Together Or Not At All (Maze Runner/Newt)

Alone

"I'm cold."

This is my first waking thought. Although maybe "cold" isn't the right word for it. I feel... hollow. Empty. I open my eyes but there's nothing to see. Why is it so dark? Am I blind? I rack my brain for anything that might glean some light on my situation, anything that could hint at who I am, but I seem to be a clean slate.

Trying to divert my attention from my lack of identity, I try to figure out where I am instead. I know I'm laying on a grated surface, I can feel the indents of it on my face. My face. What do I look like? Not important. I need to keep calm and find a way out. Shakily, I stand up and shuffle around feeling for a light switch, only to find more grated wall.

I walk the perimeter, all of it is the same. I'm in a cage. Am I going to die? Why is there no way out? My heart rate picks up and the walls that I can't even see seem to get closer and closer. Backing up, I trip over what feels like some crates, hitting my head on the ground. That's when the cage jolts, moving upwards at rapid speed.

I wrap my arms around my knees, pushing my back against a corner of the wall. My mind is cloudy from the impact but I piece together that I'm in an elevator. At least I'm going somewhere. I put my hand up to my head and feel a sickly warmth, the metallic smell of blood already permeating the air. I don't know if it's the blow to the head or the apparent amnesia, but the cage seems to be moving faster. The velocity only adds to the tightness I feel in chest, heightening my anxiety.

I take a moment to congratulate myself, I now know one thing about me. I hate elevators. I sit for what seems like hours but could be only minutes, trying to think of anything familiar and wondering if this unwanted trip will ever end. Maybe it'll just keep going forever.

With that thought, the elevator stops just as suddenly as it started. I want nothing more than to leave this place, but there are no doors. I try screaming, but it makes me lightheaded and I'm afraid of passing out from blood loss. So I start banging my fist on the ground, causing the cage to rattle and echo eternally down the shaft I've just ascended.

I hear noises, murmerings. People. This could be good or bad. Judging from what has taken place so far, I'm gonna go ahead and guess bad. Either way, I'm not going to face it lying down. I struggle to my feet, hand putting presure on my forehead, and prepare to face whatever comes my way.

Blinding light was not what I expected. Although it's nice to know I'm not actually blind, I might be after this surprise overload to the corneas. Shielding my face, I rapidly blink, trying to adjust to the light and take in my new surroundings.

I hear big metal doors being opened and attribute them to my broadening view of the sky and... boys?

No no no no no. I look down at myself. Am I strong? Can I fight? Not against that many of them. I have nowhere to go but up and out, after that I have no clue what my options are.

Their faces are in shadow, but I can clearly hear their voices now. They sound curious, maybe even a little confused. Eventually, one voice sticks out from all the others. Louder, more authoritative.

"It's a girl!"

Well I could've told you that. What I find more concerning is that they are all guys and I am far outnumbered. Now they're bickering, trying to get a better look, arguing over me. Oh god this is bad.

One of them jumps down from above, startling me. I stand my ground, showing no hint of weakness, and look into his brown eyes. They seem kind but there's something behind them, something in his past, something painful.

After scanning me over a bit, the boy finally speaks up.

"Name's Newt, Greenie. Welcome to the Glade."