If There Is A Light

Chapter 12

She looked down at her hands and frowned slightly. She had never really taken the time to examine her hands before this, but she remembered them being soft and delicate. Now they were red, blistered and dry. If she had lotion this would be an easy fix, but she did not have that luxury. Her hands would soon look like everyone else's in the Glade, and that bothered her. Why? She was not sure, because it was not like the Glade had a high standard of beauty that she was trying to live up to.

A slight chill ran across her body. It was odd, but she vaguely remembered 'things'. The memory of using things was lost on her, but she knew there were things like showers. She knew it had to be better than this. She stood naked and cold in a small wooden room with a newly issued washcloth and bar of soap. It was slightly used now, but Alby had given her a new one. She was thankful she was not expected to share the community bar. Not that any of the boys were particularly offensive, but that soap most likely had gone and seen places she did not want to go or see.

She placed the soap and wash rag neatly beside one of the buckets of water. She began to splash the cold water onto her already chilled skin.

Outside of the washroom Newt could hear the splashing. She had insisted (as much as she could without speaking) that he did not need to be out there. It was probably true. There was not anyone in the Glade that Newt did not trust. He did not really think anyone there would hurt her, but this was a new experience for all of them. Alby, him, Gally and Minho had all decided it would be better to just play it safe for awhile at least.

Honestly Newt would never forgive himself if something did happen. It was better this way. Plus him standing guard would deter any wondering eyes from trying to get a peek.

A blush rose to Newt's face. He felt guilty immediately, but the image did not falter in his mind. The sound of water being dumped out shook the image from him. While he did not find the thought unpleasant in the slightest, he was glad it was gone. But the evidence still remained on his face. As if on cue to make sure she could catch him in all of his shame she emerged from the washroom. Her hair was wet and her clothes seemed to cling to her.

"Feelin' better?" Newt was quick to get a conversation going and get his mind away from everything he had been thinking of before.