If There Is A Light

Chapter 32

Who could think that they could escape Hell? Not that Newt would know, but there was a book about how that was not possible. Newt's mistake was thinking that it would be that easy to get rid of the Maze. One step and he would be done with this place... one step and he could be back with her... forever. He could have finally told her that he loved her. Of course that wouldn't happen. That one step did change his life. He was not a runner anymore... In face he could not even walk straight anymore.

Then there were aspects of his life that stayed exactly the same. He was still second-in-command (he was not sure that Alby made the right call on that) and he still got to be the same happy-go-lucky, orn his happiness was an illusion. He had fought that for nearly three years.

He would keep up the façade though... Alby begged him to do that. Not for himself, but for the other Gladers. It was not like he wanted anyone else to feel the way he did. What happened to him was a tragedy. Such a nasty trip that he knocked himself unconscious... lucky for him Minho was there to drag him out and save his life.... If saving his life is what you would call it.

"You gettin' the hang of it there, Chuck?" Newt questioned the greenie (well he had been there practically a month now).

The kid smiled at him and nodded and continued to work on his planting. Chuck reminded him a lot of Tim.... In an opposite sort of way. Tim was small, able-bodied and smart. Not that Newt thought less of Chuck, but Chuck was a little on the heavier side, clumsy and naïve. Newt was glad to have him around though. It actually took his mind off of where he would rather be.... With Ellia. He still thought about her every night... dreamt of her too. In his dreams he was aware that she wasn't real. He felt torn...

His breathing was labored and his eyes were screwed shut. Ellia's lips lingered on his neck: her sweet lips caressing the skin and her teeth gently nipping at the exposed flesh. Her warm breath was intoxicating. His lips formed the words: This.... You're not... none of this is real. Ellia pulled away briefly with a hurt look in her eyes... then she would straddle his waist. He swallowed a large lump in his throat and a tear escaped from his right eye. Ellia smiled at him weakly, then she would place a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Sshh...." She would comfort him, "Whether or not I'm real or not... you're real to me." Newt was never able to resist after that. He gave in... he was weak and in those moments it felt good to be so.

"Newt? Did you here? The box is up." Chuck gently nudged his shoulder. Newt nodded and walked towards the attraction with him.