The box, nearly a week ago, had shown up at an odd time. It never showed up during the day like it was supposed to, but instead, arrived in the middle of the pitch black night.

Even stranger, there was no greenie. This was the first time since the very beginning in the Glade that a boy hadn't been sent up with the normal run on monthly supplies.

Most of the Gladers seemed to brush it off. Thomas, however, didn't believe it. His suspicions were raised. He was on constant high alert.

"Newt, c'mon." He let out a heavy breath as he dropped his spoon into his dinner. "Something doesn't feel right."

"Mate, you get too up in your head. I'm sure it's fine." The blonde brushed off Thomas' hundredth comment of the day about feeling like something wasn't right about the box and the missing greenie. "Maybe the creators didn't have anyone to send up."

Thomas grumbled and got up as well to go turn his dishes into Frypan. It was time to pack it in for the night and as he dragged his feet through the grass, he swore he could hear things out in the deadheads. All of the animals were turned in for the night, everyone was accounted for and unless there was a griever out there, something was going on and he knew it.

Curious, he grabbed a torch from near the hammocks and sprinted off toward the woods. No one called out after him or seemed to notice. He saw that as a success.

It was hard to hear the subtle rustling like he had before with the flame now flickering by his ears. Unfortunately, it was pretty hard to see anything as well. If there were anyone out here, they knew how to hide well.

After some more scouring around, Thomas felt his eyes becoming heavy and thought it was best he head to the hammocks. If nothing else, he could listen while he laid there. At least he'd be getting some kind of rest instead of aimlessly wandering the woods all night.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed staring up at the tree canopy above him, listening carefully. But it eventually paid off. Faint and in the distance, it sounded like someone was making their way through the grass quickly. He knew exactly what it sounded like because he ran through the grass everyday. A hatch to a door opened somewhere to his right and shut. Whoever this was wasn't exactly trying to be quiet tonight.

Then, a clatter. Thomas knew it was inside the medjack hut.

He leapt out of his hammock, scrambling to get himself upright. As he made his way toward the noise, a light flickered on inside. Someone lit some of the candles inside.

Coming closer, all Thomas could hear was someone working inside. Either he was right and there was someone in the Glade from when that box arrived and he was about to catch them or he was going to walk in on someone who'd just pooped their pants and was in search of a clean pair of underwear. It seemed like a 50/50 at this point, especially after Frypan's new, experimental dinner.

Thomas snuck inside carefully. The silhouette of a person moved around quickly. He peered around the corner of one of the rooms in the hut.

What he saw was the last thing he expected. No, it wasn't one of the boys looking for a change of clothes. No, it wasn't a griever or some weird critter. It was a girl. Immediately, he noticed the massive bleeding wound on her arm that she was obviously scrambling to treat.

She caught his eyes in her flurry to find something to clean the wound. Right away, she knew she had nowhere to go. There was only one way out and this boy stood right between her and it. Though, he didn't seem all that threatening. His soft brown eyes were just curious and a little shocked.

He took a step forward and the girl backed up, holding her arm and trying to stop the bleeding. Her eyes narrowed on him. If she had to get out of here by force, she could and would.

"Woah, hey, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you." Thomas put his arms up in surrender. He moved to the boxes of medjack supplies and started searching though. He'd had enough rough goes in the maze to know how to treat a cut like hers.

"That's pretty bad. What happened?" He asked softly, putting some supplies down.

"I—" She went to speak but stopped.

Thomas sent a small smile, encouraging her on.

"I was trying to build a shelter in the woods. One of the logs fell on me." She said quickly, holding out her arm.

"Mind if I help?" He asked.

The girl paused and thought for a moment. Hesitantly, she sat down on the cot in front of Thomas and nod. "Okay."

"This might hurt a little. But it doesn't need stitches, so that's the good news." He had her distracted with his words so that when he did go to clean the wound, she only winced a little. In fact, she didn't seem to notice all that much, more so lost in scanning his face.

"What's your name?" He turned and reached for some bandages.

The girl watched him curiously. Then, she looked to meet his eyes. "I'm Y/N."

"Well," Thomas smiled and tilt his head, cutting some gauze. "I'm Thomas. Nice to meet you."

The girl flinched a little when he grabbed her arm with cold fingers as he wrapped the bandage around her arm. Thomas caught her gaze. He could tell she was lonely and afraid.

"Thank you." She whispered. "I should go."

"Where?" He stopped her from getting up and springing out of the hut.

"Back to the woods. I can stay there." She rubbed her hands on her legs nervously.

"You don't have to, though." Thomas leaned forward. Maybe, unknowingly, a little too close. He had a way of sort of getting in peoples personal space. "It's safe here."

Y/N dart her eyes around and her expression fell. "I'm the only girl."

"That's okay," Thomas reassured. "We're here to help. Besides, you can clearly look after yourself. You'll be okay. You're tougher than most of the boys here anyways."

Y/N let out a small, quiet laugh and Thomas felt his stomach spinning a little. He soon broke in soft laughter himself.

"Thomas." Minho appeared behind him with absolutely no warning. Behind Minho, a messy haired Newt yawning, rubbing his eyes, holding a lantern. "Wanna explain yourself?"

Thomas whipped around and lift off of the chair. "Uhhhh."

Groaning, Minho stepped fully into the room with Newt. "Why is it always you?"

A little embarrassed and feeling awfully put on the spot, Thomas turned to look at the girl. "Well, this is Y/N. She's the greenie."

"Okay, I figured." Minho crossed his arms.

Newt was looking a little dumbfounded. "How'd you make it this long without anyone finding you?"

Y/N looked to Thomas for reassurance. He let her know it was okay to talk. "You guys are kinda loud. Easy to sneak around."

"Why didn't you just let us know you were here?" Newt asked, coming closer and sitting in the chair Thomas had abandoned.

"Well, I woke up in a box in total darkness to people hollering somewhere in the distance. Figured it was best I got out and hide before they found me. I still wasn't sure if it was safe." She explained, fingers folded together anxiously.

Thomas looked between Newt and Minho with a deadpan expression. "And no one believe me when I said supplies were going missing."

"Yeah, yah, shuckface." Minho lightly smacked the back of Thomas' head. "You were right and we were wrong, blah blah blah."

"Well, I'm not sure how we're going to break the news to everyone," Newt sighed, holding that lantern closer to him like he was trying to suck in its heat. "But, I can promise you're safe here. No need to worry, alright?"

"Okay," Y/N smiled thankfully at Newt and then shivered.

Newt took notice. He also very clearly saw how Thomas was very inquisitive about this girl. He didn't want to separate them now, especially since Y/N seemed to trust Thomas. "How about Minho and I go find you some warm clothes while you and Thomas set up camp here for the night? He can get you caught all up to speed on things here in the Glade in case you can't sleep. In the morning, we'll sort things out."

Thomas' eyes went noticeably wide and then glanced down at Y/N. She shrugged and seemed to agree to Newt's plan. "That sounds good. Thanks."

Minho point from his eyes to Thomas. "Don't lose her. Looks like she could outrun your clumsy butt any day."

"What?" Thomas squeaked. "I'm not gonna—"

"Minho," Newt grabbed the runners arm and dragged him out of the room. "We have things to go find."

Thomas rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, sorry, they're kind of weird."

"No, no." Y/N laughed. "They're nice. You were right."