You waved to John, Thomas and Minho as the two ran off toward the Maze. "Y/N, come on, shank." You narrowed your eyes playfully at your best friend. You had sparked an instant friendship with Newt when you came up in the Box and now, the two of you were almost inseparable. You even worked as a Track-Hoe with him. It made life in the Glade a bit easier having a friend like Newt. Then there was John.

After Newt, you were closest with John and you couldn't help but worry about him. John was a Runner which meant he spent every day in the Maze. Every day, at some point, you would find yourself gazing at the Maze in concern and, every day, Newt would give you a hug and remind you that John was one of the best Runners there was. He'd be fine. You could only hope Newt was right.

One day, the sun was setting and John still wasn't back. You stood just outside the walls and chewed your nails. When the walls began to close, you felt the tears welling up in your eyes. You couldn't believe it. Your worst fear was coming true. When the walls closed, you let out a little cry. You felt Newt's arms wrap around you. "It'll be alright, love." You stared at him in shock.

"No it won't, Newt! No one survives a night in the Maze. You said so yourself." The tears were flowing freely as you pushed away from him and headed toward your hut. As the only girl, you got the privacy of your own hut. A couple minutes later, you heard a knock and Newt slowly opened the door. You were curled up on your bed, crying. "Oh, love."

In an instant, Newt was at your side, pulling you to him. His arms circled around you and he kissed your temple. "He's gone, Newt. He was my friend and now he's gone." Newt sighed. "I know, Y/N. I feel terrible, but there's nothing we can do. Those shucking Creators see to that." He tightened his hold on you as you snuggled deeper into him. As terrible as you felt, his presence was comforting.

"I hate them, Newt. I hate the Creators. I hate the Maze. I hate this whole shank place!" you cried as you burrowed your face into the crook of his neck. He didn't say anything. Somehow, you had managed to put into words what everyone else was afraid to say. He simply held you close and let you cry until you fell asleep.

The next morning, you woke up to the sound of someone pounding on the door. You bolted up, nearly knocking Newt off the bed. "Come in," you called out, sleepily. The door opened and Thomas was there. "We found John. He's been stung." You blinked rapidly for a moment before you shot out of bed and took off toward the Med-Jack tent, ignoring the sound of Thomas calling your name.

You almost made it to the tent when you felt someone's arms wrap around you. "You can't go in there, you stupid shank! He's dangerous," Minho's voice came from behind you. "I don't care!" You squirmed in his arms, trying to escape. "Y/N!" Alby's deep voice yelled from the entrance of the tent. You stopped fighting against Minho and stared at the Leader in shock. "I'm sorry, but we have no choice." You cocked your head to the side. "John attacked Minho. He has to be punished."

Your eyes widened. You knew the punishment for attacking another Glader. Banishment. They were going to send him back to the Maze. "Please, Alby. Don't," you pleaded, but Alby ignored you. Clint and Jeff exited the tent, carrying John between them, heading to the Slammer. "His banishment starts tonight. He's in the Slammer until then. Minho, take her to her hut. Have Newt keep an eye on her." As he spoke, Alby's voice lost some of its harshness.

Back in your hut, you once again lay crying in Newt's arms. When that evening came, you were going to lose John again, this time for good. You would never see him again after that. He'd be lost to the Maze for good. Newt held you close for the rest of the day until it was time for John's banishing. He came back when it was over and this time, you weren't the only one in tears.