Feral → newt, tmr

Chapter 13: Whose Side Are You?

The doctor runs a few tests on Katherine, then rummages through her supplies and fills a syringe with liquid from a small tube. The sight of the needle sends a jolt of unease through Katherine.

"Wait, what's that?" she asks, her voice tight.

"Just a little cocktail," the doctor replies. "Calcium, folate, vitamins A through Z. Pretty much everything you've been deprived of out there."

Katherine’s gaze lingers on the syringe, her pulse quickening. She exhales sharply. "Fine. Go for it."

"Try to relax," the doctor says, dabbing her skin with alcohol.

Katherine winces as the needle pierces her arm, a sharp sting followed by a dull ache. She grits her teeth, forcing herself to stay still. When the doctor pulls the syringe away, leaving a faint itch behind, she flexes her fingers. "You sure that’s enough?"

"You're good to go," the doctor reassures her with a small smile.

Sliding off the bed, Katherine gives Teresa a quick nod as she takes her place for her own check-up. Katherine finds a seat nearby, watching her friend with a mix of worry and exhaustion. She’s about to close her eyes for a moment when a guard strides in and stops in front of her.

"Katherine?" he says.

She straightens, frowning. "Yeah?"

"Come with me, please."

Katherine shoots a questioning glance at Teresa, who meets her gaze with a flicker of concern, then rises to follow the guard. He leads her through the dimly lit corridor until they reach a small room. The door swings open, revealing a boy sitting on a chair, lost in thought.

"Tommy," she breathes out, relief flooding her voice as she steps inside.

Thomas looks up, his expression softening at the sight of her. "Hey."

She sinks into the chair next to him, her hand finding his shoulder. "You okay?" she asks, her voice low and full of concern.

He gives a small nod, his gaze distant. "Yeah… I just… What do you think happened to the Gladers who stayed behind?"

The question catches Katherine off guard. She hasn’t let herself dwell on that yet; her mind has been too tangled up in Newt’s kiss, the feel of his lips lingering on her skin. She swallows and shrugs. "I don’t know. But based on how many of us died getting here, I wouldn't want to be one of them. Grievers are probably crawling all over the place."

"You think we're safe with these people?" Thomas presses, his brow furrowing.

Katherine hesitates, but forces herself to meet his eyes. "Yeah, I think we’re safe."

Thomas opens his mouth to respond, but the door swings open again, and Janson strolls in with that familiar smugness plastered across his face.

"Thomas, Katherine, thank you for seeing me," he begins, dragging a chair over and sitting down across from them. "Sorry for the inconvenience. I just thought we might chat in private, away from the others."

Katherine’s fingers curl slightly against the chair. There's something unsettling about his demeanor, like a cat toying with a mouse.