What If | tmr, newt ✓

Chapter 10

I took my first shower since coming to the maze that same evening. It felt good to wash away the muck and blood from my skin, to clear the grime from under my fingernails, and to finally run some soap through my oily hair. I can't refrain from singing once again, lyrics about pain and love and anger rolling smoothly from my tongue. I even impress myself with the capabilities of my voice.

When I dry myself off, get changed, and open the door to leave, long hair still dripping wet, I'm mildly surprised to find Newt walking down the hallway of the homestead. I close the door behind me and we just stand there awkwardly for a few moments.

"Your, uh, your voice - it's beautiful."

I smile sadly. "I just wish I knew where it came from."

A pause. "Walk with me?"

And I do. I follow him out of the Homestead, insides squirming, contained in my own mini panic-attack. I need to calm down! He's just one of the gladers. A very cute glader. The cutest glader here. The cutest glader that I have a small crush on.

Wait-

Shuck.

I think I just admitted it to myself, and now there's no denying: I've got feelings for Newt.

"We need to stop talking in these woods. They're starting to give me the creeps."

He frowns. "We can go somewhere else if you want. I thought you liked them."

"No, don't worry about it. Here's fine." I grab his wrist and tug down as if motioning to sit. "Braid my hair?"

I sit down regardless of the answer and hear him laughing as he kneels beside me. "Addie, I'll be useless."

"Unless you can find a girl to do it for you, I suggest you hurry up. I'm freezing."

At that last remark, he immediately takes off his jacket and lays it over my shoulders, without saying a word. Knowing he can't see me, I smile, before quite literally biting it back. He starts tugging on pieces of my hair, pulling it into a plait.

"Newt... how long have you been here?"

"Two years."

If he weren't still doing my hair, I would turn around to ask him the next question. "And how long have you had that limp?"

He sighs deeply. "Nearly two years."

He secures the end of my hair with the tie and moves so he's sitting next to me. I lean my head on his shoulder and close my eyes. "What have they done to us?" I whisper.

"I don't know, Addie. But it won't be for much longer. We're going to get out of here. All of us."

***

I didn't realise I had fallen asleep talking to Newt until he gently nudged me awake, and I opened my eyes to the dark sky. "Hey, Addie. You should go sleep in your hammock."

"But I don't have to. I'm fine here."

"Yes, but you should. You need a proper night's sleep or you'll be exhausted tomorrow."

I contemplate his words. "You're right. Carry me?"

"Seriously?"

"Do you want me to sleep or not?"

He sighs, and I giggle into his neck as he carries me with one arm under my back and one under my legs. "Thank you."

"Shucks, Addie, you need to eat more. You're really underweight."

I hold on tighter around his shoulders. "You're right. You always are."

He finally sets me down so I'm standing next to my hammock. Before he can move away, I lean up, holding one of my hands to the other side of his face, and kiss the side of his head. "Goodnight, Newt," I whisper.

"Night, Addie," he replies, and even though it's pitch black I can still hear him smile through his words.

WCKD's POV

A.D Janson,

I understand your predicament and the impedance of the situation we have come across. However, I cannot express enough how vital it is that the girl - or Subject A(), as she is now known - is removed from the Trials with no further delay.

It is crucial that she be taken from the Trial Compound immediately for she has not been prepared sufficiently to withstand the emotional, moral, and physical impacts it will have on her killzone patterns. We need her brain as intact as it was when she was incorrectly inserted, and I can tell you now that even the few days she has been there will have taken its toll. You must understand that we no longer care for how or when she is removed, only that it is done so quickly and without causing further harm.

I hope you receive this message with great efficiency and I eagerly await your response.

Chancellor Paige