Fervency

CHAPTER: T W E N T Y-SIX

Meanwhile, Newt had heard every word. He frantically scrambled to get out of view before he was spotted. While he did, he couldn't get the sight of Elodie blushing over him out of his mind. His heart fluttered at the memory.

He didn't mean to be eavesdropping at the time, he was just on his way to bring Elodie to Thomas. By the time he found her, she was in deep conversation with Minho about her admirer. At first he was intrigued to hear who Minho thought it was, until he said his name.

The thing was, it wasn't him who wrote the letter. But after he witnessed the way Elodie had become so flustered about him, he wished with every bone in his body he had. Then he overheard the fact that she was checking out Minho.

He had no choice but to listen. He didn't want to embarrass her. And that is when his feelings about her grew much more complicated than he wished for.

"Hey, Elle" he called out to her as he casually walked to her side.

"Hey" she spoke quietly. Once they made eye contact, she darted her eyes from his sheepishly. He tried his best to refrain from grinning about it but it was near to impossible, especially because he knew exactly why she did it.

"Tommy wants you to meet Theresa. To put her at ease, you know, since you're the only other girl."

She was hesitant to respond but eventually she sent him a small nod. She knew exactly what Theresa was going through, so she decided to hold her suspicions for now. She couldn't deny that it was exciting not to be the only girl in the maze now.

"Wait" Elodie stopped him as they went past the box. Newt stood in his tracks, watching as she jumped inside.

"What're you doing?" he approached the box and craned his neck to she what she was up to. Rustling was heard and suddenly, she popped her head into sight.

"Look!" She grinned, thrusting a small packet into the air. "Rose seeds!"

He looked at her for longer than usual, measuring her happy expression. Warmth spread through his chest at the sight of it. Her eyes reflected like shimmering pools of ocean waves in the sunlight. He couldn't put a finger on why but it brought him back to a place of familiarity- which was something he was lacking.

He pulled her out of the box and in that moment her feet hit the ground in front of him, he could have kissed her. But he didn't.

"What's that look for?" She breathed.

"Just glad you got your roses" he turned away.

The two of them reached the homestead. When they entered they found Thomas sat beside Theresa.

"Hey" she greeted Theresa. She took a seat in front of her and released a small laugh, "pretty insane isn't it?"

"I don't know if you know this: but you're my savior" she whispered. "Seriously, I've been stuck all alone with these shanks."

"Hey!" Newt and Thomas demurred.

"What?" Elodie grinned.

"I take offence to that"

"I'm happy you came here." She continued, ignoring their protest.

"I just wish it was on better circumstances..." Theresa sighed.

"You and me both" Elodie shook her head in agreement.

"Newt!" Clint ran inside the tent, interrupting their conversation. "It's Alby"

Elodies heart sank. What was going to happen to him? The five of them ran to the medjack tent. Alby was struggling inside his cot. Sweat was dripping from his forehead and he was shouting in pain.

"These were in my pocket when I came up" Theresa handed Newt two syringes filled with a bright blue substance.

"It says WICKED..."

"That's the same thing that was on that greiver part." Elodie announced, sending Newt a look of unease. She then looked at Theresa with skepticism. Why would she have these and no one else?

"We don't even know what this stuff is. We don't know who sent it. Why it came up here with you.I mean, for all we know this thing could kill him"

"He's already dying." Thomas insisted, motioning towards Alby. "Look at him."

"How could this possibly make it any worse?"

Wheezing breaths made their way from his lips as he winced in pain. Deep buldging veins were running down from the griever sting.

"It's worth a try" Thomas pressed.

"Alright.." Newt gave in, "do it."

Thomas took the Syringe from Newts hands. He popped off the lid and towered over Alby, unsure of where to put it. During his hesitation, Alby leapt up grabbing him and shouting.

"Get the syringe!" Newt called out to Theresa. He unpried Alby from Thomas with the help of Clint. Then, Theresa jabbed the syringe into his chest. Instantaneously, Alby fell back, unconscious. The entire group released a deep sigh of relief.

"Well... that worked." Jeff commented. He had been standing from afar observing the group.

"Ok, from now on...someone stays here and watches him around the clock."

"Alright"

The group dispersed all except for Newt. Elodie turned back to see Newt still standing there, staring down at Alby with a frown.

"Hey" she walked over to him, "Have you eaten?"

Newt swallowed thickly, struggling to lift his gaze from his friend. He shook his head in response.

"Let's get something" she told him. His eyes met hers and then fell to the floor. He sent her another nod.

"It calmed him down a bit. That must count for something." Elodie comforted him. "Yeah.." Newt replied, "I just hope it works."

"Me too."