Bad Dreams | Newt x Reader (Being Edited)

Chapter 41- Mexico City

Within the predicted timeline, we reached the city. By then, I was stiff from travelling in a car. Archie had talked nearly nonstop and had been trying to talk to Aaliyah but she remained stubbornly silent.

Nikolai pulled the car over before we reached the city. I glanced at him, sitting up in case he had seen something I could fight.

"It'll draw too much attention if we drive into the city," he explained and turned the car off.

I squeaked and jumped out. "Walking!"

Opening the back door, Aaliyah climbed out, quickly followed by Archie. We stared around at the burnt and broken houses surrounding us. Their colour was faded, beaten down by the cruel sun. Powerlines and the burnt remnants of trees leaned against their crooked sides, some smashed into the buildings.

Once, Mexico City had been a bustling city of millions and millions. Now, it was a dozen walled off blocks of buildings. A sombre mood covered the scene, as if the houses themselves mourned the loss of the families and people who had once called them home.

"At least it's colourful," I muttered to Nik and wondered if he was thinking about the grey of Denver.

I slung a bag over my shoulder and tugged up my scarf, hiding my face before I pulled up my hood. The rest of our group did the same, having received a long talk about how it was dangerous for all of us to be seen here.

Old rusted skeletons of cars and other vehicles littered the roads and streets as we navigated our way to the surviving part of the city. It was rather easy, considering the damaged skyscrapers stuck out against the horizon. Torn flags wavered in the gentle wind, green, white and red rippling proudly.

Aaliyah tripped on a piece of broken concrete and fell hard on her knee. I quickly drop down next to her and help her off her knee. Blood bled through her clothes and trickled down her leg. Her lip wobbled but she didn't make a sound. I took off my jacket and wet part of it with water to wipe away the blood and dirt. When it was clean enough I tied it gently around her knee and picked her up. She held on tightly with her arms wrapped around my neck. Nikolai picked up my bag and slung it on his bag with his other one.

"We need to keep moving. The longer we're out in the open the more likely Wicked will find us," I said to the boys and Nik nodded.

The outer wall was surprisingly well built and standing, considering it had been abandoned. Most of it was metal, welded and nailed together.

"Any cameras?" Nikolai asked me and I closed my eyes for a moment to sense for any electrical currents.

"None outside the city. I sense dozens in the city, most are in one area."

"The Corrupt palace," Archie guessed and then frowned. "Wait, why are we even here? Dad says we shouldn't ever go near them."

I shared a quick glance with Nik. I hadn't told him much about Élliot, my reason for coming here. He didn't argue when I told him I wanted to go here, only looked pained at the prospect of spending further time apart from Alex.

"There's things we have to do here," I said vaguely. "We need to find somewhere to stay."

Nikolai met my eyes and nodded. We hadn't told the kids about the fact that I had the ability to create illusions. I quickly weaved one and blue light surrounded us. Nikolai lifted us over the wall and set us down on the other side.

Inside the outer wall, the city was less destroyed but still in ruins. Dirt and sand covered everything and I was keenly aware of the risk of Cranks.

"Okay, we need to keep a low profile. Mexico City has a history of being ruled by the Corrupt. We don't want to draw their attention," Nikolai started walking. His eyes still shot to me suspiciously.