𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 ★ 𝙏𝙈𝙍

[27] Winston

The lone group of Gladers began to travel across the desolate landscape of the scorch, carting Winston around on a makeshift carrier they had built with the materials they had. Winston lay curled up on the Carrier, eyes clenched shut in pain as he struggled to breathe, his arms clutching his abdomen as the Gladers travelled up and down the large sand dunes in the burning heat.  Elsie Crouched down every few minutes to wipe the sweat off of Winston's forehead, whispering words of encouragement and reassuring him as they went along.

The Gladers created a System, where they dragged Winston on his Carrier up the sand dune, and then carried him down it, a routine they repeated for every single mountain of sand they crossed. Elsie looked up at the large remains of an iron bridge across the sand dunes, deep in thought. her skin was now burning and probably horribly sunburnt. she had removed her jacket and tied it around her waist, too hot to wear it on her torso. she had rolled up the sleeves of her top and wrapped a shawl around her head to cover it from the sun, though it didn't make much difference. 

the situation only got worse for the Gladers as a sudden strong wind blew over them, causing the sand to fly into their faces. "Elsie, cover your face" Newt called, shielding his face with his one arm as he helped pull Winston's carrier along with the other. "We need to find shelter!" Thomas said, pulling his hood down as far as possible over his face, turning his head away with every blow of sand.  Elsie staggered along, held closely against Teresa as the Older girl covered their faces with her shawl.

The Gladers eventually found a Resting spot, Tucked Beneath an Old concrete structure half buried beneath a sand dune. Elsie sat beside Newt, her head resting on his shoulder as she sat in the shade, cooling off. She watched with an amused look on her face as Frypan took off his boot, turning it over and watching as a waterfall of sand poured out from his boot. Newt passed Elsie the small metal water bottle that Minho had been drinking from, keeping a careful eye on her to make sure she didn't down the whole bottle. 

Elsie took a few fair sips of the water before rising to her feet, walking over to Winston who lay in the shade, his labored breathing filling the air. Elsie crouched down beside him, bringing the water bottle to his lips. "Say 'Ah'" Elsie ordered, waiting for Winston to open his mouth. Winston parted his lips, croaking out an 'Ah' as Elsie carefully poured some of the cool water into his mouth, watching as Winston gulped it down.  "Thanks Els" Winston said weakly, still clutching his abdomen.

Elsie sealed the bottle of Water, looking over at Teresa who was sat a few feet away, looking at her. "You make a good little Nurse, Els" Teresa said into the silence, giving Elsie a little smile. 
"Thanks. I like helping people, and looking after them" Elsie said as she dabbed gently at Winston's forehead, wiping away the Sweat. Teresa stood up, patting Elsie on the back before walking over to Join Thomas, who was stood alone in the distance.

Elsie settled down in the sand beside Winston, crossing her legs. she carefully slipped out the little wooden pendant Chuck had made for her, tracing the little engravings in the wooden heart with a sad smile on her face. She missed him. she truly did. she had been trying her best to avoid the thought of Chuck over the last few days, worried that she might cry or loose control over herself. she mourned over his death in silence, keeping it to herself.  she ignored any questions asked about Chuck, avoiding the subject almost entirely.

"he really liked you, ya know? Chuck." Winston said suddenly. Elsie looked up from the Pendant, directing her attention over to Winston who had been watching her.  Elsie bit her lip, sliding the Pendant back down in its hiding place beneath her top, right over her heart. "he was mad about you." Winston continued. "Followed you everywhere, always talked about you to the others. he talked about you as if you were some goddess. he had a little crush on you. We always joked about telling you about his little crush, and he'd turn into a Mess"