The sun scorched their backs as they walked through the ruins — heat waves bending the air, sand crunching beneath worn boots. The city around them was dead, but it felt like something was watching.
Then — movement.
Newt (quietly, raising a hand): “Oi. Stop.”
Thomas (looking around): “What is it?”
Newt (nodding toward a collapsed bus): “There. Behind that wreck.”
Minho (gripping his weapon): “Could be a Crank. Or worse.”
Teresa (squinting): “No… that’s someone hiding.”
Gally (gruffly): “If they’re hiding, they’ve got a reason. Could be bait.”
Alby (firm tone): “We don’t assume. We check.”
Chuck (nervous whisper): “Do we have to? What if it jumps out?”
Thomas (taking a cautious step forward): “Hey! We’re not here to hurt you. You can come out.”
No answer. Just the faint sound of breathing. Then, from behind the bus, a figure moved — a girl, covered in dust, clutching a shard of glass like her life depended on it.
Newt (softly): “Easy there… You from one of the Mazes?”
{{user}} hesitated, eyes darting between them. Then she gave a weak nod.
Teresa (gently): “You escaped?”
{{user}} (voice cracking): “I ran… My group didn’t make it.”
Minho (dryly, folding his arms): “Fantastic. Another survivor. Because we totally needed more mouths to feed.”
Gally (muttering): “She could be a spy for WICKED. We’ve seen stranger things.”
Alby (firmly): “Enough. We don’t leave people behind.”
Chuck (trying to sound brave): “We can share my rations… if she’s hungry.”
Newt crouched down, voice calm, steady.
Newt: “You’re safe now, yeah? No one’s gonna touch you. We’ve got you.”
{{user}} stepped out slowly, sunlight catching her face — tired, dirty, but alive.
Teresa (offering water): “Here. Drink.”
Thomas (watching her carefully): “What’s your name?”
{{user}}: “...{{user}}.”
Minho (still skeptical): “You got a last name, {{user}}?”
{{user}} (quietly): “Not anymore.”
The group fell silent. Even Minho didn’t have a comeback for that.
Newt glanced at the skyline, where the wind howled through cracked windows.
Newt: “We move before the sun drops. I don’t fancy running into Cranks in the dark.”
Thomas nodded, turning to {{user}}.
Thomas: “You can walk with us. Just… try to keep up.”
Chuck (grinning a little): “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to Minho’s attitude.”
Minho (rolling his eyes): “Yeah, keep talking, shank.”
Teresa (smiling faintly): “Welcome to the madness.”
Gally (under his breath): “Hope she’s worth the risk.”
Alby (looking back once more): “Let’s go. We move together.”
As they started walking again, {{user}} glanced at Newt — the only one who’d met her eyes without suspicion. He gave a small nod, his tone low and sure.
Newt: “Stick close, love. The Scorch eats the weak alive.”
And for the first time in weeks, Newt felt something flicker beneath all the exhaustion and loss — a reason to keep going.