What If | tmr, newt ✓

Chapter 21

Thankfully, I was up and mobile in the next few days. I still hated not being able to do very much, but tried to be patient as my ankle and hand recovered. Minho, on the other hand, didn't have quite so much tolerance or self-restraint; he wanted to get back to running, or at least helping to map, protesting to Alby that there were only three Runners and they needed at least four.

I helped the Med-jacks as best as I could, but even they would dismiss me saying they wanted me to fully get better before making it worse. So when Winston arrived at the Homestead having nearly sliced his own hand off, my stomach lurched at the sight of so much blood and I succinctly left, seeing I would only get in the way and searching for something more productive to do.

I strolled away from the poorly built shack - trying to keep the pressure off of my bad leg - and singing quietly. I didn't really want to anyone to hear, it was more of just a comfort to myself.

Alby was walking in between animal pens when I found him. "Adalyn," he says, giving me a tight smile. "How are you feeling?"

I smile back and manage to climb over the fence into the goat herd. "Better," I say, leaning against the fence as the animals survey me with a mocking curiosity. "How could you slaughter these innocent things?"

He huffs. "To survive. How could you not?"

"Not sure," I say, sighing. "But it feels like we're in some sort of slaughter house as it is. Why make another one?"

Alby's eyes flick from the goats, to me, not knowing what to say. Eventually he just mutters that I'm free to rest for the day and walks off. Strange. But I won't complain.

I say a silent goodbye to the poor animals, dreading to think about their fate, and head over to the allotments. I'm waved at by Zart and the younger boy who I recognise as George, returning the welcoming gesture as I look for Newt. He's hacking at the old roots of a tree with a machete in hand, his back to me, as he tries to cut it down and unknowingly flexing his biceps as he does so. I try not to blush, or giggle, or do something stupid whilst everyone can see me.

He doesn't hear me coming: nobody ever does. So when I appear around the side of the tree trunk, he visibly jumps.

"Addie, darling, we all love you and everything, but you have got to stop doing that."

I huff. "What am I supposed to do about it?"

"I don't know, try being a bit more clumsy... the rest of us find it quite simple. Like this," he says. He loops his foot around the back of mine, making sure not to cause me any pain, and swivels me so I'm facing him as trips me up, making me squeal. But before I can hit the ground, he catches me with one arm under my back, and leans down to kiss me.

My whole face burns. Firstly, I kiss him back with all the energy I can muster, and secondly my cheeks are flaring up with embarrassment. When we stop, he doesn't even make an effort to stand me up, just keeps holding me there - now with both hands to support me from falling - staring into my eyes.

"Newt, if I recall rightly, there's still a large and potentially lethal weapon in your hand."

"That's right, darling. But I won't hurt you, it's for all those Gladers trying to steal my girl."

I laugh. "You're the only one here dumb enough to want me."

"No, trust me. It's a necessary precaution. Everyone in their right mind would want you," he whispers, giving me a series of short kisses.

"Newt - stop," I giggle, in between. Eventually he lets me stand up. "No more of that until later. Everybody's watching." I look around awkwardly at the other Track-hoes and ultimately just try to hide behind him.