What if?

Chapter 14

After his break down, Newt fell asleep. Leaving Teresa alone cause she couldn't sleep, not after what she had just witnessed. Sitting in the dim light, her mind raced with thoughts of Newt's anguish and the depth of his feelings.

She couldn't shake his words from her mind. "He was... everything." Teresa pondered the meaning behind them. Was it just a deep bond forged by friendship and shared hardships, or was it something more? Was it love? She was scared to confront the possibility because her feelings for Thomas were strong, but she knew she couldn't compete if Thomas's heart was with Newt.

Teresa's thoughts spiraled, guilt creeping in. She had done so many terrible things to them, to all of them, in the name of survival and the greater good. She questioned whether she even deserved to have feelings for Thomas or to be part of their lives at all.

She wrapped her arms around her knees, hugging them tightly to her chest, and stared into the darkness. The weight of her actions and the uncertainty of the future pressed heavily on her mind. What if Thomas felt the same way about Newt? What if she had lost any chance of redemption?

Teresa sat there, lost in her thoughts, as the night stretched on. The silence around her was deafening, filled only by the occasional soft murmur from Newt as he slept fitfully. She knew that whatever lay ahead, it would be fraught with challenges and difficult decisions. She had to find a way to reconcile her past actions with her present feelings, and more importantly, she needed to find a way to support Newt and Thomas, no matter where their hearts truly lay.

As dawn began to break, casting a faint light over the horizon, Teresa felt a small glimmer of hope. She might not have all the answers, but she was determined to face whatever came next with courage and honesty. For now, she would be there for Newt, and perhaps, in time, she could find a way to atone for her mistakes and forge a new path forward.

The early morning light painted the sky in shades of pink and gold, gradually illuminating the camp. Teresa watched as the first rays of sunlight crept across the ground, casting long shadows that slowly shortened with the rising sun. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool morning air fill her lungs. It was a new day, a chance to begin anew.

Newt stirred beside her, blinking awake. He looked around, momentarily disoriented, before his gaze settled on Teresa. The raw pain from the previous night was still evident in his eyes, but there was also a glimmer of resolve.

"Morning," Teresa said softly, offering him a small smile.

Newt nodded, stretching out his stiff limbs. "Morning. Did you sleep at all?"

Teresa shook her head. "No, but it's okay. I needed some time to think."

Newt studied her for a moment, sensing the weight of her thoughts but choosing not to press further. He appreciated her presence, her quiet support, more than words could express.

The rest of the group began to stir, roused by the promise of a new day. Caleb and Lucas emerged from their makeshift shelters, their movements slow and weary but determined.

Lucas joined them, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "We need to figure out our next move. We're running low on supplies, and staying here isn't safe."

As the group gathered to discuss their plans, Teresa's mind remained preoccupied. She couldn't stop thinking about the dynamics between herself, Newt, and Thomas. The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the immediate task at hand.

They decided to head towards a nearby settlement they had heard about, hoping to find safety and resources. The journey would be difficult, but they had faced worse challenges before.

As they packed up their belongings and prepared to leave, Teresa found herself walking beside Newt. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation she knew they needed to have.

"Newt, can we talk?" she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

Newt looked at her, sensing the seriousness in her tone. "Of course, Teresa. What's on your mind?"

She hesitated, searching for the right words. "Last night, you broke down. You talked about missing him, about how much he meant to you. And I... I couldn't help but wonder if it was more than just friendship."

Newt's expression softened with understanding. "Teresa, he and I have been through a lot together. We've faced things that most people can't even imagine. That kind of bond... it runs deep."

Teresa nodded, her heart pounding. "I know. But I need to know where we stand, Newt. I've made mistakes, terrible mistakes, and I don't expect things to just go back to the way they were. But I need to know if there's a chance for us, or if your heart belongs to someone else."

Newt sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Teresa, my feelings for him are complicated. He's like a brother to me, but there's also something more. I care about him deeply. But that doesn't mean I don't care about you. What we've been through together... it matters."

Teresa nodded, feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty. It wasn't the definitive answer she had hoped for, but it was a start. And in this world of chaos and uncertainty, that was enough for now.

As the group set off towards the unknown, Teresa found herself walking beside Caleb and Lucas. She glanced at Newt, seeing the pain still etched on his face, but also a flicker of resilience.

The journey ahead was uncertain, fraught with challenges and difficult decisions. But as they walked together, bound by their shared struggles and the hope for a better future, Teresa felt a renewed sense of determination. She might not have all the answers, but she was ready to face whatever came next with courage and honesty. For now, she would be there for Newt, and perhaps, in time, she could find a way to atone for her mistakes and forge a new path forward.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, they pressed on, leaving the past behind and stepping into the promise of a new day.

Hope you enjoyed! I have some ideas for the reunion (i still don't know in how many chapters it will be haha), hope you'll like them :)

See you on the next chapter!

L'🥀