Bad Dreams | Newt x Reader (Being Edited)

Chapter 39-Giving in and Kidnapping a Child

Heat chased me out of a mercifully dreamless sleep. With a groan, I shoved off the jacket that had been covering me. A dull headache sat behind my temples, making me wince as my body resettled into an upright position. Cramps squeezed in my muscles, sore from sleeping on the backseat.

Nik was driving. He looked back as I unzipped my jacket and stretched. Bruise-like marks darkened the skin beneath his eyes, matching his mess of hair.

"Morning," I said, trying to stretch my stiff neck.

"Afternoon," he said as I climbed into the front seat.

"How long was I out?"

"Only a day. We didn't leave until this morning because I needed sleep as well. Stole the car from a couple of Wicked soldiers."

During our mission to collect Cranks—which very quickly turned into a competition that Nik unfairly won through cheating—I had expressed a want to travel south to Mexico City. At the time, Nik had been reluctant. Conflict over decision making was unusual and new for us, and we struggled with compromising due to our stubbornness. However, Nik knew that once I set my mind to something, I was unlikely to waver. If he didn't come with me, I would go alone.

My fingers snapped, my ability reaching out to find music in the car's electronic system. It began to play from the car's speakers and Nik turned the volume up to fill the silence. I closed my eyes, leaning back in my chair to start the tedious task of sorting my memories and thoughts.

Coralie was my sister. That was one of the hardest parts to stomach. The traitor had hunted us across the country after murdering our parents. Her murders had been the first domino to Lillian's demise, though I shared the blame. The Phoenix would be hunting us now, seeking the Snake if she hadn't already found the body.

Once she had been my older sister, willing to sit with me and listen to rants about books. Memories surfaced unbidden, watching romance movies with her and making fun of them, walking along the beach and playing in the water. I had adored her, once.

Lillian.

Ever the coward, I buried thoughts of her.

At least I had my twin, the other half of my soul. Nik had to have been through a lot during my time in the Maze. Though he hadn't brought it up I sensed trauma below the surface. I knew he needed time as well. Coralie had almost certainly tried to break him over and over to shred his consciousness until there was nothing but her.

My friends were with the Right Arm, that was good. Alex would protect them for me. The brief reunion filled me with warmth, seeing him reassured fears I would never see him again. He was older now, more serious. I mourned the loss of the carefree boy he'd once been. Time had seen him grow into his facial features, granting him a sharp jawline, broad shoulders and pretty eyes. He was rather handsome now, but he would only ever be like a brother to me.

It hurt to be away from my friends, particularly Newt and Minho.

Minho. Wicked had him again. I made a mental vow to go after him as soon as possible.

With a stab of fear I remembered. I had told Minho about the girl in my dreams. If someone checked his mind they would know I was Corrupt. Shuck.

Since there was little Nik and I could do to change that, I didn't bring it up. Nik didn't need more on his plate to worry about.

First, I needed to go to Mexico City. I needed to know why it's king wanted to meet me. With my memories back, I recalled who he was. Though all of the cities had quickly fallen to the Flare, several small settlements were scattered across the country. I knew Denver (or at least before the Maze) was still partially standing, surrounded by a makeshift wall and split in half by rebels and Wicked.