Secrets | TMR | One

4:4

Not being in Adeline's company for the entire day only caused the confusion to turn to anger, and then to resentment.

For lack of a better word, Nick was pissed.

So much to the point that on several occasions he found himself on the cusp of informing the other Gladers of his newest revelation.

The only thing that stopped him was knowing how much damage it would cause.

And not just to Adeline, but to all the Gladers. Life as they know it would change completely. All the happiness that they have built over their years here would be broken in a matter of seconds. All the hope, cracked. All the trust, crushed.

Like glass, everything would be shattered, splitting apart and leaving nothing left but a pile of shards, with jagged edges that slice anyone who comes near.

They would lose it all, and Nick cannot have that.

Therefore, to save the Glade from falling into absolute chaos, he stayed quiet. Walking on the tightrope between wanting to do the right thing and, well...

He is not even sure which decision would be the right one.

That is the dilemma that keeps him awake during the night.

Half the night was spent doing nothing but tossing and turning on his bed. Throwing the sleeping bag over the edge because it was too warm, only to drag it back up five minutes later because it was too cold. Switching between laying in only his boxers, to covering himself head to toe in garments.

Eventually, not long after the clock reached three, he decided to get up.

To rise from his bed and confront the girl, who is still locked away in the Medhut on her own.

On her own.

The mere thought brings nothing but guilt to the forefront of Nick's mind, which, in turn, only causes him to feel more furious.

It should be her that feels guilty, not him.

And yet, he cannot help it.

Staring up to the ceiling, the boy releases a harsh breath, pulling his hands up to cover his face, dragging them down from his forehead to his chin before lightly slapping them against his bare chest and turning his head to look at the unit just to the right of his bed.

His eyes flicker over to the watch that lays on top of the wooden surface, the light on its face illuminating the time.

3:27am.

Using his elbows for leverage, Nick pushes himself upwards, dropping his hands down to the blanket on either side of him and twisting himself around until his legs dangle from the edge.

With his hands moving and curving around the corner of his bed, his shoulders hunch up and his head bows down, his body expelling another rough breath before sitting up straight again.

Reaching out to his right, he grabs the discarded watch, flicking it up slightly so that it curls around his left wrist as he slaps it down against his skin.

Turning his left arm over, Nick begins to tighten the clasp, pushing it over so the golden light from his lamp glows against his wrist.

The lamp which - even though Adeline and him have not shared a room in over two months - he still finds he cannot sleep without.

She had gotten him too used to sleeping with it on.

Nick hops off from his bed, pressing his weight against his hands as he pushes himself forward, his feet landing with a soft thud against the floorboards.