Secrets | TMR | One

4:6

Life has changed drastically for Adeline. 

Simple tasks, such as grabbing herself a glass of water from the kitchen, or getting out of bed in the mornings have become next to impossible for her to complete on her own.

A lot of tumbles have been taken in the weeks that have passed since she returned from the maze with Nick.

In the mornings, once she has finished breakfast and has attempted to get up from the table to hand her plate back to Frypan, only to slip from the side of the chair and land on her bum - often followed by an empty plate clinking against the top of her skull.

Her afternoons spent under the sun, watching some of the Gladers working, while the others run around on the grass, playing whatever new game they have come up with. On many occasions, Adeline would try to stand up and join them, not wanting to feel left out of the fun for any longer. However, she would only ever get as far as her kneecaps digging into the ground before falling forward and landing face-first in the dirt. 

Even at night, whilst all the boys were asleep, and the Glade was in complete silence. Adeline's brain would kick into action, signalling that she needed to empty her bladder. The girl had been instructed countless times that, if she needed help, she were to tell Nick, regardless of the time. However, each time she did, the leader would end up spending the next few hours outside, waiting for the girl to fall asleep again before finally returning to his bed. 

Adeline knew that he did this, and so, instead of asking for help, the girl would attempt to get up herself. She would get as far as her backside resting against the corner of the bed, but ultimately, she would fall. In turn, causing Nick to jolt awake from the harsh thud of her landing on the wooden floorboards. 

So, despite her best efforts, the leader would end up awake and tiredly trailing around the edges of the Glade so he could avoid running the risk of any arguments starting between them.

This action of his bothered Adeline to no end. But it slowly became a small issue compared to the troubles that she faces with not having use of her leg. 

And she knows both of them well enough to be sure of the fact that they would bicker if they were stuck in each others company for too long. That, and she does not want to push Nick. He clearly needs space from her and, no matter what the reason may be, it is not her place to deny him of it. 

She just wishes he would tell her what was wrong. Even if she cannot help, she could be there to listen.

The girl would not say the words out loud, because she is aware of how selfish they sound, but she needs him too. Truth be told, Adeline is slightly pissed at how flaky he has been towards her, especially during this time, when she needs him more now than she ever has. 

See? Selfish.

Which is exactly why she has kept everything to herself, not wanting to become even more of a burden than she already has. 

And she has become a burden. It matters not how many times the Gladers tell her otherwise, for she knows. It is not blatantly obvious, but Adeline still notices. Can see it in - not so subtle - way they huff and puff while organising who is going to be ''babysitting'' her each day, or how many of them roll their eyes when she asks for help. Even when they are helping her, a lot of them are far less patient now than they once were, trying to stand her up too quickly, or forcing her to take bigger hops through the grass as they stumble from one part of the Glade to the other. 

Adeline does not blame them. She is tired of it too.

The only three that do not seem to care about having to take time out of their day to help are Alby, Henry and George.