Memories (Newt X Reader)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

228.05.12 / 11:36 a.m.

After working all morning on the Maze, hunched over your keyboard since six a.m., helping a group of your co-workers program a particularly stubborn maze wall that refused to move when it was supposed to, and a few hours overtime before the damn thing decided to work, you were finally released to lunch. The guard at the door held it open for you and you tore down the hall to the cafeteria, already fifteen minutes late. Bursting through the heavy metal doors, you grabbed a tray with a turkey sandwich and some opaque container of liquid and dodged between boys milling about, making your way to the table you and your friends usually sat at.

You spotted Minho, Thomas, and Teresa gathered together whispering about something, and slipped in across from them, Minho to your right.

"Well, look who finally decided to show up!" Minho laughed, slapping you hard on the back. You shot him a glare as you unwrapped your sandwich.

"They made me stay until we got the wall working," you grumbled. "I swear, half those adults are complete nimrods. They act as if the Flare's already eaten half their brain. It's ridiculous." Thomas laughed loudly across from you.

"Yeah, they've made me and Teresa program every bit of the sky. Have you seen it? It looks incredible, and they've offered no help whatsoever," he said with a grin. "We just have to remember, we're the smart ones."

The group erupted into laughter again, stopping only when two more people sat down to join them. Newt appeared to your left, setting down his tray lightly, and Chuck behind him, who had filled his tray to the brim and was smiling excitedly.

"Wow, Newt," you said as he settled himself down, "how does it feel to be even later than me?"

Newt rolled his eyes and pinched open a carton of juice. "I overslept," he said defensively, "They woke me up at five a.m. to move some parts inside before the sun rose, so I managed to get in a short nap. I've never been so bloody tired in my life."

Newt worked outside most of the time, helping move and build things. He was skinny but apparently stronger than he looked, and great with his hands. You had a few classes, together, but WICKED had enrolled him in more building classes so he could hone his skills.

You sighed, resting your chin in your palm. "It must be nice outside that early. Not as hot, maybe some wind."

"Jesus, you make it sound like a picnic."

"I don't know about you kids, but I'd give my arm and a leg to work at a computer rather than under the hot sun," Minho said. "Those chairs must be lined by baby lamb asses or something."

"Tell that to my back," you grumbled, and Thomas nodded knowingly.

"It's not as great as you make it sound," he agreed.

Minho stuffed a bite of burger into his mouth. "And the outdoors aren't all fun and games either," he said, voice muffled by food. "You pansies wouldn't last a week out there. The first month, I had blisters the size of a Berg."

"Yeah, well, I'm not risking it. I'd rather face ten grievers than those awful Crank pits again," you muttered, making a face. Everyone shivered, each sharing the same unpleasant memory of that damp, dark hole, filled with screams of anguish. Barely human. Those bloodshot eyes and shredded, screaming faces had lingered in the back of your mind for years -- WICKED had definitely got the 'don't wander outside again without permission' message across.

"Well, that's not going to happen again," Newt said confidently. "Just ask the guards on some of your time off. They'll take you outside."

You shrugged halfheartedly. "Maybe. They spotted a Crank wandering around a few weeks ago. Shot it on the spot, obviously, but they're becoming more wary about letting people outside."