What if?

Chapter 19

The next day dawned with a sense of renewal and purpose in Safe Haven. Newt and Teresa woke to the sound of bustling activity outside their quarters, the air filled with the aroma of breakfast being prepared and the distant voices of people going about their daily routines.

They emerged from their shared room, still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the warmth and familiarity of Safe Haven. As they walked through the settlement, they were greeted with smiles and nods from fellow survivors who had heard of their return.

Thomas found them first, his face lighting up as he approached with a determined stride. "Morning," he greeted them, a grin spreading across his face. "Ready to catch up on everything?"

Newt nodded eagerly, a sense of relief washing over him at Thomas's casual demeanor. "Definitely," he replied, his voice still tinged with disbelief that they were all together again.

They joined their friends—Minho, Brenda, Jorge, Frypan, Gally, and others—at a communal dining area where breakfast was being served. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and animated conversations as everyone exchanged stories of their experiences and shared news of recent developments in Safe Haven.

As they settled at a table, plates of food were placed before them by volunteers who had taken on the role of cooks. Newt and Teresa ate heartily, savoring the simple pleasure of a warm meal and the camaraderie of their friends.

"So, what happened after we... left?" Teresa asked cautiously, her gaze shifting between Thomas and the others. She knew there were gaps in their knowledge, things they needed to understand to fully grasp the current situation.

Teresa listened intently as Thomas spoke, absorbing the gravity of their situation and the experiences they had missed. Her heart sank at the realization of how much time had passed since the explosion, and how their absence had affected their friends.

Thomas glanced around at their group, his expression growing serious. "It hasn't been easy," he began, his voice quiet but steady. "We all thought you were dead. After the explosion at WICKED, everything fell apart. It was chaos."

"We made our way to Safe Haven almost immediatly after that," Brenda interjected softly, her eyes reflecting the pain of their uncertainty. "People were devastated. We tried to rebuild something here, a place where peace and freedom from the world's chaos could reign."

Minho spoke up next, his voice gruffer than usual but tinged with an underlying emotion. "We didn't give up hope entirely, but we had to face the reality. Until today, when you both miraculously appeared before us."

Newt and Teresa exchanged a look, a silent acknowledgment of the hardships their friends had endured in their absence. They felt a pang of guilt for the worry they had caused, coupled with a profound sense of gratitude for being reunited with their Safe Haven family.

"Is there anything else we should know?" Teresa asked, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling within her.

As the conversation continued, Newt and Teresa learned more about the Safe Haven.

Throughout it all, Newt couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the bonds that held them together—the friendships forged in adversity, the shared determination to survive, and the unwavering belief that they were stronger together than they could ever be alone.

As the day progressed, Newt and Teresa found themselves drawn into various tasks and responsibilities within Safe Haven. They helped with repairs, tended to the sick and injured, and offered support wherever they could. Each action reinforced their sense of belonging and purpose in this newfound sanctuary.

By the time evening approached, they gathered once more with their friends around a crackling fire pit. The day had been long and exhausting, but there was a palpable sense of contentment and hope in the air.

Newt noticed Thomas sitting apart from the group, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames of the campfire. Without hesitation, Newt made his way over and settled down beside him. The crackling of the fire and the distant murmurs of their friends provided a backdrop to their reunion, a moment of quiet amidst the bustling activity of Safe Haven.

For a while, neither of them spoke. The weight of their shared history and the emotions stirred by their reunion hung heavy in the air. Newt glanced at Thomas, taking in the lines of weariness etched on his face, evidence of the struggles he had endured since they last saw each other.

"It's good to see you," Newt finally said softly, breaking the silence. His voice carried a mixture of relief and regret, a reflection of the tumultuous emotions within him.

Thomas turned to look at him, a faint smile playing on his lips despite the fatigue in his eyes. "You too Newt," he replied, his voice tinged with gratitude and disbelief. "I thought..."

Newt nodded, understanding the unspoken words. "I know. I thought the same. But here we are."

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. The fire crackled before them, casting dancing shadows across their faces. Memories flashed through Newt's mind—of their time in the Glade, the Maze, and their battles against WICKED. He thought of the moments they had shared, the bonds they had forged, and the unspoken feelings that had always lingered between them.

"We've both been through hell Tommy. But we made it." Newt  said gently, placing a reassuring hand on Thomas's.

Thomas couldn't help but lightly blush at this touch. Thomas met his gaze, a flicker of hope reigniting in his eyes. "Yeah. We made it."

Their conversation drifted into more lighthearted topics as they reminisced about their adventures and the friends they had lost along the way. They laughed softly at the absurdity of their past trials and shared hopes for the future. The camaraderie that had always defined their friendship felt renewed, strengthened by the trials they had overcome and the reunion they thought impossible.

As the night wore on, their friends gradually joined them around the fire, drawn together by the shared sense of relief and joy. Minho clapped Newt on the back with a rare display of emotion, Frypan offered them both hearty bowls of stew, and Brenda and Jorge shared stories of their efforts to rebuild Safe Haven.

Together, they sat beneath the starry sky, surrounded by the warmth and love of their makeshift family. The challenges ahead were daunting, and the scars of their past remained, but in that moment, Newt and Thomas found solace in the knowledge that they were not alone. Safe Haven was more than a refuge; it was a beacon of hope in a world still grappling with the aftermath of WICKED's tyranny.

And as they exchanged smiles and laughter, Newt and Thomas knew that their journey together was far from over. They had faced the worst that the world could throw at them and emerged stronger, united in their determination to build a new future—a future where they could finally find peace and the freedom to live without fear.

Hope you all enjoyed!

See you on the next chapter!

L'🥀