When The Storm Comes (When We're Older alternative ending)

a bump in the sea

play song after Newt helps Ali

Newt

I haven't written in a long time, Maisy. There's been so much going on I've hardly had time to take a breath and sit down.

We're on our way to you now. Ali is slowly figuring out how to drive this thing without the help of constant winds, and everyone else is trying their best to be of assistance. But even then, there's not much to do when you're in the middle of the ocean.

I've been keeping myself occupied by studying the maps Ali brought of the WICKED complex you're in. I've been making my own notes on the pieces of paper, trying to find connections or a way that could lead us to you. But as the news says, the complex is expanding. Growing. The maps are old. Without being there it's hard to know what still stands and where they might have you.

It may come as no surprise but I've been thinking about you lots. Names for our baby depending on what the gender is. I figured that if it's a girl, you'd probably want to name her after your mother, Mary. But if it's a boy I think that the name Samuel is nice. In the end, though, my opinion means nothing if you're not happy. It feels weird thinking about names without you. That's something couples are supposed to do together, isn't it?

I feel like I'm missing everything. Almost six months have gone by and I haven't once asked you how you're doing—I can't. I'm supposed to be there when you get sick in the morning or when you want to eat something specific. I'm supposed to help you out with whatever you need, but I'm not there. I'm sorry.

When we get you back, nothing will be able to tear me away from you. Nothing. I'll be stuck to your side like glue.

"Newt!" Minho called my name from near the Captain's quarters. I turned away from my writing to see what he wanted. "Come see the view!"

I turned back to my journal.

Minho wants me to look at the view from above. It's getting to be supper time, which means that the sun is setting. I hope it's pretty tonight. I'll let you know if it is.

I closed the book and tucked it under my arm. Jumping off the barrel I was sitting on, I made my way to the back of the ship where everyone seemed to be gathered. I patted Ali on the shoulder as he yawned and rubbed his eyes, I wondered how long he'd gone without sleep.

The wind was light as we slowly sailed, with nothing but a vast blue ocean in sight. Minho was right. The sunset was beautiful. The sky reflected in the water—colors of pink, blue, purple, orange, yellow... It was bright, but I kept my eyes open as we all marveled at the scene in front of us. In moments like these, I couldn't point out where the sea ended and the sky began, they just molded into one another.

"Look!" Teresa pointed out. "A whale!"

I moved closer to where she was, squinting my eyes to see better. The enormous creature blew water out of its blowhole and sank back into the sea, flicking its blue tail at us before doing so. Chuckling and shaking my head in awe, I leaned against the railing and held my head in my hands.

"Did you know that whales have emotions too?" Teresa said to the group.

We all glanced at her.

Jorge shook his head. "No. Can't be. The Bible says animals have no way to process emotions like humans do. They don't understand.."

Brenda elbowed him in the side. "Way to ruin the moment, Jorge."

"I'm just being practical!" He defended, throwing his hands in the air.

"I didn't picture you as a religious person, Jorge," I mumbled, a smile forming as I watched everyone giggle at him.

"I'm not but I've done my research."