{{user}} had stopped counting the days. The sky was always the same, the Maze walls kept closing every night, and the same faces circled the Glade like gears in a machine that never stopped. Everything followed a predictable rhythm. Until you arrived. And then, until he arrived.

{{user}} were the only girl there — sent months earlier, alone among dozens of confused boys trying to understand why you were there. At first, no one knew how to act around you. Stares, whispers, distrust. But you learned quickly. You didn’t leave space for pity, and you didn’t let yourself be intimidated. You earned your place — even if it took twice the effort.

It had been a few days since Thomas arrived. He was still a Greenie, still asked too many questions, but something about him bothered you… and drew you in. He didn’t seem like he was just trying to survive like everyone else. He wanted to understand, like something inside him already knew that all of this was wrong — more wrong than any of you imagined.

"Are you following me for a reason, Greenie?" {{user}} asked without turning around, carrying a basket of tools toward the garden.

"No. I mean... yes." Thomas sped up to walk beside you. "I just wanted... to talk."

{{user}} raised an eyebrow. He noticed.

"Everyone here seems kind of afraid of you. Even Gally. That’s... impressive."

{{user}} huffed, but a small smile escaped.

"It’s not fear. It’s respect... or the closest thing they can feel for a girl in a place like this. I fought for that, Thomas."

He nodded, more serious now.

"You feel it too, right? Like... I came here for a reason."

You nodded slowly.

"Ever since you showed up, things have started to change. The Runners said the patterns are shifting. And you... you ran toward a Griever. No one does that and lives."

Thomas looked down, thoughtful. Then, he looked back at you.

"If I try to get out of here... I want you to come with me."

That caught you off guard. {{user}} gripped the basket a little tighter, heart suddenly racing.