This Conspiracy

Chapter 5

Author stuff: While I didn't remember writing the last chapter, I remember writing this one. I was at work. It was cold, and I had to have a space heater because the furnace for the lobby was broken.

It was bad because I had to mop the floor every couple of hours, and with there being snow outside, cleaning up the dried salt was a pain. Seriously makes me reconsider where I live. Anybody in a non-northern US state looking for a roommate?

Anyway, my baby sister got married this past Friday. It was a little courthouse ceremony where the judge permitted them to remove their face masks to kiss, and some of our friends and family got together for a small reception at brother-in-law's mother's house. I posted a couple of pictures on my tumblr (just search my wedding tag). It was nice and it was the first time I had a weekend off since last June.

COVID has been... yeah.

Trigger warning: There is some drinking of alcohol in this chapter.

Chapter 5

In Which Newt Has... Something To Do

The wrestling match was painful to watch – and was probably more painful to experience. Flossy wasn't sure who she wanted to win. If she really wanted anyone to win, that is. There seemed to be a pecking order of sorts. If Archie won, he would throw that off and Gally would most likely hold a grudge against him for that. If Gally won, Archie would be bitter about it, there was no doubt about it.

Boys, she decided, were strange, curious creatures with a penchant for bluntness and physical violence. How she was going to handle living in this place – without any other female support – she had no idea.

She winced as Gally was thrown back in the circle after the second round. He and Archie prowled the sand like freakish predators while they waited for the other to strike first.

"This is going to be interesting," Newt said next to her. She nodded, watching as the boys flexed their hands like a cat does its paws, fingers curled towards their palms like claws or talons.

She didn't see who struck first, she just saw the aftermath. Sand was kicked high into the air as both boys pinwheeled around. She ducked behind Newt in hopes of not getting sand all over her, though her action did very little to actually help. Several of the nearby Gladers let out cries as it plopped into their drinks.

When she finally peaked around Newt's arm, Archie was out of the circle and Gally was breathing heavily in the sandpit. Gally walked over to Archie and offered him a hand. Archie took it. Both boys pat each other on the back, laughing good naturedly. The two talked, grinning, as they walked over to Frypan and the bacon he'd cooked up – and the drink station, she noted.

Okay, she understood less of boys than she thought. A lot less.

"Well that was fun," Newt said, frowning down into his jar. He dumped up the amber liquid into the grass. He gestured for her and Graham to follow him.

Archie was handed a half-filled jar. Gally held one out to her and Graham. She took it, eyeing the liquid curiously. Graham downed a portion of it before choking.

"What is this stuff?" he said, gaping at the beverage.

"My own brew," Gally said, crossing his arms and leaning against the table holding up Frypan's bacon, with a smirk and mirth dancing in his eyes. "What's the matter, Greenbean, can't handle it?"

Archie took a sip and almost immediately spit it out. His eyes were watering. Newt, Frypan, and Gally traded amused expressions. Apparently, this was something that entertained them immensely.