho say when she stepped outside, eavesdropping. She followed Minho's gaze to the other runners and saw them shaking hands with Gally, an odd mix of company in her opinion.

Her curiosity and boredom got the best of her as she followed them. Minho collected Frypan, Winston, and Zart and met back up with Thomas behind the house. They all set off toward the maze but Nikola stepped out from her hiding place and grabbed Frypan.

"Fry, what are you doing?" She asked him as the others stopped a ways ahead and waited for a moment.

"Nikola," He used her name which meant this was serious. "I have to do this. It could help us get out of here. Don't you want to get out of here?"

She stared at him as she bit her lip, looked back at the others, and then released his arm. "Just promise me you'll be careful," she said, poking him in the chest. "You're one of the few friends I have around here."