It Wasn't Real

Chapter 17

It's been a month since the battle ended, and Bryon was killed. No one has seen Arthur since he returned from searching for his nephew Samuel in the other government building without so much as a clue. However, since he lost his best friend, his niece and nephew, and failed at finding the other nephew, everyone just gave him his space. Until finally, Newt decided enough was enough and headed to Arthur's room to hopefully talk to him.

"Arthur?" He knocked on the door. "Are you there?" Hearing no response he knocked harder. "Arthur. I know you have been through a lot, but they really need you right now. No one knows what is going to happen now that the Government has been destroyed and they're scared. We don't know what to do." The door slowly opened, making Newt take a few steps back. "Are you okay?" He asked.

Arthur ignored him and walked down the hall. Newt watched him leave sadly. He was the one who had killed Bryon after all. He was the reason Arthur was like this. He sighed and followed the older Brit back to the group.

They were all whispering and staring as Arthur walked to the front. "Attention please." He called, everyone immediately became quiet. "As you all know, we need a new leader to govern the country. Now this is usually decided by the former leader. However, since the leader is no longer able to, it is your decision. As I feel I am no longer able to lead, you must chose someone who you believe will lead this country correctly and with the morals of our people. I hope you chose wisely ." With that Arthur left, heading back to his room.

A shocked silence permeated the air before it erupted into chaos. People were shocked and confused. Why had their leader, who stayed with them through thick and thin when others would have run away, abandon them now?

While Thomas, Minho, and Alby tried to calm everyone, Newt decided to confront Arthur for the second time that day. He stormed up to the door, his limp more prominent as he was putting so much pressure into each step. He knocked on the dark, wooden door as hard as he could. "Arthur! Let me in!" The door opened and Newt stomped in, shutting it behind him. Arthur retreated behind his desk.

"What is wrong with you!?"

Arthur ignored his outburst. "Would you like to sit? All that stomping can't have been good for your leg." Newt froze at the lack of emotion in the normally fiery man.

"No I would not like to bloody sit!" Newt scoffed. "Why would you do that to them!?"

"Do what?"

"Oh, you know what! You left them, after all they've been through. You left them when they needed you most!"

"They don't need me."

Newt scoffed. "You have got to be shucking kidding me. They would have never made it past the woods without you. Heck, they would have all gotten bloody killed trying to save us. If they even chose to save us at all." He sighed. "Trust me. They need you."

"No they don't!" Arthur finally snapped. "Don't you see!? Hundreds were killed under my watch! My own niece and nephew betrayed me!"

"Yes, but many more lived, and your niece and nephew were just misguided grieving teenagers. There was nothing you could have done."

"I could have listened, like you said. Why do I never listen!?"

Newt sighed and walked over to Arthur, pulling him into an awkward hug. "No, don't you do this. Don't you dare! It's not your fault."

Arthur hugged him back, for some reason unknown to him it reminded him of the times he hugged his sister to calm her when they were running away from gang members out on the streets. "Yes it was. First my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew and now this."

"No. You can't think like that. You know back in the maze, I was in charge of this runner, Johann. He wanted to go off on his own, I told him not to that we had to stick together. I only turned around for one moment to chart and when I turned back, he was gone. I searched and screamed for him but he didn't answer. When it was time to head back I had no choice but to leave him. I never saw him again, and I kept thinking 'What if I had been more aware? Had been faster? Looked longer?' blamed myself for his death although no one blamed me. Three days later I did something I would regret for the rest of my life."

Arthur froze when he felt Newt put more weight on his right foot, picking his left up slightly. "You jumped?" He asked, already knowing the answer thanks to Ratman but still afraid to hear Newt confirm it.

Newt nodded. "Yeah, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't regret my stupidity." He backed away and looked Arthur in the eye. "You are the only one who can turn this country around. No one else but you and you know it." He sighed sadly. "Think about Samuel, what about him?"

Arthur stiffened, then sighed and nodded. "We will see what they think. If I get voted then I will take over."

Newt smiled making Arthur smile as well. "Thank you."

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Newt turned around and headed back to the group, telling them the news. The voting took only a few hours as most everyone decided to vote for Arthur. Only a few selfish people voted for themselves, and some, being more childish and unhelpful, voted for the various food items on their plate.

Arthur was called in for the news. "By unanimous vote," Thomas began. "You, Arthur, are the new leader." Arthur smiled and nodded saying a quick thank you.

Newt looked over at Thomas. 'Is Teresa ready to break the news?' He asked mentally.

Thomas winced. 'Yeah. Now is the best time I guess.'

Thomas turned to Teresa mentally speaking to her before she turned to the crowd getting their attention. "Excuse me everyone! By now those who have gotten their memories back in the simulation may have realized that their memories don't match up with what really happened." She sighed. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news but that is because you never got your memories returned." The crowd looked shocked but before they could do anything Teresa continued. "Now before you say anything, I would like you to know I am the reason your memories were taken in the first place and I can give them back."

The crowd once again erupted into chaos.

A/N: Thank you to AG2000 for proofreading!!!