Sacrifice

Chapter Sixty-Five

The Gladers had to move to a different building in order to avoid the riots going on outside. But no matter what they did or where they went, it seemed like the violence was always close behind them. Buildings around them were now on fire. It was clear that there was little to no organization to this. Lawrence and his people simply wanted to cause as much destruction as they possibly could. 

Thomas fumbled with the walkie, trying to get a signal in order to reach Brenda

Newt was growing weaker by the minute. Even just sitting up seemed to sap his energy. Claire was beside him, looking like she was in shock. 

"Claire, are you okay?" 

"I have a brother," she said, staring off into the distance. "Or, I had one, and didn't know...he's dead, because of me." 

"Listen to me," Newt said taking her hand. "It is not your fault. If your roles had been reversed you would have done the same thing for Tony. Hell I would too if I had a sister." 

"I just wish I could have talked to him. Everything happened so fast, I could barely process what he was telling me and then he..." 

"Listen, I didn't really know Tony that well," Newt said. "Thomas and I butted heads with him a lot, and didn't seem to like us very much, makes sense why now. But I know there's one thing we both have in common, and that is we would both do anything for you." 

Claire showed just a hint of a smile before Newt let out another violent series of coughs. Even Minho looked over concerned. 

"You're getting worse," Claire said. 

"It's fine, it's gonna be alright," Newt insisted. 

"How? How is anything gonna be okay?" 

"Because you're going to live," Newt said, looking like he just got a small burst of energy. "You're gonna survive this night. You're gonna go on and live a very long life. Promise me that, Claire. Promise me that you'll grow into the amazing woman you were always meant to be." 

Claire was feeling so overwhelmed by her emotions she couldn't pinpoint them. But one thing she could detect was a sense of dread. She didn't like the way Newt was talking to her...he was making it sound like he was saying goodbye. She didn't want to agree to this promise, that would be accepting Newt's goodbye. 

But how could she not? 

"I promise." 

Pushing through his failing strength, Newt managed to kiss the top of Claire's head. 

"Thank you," he said before resting his head on her shoulder. He wanted nothing more than to be with her for as long as he possibly could. 

Claire did her best to blink back tears as she held onto Newt, doing her best to block out the chaos raging outside. 

************** 

Thomas finally got a hold of Brenda. 

"Thomas, I'm here." 

"Brenda...we're not gonna make it." 

"Wait, what are you talking about?" 

Thomas heard gunfire outside. 

"Just take the others. Get everybody out now while you still can." 

"No." 

"Brenda-" 

"I'm not leaving you. Okay? So forget it." 

"Even though you should?" 

Both of them paused, neither knowing what to say next. Brenda knew that Thomas was right, she and Frypan had twenty-eight kids they needed to get to safety.