Pain.

That was all I felt as I lifted my one hundred pound head off of the ground of the hard wooden floor. My whole body ached and I couldn't tell which way was up and which was down. My eyes burned from the bright light that had blinded my vision as soon as I opened them. At least it was morning and I had made it through the night without barfing.

I groaned as I rolled onto my stomach, sliding myself across the wood to my bed, looking for the same boy who had spent the night. But when I pulled my head up to look over my cot, he was nowhere in sight. Maybe he gets up early even if he's hungover. I wondered what time it was. From here it looked like it was sometime in the mid-afternoon, but I know that Alby would never let me sleep that late, no matter how much I had to drink the night before. I dragged myself onto my feet, leaning my body weight onto my bed that Newt had so kindly made. He even placed a blanket over the top of my body, which I hadn't noticed until I fully opened my eyes.

My hands found their way to my temples, doing anything to make the pounding and ringing in my ears go away. Everything was heightened. My hearing, my vision... The sounds of Gladers speaking among themselves as they ate breakfast downstairs and outside was enough for me to scream, and that wasn't even half of what bothered me right now. The heat of the morning sun beat down on my back, making a sweat appear on my skin in seconds. My eyes burned when I tried to open them, and even if I tried to stand, I think I would just pass out again.

But I tried anyway. I groaned and muttered a strong curse word before lifting myself to my feet and standing in place for a few seconds, letting my aching bones and throbbing head get used to the feeling. Slowly, I started to make my way out of my room and down to the kitchen, in need of some serious water. My throat was dry and it felt like I hadn't brushed my teeth in years. As I reached the bottom level, the boys were starting to disperse, making me praise the lord that they weren't all in here, chattering and yelling. I think I would punch them all in the face if I ever did that.

I trudged over to the closest empty table I could find, wanting nothing more than to be alone right now and to go back to sleep. I rested my heavy head on my hand and closed my eyes once more, whining internally at the thought of why headaches had to be so painful. When I felt myself start to drift off again, I felt someone plop down in the seat next to me. I knew exactly who it was without even opening my eyes.

I let out a grunt, "Did you get lucky or are you as bad as I am right now?"

Newt sighed, "I'm keepin' it together. Woke up early so that I could sober up a bit before goin' to work. But how you look is how I feel on the inside."

"I guess I look pretty bad, huh?" I yawned, immediately regretting the decision as a thousand knives felt like they penetrated my temple.

He hummed in response, "You look like klunk on a stick."

"Thanks, Newt," I mumbled. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on anything other than the throbbing all over my body, "Everything hurts."

"I know. Water helps. I can get you some if you want. Or Chuck'll get us both some," I could hear him lift his hand and wave someone over. It must've been Chuck because Newt's next words were orders to fetch two large cups of water.

"I'm never drinking again," I breathed as I leaned my head on Newt's shoulder. He nodded, leaning his head against mine and patting my knee, "Do you remember anything?"

He inhaled a sharp breath, "Bits and pieces. How 'bout you?"

"Laughing," I simply said, "I remember laughing, and then I remember things got really deep, and then I think we just passed out. Am I right?"

"Mostly."

"Great," I rolled my eyes, causing me to hiss in pain.

Newt tilted his head back enough to get a look at me, and he chuckled, moving his arm to weave through my tangled hair, "You should probably put this mop up. 'S gonna get in the way of the weeding today."

I groaned aloud and rolled my head off of his shoulder, only to have it be caught in his hand, "Weeding? Really? Why?"

He shrugged and brought my head back up to its original position, "Cause it needs to be done. Then we have to fix the grapevines cause those buggin' things are falling down. 'S gonna be a long day for us, Maisy."

"Here are your waters," Another voice made his way into the conversation, "And I brought you guys some bread too. Just in case you were hungry."

"Thanks, Chuck," Newt yawned. I felt him nudge something cold against my arm, and I slowly opened one of my eyes, looking at what was in the boy's hand. I took the cup of cold water from him and brought it to my lips, easily chugging half of it.

"Can I dump the rest of this on my head?" I muttered to myself, but I could hear Chuck laugh from across the table.

"You look dead," He told me. I glared at him and sent him a weird face, but it didn't shut him up, "Hey, I have a question for you."

Newt and I both groaned at the same time, "Not now, Chuck," He mumbled, "Maybe when we're both sober enough to respond to you."

"Well you just did," He sassed, "Anyways, how did you come up with all of those fighting moves against Gally last night? Was the coolest thing I've seen in a long time. Everyone's talkin' about it..."

"Don't know," I replied, "I just kinda did."

I reached my heavy arm into the air and set it on the table, grabbing the piece of bread Chuck had also brought us. I tuned out all of his other questions and focused on ripping off a piece and popping it into my mouth. I felt my stomach grumble out of hunger the second the food hit my tongue, and I shoved more and more into my mouth until Newt took the bread from me, feeding himself. I grabbed my water and washed down the last of the foul taste that I had woken up with. I felt a little bit better now, but the ache and fatigue remained. I didn't even remember how much sleep I got, maybe three hours. Whatever it was, it wasn't enough to be working in the fields all day.

"C'mon," Newt nudged my side, "We gotta get goin' or Alby's gonna yell at us. Newbie's workin' with us too."

I groaned once more, but slowly stood myself up with him, "So now we have to deal with all of his questions?"

He nodded and pursed his lips, "Yeah. Let's just go find him and bloody get it over with. Be nice though. Don't tell him to bug off."

"I'm nice," I murmured to myself as I followed the boy out of the Homestead and to a picnic table outside, where Thomas sat alone. He was fumbling with his fingers and looking out at the East doors which were now open, meaning that the Runners had already left. Newt and I approached him, and I quickly threw my hair onto the top of my head.

"Day one, Greenie," Newt patted his shoulder, gaining his attention, "You'll be workin' with us today. You ready to work your butt off?"

Thomas pursed his lips but remained silent as he stood up. He sent me a weird look and I nodded, waving him off, "I know, I look like a pile of living klunk. Don't shove it in my face."

He raised his eyebrows and followed Newt, who chuckled and began walking over to the fields. I stared at the ground as I walked with them, already listening to Thomas ask Newt a few questions about the place. He answered vaguely, making the Greenie turn to me. I held my hand in front of his face before he even got the chance to let one syllable slip. I rubbed my sore eyes and sighed.

"Listen, dude. I have the world's biggest headache right now, my legs hurt, I'm tired, and I can barely open my eyes. If you ask me one question before I'm fully awake I will not hesitate to shove my hand into your mouth. Got it?" I asked him as Newt let out a breathy laugh and shook his head. Thomas nodded and moved his eyes to the ground, finally shutting up.

The three of us made our way to the weeds that were beginning to rise near the plants that Newt and I had buried a few days earlier. Zart was already working like the good kid he was. He even handed me a shovel that could help me with the rooting. I dropped down to my knees with a grunt and took hold of a weed, pulling it out and setting it aside. I didn't speak to anyone as I worked on the first patch, I just listened to Thomas ask Newt more questions about the Glade, things I wondered my first couple of days too. Where the water came from, what a Gathering was...stupid little questions that I had to figure out for myself unless someone told me about it. For the most part, I kept to myself as a Greenie unless it was enforcing a rule that involved hygiene and manners. Maybe that's how I gained my respect.

When break time happened, I told Newt that Thomas and I were going to get some food from the kitchens. He told us not to get into any trouble, and I told him that there were no promises. So, I led the newbie into Frypan's territory, making sure that he wasn't there first.

"Alright, c'mon," I waved him through and pointed to a table, which he took a seat at, "What do you want? I can make a sandwich, there's carrots..."

"Anything would be fine," He told me quietly. I nodded and quickly rinsed my hands of any dirt before I pulled out all the contents that I needed to make a sandwich, minus the pickles. I set them all on the table and started to get to work while he watched me.

"Fry hates it when we raid his fridge," I smirked at him. He looked up at me and nodded, watching as I placed the cheese in between the bread.

When I was finished, I handed him the sandwich, "Thanks," He nodded. I walked back over towards the cabinets and grabbed two cups, filling each with water. I sat down in the chair across from him and slid the cup across the table.

"Drink this or you'll get amnesia," I joked.

He looked back up at me with a deadpanned expression, "Really?"

I shrugged and pursed my lips, "Do what you will but I would drink it if I were you."

"This is crazy," He spoke again, ignoring me and my poor excuse of a joke, "How can this be real? Someone sent us here. Someone evil."

I shrugged, "Quit complaining and eat the sandwich. Just accept it and don't think about it."

He closed his mouth and looked out of a window, probably going through the questions in his mind that I now had the pleasure of getting to know. If he thought that Chuck would give him better answers, then he's wrong. I knew a lot more than that little kid, and I'd only been here a month.

"So what's up with you and Newt?" Thomas asked through a mouthful of food.

I pointed at him, "Don't talk with your mouthful. And what do you mean?"

He shrugged and swallowed the remaining food before speaking again, "Like what are you? Are you together or..."

"What?" I let out a loud laugh and shook my head, "No, no definitely not. No. We're just...really good friends."

Thomas raised his eyebrow at me, but I sent him a glare. What even were Newt and I? We're we friends like he described last night? Or were we something more? It was no doubt that I felt something for him, but when you're living behind four walls it seems as though there are a million other important things that could happen. A million other things you could spend your time thinking about. Plus, I didn't even know if Newt felt the same way, and it's not like I was just gonna go up to him and tell him that I like him, making a complete fool out of myself. I had gained respect here, and I wasn't about to have that taken away by some beautiful second in command British boy. Besides, he—

"Hello? Mae?" Thomas waved his hand in my face, tearing me out of my thoughts, "I asked a question."

"Sorry," I mumbled, "What is it?"

He cleared his throat, "I asked if you could tell me about the Runners?"

I looked up at him through my eyelashes and leaned back in my chair, folding my arms across my chest. I raised my eyebrows and shrugged, "Well, what about them? Why are you asking?"

"Just wondering."

Silently, I wondered why he had been asking questions about the Runners. Yesterday at the fire, and now today. Did he want to become one? Either way, I had to figure out how to tell

him that we couldn't be one. I already tried. Hell, Minho even agreed that I should be one. But I couldn't, according to Newt.

"Best of the best, they are. Have to be. Everything depends on them.."

"Why aren't you one?" He asked, making me scoff and roll my eyes.

"You don't think I've tried? I've done everything I possibly could and those shucks Newt and Alby still won't let me be one because of my stupid condition. Trust me, I'm just as curious as you," I took the top piece of bread off of my sandwich and popped a piece of ham into my mouth, "But it's safer in here. You don't wanna know what's outside of those walls."

"Grievers?"

I nodded, "Has Newt showed you already?"

"Yeah," He sighed. I hummed in response, now knowing that's the reason that he woke up this morning, "What's your condition?"

The corners of my lips twitched up into a sarcastic and exhausted smile, "You know, Thomas, you ask a lotta questions."

Thomas shrunk into his seat and looked down at the table. I sighed, but answered, "Asthma. Some kind of problem with my lungs. I almost died comin' up in that shucking box—couldn't breathe to save my life. Newt helped me calm down and I got out. Alby gave me this," I took the red inhaler out of my back pocket and handed it to him. He furrowed his eyebrows and examined it as I continued to speak, "I was refrained from any hard physical activity. Even though I'm fine and could run a shucking marathon, they won't let me. Minho even thinks it's stupid. He wants me to be a Runner just as bad as you want to become one. But I can't. All I can do is stay here and pull weeds like everyone else."

Thomas looked up at me and set the inhaler back on the table. I quickly grabbed it and shook my head, feeling a heavy weight appear in my chest again.

"That must suck," He told me. I nodded, just waiting for him to ask another question so I could get my mind off of it, "How do you become one?"

"Gathering elects Runners. But don't think about going to everyone and yappin' about how you wanna be one. If you think I'm tough, they would laugh in your face. It's no use anyways..." I told him in all honesty. Thomas was the new Greenie, so he needed to earn respect before he even mentioned the possibility to Newt or Alby or Minho.

He sighed, "Look, I can't sit around and pull weeds all day—I'll go nuts. I don't know what I did before I came here, but I can tell that I'm meant to be a Runner."

I stared at him and blinked, "Haven't been here a week, shank. What—Do you got a death wish or somethin'? Have you seen that Griever?"

"For all you know, I could be really good at it. It's a waste of time just to make me wait..."

"Alright, listen here," I muttered in a low voice. I leant forward against the table and pointed my finger at him, feeling the anger rise, "You've got a lot of provin' to do before they even consider you, okay? That's not how things work around here. We don't need you screwin' up the way we do things because you don't want to pull weeds. We're all here, and we're all stuck in the same shucking Maze. Don't think that you're any different from the rest of us because you're curious. That'll only gain you enemies. Do you hear me?"

He looked into my eyes and softened his face. I could tell that enemies were the last thing he wanted, so he just nodded and leaned back, deciding to shut his mouth. I sighed and wiped my droopy eyes, still feeling exhaustion wash over me. I didn't want to go back to work, and I'm sure Thomas didn't either, but we had to. Newt would be furious if we just ditched him and sat in the kitchen all day eating sandwiches and talking about the Runners.

"Let's go," I breathed, shoving the last of my sandwich into my mouth, "Break time's up, Geeenie. Now we gotta fix some shucking vines."

He sighed and stood up, following me. We both made our way back to where Newt and Zart were, now wrapping strings around the grapevines. To be honest, I actually have no idea what they were, but I just went along with what Newt said. They didn't look like grapes.

"Here ya go, Tommy," Newt handed Thomas a shovel, "Start digging here."

He nodded and grabbed the shovel from Newt, who had taken off his white sweatshirt and tied it around his waist. He was now only in his orange tank top, while I was in my black cargo pants and my army green tank as well. He smiled at me as I began to tie the strings of ivy back into the wooden poles the builders had made a while back, according to Newt.

The previous conversation with Thomas kept running through my mind like a broken record. How thick could be be? I mean did he honestly think that we would just take him to Minho and then he would be out in the Maze the next day? It's honestly the stupidest thing I've ever heard. If I couldn't become a Runner by beating Minho in a race, beating Gally twice in the same night, and enforcing most of the simple rules here, then I was starting to debate whether anyone would be a Runner. I loved these boys with my whole heart, but sometimes I thought that they could be some of the most narrow minded people that exist in this weird version of the Earth.

Thomas sighed and stopped digging to look at Newt, who was directly in front of me, tying a string around a vine, "Has anyone tried climbing to the top?"

Newt nodded and looked at me, a wave of annoyance flushing over his face, "Tried it," He muttered, "The ivy doesn't go all the way to the top. And besides, where ya gonna go from there?"

"Okay, what about the Box?" He started listing things that they've probably already tried, "You know? Next time it comes up, you just—"

"No, we tried that," Newt told him again, going back to work, "Box won't go back down with someone in it."

I furrowed my eyebrows, all of this being semi-new information to me. I knew that they had made several attempts of getting out through places in the Glade, but they were still here so obviously it didn't work.

"Okay, well wh-what if we—"

"No. We tried it, alright? Twice," Newt scoffed, "Trust me, everything you can think of, we've already tried."

"Why don't you build a ladder?" I asked myself under my breath. But he didn't hear me as he continued to talk to Thomas.

"The only way out here is through the Maze."

I rolled my eyes at the two and all of the bickering they had already begun to do. I could tell they would be friends, but right now Thomas had to shut up and just do his work. I don't think he understood though. Understood that we literally had nowhere to go unless the Runners grew a brain and found something that could actually help us.

"Now look, you wanna be helpful?" Newt asked Thomas, who gave him a small nod. He picked up a small woven basket and threw it at him, making the Greenie fumble with it for just a few seconds, "Go dig us up some more fertilizer."