"She killed a Griever?" Newt asked, not believing what he was being told. They were all sitting in the Med-Shack, discussing what Alby had told them while the Med-Jacks administered the serum to Jesse. "It had her, I thought she was done for, but she pulled her knife and shoved it right up in that Griever's face. The thing malfunctioned and dropped dead, for real this time, but Jesse fell to the ground too, smacked her head nice and good," he recounted. Newt looked over the girl, feeling something in the pit of his stomach that he couldn't quite pinpoint.
"I can't believe you made it back," Carter said, placing her hand on Alby's. The affection was uncommon between the two. While Carter was quite an affectionate person, she never really did anything with Alby. Newt wouldn't take his eyes away from her. "Newt, hey, she's going to be fine, 3 days and she'll be fine," Minho said. He snapped back and looked at them, his face turning pink. "What- I don't even, uh I know," he stuttered, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Everyone snickered slightly at the boy, making him blush even harder. "Fuck off," he muttered.
"So what, she just stays here and we wait for her to lash out like Ben did?" Thomas asked. "What happened with Ben never happens. I think I've seen about 3 Banishings in the entire 3 years I've been here Tommy. She's going to be monitored and looked after by Clint and Jeff until she feels better. Which she will, in around 3 days," Newt said.
"I'm exhausted," Alby said, breaking the silence. They all let go of a breath they were subconsciously holding in their chests. "We all better go get some rest actually," Minho said. "We'll work in shifts, she won't be unsupervised for one second Alby we swear," Clint said. "G'night guys," Alby smiled before walking out. Newt sat in his seat looking at Carter, Minho and Blue who displayed the same look of unease on their faces. "Something doesn't feel right," Blue said. "I know exactly what you mean," Carter confirmed slowly. "It's gotta be the steak I mean, she's fine right?" Minho asked. Blue shot him a gaze of disapproval. "I mean- the steak was fucking amazing right guys?" He tried to cover up, looking to the others for help. "Nah you're on your own bro," Carter chuckled. "Seriously why do I have such a terrible feeling that something is really, really wrong," Newt said. It felt like his stomach was being twisted inside out. "It's just gotta be paranoia right? Look at her, she's going to be okay," Carter said. "Look, let's just go to bed and we'll discuss this tomorrow morning when we come and check on her," Minho said. They all agreed and said goodnight to Clint and Jeff before exiting the Med-Shack.
Newt was asked about a million questions as he left and he didn't know what to do. He answered them the best he could and made his way over to his hammock. Something about the ginger girl not going around and making sure everyone was alright didn't put the Gladers at much ease. She was, by all definitions, the closest thing they had to a parental figure. And the lack of her presence was definitely missed.
In the morning, they made their way to the Med-Shack, only to be absolutely shocked by what they saw. Jesse was sitting upright in her bed, looking exactly as she usually did. "What the hell?" Minho questioned. "She woke up this morning, perfectly fine. All her vitals are normal," Clint said softly, not seeming to understand it either. "The serum has never worked that quickly before," Alby mumbled. Newt walked over to her and she grimaced at the sight of him. "Nope, yeah she's back. And that means I'm no longer needed," Newt said before leaving quickly. Carter and Bluebell wrapped her in a giant hug. "Thank god you're alright!" Carter exclaimed.
"She's not speaking?" Alby asked. Clint shook his head. "Hasn't really said a word at all," Jeff added. "That's odd," Minho said, running a hand up and down Jesse's back trying to comfort her. "Doors open?" She asked. They all looked between themselves. "Should be opening in a minute or so. Why? Jesse don't even think about it," Alby said. Jesse just ignored him and stood up, almost breaking into a full sprint and barreling through the Glade towards the doors. Newt looked up from his position at the Garden to see the group of Gladers chasing after her. "For fucks sake," he muttered, dropping his shovel and bolting towards her, tackling her to the ground and placing his hand under her head so she didn't hit it on the ground. He put some of his weight on her hips and took a hold of her wrists and she stared up at him in anger. "Newt, if you don't get the fuck off of me I will rip you apart," Jesse warned. "You're not going out there. At least for today. Minho and Dan have it covered," Newt said, not removing himself from his position on top of her. She rolled her eyes. "Whatever just get off," she said. Newt stood up, not before digging his knee into her hip making her groan slightly. He just smirked as he walked off. "Fucking asshole," she muttered under her breath, standing up.
She went and sat on her hammock, her friends kind of just gathered that the girl wanted to be left alone for a while so they didn't bother her. Alby let her relax for the day and everyone just went about their jobs. That was until Gally realised that Thomas had snuck out into the Maze. "GATHERING!" He screamed, earning a glare from Alby and Newt.
Jesse, Newt, Alby and the rest of the Keepers made their way to Council Hall, Jesse's hand intertwined with Thomas'. "Jesse let go," Gally spat, shooting daggers at Thomas. Jesse just did as she was told and went to her seat. "Thomas, you went into the Maze without permission and you are not a Runner. Therefore he must be punished," Gally said. "Gally last I checked you didn't run a Gathering. Thomas, plead your case," Alby said. "I want to be a Runner. No one was listening to me, I'm wasted out here," Thomas said. Minho nodded in agreement. "He's fast Alby," Minho said. Gally rolled his eyes and scoffed. Newt and Alby turned away from the group and whispered amongst themselves. "One night in the Slammer and no food," Alby said. "Come on, one night isn't going to stop him from doing it again," Gally protested. "You're right. And we can't just have non-Runners running off into the Maze whenever they feel like it. So starting tomorrow, you're a Runner," Newt said. Gally looked like steam would actually start coming out of his ears. He pushed past Frypan and out into the Glade. "Thanks Newt," Thomas said. Newt didn't respond, just nodded at the boy.
Thomas walked over to Jesse who looked quite confused and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in and pressing his lips to hers. She drew in a sharp breath, surprised at the interaction before her hands raised to the back of Thomas' neck. Alby smiled and clapped. Newt felt a lump form in his throat as he watched the scene unfold in front of him. He ran a hand through his hair before leaving the Council Hall in a huff.
"Newt?" Carter asked as she and Blue saw the older boy looking clearly distressed. "Jesse, Thomas," is all he said. That was enough for the two to infer what had happened. What they weren't sure of is why Newt cared so much.
