Atomic [Newt || Maze Runner]

[Chapter 7] ✙ Doctor's Orders

[Chapter 7] ✙ Doctor's Orders

The Scorch was truly unforgiving. From the blazing sun that beat down upon their backs to the unrelenting storms that whisked sand into their eyes, all odds seemed to be stacked against the teenagers as they lugged themselves across the vast wastelands. Food and water supplies were running at an all-time low, so much so Minho had tossed one of his many water bottles away in a fit of frustration. No one bothered to stop nor scold him though; they were all far too exhausted.

Perhaps it was out of a desire to cope with the recent loss of a friend and an ally, because no matter how tired anyone got, they didn't complain. Instead, they continued to trudge forth in silence, firmly planting one foot in front of the other as they crossed the seemingly boundless desert.

When the sun finally set across the horizon, a cloak of darkness began to settle from above, bringing forth a chilly breeze that finally urged the group to stop. Unable to spot anywhere suitable for shelter within the near vicinity, they instead chose to settle down in the middle of nowhere, dropping their packs to the ground and setting up camp.

As Eden began fixing the form of her bag into a proper pillow for her head, she suddenly burst into a violent fit of coughs, startling the others.

"Hey, you okay?" Aris asked worriedly, grey eyes laced with concern as he gently rubbed her back. "You've been coughing like this all day now, what's going on?"

"It's probably just from all the sand," The raven-haired girl said, her voice slightly hoarse.

Newt frowned. "What happened to your-" He paused, about to ask the whereabouts of her grey scarf only to faintly recall seeing it bloodied and crinkled beside Winston back when they woke up by the abandoned mall. His brows drew closer.

Noticing his complicated expression, Eden gave a wry smile. "Don't worry," She assured. "I should be fine after some rest."

+ + +

"Hey, hey!"

Sometime later that night, Eden began to hear voices in the distance. It wasn't until she felt the soft rustlings beside her, did she finally stir from her dream-like state. Slowly opening her heavy-eyelids, Thomas's elated expression drifted in and out of focus.

"Thomas...?" She murmured, propping herself up onto her elbow as she gently rubbed her eyes, watching as the boy scrambled onto all fours, mumbling barely coherent words as he moved to wake everyone else up.

"Come on, everyone, get up! I see something!" Once he finally found his voice, Thomas shouted as he smacked Newt's leg. Effectively waking him, and the others.

"What the hell, Thomas?" Minho groaned, letting out a tired yawn as he sat up.

"What is it?" Newt asked as he staggered onto unsteady feet. "What do you see?"