[the maze runner]
i've been lost. but as i find him again, it feels like
such a relief. a fresh breath of air. peace, at last.
[newt x male!oc]
cover art by the beautifully talented @obviousoph
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
+++
BECAUSE OF THE GREENIE BONFIRE, THERE WOULD BE NO DINNER. Appetizers would be served that evening at the Greenie celebration, so Samson worked quickly in the Kitchen alongside Frypan and Brandon. They prepared hot dogs, bacon, and chestnuts to be roasted on the fire.
Samson's thoughts seemed to drown him as he worked. He had to admit, he was nervous to talk to Thomas, and he had no idea what he was going to say to him, especially if his memory had been wiped. Thomas arriving in the Glade couldn't have been good news. It meant that Samson needed to get stung sooner than he thought.
Once all of the food was almost ready, Frypan and Samson headed outside to set up tables around the fire. Samson caught himself scanning the Glade every once in a while in an attempt to locate Thomas, but he was nowhere to be found. Samson and Frypan finished setting up the last table, standing back to admire their work for a moment. Out of the corner of his eye, Samson found Thomas, leaning against the wall of the Homestead with Chuck. Samson stepped forward, keeping his eyes trained on Thomas.
"Hey, Fry? I'll be right back," without another word, Samson started towards the Homestead quickly, his heart rate quickening by the second. Chuck and Thomas both watched him come over, but the expression on Thomas's face was blank. He didn't recognize him. Still, Samson forced a smile.
"Chuck, how's it going, buddy?" he called to the younger boy, whose face lit up. Samson didn't talk to Chuck much, but he was a good kid. He turned to Thomas. "Thom-Greenie," he quickly covered up his slip-up with another smile. He needed to play it safe for the time being. If Thomas didn't have his memories or know his name, Samson would have a lot of explaining to do.
When Thomas didn't respond, Samson pressed on. "Do you remember your name? Or anything at all, for that matter?"
Thomas shook his head in shame. Samson sighed. "You don't?"
Chuck and Thomas both lifted their heads. "Don't worry, Greenie. Takes everyone a while to get their names." Chuck said.
Samson watched Thomas carefully, searching for any signs that he knew who he was. But that seemed to make him more uncomfortable.
"Why're you staring at me?" Thomas asked defensively.
Samson crossed his arms over his chest. He turned to Chuck again, motioning for him to leave. Chuck didn't seem to understand and stayed put. Samson stepped closer to him.
"Chuck, could you give Th-" he caught himself again. "The Greenie and I a minute, please?"
The boy groaned. "No, I'm helping him settle in. We were--oh no," Chuck's eyes widened in terror, staring directly behind Samson, who swallowed hard before turning towards whatever had caught Chuck's attention. Thomas was gone from his spot against the wall and was heading straight for the Maze. His actions made Samson's heart jump with fear and anticipation. A small part of him hoped he did have his memories and that maybe, he knew what he was doing.
Chuck sprinted after Thomas, yelling something to Samson that he couldn't make out. He took Thomas's spot on the Homestead wall, resting his head against it. He sighed loudly and shut his eyes to wallow in defeat.
"HEY!" someone screamed from behind him. Samson's eyes shot open and he stood up quickly, scanning the Glade in an attempt to put a face to the voice. His eyes landed on the Maze, where Chuck and Thomas were. Now, Thomas was on the ground and Gally hovered over him. Thomas kicked Gally away and Samson broke out into a run towards the scene.
"Calm, calm, calm, calm," Gally said as he tried to grab Thomas again. Thomas swatted him away, screaming at him to leave him alone.
By then, everyone in the Glade was running towards the Doors to watch the Greenie. Gally stepped back, hands on his hips. Newt and Alby ran to Thomas.
"What the hell is wrong with you guys?" Thomas shouted.
"Just calm down, alright?" Newt said breathlessly.
Samson stood in between Clark and Jeff. He glanced over at Clark, who was smiling of all things. Samson caught his eye and his smile only grew wider. "That was funny, watching Gally push the Greenie around. Maybe he's got a concussion or something now, and we can treat him," Clark said quietly.
Jeff shot Clark a look. "You can't say stuff like that, you shank." Jeff punched Clark playfully.
"What can I say? I love my job," Clark whispered.
The familiar gut-wrenching sound of the Doors closing cut through the air. Thomas spun around, and a gust of wind hit him in the face. The Doors slowly slammed shut and the rumbling stopped. Thomas stepped back in astonishment, still watching the Maze.
Gally rolled his eyes. "Next time, I'm gonna let 'ya leave." he shook his head and all of the other Gladers followed him back to the Glade, Samson included.
+++
The Doors closing meant that the workday was officially over with. The sun was starting to set, which also meant that the bonfire would begin soon. Clark and Samson met up with Leo and the three of them went over to the trough where the bonfires were held. All of the Gladers immediately went over to the table that Frypan and Samson had set up with food, each of them grabbing a plate and finding a log to perch themselves.
While in line, Samson waited quietly. He watched Chuck and Thomas walk around the fire while Leo and Clark spoke with Zart behind him. Once it was his turn, Samson took the plate Frypan handed him, sending him a smile.
Gally sat alone on one of the logs, watching the Sloppers set up the fire. Samson took a deep breath before going over to sit down next to him. He turned to him almost immediately, his face softening.
"Hey, Sam."
"Hey," Sam offered him one of his dinner rolls and he took it without hesitation.
The two of them ate in silence, watching all of the other Gladers laugh and play around. Still, Samson managed to keep his eyes on Thomas. He was fully convinced that Thomas didn't have his memories and their plan was lost. Their only hope now was Teresa.
Gally finished his roll and cleared his throat. Samson had noticed that he'd been keeping his eye on Thomas, too.
"I don't like that new Greenie," Gally grumbled. Samson set his plate down on the ground and shifted slightly so he faced Gally. "He's too curious. And so eager,"
After a moment, he tore his eyes away from Thomas and turned to look at Samson once again. "Can I tell you something?" Samson nodded quickly and Gally sighed. "I know him. I've seen him before."
