My heart pounds within my chest, fighting for freedom, and lassitude creeps up my body. I can't stop now, not with the Grievers behind me. I can't get Stung. I don't want to remember. I don't want to die.

"C'mon, Y/N! You can make it! C'mon!" Minho calls from in front of me. His feet hit the ground in a steady rhythm that I cling to in my panic.

A suck in oxygen desperately and beg my legs to move for just a ways longer. The sound of metal against metal as the walls scrape against each other inter mingles with the clicking of Griever feet against the stone floor of the Maze.

"We can make it!" I scream, pleading to whatever being is watching over us that the words will hold true. "Just a little further!"

Minho's long legs carry him just a few feet further than mine and he bolts through the Doors.

A stitch forms in my side and adds to the pain of exhaustion and muscle strain. Keep going, Y/N. Keep going!

A shadow begins to form over my face, sending chills down my spine. The slabs of concrete slide closed with a resounding boom that shakes the ground beneath my feet.

No, no, no, no, no! A sob rises in my throat and I scream in terror. From the other side, I can hear the Gladers calling out to me in despair. Slow close, but so far. Please, please, please! I beg the universe to spare me. I'm not ready to die.

Griever feet click behind me and an enormous roar of anger lurches my body forward. My lungs ache and I can't move my legs fast enough. I glance down, but the stony floor lacks whatever substance holds me back.

The monster chasing me however has no detriments and gains on me quickly. Sweat drips down my face. Every muscle in my body aches like never before.

To my despair, the walls of the Maze come to a dead end. A dark shadow chills the air around me. I'm dead.

With a terrified breath, I turn to face my murderer, but the metal slug is preoccupied by it's current meal.

I scream, tears pouring down my face as I recognize the boy bleeding in the monsters clutch. Minho. He came back for me. And now he's dead, because of me. His dark eyes glaze over as Minho's pain fades.

"Y/N!" The accented voice rings through my ears as if it's miles away and reverberates again and again in agony.

"Newt," I scream. Tears blur my vision and I have no idea where he is. "Run! Save yourself!"

"No, I won't leave you, you're ok." His voice brings a warmth the wraps around my shoulders like a blanket.

"I killed him! He's dead because of me!" I exclaim. Fear pierces my bones as the Griever turns it's attention back to the shaking girl. I scramble backwards and slam into the wall.

The Griever extends it's stinger and stabs it straight through my stomach. A burning pain erupts from torso and blood is everywhere. I scream and claws drag bloody chasms up my throat. Agony is all I know.

---

Newt's POV

With a groan, my eyes peel open and squint at the dark wood of my wall. It cannot be time to get up yet. Sure enough, my watch reads three o'clock a.m. Why the shuck am I awake right now?

Soft sobs meet my ears and I freeze to listen harder. The cries are desperate and feminine. Y/N.

Cold air receives my bare legs happily and sends shivers up my spine, but I simply tug at my shorts and make my way to her hut.

"We can make it," Y/N mumbles. "Just a little further."

Her gorgeous y/e/c eyes are hidden beneath their lids and tears stick the lashes to her cheeks.

"Hey, hey, you're alright," I promise her, moving to the foot of her bed.

Y/N screams in pure terror and thrashes in her sleep, tearing my heart out with the agonizing sound. She sobs again and I clamber onto her bed. I know I shouldn't be in her room, let alone on her bed without her knowing, Alby would probably kill me if he found out, but I ignore my rational brain and let my heart drag me to her side.

"Y/N, wake up. You're alright." I take her delicate y/s/c hands in mine and squeeze them in what I hope is a comforting way.

She screams again and tears her hands from my grasp in a burst of terror. "Minho!" Y/N moans.

Jealousy pricks at my heart and a part of me wishes she were calling out for me. "Wake up, Y/N!" I try again.

Pearly tears spill down her cheeks. "Newt! Run! Save yourself!" She murmurs, voice slurred by sleep.

My lips twitch up. "No, I won't leave you, you're ok." Now that she's calling for me rather than the Keeper of the Runner's, my confidence grows and I dare to wrap my arm around her shoulders. My touch makes her freeze for a moment but she continues to tremble and sob.

"...killed him... dead because of me!" Y/N cries. Before I have a chance to reply, she releases an ear shattering scream and slumps against the pillows. Her arms wrap around her middle as she sobs.

"Y/N, Y/N!" I say, pulling her onto me. "You're ok, it was just a dream. You're ok."

Her eyes are glossed over by tears but they meet mine, wide with terror. "Newt," she sobs, finally conscious of my presence.

I pull her into an embrace and she buries her head in my chest, crying. I stroke her y/h/t hair and hush her kindly. She trembles and her body is drenched in a cold sweat, but I don't mind. Just holding her dispels all darkness that marred my life, if only for a moment.

We lie there together for who knows how long and I rest my chin against her head, allowing my eyes to flicker closed. Y/N sniffles and leans into me more. I feel her head move to look at mine, but don't make the effort to lift my eyelids.

"Newt?" She asks, her voice soft and wet from tears.

"Mm?" I hum lazily.

She whispers. "Thank you."