Chapter Text
Hi so this is an alternate universe of The Maze Runner: The Death Cure. It probably have some changes from the movie and the books.
All characters belong to James Dashner.
Chapter 1:
Her footsteps suddenly felt heavier, slowly walking away from the lively moment upon her. Everyone is having such a good time, joking around and laughing like the world is theirs now. The air buzzed with life, but to her, it was nothing more than a vague hum echoing in the back of her mind.
With a sigh, Teresa continued walking towards a cliff. She needed to be anywhere but here—anywhere but among them.
Alone
She deserved to be alone. She had convinced herself of that long ago. To them, she was nothing more than a mistake, an afterthought. Unwanted. Unneeded. A stain on their story, one they would erase if they could.
As she made small climbs to the cliff, her head started spinning again.
Again? She thought. By now, she knew that something was just not right with her. It couldn't be the Cranks, no way. She wasn't bitten and she was almost sure she was immune. So then what? Obviously the new surroundings had been a change to her. A change she wasn't sure if she'd ever getting used to.
She pressed forward until the ocean stretched wide before her, the endless blue meeting a sky painted in hues of orange and gold. The horizon was sharp, dividing the two worlds with a perfect line.
She cast her gaze downward, watching the people below—small, insignificant, like ants from this height. The scene should have felt distant, detached. Yet, in some strange way, it was peaceful. A moment that was hers alone, untouched by the noise of the world.
Down there, they were laughing, forging bonds, creating memories. Things she could no longer do.
Things she might never do again.
And it was her fault.
"Come on! The fire's catching—we have to get to the roof!" she said, panicked.
Thomas had been shot; Newt had been cured and neither of them could run properly now. It was up to Teresa, using her full strength to support both of their weights to make it up there.
She didn't care though, as long as both of them were still alive. She would not let them die on her. She'll sacrifice herself if she had to.
Because this- this is what she longed for.
To find a cure and help as many as she can. It started with Newt and she didn't want it to end there. She wanted to save all, the humanity, her friends, even if she had to broke some trusts.
That's why when she knew Brenda didn't take a second sedative, she quickly made a sample of Thomas's blood and it worked.
Thomas is the cure.
Fortunately, Thomas listened to her.
Newt had been knocked out by Thomas, using his stolen gun to swing it to his head, seconds before he could turn into a Crank.
He did turn, just not awake to go all crazy and be a black slimy cannibal. Unfortunately, it will not be for long and he knew that, ripping of his sleeve to tie around Newt's mouth, taking every precaution that he could think of.
Supporting his weight by putting his arms around Newt's shoulders, he quickly went to the tower.
"Teresa is waiting up there"
She had been. It wasn't just for the cure, no. She wanted to save her friends.
She wanted to save Newt. And so, she did, but the aftereffects of the serum made it challenging for newt to walk. But she didn't care
"We have to get to the roof!"
By the time they got to the roof, explosions were everywhere. They were surrounded by flames, almost eating them alive. Heck, Teresa could feel the building shaking around them.
Fire licked at the crumbling building, thick smoke twisting through the air, choking her lungs. Teresa turned wildly, searching for an escape.
Nothing.
No way out.
No- she thought. She sacrificed so much. So, so much. Heck, she even went as far as betraying people that care about her. Real care.
"I'm sorry. I'm very sorry- I tried, I promised I did try but-" she started sobbing, Thomas's weak body in her arms. A tear fell from Thomas's eyes.
After all this time he still couldn't handle the sight of her crying
Newt was just next to her. Conscious but too weak to move a limb. His eyes barely opened as he tried to catch his breath with the smoke around him.
"Newt I'm so sorry. I swear-" She sobbed again.
"Berg" That one word reply from Newt was enough to drive her attention towards the sky. Indeed, there was a berg and Minho, Gally, Brenda- all of them are there.
"Quick, you have to jump!" The tension was clear in Gally's voice.
Teresa moved on instinct. She dragged Thomas to the edge, using what little strength she had left to hoist him up.
They're not gonna make it, she thought. "You have to get closer!" She yelled.
Frypan tried to get the closest he could to the building. With one strong push, she got Thomas on the berg. The others were quick enough to catch him, pulling him up.
Teresa knew her job didn't end there. She ran and supported Newt next, her own energy drained, heart pumped louder, she was close to collapsed next.
But she didn't stop there.
Not yet.
The first push was unsuccessful. It was weak and she was tired. "Come on, guys!" She could hear Minho screamed as his hands were ready to catch Newt.
She took a deep breath and use everything she has left in her body and pushed Newt. She didn't realize that Newt's no longer in her arms until she fell on the building as it shook.
"Teresa come on!" She looked up and could see hands reaching.
They wanted her there? After everything she'd done?
Still undecided, she stood up but only looked at them. At Thomas. At everyone she betrayed.
No, she didn't deserve to be there. Her job is done. Thomas is alive, Newt is alive. She had nothing to lose now. That's why when the building shook one last time, taking everything to burn in the flames, she lets herself to fall with it.
Her eyes were wet, it was hard saying goodbye. Not when Thomas was begging her to jump.
"Teresa!" He cried as Teresa's body no longer was stepping on the building.
The second she thought she was falling, a hand grabbed hers and she was forced to look above.
Newt.
His own body was dangling with only his lower body in the berg, the others made sure to grab it tight.
Newt- stubborn, selfless Newt actually tried to save her. Throwing himself out to reach her before the others pulled them back.
Newt saved her life.
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It seemed like a mistake, because now she's been treated absolute dirt now. Yes, all of them did reach out their hand for her when the building was about to collapsed but that didn't mean they were any closer to trust her.
They just didn't want to lose another person that day.
But then, why bother saving her if they eventually hate her here.
They should have just let her die that day. It would have been easier for everyone. Maybe even for her
Teresa wasn't allowed to be in the Med hut, which is the only thing she knew to do. Instead, they made her to farm. She wasn't really sure why but she assumed it's because they wanted someone to keep an eye for her in case she'll do the unthinkable again. Most of them didn't want to be it,
Thomas was not ready to see her yet
Brenda would probably kill her
She wasn't allowed to talk to Minho and other people she'd tortured
Fry pretty much works alone.
That leaves her Newt.
He didn't seem to mind so much but caution was written over his face sometimes. He taught her the basic gardening skills-how to plant, how to fertilize. She would ask questions if necessary but other than that, it was usually silence. It will be easier that way.
Despite that, he was still being kind to her. Sometimes he would ask her to join dinner together although Teresa refuses every time. It would be too awkward and she could tell she would kill the mood by just showing her face there.
Whenever he thought she worked non-stop too long, he would insist she takes a brake. If she refused, his voice would harden, his gaze turning sharp- as if he was daring her to defy him.
It honestly worked because it scared her.
Even when he saved her, she doubted he already forgave her. Who knows, it will probably just be a matter of time before he changed his mind and decided to kick her out of his life too. She wasn't about to test that theory.
She's not the same scientist anymore.
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It started this morning. Her muscles felt weirdly sore, and she was fatigued. She tried to think if she'd done anything extraordinary the day before, but nothing came in mind. It was just the same routine every day.
It couldn't be because of her lack of eating right?
It didn't help when the headache that she slept through with, continued seconds after she woke up. She thought it would just go away after a few hours of sleeping.
By now, it wouldn't take her forever to figure out that this wasn't normal. There is something wrong with her but she just couldn't think of any reason.
Judging by the sky outside, she assumed it was just past dawn yet she went outside, ready for work. Staying in bed longer will just make her feel sicker. It sucks when it was still very early and she's tired but the pain didn't allow her to sleep.
Assuming that working will make her muscles feel better, she started collecting some fertilizers. She had been busy walking further into the forest, collecting along the way.
By the time she decided it was enough and was about to go back, she then realized-
Why did all of these trees look the same?
It was probably just her mind playing games, she took a shot and just walked where she thought was right.
It was not.
Soon enough she was just walking around without direction and she couldn't even tell if she was getting any further from the garden. It was stupid, she never got lost before. It was pretty easy to spot the garden, a huge, olive-green like tree stood just a few metres from the garden. She had used it as a marker every time.
That tree was nowhere to be found.
Now, Teresa panicked. Not because she was lost—but because whatever sickness she had was getting worse.
Stopping drastically in the middle of nowhere, she started calculating and assuming whatever she had. It's not like she has anyone to tell about this nor she can go to the med hut and have someone to check on her.
Headaches, fatigue, lack of appetite, sore muscles. Those headaches came more often than not.
What the hell is wrong with me?
"Hey"
She spun around too fast, dizziness nearly knocking her off balance.
"Woah, you okay?" Luckily Newt was fast enough to catch her arm, eyebrows furrowed in worry.
"I- yeah I think I'm good" Teresa's heart was beating abruptly. God, she didn't even realise she was that scared.
"Really? His gaze drifted to the bucket in her hands, filled with withered plants. "Because you've been missing this morning. For hours. I almost thought you ran away- until I realized this was gone."
Teresa hesitated before she answered. " I got lost"
Newt's frown deepened.
She didn't know if he was deciding if she was lying or he was just plainly concerned.
"Lost?" His voice was sceptical.
"This forest isn't even that big. We're not even in the middle of the forest. You were staring at the ground like you were begging them to swallow you whole."
Teresa would have snorted by the statement but it wasn't the right time. Now, she struggled with what practical reason she could give him. Because she didn't know it either.
"Teresa, are you okay?" His voice was firmer this time.
She didn't answer him this time either.
He took a closer look at her. She looked paler, her blue eyes lost its glow. Lifeless too, he might add. Her shoulders slumped and posture looked weak. She looked like one blow from the wind could send her away.
"Let's get out of here" he said when there was still no response from her.
He felt like he was talking to a ghost.
Turns out, Newt was right. She wasn't even that deep in the forest. The huge tree was just right in front of her. How could she not have noticed it before?
"You know you can take a day off if you're feeling unwell" Newt gave a glance from the front.
"Thank you but I'm good" She said as sincerely as she could although the looks from Newt's face looked like he didn't buy it.
But he didn't push it.
Yet.
They already arrived at the garden. When she left earlier there was absolutely no one but now it's packed with people. Everyone seemed busy enough to noticed she was gone.
"I thought she ran away"
Okay. Maybe not. She couldn't tell if Brenda was mocking her or just telling a statement.
Whatever it is she seems not to care.
Glancing on her right, her she could see Brenda, Thomas and Minho walking towards them. Probably just finished their morning training.
Her eyes locked with Thomas before she looked away and try to focus on Brenda instead. She was dying to speak to him but after all that happened, she just couldn't do it.
"She didn't. Found her in the forest collecting fertilizers" Newt helpfully replied.
Teresa knew if she explained herself it would be no use. She will just be accused here and there. Her head is spinning again and she could barely feel herself stepping onto the ground.
The rest of them eyed her suspiciously. The reason they were here is just because of Newt. Maybe they were worried that Newt disappeared with her.
"Never knew collecting leaves could take that long" The sarcasm was clear in Minho's tone.
"Anyways, be careful. We're heading out now" He added. To Newt.
As they walked away to camp, Teresa caught Tomas staring at her. She looked away before she could see the concern in his eyes.
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Newt had been watching Teresa for some time now. She's frantically searching for something for the last ten minutes. He couldn't help but to notice how she stumbled a few times now, how she blinked her eyes rapidly.
Something wasn't right.
"Teresa? What are you looking for?" He finally asks.
She looked surprised before hesitating "I lost my shovel"
She furrowed her eyebrows, thinking the last time where she put it.
"Didn't you use it a while ago? I think it's still in your bucket" Now it's his time to furrow his eyebrows.
She shook her head slowly, she was sure it wasn't there. She just took it out and placed it beside her. When she looked again, it was gone.
Nevertheless, she still checked in her bucket, digging some leaves before Newt saw the change of expression in her eyes. She froze for a few seconds and took out something from the bucket.
Her shovel.
"What?" He heard she whispered to herself. She expression was so raw that he believed that this isn't some kind of act. Something was wrong with her.
He knew Teresa quite long enough to know that this isn't her. She's not this insecure, lost, forgetful type of person. She always knew exactly what she did and everything has a system.
Even when she was wrong.
But then again, if he had known her so well, he should be able to tell that she wasn't trustworthy. But he did trust her, all of them trusted her. And she betrayed them.
But this time is different. She wasn't the same anymore. She never looked so scared of everyone and she was walking on eggshells ever since they got here. It was exhausting just from the looks of it.
Teresa stood up and quietly muttered, "Thanks". She was just about to walk to the opposite direction when she suddenly couldn't feel her feet. As if her leg muscles stopped functioning. Before she knew it, she was tumbling forward.
She would have face-planted to the ground if it wasn't for Newt who caught her shoulder. His grip was tight. "Careful", he muttered.
"I think you should go back. Your job's almost done anyways. I don't want you to pass out here" He straightened her up, his grip still strong on her shoulders.
That was a lie. She only completed one out of a third of her job but he didn't really care. She needed to rest, he decided.
He gave an unreadable look but his eyes stared right into her soul, daring her to try say 'no'. He could tell that she was scared of him. For a second he felt bad.
But there's nothing to feel bad about.
Lie.
No matter how much he tried to convince himself that she's the bad guy, he couldn't help to look out for her. It's like kindness is carved in his blood. That's why he decided to throw himself out back there, just to save her.
She was against it and she regretted living, he knew. He knew that feeling most out of all people.
Because he once tried to end his life too. The first time didn't succeed, the second time, he used the Flare as an excuse. He promised himself that there would no third time. That's life giving him a chance.
He didn't want her to feel the same, that's all.
"Hey Newt, let's get some dinner!" He blinked from his thought and turned to see Minho.
"I'll be right behind you" he grinned before turning to Thomas, who was laughing with the other runners.
He wondered what Thomas's thoughts are.
Newt hesitated. Was it even worth bringing up? Maybe he was imagining things. But then he remembered the look in Teresa's eyes—so lost, so unlike her. He sighed. He had to say something
As they are walking together, Newt took his chance to talk to Thomas.
"I know you know something's wrong with her" Thomas looked taken aback, slightly confused before asking, "Who?".
"Teresa. There's something wrong with her." Newt gave a monotone voice, quietly calculating the expression on Thomas's face.
"Well, she hasn't been eating, so..." Thomas's voice was dry, footsteps felt heavier hearing her name.
So he did notice
Newt understood the conflict raging within Thomas. He was worried sick about her, but the weight of his disappointment was impossible to ignore. Still, could he really let her go?
"Look Tommy, I know you're concerned; I've seen that face countless times before. Maybe try to give her some food" He patted his shoulder before getting his food.
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She woke up in the middle of the night, gasping. It was another headache, sending pain to her head that she had to bend herself over. It was as if something was pressing against her skull, waves of pain pulsing behind her eyes. She got out from her hammock to reach for some water, only to find an apple and a covered pumpkin soup outside her door.
She froze— It couldn't be someone else's. It was just her in this small prison-like hut. She was lucky they still built a hammock for her.
She looked closely, hesitating a bit before taking it in. She didn't realize she was hungry until she took a sip of the soup. In minutes, the soup and apple were gone, and she quietly thanked the person who sent this.
That night, the headaches didn't bother her as much.
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