ᵒⁿᵉ 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 ⁿᵉʷᵗᵐᵃˢ ᵃᵘ (ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉᵈ)

where am i

Thomas wakes, the world black. A wood ceiling appears above him, the rafters drifting closer and farther in his delirious state. A boy's head appears, shaggy golden blonde hair hanging in his face. Thomas's vision straightens and he tries to sit up, but the boy puts a hand on his chest.

"Don't sit up." He says, glancing around. 

Thomas tries to speak but the boys hand moves to his mouth.

"Don't speak." He says.

Thomas rolls his eyes, half expecting him to tell him not to do that. The boy slowly removes his hand.

"Okay," He says. "Talk."

"Where the hell am I?" He asks angrily, sitting up.

The boy looks at him, not an ounce of patience in his eyes. "You don't remember?" He asks sharply.

"No." Thomas says, a headache rushing between his ears. 

The blond boy studies at him, pursing his lips. "Well, that's..." He slaps his arms to his sides. "Inconvenient." 

"I'm an inconvenience?" Thomas asks, growing more and more angry with this boy. 

"Greenies always are." He says.

"Greenies?" Thomas asks. 

"You're bloody full of questions, aren't ya?" He says.

Thomas doesn't answer. "Who are you?"

"Name's Newt." He says. "What about you?"

"Thomas." He says. 

Newt nods. 

Thomas starts to look around. He's in a room with only a bed and a small dresser in the corner. There's a large wooden door on one wall and no windows.

"Where am I?" Thomas asks. 

Newt shakes his head, laughing. "Wicked Orphanage." 

Thomas makes a face. "That's not exactly welcoming."

Newt shrugs. "Guess not." He sits on the edge of the other boys bed.  "Some people think there's something shady going on." He says in a hushed voice, as if telling a secret. 

"What do you think?" Thomas asks. 

"Personally?" He says. "I think there's something going on, but I don't know what."

Thomas nods. "Who else is here?"

"Dozens of people." Newt says. "Mostly boys but a few girls. My sister's one of them."

"You have a sister?" Thomas asks.

"That's what I just said, isn't it?" Newt says, chuckling. 

Thomas draws his knees up to his chest. 

"You alright there, Greenie?" He asks.

Thomas wraps his arms around his knees. "Fine."

Newt pats his knee. "Well, when you're ready, we can go meet the others."

Thomas slowly uncurls himself and stands. Newt stands too.

"Ready now then?" He says.

"More than ready." He says. 

Newt nods and leads him out the door. He takes him outside to a large, grassy courtyard with a few trees. An asian boy runs over to them.

"Hey, Newt." He says. "Who's the Greenie?"

"This is Thomas." He says. "Tommy, this is Minho."

Thomas shakes his hand. "Hi." He says. 

Minho studies the boy. "So," He says. "What's your deal?"