Bad Dreams | Newt x Reader (Being Edited)

Chapter 24-Possible Vampire End Up Being More Creepy Than Expected

TW: Torture, descriptions of blood.

Ratman led us to showers where we had to split into girls and boys.

"I'll see you soon," I told Newt and kissed him on the cheek.

His hand held onto my arm, reluctant to let me go but he didn't fight as I pulled away. With Teresa, I turned away to head to the showers but noticed Ratman watching me. Nausea rolled in my stomach as I resisted the urge to shiver under the stare.

New clothes and shoes were piled into my arms before Teresa and I entered the showers. White stalls off them lined the right side, while the left side was reserved for sinks below a wall-length mirror. The sight of my own reflection unnerved me with the knowledge I was not dreaming.

"I don't trust him," I told her quietly.

Teresa frowned, holding her new clothes against her tightly. "Janson? He seems alright, he rescued us. We're finally going to go somewhere safe."

I shot a look over my shoulder, checking for eavesdroppers. "Something's wrong here. No one ever does anything without a motive. If the world is as bad as we're being told, why would he waste his time and resources helping us?"

She shifted uncomfortably. "Let's just shower, I want to get this dirt off me." She hurried into one of the showers and locked the door.

I knew why. She wanted to believe we were safe and that our ordeal was over. But I just couldn't, at least not until I was certain.

I entered the shower next to hers and stripped off my filthy clothes, dumping them unceremoniously in a pile. Scrapes and bruises littered my skin amongst my scars. Blood stained my skin.

Chuck's blood.

Don't think about him, I scolded myself, the urge to sob tightening my throat. Ignoring my attempts, tears slipped down my face as the thoughts invaded my head. I should have spent more time with him. I should have killed Gally earlierâ€"

I had killed Gally.

I killed him.

He was dead.

My hand wrenched the shower tap. Hot water poured over me and I winced in surprise. The showers back in the Glade had always been cold. I took the opportunity to scrub my hands clean from blood until my skin was raw. Blood mixed with the water, stark against the pale tiles as it ran into the drain.

Chuck's lifeless body flashed in my mind and for a moment, I begged myself to forget. But that was impossible and wouldn't do him justice. I had to live for him, ensure that the Gladers got the lives and freedom they deserved.

Déjà vu struck me, stronger than ever. The memory was just out of my reach and no matter how hard I tried, nothing came.

I pushed his face from my mind and focused on the near scalding water hammering against my skin. My hands rose to my hair, gently unpicking the knots and rinsing it of dirt before I washed it.

Finally, satisfied and clean, I dressed in the fresh clothes and stepped out. The shirt was short sleeved, leaving my arms on display. In the mirror, I turned my arms, inspecting the pinkish lines marking my skin. I debated putting back on my ruined jacket but my old clothes had vanished.

Since Teresa wasn't done, I exited the shower block to see if the boys were done. Winston and Frypan were already out, sitting against the wall and talking. I took a seat next to them as I waited. Their eyes caught on my arms as they hadn't seen my scars much, but they were quick to stop looking and make easy conversation.

"Here," Fry said after I had started rubbing at my arms. He shrugged off his jacket, handing it to me.

"Thank you," I said, immediately shrugging it on.