Secrets | TMR | One

6:5

A/N DEATH...

Also probably the longest chapter I've written so, sorry.
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For the first time in a long time, the smile that once ghosted over Adeline's features slowly began to stitch itself into her skin.

The company of the youngest Glader had successfully managed to pull her mind away from the sinister and lonely thoughts that previously plagued her being. Her head felt lighter, but in the best possible way.

There was no darkness. No head lights or brake lights. The streets were not crammed with hordes of people, crashing and colliding with each other as they struggled to navigate their way through the city, with a sea of umbrellas held mere inches from their heads to protect them from the heavy rainfall.

It was only her. Driving through a valley, surrounded by vast pastures, as far as her eyes could see. Gentle clouds floating high up in the pastel blue sky. So bright and bold, yet ever so delicately bursting with optimism.

Everything appeared to be calm, tranquil.

No dead bugs on the windscreen.

George had this aura, this... ambience of pure innocence about him. There was never a deeper meaning behind the look in his eyes, never any hidden messages in between the words he spoke.

He was just... George.

And Adeline loved that.

Despite the young boys offer of enjoying some time in the sun, the pair had found themselves tucked away in the slammer for the majority of the day and well into the night, basking in their ignorance of the Glade around them and allowing their minds a well deserved recess from the chaos that surrounds them.

Something which Adeline was quite grateful for.

Although she had spent the entirety of her imprisonment - for lack of a better term - bitching and complaining about being set free, she soon realised that, given the option, she would much prefer to stay hidden away from the other boys.

George, despite never uttering the words, completely understood why the girl would not want to venture out into the open Glade and so, was more than happy with starving his skin of the warm sunlight for a day.

He just wanted to spend some time with her.

The closest thing to a sister he has ever had - that he can remember.

It is much later in the evening, the clock nearly reaching eleven, and still, the two Gladers are wide awake. Sat at opposite ends of the slammer, their bodies draped with thick blankets, a lamp by their side, and a ginormous platter of fresh fruit positioned in the middle.

George hates fruit... but he knows it is Adeline's favourite.

"Do you remember" the young boy starts, stuffing a grape into his mouth and trying not to scrunch his face up when the sour juices explode over his tongue, "when you and Henry had that argument, and we stuffed blueberries in his pillow to get back at him?"

"Yes!" Adeline exclaims, her upper body falling back slightly as she clutches her side to soothe the stitch that is forming in her stomach from giggling so much. "He woke up the next day and half his face was blue!

George dramatically nods his head in agreement, unable to speak through the laughter that rumbles from the pit of his stomach. No sound manages to escape, his ribs aching and head beginning to feel faint as he attempts to regain control of his breathing.

Through the small gaps in her giggles, Adeline picks up her glass of water and attempts to take a drink, but she only gets as far as filling her mouth before a rough snort vibrates from the young boys nose.