Chapter 3: Intertwined Hands

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After finding Newt, the four of us make our way to the hut that Alby's currently resting in and group together in his room. Jeff and Clint already waiting as if they knew something was about to go down.

"We don't even know what this stuff is," Newt says in a motherly tone, "Or where it came from, or why it came up here with you." He says pointing the vial at Teresa.

"I mean for all we know this thing could kill him." Thomas puts both hands on his hips, obviously ready to argue with the one in charge.

" Thomas puts both hands on his hips, obviously ready to argue with the one in charge

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"He's going to say something stupid, isn't he?" Teresa asks.

"Not sure, considering the situation it's a close call." I say back.

"He's already dying." Thomas finally speaks up, and my eyes lay on the boy in front of us. Veins practically protruding out of his skin, sweat dripping everywhere, and unbearable sounds of pain emitting from what seemed like everywhere. "Look at him!" He tells Newt, "How could this possibly make it any worse?"

Newt stares at Alby, his closest friend on the verge of dying, and still says nothing. "Come on, it's worth a try..." Thomas trails off, but Newt remains silent and keeps his eyes fixated on Alby. "Newt." I attempt, making him look to me, "We have to try."

He hesitates, keeping his eyes on me before looking back to Alby. "Alright." He gives in, "Do it." He says while handing the vial to Thomas.

Thomas and Teresa immediately move to opposite sides of the bed closest to Alby's face, but I choose to remain near the end of the bed with Newt. The boy made it obvious that this isn't easy for him to watch and I want to be here for him, unsure of how, but hopefully just being next to him will be enough to get him through.

As Thomas gets closer and prepares to inject Alby with the blue liquid, he looks back to all of us and assures that we're still on board with the plan, and to make sure that we're ready to go into action in case anything goes terribly wrong.

Newt crosses his arms and makes a pouting face, making it very clear that he's still unhappy with our plan but refuses to say anything. I begin to realize that just standing next to him probably won't be enough to help the poor boy, and a sudden, tingling urge soon appears in my stomach, driving my concern for him even more.

In a surprisingly calm fashion, I slowly unfold Newt's arms and intertwine his hand with mine. This was honestly unexpected for the both of us and I am greatly confused as to why holding his hand was my first thought, but I manage to keep my sight on Alby as Newt quickly glances to me before turning away and squeezing my hand.

Thomas carefully leans over Alby as my heart rate begins to increase, one wrong move and-

"YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE!" Alby yells, his eyes as dark as the night sky. Everyone quickly takes action and moves to pin Alby down while Thomas loudly begs, "Get the syringe!" I shove a frozen Teresa out of the way and grab the syringe, lifting my arms and sticking it into Alby's arm with no hesitation.

I cautiously watch as Alby's breathing begins to slow down, his chest rising and falling in a much calmer state. I feel a sigh of relief from nearly everyone in the room, but I'm questioning if I killed Alby or saved him. Glancing at the faces around me, I catch Newt's glare but bypass him and turn to Teresa, who still appears frozen with her hands in her hair.

"Are you okay?" I ask her, and she nods, "Just a little shaken up."

"Well, that worked." Jeff adds.

"Alright from now on," Newt begins, "Someone watches him around the clock." He says looking to everyone in the room, and all was wearily silent until a familiar voice comes from the door.

"Hey..." Gally says while examining the scene in front of him, "Sun down, Greenie. Time to go." He demands to Thomas, who hesitates at first but eventually leaves with one last look at Alby.

"Alright, everyone to bed. I believe we've all had enough for one night." Newt directs, and I slowly follow everyone out until I feel a hand on the back of my arm, stopping me in my tracks. "Not you. I need to talk to you." He finally comes into view and I meet his eyes before noticing Teresa waiting for me. "It will only be a minute." Newt reassures her, "Jeff will accompany you to your hammock and Y/n will be following shortly after.

Teresa glares at me and waits for a response, I assumed she would've said something through our connection, but I guess I assumed wrong. "It's okay. I'm safe and I'll only be a minute." I say, and she looks to Newt once more before slowly turning away and finally leaving.

"What is it?" I ask him, and he doesn't respond for a second before saying, "Let's leave Alby be, alright? Just in case something happens again." He says, moving and putting his hand on my lower back. We head into the room across from Alby's and find two chairs to sit in.

Facing each other, the silence is almost deafening. Newt crosses his arms again and I entertain myself by staring blankly at the wall, avoiding his eye contact. I do feel safe with Newt, I do. I believe he's the first person here I've actually grown to trust, but I can't help but worry that he's going to ask about earlier, when I held his hand and he happened to never let go.

"Why did you hold my hand?" He asks in a much softer tone. Knew it.

"To be honest, I don't even know." I feel my face heat up in the slightest bit, "It just seemed like you really needed someone in the moment and I wanted to be there for you, I guess I went with what my gut was telling me to do." Turns out, maybe I do know why.

He doesn't answer and I finally begin to question my actions, "I'm sorry. Was it a problem? I shouldn't have done that without asking you."

Newt immediately straightens up and his face begins to shade red, "No! Not at all!" He exclaims, "I just wasn't expecting it is all, your hands are quite soft, actually." 

I smile at his nervous persona and admire his mini rant, I have yet to see Newt act so vulnerable and I truthfully think it's adorable. It appears that he feels safe with me as well, and I'm glad to know that we can be comfortable with each other.

"Thank you, Newt." I giggle, "Your hands are pretty soft, too." I joke, which luckily brings a smile to his face and a small blush to his cheeks.

"Come on, Y/n. Let's get you to bed." He stands up and waits for me to leave first. Outside, I watch through the open door and see him check on Alby one more time before joining me.

The further we walk, the more I realize how tired I am. Walking past sleeping boys in their hammocks and wishing I was the one fast asleep. "Teresa should be right over there." Newt points out two hammocks that are a good distance away from the rest of the boys, one already with the outline of a sleeping figure.

I look back over to Newt and catch him surveying the boys in their hammocks, assuming he's in the process of some nightly head count. "Well then, Y/n." He turns to me, "I'll be back in the hut if you need me, but try and get some sleep, you're gonna need it." He tilts his head and I can't help but grow a slight smile, "I will. Thank you, Newt."

"Goodnight, Y/n" He smiles, "Goodnight, Newt."

I turn away and head over to my hammock, lucky enough that it's dark outside and no one can see my stupid, giddy smile. Reaching mine, I quickly take off my shoes and gently slide in the held up fabric, finding so much warmth and comfort in this one hammock. My mind wanders back to Newt and the corners of my mouth perk up, until I realize and slap my hand over it.

Holy shit.

This can't be happening.

I just met Newt and I'm smiling like a fucking idiot over him. Why is this happening? How is it happening? Why so quickly? Is this where that urge came from earlier? I cover my face with my hands as if he's standing right in front of me and I can't bare to see him, I can't even remember who I was before this place and yet I'm falling for him.

None of this makes sense. Except for one thing.

I like Newt.

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