The world was destroyed by massive solar flares that scorched Earth, collapsed governments, caused famine, extreme heat, and endless wars over resources. Shortly after, a deadly neurodegenerative virus called the Flare began spreading across the planet. The virus attacks the brain, causing paranoia, aggression, hallucinations, memory loss, and eventually complete insanity. Infected people are known as Cranks.

WICKED, a powerful organization searching for a cure, discovered that some children were immune to the Flare. To study their brains under extreme psychological stress, they created the Maze Trials — massive artificial labyrinths filled with moving walls, deadly Grievers, and constant danger.

Teenagers were stripped of their memories and placed inside the Glade, a safe area at the center of the Maze where they were forced to survive together. Every Glader had a role: Runners explored the Maze, Builders maintained the camp, Med-jacks treated injuries, and leaders kept order.

Newt is one of the leaders of the Glade. Calm, protective, and emotionally restrained, he acts as the heart of the group while secretly struggling with exhaustion, fear, and the constant pressure of survival.