[Off Path] | Wasted ~ Newt¹

[1.2] Retracing Steps

The next morning came soon enough. Isa had been up most of the night sitting at the doors, she wasn't expecting Justin to come back but she didn't want to go back to her tower. Newt stayed up with her most of the night as well but had eventually fallen asleep in her tower. She had almost fallen back asleep until she heard voices.

"Isa? Have you been here all night?" It was Minho, behind him was Alby. She didn't say anything but nodded her head.

"What are you guys doing?"

"Going out to retrace Justin's footsteps."
"I'm coming."
"No, you're not, you are going to go back to your tower and sleep."

"I'm coming with Minho, you have no say in this." He opened his mouth as if to speak again but closed it again quickly shaking his head, he was going to lose this argument.

'Fine, but we go quick ok, we find whatever is left of Justin and then we leave." She nodded in understanding.

The doors started to rumble telling the three of them it was time to go. They ran off into the maze following Alby's lead. She didn't know where they were going or why they were retracing his steps but she followed. It was weirdly calming for her to be back in the maze, she really needed this. Alby slowed down causing the others to as well, Isa peeked around the boy to see a shirt on the ground. Justin's shirt. Alby walked forward and picked up the shirt, lifting it to examine.

"I don't think we are going to find much more Alby."

"You're right, let's head back."
"Let's hope Newt hasn't lost his mind trying to find you." Minho turned his attention to Isa, she didn't tell Newt where she was, if he woke up chances are he was freaking out right now.

They all ran back to the glade, no sight of Newt meaning he was probably still asleep. Isa walked to her tower where she knew he would be, he was asleep. She smiled at the sight before walking over to him, sitting down next him pulling his head into her lap. Her hands ran through his hair as she waited for him to wake. He started to stir signalling her that he was awake.

"Good Morning Newt." He smiled up at her while he sat up. "It's almost time for lunch, do you want to go get some food?"

"I'm supposed to be asking you that question."
"Well looks like the tables have turned." They both laughed slightly before Isa helped him up and they started towards Fry. Fry was waiting for them with plates of food that they both finished quickly. Soon enough, Newt was called away leaving Isa alone with her thoughts.

"Mind if I join?" Fry didn't wait for an answer, he sat down next to her staring off into the distance as she had been. "You've got a lot on your mind, care to share?"
"What do you think is out there? Beyond the maze, do you think it's worth it?"
"No telling. Could be sunshine and rainbows or it could be dark and stormy, there's no telling. I like to think that there is a pot of gold at the end of the maze." She giggled lowly. "Don't get all dark and twisted Isa, you won't make it with that mindset."
"Thank you Fry." She smiled at the boy sitting beside her as he put his arm around her. Her head fell onto his shoulders and for a while they both sat in a comfortable silence.

"If Newt sees us like this I might be done for." He laughed but Isa was slightly confused.

"Why?"

"You've never seen it, anytime someone says anything about you, anything weird or inappropriate, he's on their ass, sets them straight. He is extra protective over you, it's sweet. He cares about you Is." He cares about me.