I start back toward the glade. Today's greenie day - exactly one year since I came up in that box.

I run across the grass toward the mapping room. Chucks beside a boy I don't recognize- must be the lucky greenie. I glance, then keep going. Maps first. Names later.

I spread the routes out and drill them into my head: left, right, left, dead end, cut through, climb. Everything looks the same as always - except there's no cliff. Not like my maze. Not a way out. I've watched this place for months, waiting for something new to pop up, but lately even that hope feels like a lie. A shout from outside tugs at me, but I ignore it. Probably some stupid boy doing something stupid.

"Stare at the map a little harder and maybe it'll explode" Minho says, sliding in. I roll my eyes.

"I keep waiting for something new. I'm starting to think it'll never come" I say

"I've mapped it for three years and somehow I still have a little hope. You've got two more years to join me. " he jokes, but I don't laugh. Not after what I know.

"Rey? You know I was joking, right?" He hesitates

I nod. Then I take a breath and risk it-
"Minho- I'm about to tell you something. And you cant tell anyone. Not even Alby" I say

His face goes serious.
"You can trust me" he said

"My memories. About my first maze" I start. He listens; he always does.

"I was there for four years." I say and the words feel like acid.
"Four fucking years. We escaped, but the grievers attacked. I was the only one who made it out. Then I woke up here- no memories- and replayed this all over again. Only now nightmares are clawing things back. It's getting clearer and I'm...I'm losing it. Losing hope. Losing a reason to keep fighting." I say

He stares at me for a long beat.
"Reyna- I'm so sorry. You don't deserve that. And I swear - we'll get out of here. Together." He said

He steps forward like he wants to hug me. I flinch, remembering the rule I carved into myself a long time ago: don't get attached. It only causes more pain. The command is loud enough to make me shove him away before I mean to.

"See you at the bonfire" I mutter and walk off.

"Light em up!" Alby yells. Bonfire night. The one night we're allowed to get drunk snd forget the work for a while - and pay for it the next day.

I sit with the runners and watch newt with the greenie. The boy keeps glancing toward our group. There's something familiar about his face, like a drawer i can't quite open. He wasn't in my maze. So where have I seen him?

"I'll be back" I tell Minho and wander over to newt.

"Reyna- welcome. I was just telling the greenie how you're the one and only girl." Newt says, smiling as I sat by him.

"Was that so?" I raise en eyebrow.

"And the story about how you broke a boys hand" newt laughs. I smirk because- yes, I would do it again.

The greenie nods, awkward and small.
"He took off after he got out of the box. For a second i thought he had the chops to be a runner- until he face planted." Newt says

"Greenies learn quick." I say, standing.
"We'll see" I add, walking off.

Back with Minho, he winks.
"Greenie caught your eye?" He asks

"Oh shut up, mean hoe." I jab his side.

"Newt said he thought he could be a runner- until he face planted" I add

"I hate that name." He groans.
"Help me keep an eye on him, alright?" He asks

"If you're planning something, I'll cut you" I say and point my knife. He laughs.

Gallys shouting, and the greenies shoved into the center of the circle. By the time we get closer the kids in his back and bouncing up like rubber.

"I think I've settled on shank" gally says, and the crowd laughs.

The greenie flips gally and shoves him down.
"Not too bad for a greenie, huh?" He says, grinning.

Gally retaliates, knocks him down, and the boy shouts.
"Thomas....  Thomas! Hey- my names Thomas!" He yells. The crowd lifts him up, cheering.

Then a griever roars somewhere beyond the walls. The sound eats the noise. Everyone freezes.

"What was that?" Thomas asks

"A griever. Don't worry nothing gets through those walls." Gally says then Alby starts herding everyone toward their bunks.

"Night Rey!" Chuck squeezes my side and dashes off.
"Goodnight Chuck" I reply.

I glance at the greenie- Thomas- who was already looking at me. Then I turn away climbing up my tree.

A voice threads through my head.
"Hey, hey- it's okay, Reyna. I know you don't remember me, but i promise I'm going to help you. You need to put the gun down. Your leg needs medical attention. Please, let me help you" it sounded painfully familiar.

"No" I whisper into the dark.

"No!" I gasp awake. I sigh, rubbing my forehead. I take a glance at my watch, two hours of sleep. Nothing more.

I climb up to the lookout and let the glade spread beneath me. The night breathes slow. My mind slides, unbidden, back to my first maze- the one I hated and missed all at once. I don't miss the death or the fear. I miss the people: Kai, Jax, nova, Ivy. Guilt twists on me like a screw every time I remember them.

A noise behind me snaps my hand to the knife.
"I'm sorry. I just saw you up here and couldn't sleep" a voice says. Thomas steps into the moonlight.

"You've got a long day tomorrow. Go rest" I say, not wanting company.

"So do you" he answers. He shuffles closer, as he starts to mumble.

"I- I mean I'm assuming. Newt said you're a runner. -I thought you might like some company" he said

I want to tell him to fuck off.

But something about him- a thread of recognition I can't place- holds me back.

"Fine" I grumble, and he sits, feet dangling like mine.

"How long have you been here?" He asks

"A year" I say

"Do you think there's a way out?" He asks

"No.... But I still have hope" I admit

"What's the maze like?" He asks

"Do you always ask this many questions?" I snap. He looks sheepish.

"Sorry" he mumbles

I sigh.
"To me, the maze is calming. A place to get away. To others it's hell. They curse the day they became runners" I say

He studies me.
"You're the only girl" he says

"Great observation, dumbass" I reply

"You sure cuss a lot" he laughs

"Sorry to offend you, your highness" I shoot back, and he laughs again.

We fall into a comfortable silence - the kind that isn't awkward, because it means neither of us has to keep talking to prove we're alive.

I test him.
"Do you remember anything? Beyond your name?" I ask

He blinks, taken back.
"What?" He asks

"You're up after two hours. Greenies sleep like babies the first night unless they woke up from a dream. Or chuck kicked you." I say

He watches me closely.
"I uh- I had a dream- if that's what you could call it. Flashes. Blue. Water. Someone mumbling something. Wicked is-" he starts

"Wicked is good" I finish for him.

He looks at me, stunned. My stomach flips. Why did I say that? He's just a greenie.

"I'm going to sleep. You should too" I say standing quickly

"Reyna-" he starts but I'm already climbing down.

I settle into my tree and work on calming my breath. The words whisper through my head, and then - clear as day- comes his voice again.

"Reyna"

"Hey, hey- it's okay, Reyna"

That voice. Familiar. Safe. And the name that follows it?

Thomas.