{affectio: a gentle feeling of fondness.}
This chapter contains mature content. Viewers discretion is advised. 18+
Newt's pov:
Brenda all but attacked me when I told her what happened.
"How could you let this happen?!"
Fry restrained her before she got too close, her face furious.
"I told you; find her and bring her home safe, and how does she return?"
He tries to grab hold of Bren to calm her, but she's not even looking at him.
"B, stop. He saved her fucking life-"
She ignored him, pointing a finger at me instead. "You watched her kill dozens of cranks and you didn't even check her for injury! You know what happened by the lake-"
There was so much going on, and I didn't even feel the need to defend myself, but Fry certainly did.
"Out of everyone we know she is without a doubt the most capable-"
He cuts himself off, careening his neck back to look at me suddenly. "What happened by the lake?"
Brenda practically deflates, taking a step back from the two of us. I looked away from Fry, watching Bren as she battled with herself.
Her voice is quiet, "She shouldn't be left alone. We don't know what she might do..."
I huff, folding my arms across my chest. "She was asleep when I left. The nurse has her restrained for the time being so she can't... hurt herself," I sigh, "I only came here to tell you two-"
"I want to see her."
Her tone was clipped, angry. Fry nods in agreement, but upon noticing my expression he rushes to convince me.
"She doesn't even have to know we're there, Newt. I don't want things to be more overwhelming for her."
I glare at the pair, expecting this to happen but still not being happy about it.
"You'll have to make it quick. She needs to rest."
Bren wastes no time in pushing past us and heading in the direction of the med hut. She says nothing on the short walk, still angry at what had transpired.
Fry tries desperately to reduce any tension. "She's only upset at herself, Newt. She's terrified – I don't know what she'd do if she lost y/n. She's already lost so much."
I nod. "She has every right to be angry with me."
"No - there was no way of knowing this would happen. This isn't on you, Newt." He says, looking at me as he shook his head.
I wasn't quite sure that was true.
Bren reached the hut first and swung open the door. The second she could see into the room, she froze.
My heart plummeted.
She wasn't in her bed. She wasn't even in the room.
Brenda was baffled. "Wh- where the hell is she? I thought you said she was being restrained?"
I could barely believe it myself. "She was! The nurse handcuffed her to the chain in the wall-"
We all look over to the hospital bed, noticing the large dent in the wall from where the chain had been yanked from the wood.
Fry scoffs, almost laughing. "She pulled the fucking chain out of the wall." He turns himself to me. "I thought you said she was injured?"
I throw up my hands. "She is! I didn't think she'd have it in her to break free in her current state."
