Hearts and Minds

The Moment You've Been Waiting For

Artemis had hidden from the Glade for as long as she could possibly manage. Hiding in the Med-Hut, making Jeff and Chuck keep watch for her so she knew when to duck out the back of someone came looking for her. Alas, it was time for her to deal with the consequences of her actions. Chuck came running in, door bursting open as he panted heavily. "Gally-he's-..oh I need to get into shape! He's coming to-..it's time." Chuck finally spit out, letting her know it was time for her to be escorted to the Pit.

Artemis stepped outside the med-hut, head down. She couldn't stand being outside anymore. Unfortunately for her, she ran right into someone. Instead of falling over two strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her towards whomever caught her. Artemis looked up and her face turned a shade of red she didn't think was possible. Gally was standing before her, pulling her against him so she wouldn't fall. He cleared his throat, quickly pulling away. "Excuse me. Just follow me, Newt's already got Thomas waiting."

Gally started leading the way, Artemis silently following. The boy furrowed his eyebrows. That was unlike her, not to bite back with some remark or make a joke. Or even just a scoff, a sign that she had heard his words. There was nothing, barely even the sound of her breathing. Gally wanted to ask if she was okay. He wanted to make sure she was safe and nothing had happened. As they approached the Pit, he started to open his mouth. He wasn't sure what he was going to say; it didn't matter anyways. Before Gally could talk Artemis basically sprinted away and launched herself at Thomas. Gally felt his jaw clench. Why was he so pissed?

Artemis had instantly grabbed onto Thomas, her figure shaking like a leaf now that she could let her vulnerable side show. Thomas looked down at her, concern written all over his face. He knew better than to ask in the presence of Newt and Gally, so he just wrapped a protective arm around her and let Newt guide them into the same little makeshift cell. "Minho will be back to get you in the morning. You won't be given food and you will not be allowed to talk to anyone outside. Starting now."

Newt dropped the weird cage door that was actually well made, tying rope around it to keep them in there. Artemis didn't care, she was already pushed against the corner of the small cage. She didn't notice how dark it was out until the lantern Gally was carrying was taken away when he left. As soon as they were left alone Thomas sat down beside her. "Temmie? What's the matter?" He asked, worry laced in his voice. She couldn't bring herself to talk. Artemis was shaking, nothing else. She couldn't cry, she couldn't talk, she could barely breathe. When Thomas realized whatever was happening was worse than anything he's seen he simply wrapped an arm around her and pulled her towards him. Artemis now laid with her head on his chest, clinging to Thomas like he'd disappear if she didn't hold on tight enough.

That's when she finally broke, those tears finally coming back. They flooded down her face as she held onto the boy in front of her. Thomas hand one arm wrapped around her waist, the other tangled in her hair as he tried to comfort her. "Please..please don't leave me." She whispered, her voice hoarse and tears still falling. Thomas looked down at her, his eyes focusing below hers for a moment before flicking back up to meet.

"Never." He promised, before they laid there in silence. She let herself cry, let herself be vulnerable. She finally managed to control her breathing and stop crying, slowly being able to make words.

"..can you tell me what happened now?"

"...fine. But you have to promise to stay calm." Instead of a verbal response, Thomas just gave her a stern nod. Silently giving her his word he'd stay quiet and let her explain. "..Mason. When I was going to meet you guys he..he grabbed me." She had to paused, the lump in her throat making words difficult again. The look in Thomas' eyes was almost deadly, she could see it even in the darkness. Artemis swallowed thickly, forcing herself to keep going. "I couldn't fight back, I was too exhausted. He took advantage of that..he took advantage of me..." she quietly pulled the sleeve of the flannel up, revealing the cut she had received from his knife.