In my Blood

CHAPTER 5 - The Gladers

Gally leads Thomas out of the room, Thomas rolling his eyes subtly towards me and Newt. I shrug in reply, remembering Thomas' punishment for going out into the Maze against orders. Newt shakes his head, muttering something underneath his breath.

"Hey, can you guys look after Alby for a bit?" Jeff asks Newt and I, rolling up some bandages and stuffing them into a pack. Newt nods as the two Med-jacks disappear.

"So, uh – I just realised, we've never properly introduced ourselves," Newt says casually, the corner of his lips tugging up into a slight smile. "I'm Newt."

"Yeah, I know," I reply with a small laugh. Seeing Newt's questioning expression makes me freeze slightly, remembering what Thomas told me about what I heard in my coma. I improvise: "Thomas filled me in during our little treehouse chat."

"Ah, right," Newt laughs softly. "Your own name will come back to you in a few days..."

I shake my head, sitting cautiously at the edge of Alby's bed. "I already told Thomas... I'm (y/n). I remembered my name when I was in that lift, the Box."

Newt wears an unreadable expression. "Well... that's odd, to say the least," he says perplexedly, the hint of curiosity in his voice. "No one else remembered their name as quickly as that. You don't remember anything else, do you?"

I hesitate, before deciding against telling him about my nightmares. Not that I don't trust him, just that I'd like to figure out my own memories before telling anyone else. "N-No... I can't remember anything," I say, looking to the ground.

Newt must've mistaken my bad lying for sadness, because he props himself next to me on the bed and smiles comfortingly. "That's okay. No one else can remember anything about life before the Glade. No one knows anything about why we were put in this shucking place to begin with."

He says that last comment rather bitterly, and rubs his knee as if in pain.

"Are you okay?" I ask quietly. He snaps out of his daze, eyes locking onto mine. I notice that his irises have flecks of golden brown amongst the chocolate brown. I feel a sense of comforting familiarity wash over me one more.

"What? Yeah, yeah, I'm fine!" he replies, his voice going higher at the end. He's such a bad liar.

"No, you... oh, never mind," I say, bringing my legs up onto the bed and resting my chin on top of my knees. I feel exhausted and frustrated, though I don't know why - I've literally been awake for an hour. I close my eyes, letting my hair fall to the sides of my face. I sigh in weariness, enjoying the peace and quiet.

"You look exhausted," Newt chuckles.

"I feel exhausted," I mumble while smiling lightly, not opening my eyes.

"(y/n)..." Newt begins thoughtfully, "it feels like things are... shifting here. The routine and expectations we've had for this place are changing, and it started when Thomas came up in the Box. Then... with you knowing his name, and the note and vials, I..." he blows air out from between his lips. "I dunno. It's just got me thinking, that's all."

I open my eyes to face Newt. He looks a little worried and embarrassed, though I don't know why. "You probably feel unsettled, with all the changes. That's normal," I reassure him. "So... what do you need from me?"

Newt furrows his brows. "Why would you think I need something from you?"

I think for a little bit. "Doesn't everyone have a part to play here?" I pause, then sigh. "Look, I'm not an idiot. I know me being here has thrown people off; let's not ignore the obvious. I'm the only girl, the first girl. I don't quite know yet how different my experiences and abilities will be from yours, and Thomas, and every other boy or man in this place. But I know it sets me apart and I know that will make me a target sooner or later."