The Maze Runner -Flare In Flames- |Newt X Reader|

Chapter 26~The Opportunity~

Y/N's POV
"Why is this so much harder than I figured it would be?" I question Aris. We're about 3 hours into our shift at the hospital, and there has been no sign of any equipment we need. Amanda gave me a list with pictures and descriptions but nothing matches. "You would think it would be easy to find equipment that was taken from every city under Wicked rule, right?" I stare at the stapled packet in my hand. "It's just the first day Y/N. I'm sure this will get easier once we familiarize ourselves with this place." Aris affirms with positivity. I glance up at him. "I don't want to meet at the warehouse tonight without a single lead." I wave the packet back and fourth. "You know they'll understand right? Thomas, Minho, and Gally don't expect you to find everything our first day here." I take a deep breath releasing fear that burns beneath my lungs. "I just... don't want to be here longer than we have to." Admitting my true feelings feels good. I know I can always count on Aris to calm me. "I get it. We can only push our luck so much. Let's just focus on keeping your identity on the down low while looking for this equipment." Aris smiles continuing, "I think I might have an idea on where to start." Curiosity overcomes me as I listen to what he has to say. "I talked to Dr. Amy Wilson before coming here. She told me the best place to start is the ICU. She explained the acronym 'ICU' means intensive care unit, and the laboratory in that unit would be the best place. That lab is most likely where cranks are experimented on." As Aris speaks, I become furious. "You couldn't have mentioned this before we started looking?" He starts to chuckle, "We weren't alone. Would you rather me mention it around the Wicked doctors and nurses?" I contemplate before shaking my head. "Well then let's stop wasting time and go!" I reach for the door before he grabs my hand. "Hold on. We can't just abandon our work to explore a section of the hospital that is heavily guarded. If anything, we should steer clear of security." "Then what are we supposed to do?" I question anxiously. Aris is quiet for a moment. "We wait for the right opportunity."
I sit in front of the computer in a daze. My job at the moment is charting patients for the nurses. Because the whole world pandemic, the hospital is so hectic that nurses don't have the time to chart their own patients. I can't seem to focus and chart like I was showed how to do. This is not what I was expecting to do, nor was I expecting to be stationed at a desk all day. I guess I can't exactly complain about it. I didn't exactly get accepted into the city fairly. That's in the past. I just have to remember... I did what I had to do. I am here and that's what matters.
"Hey! Olivia right? How's the first day comin along?" A voice breaks my short daydream. I look up to see Rowan, the doctor who greeted us this morning. His lab coat dangles across his arm, and he's wearing just a casual gray t-shirt and jeans. Not as professional as I remember him being this morning. "It's been okay! Just feeling a bit... homesick." It's not a lie. I miss the island. I miss the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. Little Violet...I hope she's doing okay. Surely her and the others are safe and sound within Amanda's city walls. "I see... well hopefully this place will feel more like home in a few days or so." His aura is genuine. He's different than the other workers here. "I hope so." Now that is a lie. I am so ready to leave. "Looks like you're charting duty. That's probably the worst thing they could've put you on." Rowan laughs leaning his body against the wall on his left. I smile, "Definitely an unexpected task." I take a sip of water that sits on the coaster beside me. He nods, "Understandable. Don't worry though! Everyone starts on charting, including me. Now I'm a doctor working in the ICU." Suddenly, water comes flying through my nose and lips all over the computer in front of me. Rowan bursts into laughter while I stare at the sprayed screen. After a second of temporary pain, I begin to chuckle. "That just made my day." Rowan wipes the tears in his eyes. I take the bottom of my shirt and start to dry the lingering spit along the desk. He begins to laugh more. "One second," He walks away before coming back with a couple paper towels moments later. Rowan reaches over my computer, wiping my mess. "I could've cleaned that up." I mention with a smile. He glances up at me with a barely noticeable grin. His face is so close to mine I can smell the mint in his mouth. "Seems like you've got enough on your plate." He clears his throat, motioning over to the stack of papers I still need to chart. "Ah yes... those." I look down at my feet. He works in the ICU. Is this what Aris meant by opportunity? "Hey don't be discouraged! I'm a professional at charting. With my help, we'll be done in an hour MAX!" He starts to pull a laptop out of his case. "Wait what? Weren't you just about to leave? I mean I noticed you're not in the same clothes as this morning, so I figured you're about to go home." He looks up at me smirking, "You remembered what I was wearing this morning?" Instantly I feel a burning sensation beneath my cheeks. "What no! That's not what I-" Rowan starts chuckling again. "Come on come on, I'm only teasing." He pulls up a chair next to me. "So ready to get started?" I hesitate before a smile forms on my lips. I slightly nod. "Perfect!" He takes the first paper from the stack and instantly begins typing into his laptop. For a second, I watch his hands move across the keyboard so fast, I'm embarrassed to type in front of him. His intense focus on the screen after having a laughing fit minutes before. I guess you have to learn to be serious on the dot when you're a doctor. I turn back to my screen before he notices me starring.
Rowan leans back cracking his knuckles, "Done." In the corner of my eye, I watch him check his watch. He closes his laptop while I'm finishing the paper I'm on. I almost feel the need to explain why I'm so slow. What am I supposed to say? 'Sorry I'm slow at typing. I was in a Maze for 3 years without technology.' I bet that would be a funny topic to bring up. "You didn't have to help me. You've probably got better things to do... bein a doctor and all." As I'm typing, I can feel his eyes on me. "I wanted to help. Besides, it's not exactly fun to go home alone and read books I've probably read a million times." His sigh catches me off guard. I power off the computer while standing up to stretch my legs. "Thank you for helping me." I push in the chair. "No problem. Thought you'd have better things to do... bein a charter and all." Rowan jokes. "Hey not funny!" I ironically state while chuckling. A smile pops on his face before he picks up his laptop case. "Want to walk  out with me?" I want to say yes. Being around him makes me forget everything I've been through. Makes me feel... normal. "I can't. I've got a friend I should probably go check on." Aris is charting too. I don't suppose he'd be too happy seeing me with a Wicked doctor. "Ah the fellow with the freckles I assume. Well, I'll get outta your hair." He turns to walk out the door. "Dr. Young." I blurt as he shifts towards me. My palms get a little sweaty as he patiently stares into my eyes. "You can call me Rowan." He corrects. I clear my throat. "Well... Rowan... goodnight." His smile is soft and sweet. "Goodnight." Before I know it, he's gone out the door.
"You seem abnormally smiley." Aris mentions as were heading in the direction of the warehouse. I furrow my eyebrows. "What? What are you talking about?" I relax my face realizing that I have been smiling a lot. "I don't know. You just seem much more confident compared to earlier today." I wasn't planning on telling Aris about my encounter with Rowan today. I don't want him to worry about me talking with a Wicked doctor. We continue to walk down the empty sidewalk. Occasionally a person walks by, but most citizens are at home around this time. "Okay look. You remember that doctor that we met this morning?" He's silent. "The one who bro-hugged Rodger when we entered the hospital." A light bulb flickered on above his head. "Oh yes! What was his name? Ramen?" I grin at his comment. "No no, his name is Rowan." Aris nods a little. "Yea I remember him? What about him?" Please Aris don't freak out. Please Aris don't freak out. "So he visited me before I came to see you." Aris stops walking. "Why?" I turn around to him with a look on my face. "Y/N..." I can tell he has an idea what I'm going to say. "He works in ICU Aris!" I pop in to make the situation seem better. "Y/N no. We can figure something else out. If he finds out who you are..." Aris starts. "He won't." I fire back. "But if he does." Aris continues, "Remember me saying we should steer clear from security? That doesn't mean go get answers from one of the doctors." He seems angry, but I know that's not what it is. It is worry... fear even. He always looks out for me. "You also said to wait for an opportunity. Now I have one! He can help us find the equipment without even knowing it!" Aris shakes his head and doesn't stop. "It'll work!" I try. "It's risky." He denies without even hearing me out. "I can do this." I state. "I won't let you get caught." Aris continues walking toward the warehouse. "So that's it? You won't even hear me out?" I follow, walking with him. "Have you come up with any other way to get into the ICU? This might be our only shot." He's quiet. "Aris. I know you want me to be safe... and I will! Just think it over, okay?" He doesn't answer for a second. Then he turns toward me, "You better know what you're doing." I smile. "Is that a yes?" Aris rolls his eyes, "Unfortunately, it is a yes."