Amaurotic \\ The Maze Runner [Newt] [1]

Chapter Nineteen

[ P R E S E N T ]

Ever since she got stung and experienced those flashbacks, Nova didn't feel the same, she felt different in some way. She wasn't focused, she had sudden blackouts for a minute at a time of her past, and what her "mother" warned her about. And then they would stop out of nowhere, and she'd come back to the hands of reality.

She wasn't the scared one, she was the strong one, the one who never gave up. But now... Now she didn't know what or who she was anymore. And it scared her.

She knew that Gally had been stung before in the past, and it really changed who he was. Turning a sweet kid, into a total jerk. No one knew who he was, but they learned to live with it.

Except for Nova... Nova was determined to stay the way she was. She wasn't going to let this catastrophe get the best of her, she wasn't going to let it change her for the worst. She refused. She was going to hold it all in, and slowly one by one demolish the changing into dust.

She only guessed that it meant this was how strong she really was, and honestly, she wasn't going to lie about it, she was quite proud of herself for doing so.

Sitting on a log someone places a paper plate on her lap, she grips it quickly before it could topple onto the ground. She cranes her neck, to sense who it was.

Seeing a vibrant color of orange, she instantly knew that it was Frypan. He was always the optimistic one, and she respected him for that. The Glade could use some optimism here and there, and he was perfect for it.

"I overheard you've been hungry for awhile," Frypan grinned. "So, I made you two sandwiches this time." He brought his finger up to his mouth. Adding, "Don't tell anyone."

Usually everyone only got one sandwich for the night, but, it was true, Nova has been hungry for almost two weeks now. She didn't know how that was possible, but, she didn't question it. She nodded with a quiet chuckle, "Thanks, Fry."

She sensed him saluting to her, as he walked off back to his kitchen, to fix more food for others, including himself.

She had already eaten the first sandwich, feeling more replenished than she was moments earlier. But, the moment she grabbed the second sandwich, someone had taken a seat next to her.

Seeing the color of black particles floating around the Gladers' body, as the words 'stressed' and 'anger' arose from his motionless brain. She knew exactly who it was.

"Gally?" She questioned, surprised.

He started to get up, "Yeah, yeah, you don't want me here, I know. I'll just leave."

Nova gripped his arm, "No, no," She shook her head. "I'm just surprised, that's all. You never sit near anyone."

Nova then let his arm go, sensing Gally taking his seat again. "Tell me, what's on your mind?" She asked.

Gally shrugged, "I don't know, I guess-" He paused with a sigh. "-I guess I just wanted to know what you saw in your flashbacks."

Everyone does. She thought. Well, shuck.

She wanted to tell him, she wanted to tell everyone, she really did. But, she still didn't feel ready, not just yet. She still needed time.

"The Gathering," She mentioned.

"What?" Gally took a look at her.

"I'll explain at the next Gathering." She repeated.

Gally hesitated for a moment, as Nova expected for him to throw another one of his fits... But, to her surprise, he didn't.