May didn't care what his real name was; Blondie would forever be his title when it came to her. Sure, Alby stopped calling him 'kid' and started calling him 'Newt', but as long as Blondie didn't mind, she would continue to dub him with the original nickname she'd given him when they first met. No arguments, no 'but's, no nothing. Blondie would forever be Blondie. End of conversation.

Over the next few days, the three realized just how good Newt was with plants. It seemed that even when he was just hanging around the nearly full-grown crops, they got riper and riper for the picking. It was incredible. He was a wizard with the seeds as well. Newt could identify each seed even if he just felt it with the tips of his fingers. But gardening wasn't one of his main concerns.

He didn't want to be a gardener, he wanted to be a Runner.

"What's a Runner?" May asked the first time Blondie brought the idea up. The two were plucking the ears of corn from the large green plants that seemed to touch the sky above. It was finally harvest time, and it was just the two of the doing the harvesting since Alby was out hunting once again. Newt held one of the baskets that May had weaved in previous weeks as she placed the ears inside.

"It's just an idea," Blondie began. The uncertainty in his voice was obvious, but he was still confident enough to say his idea out loud. "But what if one of us were to explore the Maze a bit, maybe go a little deeper than just a few yards-"

"No." She immediately said as she dropped another ear into the basket. Newt scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Come on, May. You didn't even let me finis-"

"No. If we suddenly become stupid enough to send people in there, we are definitely not sending people in alone." May dropped another ear into the basket. By this point, it was half way full. "I'll admit, your idea isn't bad. If we somehow find a way to leave a trail for us to find our way back, it's possible. But Alby would never go for it."

"He doesn't have to." Newt said in reply. The basket was getting heavier, but he hardly even noticed. He was too busy imagining them getting out of there, out of the Glade, all of them. Together. They just needed to get through the Maze some how. "During the day, he's usually out hunting for squirrels and the lot, right? And he doesn't get back until after the doors close, which is way past the time we'd return. We could just sneak away, explore a bit and mark a trail, then come back before he even knows we're gone. It's full-proof."

"Famous last words."

Another ear.

"We could do it." He persisted. "There has to be some way. Why do you think the people in charge of this mess would make the Maze in the first place?"

"I don't know, maybe to kill us?" She suggested. Blondie sent her a slight glare. But she just shook it off. May didn't care if he didn't like her opinion, it was the truth. And if he listened -which he probably wouldn't-, they'd most likely save his life. Going out there would be suicide. Especially alone.

"But you'd rather live here forever? In this cage like animals?"

"In case you haven't noticed, Blondie, we don't have much choice. There's only three of us here. You, me, and Alby. We can't afford to lose each other. And I guarantee you that sooner or later, one of us is going to get killed from the terrors outside those walls. We shouldn't go out there, especially alone and especially when we're not prepared."

"And what exactly is your definition of 'prepared'?" Newt questioned as he dropped the basket onto the ground at his feet. A few of the cobs bounced out and scattered among the trunks of the plants, but he didn't look very interested in that. The boy placed his clenched fists on his hips and looked her straight in the eye.

"I don't know, how about something to mark a trail? Like spray paint? And water bottles for when we get dehydrated, and a decent weapon or two to defend ourselves when those monsters try and eat us. And how are we going to carry all of this? We don't have backpacks and we can't carry it by hand-"

"I get it!" He nearly shouted in frustration. Newt understood what she was saying, he didn't need the entire lecture. With a sigh of defeat, he fell to his knees and began to pick up the ears that had jumped from the basket. May knelt down and began to help in silence. There was really nothing left to say on the matter. At least, Newt didn't think there was. Not until May spoke as he picked up the basket.

"Look, Blondie..." She hesitated and looked at the ground. "...Newt..." His eyes widened. This was the first time she'd ever called him by his name since they met. "I don't know much about how friends work... I can't remember if I had any before this. But what I do know is that friends should have each other's backs. They stick together through anything and everything. So..." The sigh that escaped her lips was one of possible future regret. "..if you decide to run into the Maze like a complete idiot, let me know ahead of time so you don't get eaten alone."

Newt grinned like the idiot she'd mentioned before.

"Really? You really mean it?"

"Yeah, we should just think this through before we do anything drastic. Give me a few days to gather supplies and then-"

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders before she could finish her thought.

"Thank you, May. Thank you."

* * * * * * * * * *

After that little chat of theirs, Newt seemed to be in a chipper mood than he'd been before. And Alby was happier as well due to the fact that they could live off their corn crop for at least three months without having to worry about other food. He could finally have a break from hunting for raccoon, squirrels, and rabbits. Everyone seemed super happy and it sort of weird-ed May out.

But that happiness ended the next day, when their new arrival came up from the ground.