IT STARTED WITH A MAZE - Newt x Reader (F)

- SECTION 7 -

It's a big day today.

The kind of day that settles in your chest like a heavy stone and makes every breath feel just a little sharper.

Minho jogs over to us to us in the pit, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Morning, Speedy," he says and starts undying the rope that will free my door. "Thomas. Anyone want to opt out today?" he jokes, though we both know he's kidding.

"Just get me out of here, man," I hear Thomas say from the other side.

We back-track to the hammocks in order to get ready for the run ahead. Thomas and Minho are jogging off to the closed Maze doors before me. I catch Newt's eye like usual as I tighten my laces. He stands quietly to the side, waiting for me. "How was your night in the pit?" Newt asks softly, his voice carrying that gentle concern that makes me want to be honest with him.

"Alright," I say, trying to keep my voice light. "Chuck snuck us some food." I tell him because I trust him. Sharing that small secret, the bread passed against the rules, is like a bridge between us. A reminder that even in the chaos, we still have something resembling friendship.

Newt smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Hard to run on an empty stomach," he agrees, shaking his head. There's something warm in that small exchange, something that steadies the nerves fluttering inside me.

I keep the song to myself - the one I sang to Chuck in the dark - but maybe I'll tell Newt later. I know that he would understand how even a fragile melody can hold a world of hope and fear. Channel 5 does exactly that for us.

We catch up to Thomas and Minho, walking toward the Maze's massive doors. The air is thick with anticipation, the quiet hum of tension wrapping around us like a cloak.

"Now," Newt says, his voice low but firm as he looks at the three of us, "you guys need to be careful."

Minho scoffs, shaking his head. "How come you've only started saying that since (Y/n) started running?" He complains.

Newt shoots him a look, lips twitching with the hint of a smile. "It's more directed at her and Thomas, because they don't seem to have the same logic as you." Minho chuckles. "Kidding." Newt adds quickly, "not about the safety part, though."

The silence stretches. I feel my heart pounding, every beat marking the moments before the Maze will open.

Then, with a deep, grinding creak that echoes in the stillness, the walls begin to part.

The Maze waits.

"Let's go," Minho says sharply, already stepping toward the yawning entrance.

Thomas lingers for a heartbeat, his eyes flickering with doubt or maybe fear. I can almost feel the weight of everything pressing down on him. Then, without another word, he breaks into a run, muscles tense but determined.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself, then turn to Newt. "Three little birds, Newtie," I say, testing the nickname out loud for the first time. It feels strange - but good - saying it here, in this moment.

I catch the faintest chuckle from him before I'm already moving, legs pumping as I sprint toward the Maze's twisting paths.

As I dive into the green shadows, chasing after Thomas and Minho, the world narrows to the rhythm of my heartbeat and the distant echo of a promise. Perhaps today we will find something different.

~~~

We follow Minho.

No hesitation, no time to think - just the slap of our feet against the stone. Minho leads, and Thomas and I are right behind him. As we approach the first turn, Minho throws a sharp right. The walls loom on either side of us, towering and indifferent, and the air here already feels different - cooler, somehow heavier. Each breath scrapes my throat raw.