Variant | Newt

2 | shebean

TRIGGER WARNING: SA

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Newt was good company while I rested.

We didn't really speak to each other, but to be honest, he was something nice to look at - and his voice was soothing. It probably was something to do with his accent. Even his eyes seemed so caring, the way he stared at me with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

Maybe I sound naive, but I felt like I could trust him. He had a sort of quality to him that I couldn't quite place - it was a familiarity in this vast place of uncertainty. Maybe it's because he was the first form of comfort and kindness I received when I awoke. He seemed fairly comfortable around me as well, though he didn't talk as much as I did.

Alby, the leader of the Glade, didn't seem so bad either. His presence scared me a bit; not making me fearful, but in more of a "I need to respect this guy and stay on his good side" sorta way.

The Med-jacks, Jeff and Clint - they were kind to me too, though it seemed my presence put Clint on edge. Jeff warmed up to me quickly, though. He's the one that brought me food and let me take off one the restraints for a short bit, so I could eat the soup they had given me. Honestly, dinner was better than I expected. From what Alby had said, the boys here had nothing but the Glade and themselves to provide for them, so I expected their food to be kind of gross. Whoever was in the kitchen knew what they were doing.

Night came quicker than I expected, the sun setting in the window on the wall by Newt. I suppose I slept most of the day, so time went by faster.

A loud creaking noise made me jump. Newt was unaffected by it, but his expression softened when he saw me startled.

"It's nothing," he explained, nodding to the window. "Just the Maze doors closing. It happens every night."

"Hm," I hummed in response, thinking over his explaination for a moment. "So... we're safe here, in the Glade? The grievers can't get inside?"

Newt sent me a small smile. "No, you're safe. And, even in the daylight, the Runners rarely see grievers. You probably only saw one cause you spent the night in the Maze."

"Has anyone ever done that before?" I asked him, curiosity coming to me in waves.

"Done what?"

I turned my face to look at him completely, wishing these stupid restraints weren't holding me back. "Stayed the night in the Maze."

Newt got quiet again, his face hardening. "Yeah. But they didn't make it til morning." He looked back at me, a tiny gleam in his eye. "You're the first to do that, too."

"Well. Maybe I call teach you boys a thing or two," I laughed, before continuing more seriously. "What's a Runner?"

Newt shrugged. "The guys that explore the Maze. All they do is run, mapping it out. Tryin' to find our escape."

"And you haven't found one yet?"

He pursed his lips. "No. But," he let out a short breath, "maybe one day. They can't keep us here forever."

For the next hour, Newt answered more of my questions, even though he kept telling me I should wait for Alby's tour tomorrow. Though he protested, he seemed to be enjoying himself whenever I pushed for more information. I think he was amused at my calm curiosity, and secretly didn't mind being the one to explain.