Nepenthe (TMR FF) UNDER EDITING

Chapter 26

After I had finished my sob fest, I had fallen asleep in Minho's arms, completely and utterly exhausted. When I woke up I had a blanket draped over me and Minho was lying to my right, snoring quietly. I bit my lip, laughing to myself. He was super cute when he was sleeping.

Before I could make a move to stand up, Minho suddenly jumped, his eyes opening. He held his hands out in some sort of defensive karate position, ready to attack whoever had woken him. I let out a giggle, giving him a small wave when he noticed me staring at him.

"Calm down." I laughed, nudging him lightly. A blush spread across his cheeks and he rubbed his face, trying to wipe the tiredness away.

"Sorry." He muttered, grinning cheekily. I just rolled my eyes, before throwing the blanket off of my and into his face.

"Come on. We slept half of the day away." I complained, standing up. Minho's eyes widened and he hesitated, glancing at the door of the Slammer.

"Emma..." He began, standing up as well. "I don't think you're allowed out, yet."

I froze, my mouth drying. A lump formed in my throat when I looked at the Asian boy, his eyes flickering with an emotional I could only decifer as regret.

"What do you mean? Thomas is out!" I exclaimed, gesturing to the outside Glade. Minho sighed loudly, his shoulder's slumping.

"I know that." Minho told me, running a hand through his always perfect hair. I was surprised it wasn't messy, considering the position that he had been sleeping in. "But we had a gathering. The majority of the keepers decided that you should be kept in the slammer until Alby is awake. Then he can decided what to do with you."

My eye twitched as I looked at the ground. This is what I wanted, right?

"But why?" I asked, my voice breaking. It still hurt a hell of a lot.

"Someone can control you, Emma. It's safer for everyone that you stay here, including yourself." He explained, avoiding my eyes.

"In case you haven't caught on, Minho, my safety isn't my number one priority. I couldn't care less about whether I was safe or not." I said truthfully, my jaw clenched. Minho sighed, looking defeated.

"Don't say that, Emmy. That's not tr—"

"Oh, but it is." I shrugged, staring Minho dead in the eye. After a moment, he gave up, before looking away again.

"People here care about you, Emma." He told me, his voice barely above a whisper. "We don't want you to get hurt."

"Well you're gonna have to have a little chat with the creators then, aren't you? Because you guys seem to have very different opinions when regarding my future here in the Glade." I growled, not angry at Minho, but angry at the people who put me here. It was all their fault that I was screwed up.

"There's going to be a person with you at all times. Newt should be here soon to take over my shift." Minho told me, still not meeting my eyes. My heart clenched in my chest, and a flame ignited inside of me.

"Your shift?" I spat, suddenly angry. "You're here with me because it's your job?"

Now I was angry at Minho. His eyes widened when he realised what he had said, and he held his hands up in a surrendering postion.

"No, Emma, you don't understand—"

"Just leave, Minho! I don't need your shoulder to cry on anymore." I growled, pointing to the entrance of the Slammer. Minho bit his lip, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Baby girl, please—"

"I want you to leave, Minho. And tell Newt not to bother coming. I don't need a babysitter."

And without another word of protest, Minho gave up glancing back at me before walking out of the Slammer. He locked the cage behind him.

~

"Go away." I snapped, hearing footsteps slowly approaching me. I knew it was Newt. He wouldn't have listened to Minho, obviously. He never does.

"I came to bring you some food." A voice said. I looked up to see Chuck, and guilt automatically filled me. I lowered my head, ashamed of snapping at the poor boy. He didn't deserve it. I wasn't angry at him.

"Sorry, Chuck." I muttered, giving him a weak smile. The boy shrugged, shuffling awkwardly.

"It's alright. Minho warned me that you might be angry." He admitted. I clenched my jaw, looking away.

"Course he did." I murmured under my breath, not meaning for Chuck to hear. His laugh told me that he did however.

"He is sorry, ya know. He feels real bad."

"He should." Was all I said, my tone putting an end to the topic that was Minho.

"Okay...So are you hungry?" He asked, his eyes lighting up. I sighed quietly, tiling my head up.

"Nah, not really."

"You need to eat, Emma." Chuck told me, his tone stern. I raised my eyebrows.

"Okay, Mum." I rolled my eyes playfully, watching as Chuck happily opened up the Slammer and walked in.

"It's spaghetti tonight. I know how much you love spaghetti." Chuck grinned, handing me my plate. My nose scrunched up and my heart skipped a beat. Whatever appetite I had left was completely gone now.

"Actually, I don't really like it all that much." I admitted, taking the fork and moving the food around my plate absentmindedly.

"What? But you always get angry when Newt steals your spaghetti! I thought you must have loved it." Chuck said, looking confused. I let out a sarcastic laugh, running a hand through my tangled hair.

"I don't want to talk about him right now." I said, trying to keep my voice calm. No matter what, I didn't want to snap at Chuck. Anyone but Chuck.

"Is everything alright with you two? Do I need to beat him up?" He asked, holding up his fists. My eyes softened and I sighed, shrugging.

"Nah, I don't think you'll have to beat anyone up, Chuckie. Thanks for the offer though." I said, nudging him. He grinned at me, teeth and all. "I just don't know, with Newt anymore. I think he's ignoring me because he's jealous or something, but he has nothing to worry about. I don't feel anything for anyone else besides him." I admitted honestly, suddenly feeling extremely sad. He had even gotten jealous of Gally and Aris, all because they could talk to me telepathically. It wasn't exactly our choice. It was more of a burden. I'd probably be a lot happier right now if no one could talk to me in my head.

"I think Newt's a little bit like that though. He feels threatened and he doesn't want to lose you. You just gotta reassure him that he's the one for you. All that lovey dovey klunk." Chuck said, his head tilted in thought. I smiled fondly at the boy.

"You sure know how to charm a girl, Chuck." I playfully cooed, ruffling his hair. He squeaked, slapping my hand away.

"No touchie! I'm trying to get it like Minhos!"

"Ah, I see. Well, good luck with that."

"Thanks! I've gotta go now! Have fun eating. I'll get Newt to come see you before he goes to bed!" Chuck told me, rushing out of the Slammer. My eyes widened and I opened my mouth to protest.

"Wait, Chuck, No!"

But he was already gone, his laugh echoing throughout the Glade.

I didn't touch my food.