The Destroyed Girl

Chapter 9: The Moon

RHEA'S POV
"We have to give them a cure! They can't keep torturing kids and hurting them and putting them in Mazes. Minho, they won't stop until they've got one. You know that," I say insistingly.

"We need to do this soon. We can't wait any longer," He says.

I nod, thinking of the dark veins creeping up Newt's arm and swallowing thickly. "Yeah. We really can't. But we need to at least lead them to Denver. It'll be easier for me as well, unless there's a car or motorcycle here that I can use."

Minho nods. "Okay. Think anyone knows?"

"I know they do. We have to be careful. Denver isn't safe," I say.

"Neither is WICKED," Minho states.

We all had scattered after talking earlier, and Minho and I came here. The situation is getting worse. Much worse. I can't let WICKED start another Maze Trials.

~

Night. That's my sanctuary. The place I take refuge in. I go to the edge of the mountain once more, pulling my hood off. I stand, hands in my jacket's pockets, staring at the sky.

Tonight, the stars are especially bright. The moon is full and accompanied by millions of stars all around.

"Nice sky," Newt comments, walking up to stand beside me.

I can't help but feel a weird emotion stir in me. It's strange really, what my heart seems to do when he's around. The way my body relaxes and I can't help but feel safe. I don't even know what it is about him that brings out such a reaction from me, but I feel myself exhale in relief when his hand brushes against mine, knuckles skimming each other.

"We didn't have stars in our Maze," I say, sparing a glance at Newt to see him staring up at the sky, something like wonder in his eyes. "I knew stars were a thing, but it wasn't till our second day out in the Scorch that I actually saw them. I was talking to you."

Newt smiles a little, eyes meeting mine. "You told me I needed to have one peaceful night, without any worry or fear."

I hesitate, then place my hand in his. His reaction is instant, his fingers interlocking with mine and his larger hand closing around mine. I fight away the warm feeling building up in me.

"It's easy to forget about everything at night," I say. "Easy for everything to disappear."

Newt sighs. "All these shucking problems. I may never get to have that one peaceful night."

I notice him glance down at his arms, where the black veins spread. I fight down the lump at my throat.

"Don't say that," I squeeze his hand. "I'll find a way."

Newt chuckles, shaking his head. "You always do, don't you?" He pauses, as if deliberating his next words, before saying, "Rhea, if I die... if I turn and don't make it... just know that I wanted it, okay?"

I turn to look into his chocolate brown eyes, filled with sadness. I want to take away that sadness, make sure I never see it in his eyes again.

"The Maze was so much more better than this," I say, closing my eyes to avoid seeing the pain in his.

Newt gently reaches up and tucks a few stray strands of my hair behind my ear, making me take in a rattling breath and open my eyes to see his warm brown eyes focused on me, him standing in front of me now. "You haven't answered me."

I bite my lower lip. "I know, Newt. I know."

Newt pulls me to him and hugs me tightly. I feel so troubled with all the options and all the possibilities and all the pain and all the loss that it's good to have a hug.

"You have to live, Rhea. I know I will die but you must go on living. Watch over the girls, be someone like a Sister to Aris and Minho," Newt says.

I let out a shuddering breath. "Yeah."

Newt pulls away and presses a light kiss on my forehead.

"I'm so sorry," he says slowly, "that we took so bloody long to get you."

I shake my head. "No. I'm sorry for not getting us out of there earlier."

"You can't do everything, Rhea," Newt says, smiling gently.

"And you can't predict everything. Things might turn out differently," I reply, gripping his wrists tightly.

"You know that's not true," Newt says, looking up at the sky and taking in a breath.

"No, I don't," I say slowly.

NEWT'S POV
"Shit!" Frypan shouts from a distance away.

"Freak!" Harriet shouts, running over. "Sorry, Frypan. My fault."

"You mean your terrible aiming!" Rhea shouts to her.

"Aren't you supposed to be hurt?" Harriet runs back to where the two were duelling.

"This is child's play," Rhea answers, waving a hand around dismissively.

"How are you so good at knives?" Harriet questions.

"I got stabbed by them," Rhea says bluntly.

Minho sighs.

Harriet laughs. "Nice one."

Jorge looks uncomfortable.

"Me and you, Rhea," Aris says.

Rhea shakes her head, brushing her hands together. "I'm worn out."

"Rhea, tell us about WICKED. We need all the information we can get and you seem to know them well," Brenda says, walking up.

Rhea tenses. "Like?"

"Ava. What are her weaknesses?" Brenda asks.

Rhea stiffens and looks towards Jorge, who frowns.

"I told no one," Jorge says in defence.

"Dude," Minho hisses.

"What?" Thomas questions.

I raise an eyebrow.

"Ava's weaknesses would be loss of the cure," Rhea says tensely. "She'd do anything for the cure."

"Would she kill you for the cure?" Brenda asks.

"I don't know. I can never know with her," Rhea replies, shaking her head. "She's unpredictable."

"She has a weakness," Brenda insists. "She must have. Everyone does."

Rhea shakes her head. "It's not like she cares for anyone so much."

"Are you sure about that?" Thomas asks.

Rhea is not feeling comfortable.

"I'm not her Best Friend or anything, you know. I don't know her that well," Rhea says softly.

"Guys," I cut in. "Rhea told us what she bloody knows. Cut it out already."

Minho nods. "Yeah. When are we leaving for Denver?"

"Tomorrow morning. We need to get ready today," Vince says, walking up.

I won't last so long. The flare is spreading all too fast. They will realise soon.

"No. We should leave today," Rhea says. "The Maze Trials will be starting soon and we can't afford any more time being wasted."

"She's right," Thomas says. "We should leave now."

Vince nods slowly. "Well, get packing folks."