Feral → newt, tmr

Chapter 3: A Challenge

Katherine jolts awake, her heart pounding as she feels a presence looming over her. She blinks, struggling to adjust to the dimness of the early morning, when a hand claps over her mouth, silencing her startled gasp.

"Shh, Greenbean. Don't wanna wake Newt, now, do we?"

It's Alby, and the surprise quickly melts into curiosity. She nods, Alby lifting his hand away, a sly grin on his face.

"I'll be outside in five minutes with Thomas. Change into your clothes." His voice is low, almost conspiratorial. "Gotta show ya somethin' before the wake-up."

With that, any remnants of sleep dissipate. "Okay," she replies, already feeling a surge of adrenaline course through her.

Alby slips out of the room, leaving her alone. Well, not entirely alone-Newt still sleeps soundly on the other side of the bed, his back turned to her. She catches a glimpse of something etched into the back of his neck, but it's too dark to make out the details. She adds it to the list of things to ask him later, alongside her growing concerns about her recurring dreams.

Memories flood her mind: Newt's comforting presence after her nightmares, the way he'd listened, genuinely worried. It's shocking how much he cares about her-a stranger-after just a day together. Maybe he's just one of those kinds of people.

Katherine hurriedly changes into her clothes, slipping into her shoes with painstaking care not to disturb Newt. He deserves more sleep, especially after she kept him up with her nightmares.

She steps outside, greeted by the crisp morning air. Thomas and Alby are engaged in quiet conversation, their figures outlined against the dawn.

"Where are we going?" she asks, her voice a mix of excitement and confusion.

Both heads turn toward her. For a moment, her gaze locks onto Thomas's eyes, a spark of familiarity igniting something deep within her. This is her brother-her twin. But now isn't the time to explore that thought.

"Follow me," Alby commands, breaking the moment. They step onto the hard gray stone of the courtyard floor, heading toward the western wall.

"It's peaceful, isn't it?" Alby comments, glancing back at them.

Katherine and Thomas both nod in agreement, falling into a silence that feels heavy yet comfortable.

"How's everything going, Katherine?" Alby breaks the quiet.

"Not bad," she shrugs, but her brow furrows. "But I don't want a bodyguard."

Alby raises an eyebrow, curiosity mixed with concern. "Is he bothering you? Newt?"

"No. No. It's not that," she insists. "Newt's very nice. But I don't want a babysitter."

"It's my duty to keep all the Gladers safe, and you're one of them now. These boys haven't seen a girl for years. Anything could go wrong."

"So Newt's going to follow me around for the rest of my life?" she shoots back, a hint of frustration in her voice.

"When I feel that you're ready enough to stand on your own, I'll promise your freedom," Alby assures her, his voice steady and firm. "Until then, try to blend in with him around. It's for your own safety."