"Newt, I'm fine. Honestly." Mae tried to brush off the fact that she was missing a small piece of her arm. I might've been overreacting, but if there's blood on this girl anywhere, it immediately sends me into panic mode.

"Tommy, hand me a bandage." I murmured to my friend, who sat on the roof, staring at her as she rolled her eyes. Vince was busy trying to take her jacket off, at which she slammed her fist into the metal. I looked at her with a knowing glare—this all could've been solved if she had just listened to me.

She never does though.

"I'm fine, Newt. You're overreacting." She groaned, ripping her arm out of my grasp when I tried to wrap the bandage Thomas had handed me around her wound.

I could feel my blood start to boil with every moment that passed. I wasn't one to become mad so easily, especially at someone I cared so much about. But the fact that she had risked her life to save me—something so reckless—made me upset. She could've died for all I knew. And it would've been my fault.

Glaring at her, I gripped her arm again, hearing her sigh and hold her head in her other hand. Vince and Thomas watched as I wrapped the sealant around the wound to stop blood from going everywhere. The gash wasn't that big...but it was enough to bleed. Tying the knot tight at the end, I noticed Mae clench her jaw and pinch her eyes shut, trying to contain her pain. I shook my head before standing up.

"It'll be fine until we get back to the camp." I spoke flatly. "I'll have to clean it and probably stitch it up there."

As soon as I finished my sentence, I bent down and grabbed my backpack, moving over to the edge of the car, where I sat back down and let my feet dangle over the edge. Sitting there, I had a flashback of when I used to sit on top of the Maze walls. Day after day, I used to run the Maze, the claustrophobia making me feel like I was suffocating. But when I climbed that ivy, and looked out at the rest of the Maze, sometimes staring up at the sky, I felt like I wasn't contained anymore.

That's how it felt with you, Mae. You made me feel like I was free, even in our darkest times. And as I stared at the dry mountains and the earth below us, I couldn't help but think of you. Even though I was upset, you always made your way through my mind. I felt powerless against that, and yet, I didn't want the power. I wanted you.

Fishing through my bag which held little belongings, I grabbed my plastic bag of crackers, opening it, and biting into one. I wasn't hungry, just bored. I had quite a while to think, and maybe write. I didn't want to talk to anyone, but I wasn't going to push someone away if they were to try to make conversation.

I set the bag of food next to me, praying that it wouldn't blow away with the wind. Reaching into my bag for a second time, I grabbed my journal and pen, opening to a blank page before I tucked my tongue in between my teeth and started to let my pen direct my thoughts. Back hunched, feeling the wind blow through my hair, I used this time as a release so that maybe I wouldn't be so worked up the next time I talked to Mae.

It felt weird—being upset with her. I could faintly hear her soft murmurs as she spoke to Vince and Thomas about who knows what. I was biting off more than I could chew. A part of me wanted to go talk to them, but another part of me wanted to sit here and write. Let my thoughts speak to each other like they had when I was waiting for the signal. I thought it was funny how I was only fully able to express myself through my writing, and not so much my words. I guess it was just the anxiety of being face to face with someone and telling them how I felt that made me want to crawl back into my shell.

Mae had power. There's no denying that. I knew it the moment she told everyone to wash their hands before they ate—or Minho did at least. The point is that I guess she intimidated me a bit. Despite acting differently when I was around, and being one of the nicest people I've ever met, her ability to make someone feel small was almost scary. I don't think she liked doing it, though. She told me once that at times where she felt small, she wished that she could overcome it. Maybe she doesn't even realize that she belittles someone until they bark back at her. The confidence she had was amazing as well. Times where she doesn't think she'll be able to do anything then surprises herself as well as everyone around her as well is something I don't think I could ever get over. I wished that I could be like her.

Being mad at her...it didn't feel right. But every time I thought of her jumping down from the partial safety of the roof of the train car just to protect me, I saw red. When I asked her if she was okay, the girl just pushed me off. Maybe if I could just tell her what might happen to me if she were to somehow die, either from an asthma attack or something else, she would understand and be a little more careful? But I couldn't be a burden. I just wanted her to be safe. I always have.

I wrote in my journal until we got back to the camp at around dusk. The air had become a tad cooler, the breeze putting me into a state of tranquility as I stuffed everything back into my bag, trying not to shake from the sheer anticipation that my friend could be sitting in the car that I had begun to stand on. My heart beat with a new purpose, if we got him now, then we could leave for the Safe Haven soon, and all would be good.

"Brenda," I heard Tommy speak up. I swiveled my head around, pulling the straps over my shoulders and listening. "Tell Jorge to drop us off near the beach. Go down slow, we're not in a rush."

For once, I thought, raising my eyebrows as I gripped onto the rope, balancing myself against the wind. I continued to stare at the camp below us, ignoring the presence of the girl next to me. She didn't say a word, but I could tell she was looking at me as I tried my hardest to avert my gaze from her. She sighed, dropping her head before she turned around and walked away.

As soon as she was a few feet away, I turned my head to face her. Her hair was out of her ponytail, cascading down her back so gracefully that I wanted to run my fingers through it. She made her way over to Vince, looking up at him with a small smile that made me want to scream. The older man wrapped his arm around her waist, hugging her from the side. She leaned her head against him—he had become something like a father to her ever since Mary passed. Even as she hugged Vince, I found myself wanting to go over to her and just lay a kiss on her smooth skin. That, or scream at her. I was so in love with this girl that it hurt. Especially when I was mad.

We started to lower over an open space in the camp that was right next to the beach, where the rusty ship sat, waiting for us to fix it up and take it to the Safe Haven. The camp was in full effect, Right Arm members running towards us as we continued to lower to the ground.

Once the train car hit the floor, causing me to jolt forward and tighten my grip around the rope, people began cheering. Screams of praise echoed throughout the place, causing a small smile to tug at my lips. It felt weird getting praise for this—we were just trying to get our friend back from WICKED. But I guess in the process we rescued a few more. Which...is actually very good.

I moved to climb down the ladder that was closest to me, on such a high that I jumped down the last few feet, regretting it as soon as I was halfway in the air. I hit the ground hard, purposely putting more weight on my right leg than my left. I clenched my teeth in pain, hissing at my stupid leg. Shaking my head at my action, I pulled the backpack off of my shoulders and dropped it next to the train, reminding myself to grab it after we broke the door.

Vince was already standing near the door with the blow torch, murmuring things to people as they surrounded him. I walked over next to Thomas as he took his jacket off, throwing it to the side and running his hand over his head in anticipation. Quickly glancing at Mae, she had her nails between her teeth, the other one clenched in a fist underneath her elbows. I shook my head and moved closer to her, pursing my lips into a fake smile as she looked up at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"Are you mad?" She asked, making me scoff softly.

"Yep."

Just as she was about to respond, Vince stepped to the side, and Thomas wasted no time bursting through the door. I was close behind him, my heart beating out of my chest as I stepped into the train car.

There was no light in there besides the rays that were bursting through the door, and occasionally coming through the chained windows. The kids looked pale and skinny. As though they hadn't seen the light of day in years, let alone had anything to eat. Chains attached their hands, bound to the ceiling of the car. Despite everyone in here, I scanned for Minho, not even noticing that Thomas had moved forward until he murmured the name of another one of our friends who had gotten taken that dreadful night.

"Aris." He breathed, grabbing a hold of the boy's shoulder and looking at his friend Sonya who was right next to him. "You guys okay?"

The boy smiled, his face showing nothing but relief that he had been rescued. I walked towards them, listening as they responded with a weak 'yeah'. As Thomas nodded and moved away from them, I glanced behind me, seeing Mae purse her lips onto a forced smile and squeeze the boy's shoulder, comforting him.

She looked back up at me as she followed me and Tommy, who was muttering small words of reassurance to the others who sat tied to the chair. I looked over every scared face in the car, the hope draining from me with every moment that passed. Mae said he was in here. That she heard him call her name...but there was no sign of the spiky-haired boy anywhere.

Maybe I walked past him, I thought, frantically turning around and scanning at the heads that were still turned toward the front. Mae clutched onto the back of one of the chairs, white-knuckling the metal rod as her face drained of color. Turning back to Thomas, he shook his head, eyes full of disappointment and sorrow.

"He's not here."

I pursed my lips in distress, shifting my weight from one leg to the other as I swallowed the lump in my throat. I breathed out once, my eyes drifting off to the girl who stood slightly behind me. Thomas looked at Mae as well, and we both watched in concern as she stared at the floor, slightly rocking back and forth on her heels.

"Mae." I spoke in a soft voice, despite being furious with her. She hummed in response, one that seemed forced, for it was a little too loud. I took a step toward the girl, watching as she unlatched her hand from the rod—something I was going to do for her. Running her fingers through her hair, she pursed her lips into possibly the fakest smile I've seen from her before nodding once and walking away.

I closed my eyes and turned back to Thomas, who cocked his head toward her. "Maybe you should..."

"I know." I murmured, sighing and looking up to the ceiling. "Just give me a moment."

The boy nodded, pushing his feelings down as he moved around me, staring to help Harriet with getting the handcuffs off of these kids. In the meantime, I took a minute to focus on my breathing, in through my nose, out through my mouth. I let my thoughts consume my mind for a moment before lowering my head, pushing them to the side and walking out of the car, going to find Mae.

I weaved through the crowd of people who filed out of the door, picking up my bag before moving toward Brenda who was standing with her arms crossed near Jorge. Her face lit up with anticipation when she saw me.

"Did we get him?" She asked, standing up straight.

Clearing my throat, I shook my head. "Um...no. We didn't. Aris and Sonya are in there though." Her face dropped at my words, but she nodded nonetheless.

"I'm sorry."

Shaking my head again, I pushed her apology away. "'S not your fault. Listen, Brenda," She raised her eyebrows at me. "Do you know where Mae went? She kinda lost it a bit when she found out Minho wasn't in there. I-I just wanna check and see if you saw where she went."

The girl sighed, pointing in the direction toward the hall that lead to our room. "I think she went to your guises room. Didn't look too happy, so I didn't ask her what was wrong. I've learned to let her be when she's like that."

Chuckling lightly, I nodded, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah, no shit. Thanks though."

I left Brenda and started to walk towards our room, letting my hand drag against the walls like I did normally. My bag weighed down my shoulders despite the little that I had packed into it. I didn't even think that I should unpack—who knows when we'll come up with another plan to save the boy.

As I reached our room, I licked my lips, willing myself to stay calm despite the anger I still felt. With a short breath, I gripped the handle, turning it and opening the door.

Mae was standing in front of the broken mirror that was placed above our waist-high dresser, carefully removing the bandage that now had a patch of blood seeping through the cloth. She hissed through her teeth as it peeled against her skin—my job of tying it tight seemed to work.

Sighing, I stepped into the room and closed the door gently behind me, causing her to stop and look at me through the glass.

"Here." I moved over to our bed, getting down on my knees and pulling out the first aid kit from underneath the mattress. She hadn't known I placed it there, making the girl furrow her eyebrows in confusion as I stood to my feet, turning around and sitting.

I pat the spot next to me, motioning her to come over as I opened the box, getting out the stitches, a new bandage, and supplies to clean the wound. She listened for once, taking two long strides and sitting next to me as I turned my body towards her.

Gently removing her previous bandage, she let out a breath. "I thought I heard him say my name. Why the hell wasn't he there?"

I hummed in response. "I don't know. We found Aris and Sonya though. So, that's good at least."

"We didn't get Minho, Newt." She sighed as I grabbed a wipe to quickly clean my hands before I grabbed a cotton swab and the bottle of disinfecting alcohol. "The whole plan was to save Minho. I mean—yeah, we got Aris and Sonya, great, fantastic. But technically we failed."

"We didn't fail, Mae." I breathed, avoiding eye contact as I dipped the swab in the alcohol. "We saved at least fifty kids from WICKED. They're safe now, and so are you. Be grateful you didn't die in the process." I muttered the last part despite the close distance between us. I knew she could hear me.

She groaned as she tightened her grip on the sheets as I dabbed at her wound. "Will you stop overreacting? I didn't die. I wasn't gonna die. I was trying to protect you. It's just a scratch, Newt. Let it go."

"Let it go?" I dropped my hand, looking her in the eyes now as her mouth closed. "Mae, I wouldn't have to be cleaning the blood off your arm right now if you hadn't tried to shucking save me. You had a gun. Why didn't you just use that one and save both of us the pain?"

"Both of us?" She restated the words, her voice raising as I clenched my teeth and continued to dab at her scratch. "What the hell do you mean both of us? You weren't the one who had to jump on the ladder with a piece of your arm missing!"

"No, but I'm the one that has to clean it up!" I found myself raising my voice at her as well, surprising her. "None of this would be happening if you had just shucking listened to me for once, Mae! You were so reckless."

She raised her eyebrows, standing up from the bed just as I was about to continue cleaning her arm. "Excuse me for trying to help you! Next time just say when you don't want it. I'll be out of your way then. Jesus."

Internally, I was ripping my hair out. She wasn't understanding what I was trying to say. Rolling my eyes and licking my lips in frustration, I stood up as well, becoming angrier by the second.

"I'm not upset because you tried to help me, Mae! I'm upset because you risked your life trying to do it! And you got hurt! You had a weapon you could've used, but for some reason you just needed two! Do you understand that if we were too high for you, you could've been stuck down there?"

She stayed silent, allowing me to continue to speak harshly. "If you didn't make that jump then we would be here, and you would probably either be dead, or in the hands of WICKED, neither of which would be a good thing because that would cause stress to so many shucking people while we tried to come up with another plan to save not only Minho, but you too!" I used my hands to articulate my words as I took steps toward her. She stood her ground, not moving back despite how close I was getting.

"And I would end up killing myself every day over the fact that it was because of me that you got captured!" Tears started to line my eyes as well as hers as I yelled, and she didn't speak a word. "As a matter of fact, Mae, this is the first time that nothing too terribly awful has happened to you because you tried to save someone! The first time you were trapped in the Maze for a whole night with Grievers, trying to save Thomas and Minho and somehow you made it out alive. The second time was when you insisted that I went ahead of you while we were running from WICKED again. Remember that? We found you laying passed out in the corner surrounded by people who could've done who knows what to you, all because you wanted to find us!"

A single tear fell out of both of our eyes as I felt my own heart break from the words I was saying. I let out a breathless laugh as I took a step back, running my fingers through my hair and letting a sob out before I turned back to her, speaking softly this time.

"When will you realize that you're just as important to us as we are to you?"

Her face dropped, and tears flowed out of her eyes with no intention to stop. The girl raised her hand to wipe them away, but it was no use. She let out a sob as she cried, and I stared at her, my chest heaving from the worked up state I was in. My eyebrows softened, my face slowly starting to relax as she continued to sob in front of me, not being able to contain her emotions anymore. The blood from her injury continued to roll down her arm, creating a red trail that almost acted as a tear as well. I closed my eyes and placed my hands on my hips, rubbing my eyes harshly with my palm before taking a step toward her, gently grabbing her wrist before leading her weak body over to our bed again.

She sat down, wiping at her eyes although it didn't do anything. I grabbed the swab I had previously been using, dipping it in the alcohol again before I went back to cleaning her wound. Mae didn't even make a sound. Not a hiss of pain, she didn't swat at my hand... Nothing. She just cried.

"I just..." She finally spoke, her voice weak as she tried to communicate with me. I stopped what I was doing, looking at her to show I was listening. "I want to protect you, Newt. And if something happened to you, and I-I wasn't there to help... I care about you too much to not blame it on myself."