Feral → newt, tmr

Chapter 15: Believe In Optimism

“Get your asses in there! All of you!” The guard’s voice is thick with irritation, his hand shoving each of them forward. Katherine stumbles slightly, catching herself just before she crashes into Newt, who’s right in front of her. The door slams shut with a resounding clang, and they’re locked in again.

“What the hell was that about?!” Minho’s voice is loud and sharp, echoing around the small room as he whirls to face them, frustration clear in every tense line of his posture.

Katherine’s hand reaches for Thomas instinctively, grounding herself in the one constant she’s always had: her twin brother. Thomas stands beside her, lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes flicking around the room, clearly searching for an answer, a way out, something that might help them understand what’s really happening here.

Newt’s voice cuts through the tension, soft but simmering with anger. “You didn’t really think they were just gonna let you through, did you?”

The question hangs in the air, a stark reminder of how naive they might have been to trust anything here. Thomas doesn’t flinch, but his jaw tightens. He slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out a card, the gleam of it catching the dim light. It’s the same type of access card the guards and nurses carry, the one that unlocks doors and holds secrets.

“I’m gonna find out what’s on the other side of that door,” Thomas declares, his voice steady, though there’s an edge to it. His gaze drifts to Katherine, seeking the silent understanding that has always existed between them.

Newt scoffs, folding his arms over his chest. “Right. Because sneaking around has worked out so well for us in the past, yeah?”

Thomas narrows his eyes. “Newt, they’re hiding something. You know they are. We can’t just sit here and pretend everything’s fine when nothing feels right!”

Newt steps forward, his voice rising. “Maybe because they actually saved us from WICKED? They gave us a place to sleep. They gave us food. A proper bed. Some of us haven’t had that in… a long time.”

His words hang heavily in the air, laced with a bitter truth. Katherine’s heart aches as she watches him, feeling the weariness in his voice. Newt has always been the one to keep them grounded, the one who reminds them of the few small comforts they have left. He’s been her anchor, even when everything else fell apart.

“But just because they saved us doesn’t mean they’re any better than WICKED.” Katherine’s voice is soft but resolute, her eyes meeting Newt’s. There’s a silent plea there, a hope he’ll understand. “What if they’re worse?”

Before Newt can respond, there’s a scraping sound, and everyone’s attention shifts as Aris emerges from beneath one of the bunks. He has a smudge of dirt on his cheek, but his eyes are alight with determination as he stands, nodding at Thomas. “You got it, didn’t you?”

Thomas holds up the card. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

Without a word, Thomas drops to his knees, crawling under the bunk toward the vent opening, his movements quick and decisive. He glances back at Katherine, his gaze lingering, protective. She meets his look with a reassuring nod. She knows he’s worried, but she can handle herself.

As Chris slides into the vent after his brother, he flashes her a grin. “You coming, Kate?”

Minho raises an eyebrow, clearly thrown. “Kate?”