Stealers (Newt x Reader)

Chapter 21: I Don't Trust You

Commotion burst through the room in a matter of seconds but all at once I was dragged under into my own thoughts, the uncontrollable noise surrounding me drowning out until it was merely a hum in my ear. Thomas' words swirled through my mind like an angry vortex of fear and panic, who knew how many grievers we would have to fend ourselves from to get out of the maze. Was it even worth it? The memory of the pure terror that shook through my body every time I encountered a griever and the horror they left behind, was enough to make me rethink about wanting to try to escape this place. As much as it scared me though, I still felt like it was right and I meant what I said, if Thomas goes, I'll go too. I just hoped Newt thought the same.

 I felt the panic rise up my body, tears prickling the corners of my eyes, tingling my nose, leaving the breath stuck in my throat. I ignored Newt trying to get my attention, pretending that I couldn't see him or hear him, I barely could over my raging river of thoughts and emotions.

"Hey, are you okay? I know it's a lot but we can do it," My mind reentered the room, looking to my side to see Thomas reaching out to me, his hand on my arm in comfort. I shook away the tears that had built up and nodded, looking at the fear in everyone's eyes that had caused the explosion of chatter and questions. Even Minho seemed more alert, his eyes darting between me, Newt and Thomas, unsure of how to act and what to feel. Newt silenced everyone again, a firm look appearing on his face, the crackle of conversation slowly began to die down as Newt mouthed an 'Are you okay?' to me, I wanted to get up and hug him but I stayed glued to my seat and just nodded a quick yes. Finally, Newt had gained the keepers' attention again. 

"So Thomas, how is this meant to work mate?" I could tell that Newt wanted to trust the plan but there was apprehension in his eyes and to be honest, I couldn't blame him for feeling that way. 

"The maps give us a code, I'm guessing the creators will know that we've figured it out, send the grievers out maybe but I'm not sure. What I do know is that when we get there each one of us will have to fight for our lives. There's a small tunnel and at the end there's a device where the code words can be put in, so when they're put in any grievers still in the hole where they live will deactivate, any grievers out of the hole and in the maze will be closed off from us and trapped in the maze... simple, I guess," Thomas shrugged, trying to seem brave like he knew exactly what he was talking about, but I could tell his memories were already becoming slightly hazy. 

"So how do we get the code from the maps? And whose gonna be the one to put them in?" Newt asked him.

"I know we've already looked at the maps for patterns but I think we have to compare them to each section not just the same section, and I'll put the code in," Thomas tried to keep his confidence but it wavered slightly when he spoke about the plan, hoping as much as me that it would work.

"Well you better be right Tommy," Newt sighed, "so everyone agrees that this is the best thing to do? And that if we do get this so called code we're gonna fight our way out of here?" A silence hung in the room for a second, each person waiting for the other to speak up first. I sat back slightly, my opinion had already been made clear and I wasn't planning on another outburst. I looked around, surprised the silence had lasted so long.

"I don't trust him," everyone turned their head towards Gally, his eyes narrowed at Thomas, arms folded tightly against his chest.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't trust you," he said again, "you just casually drop that you were part of what made this and put us here and now you want us to follow you. No, something's off." I internally groaned, it was this side of Gally that I couldn't stand and if it was a normal day I would just walk away to avoid getting annoyed but right now, that wasn't an option.

"Why would I trick you? I've nearly died in here and I'm stuck here too. I have no reason be lying about this," I could hear the sincerity in Thomas' voice but I knew the words wouldn't even enter Gally's head, his skull grew too thick to hear anything but his own opinion sometimes.

"Honestly I agree with Gally," Winston chimed in. "How do we trust this shank?" Thomas grew a little paler, worry sparking up in his eyes for a second, only to be replaced by a hot anger.

"Fine, stay here then. Stay in the maze until grievers pick you off one by one," he snapped, "but I'm telling you the truth and if you don't want to listen to it, then don't." He'd risen in his chair a little, plopping back down in the seat when he'd finished.

"I think it's worth it, we may as well just try and see if the maps have a code," Frypan shrugged. I smiled at him and I knew that he trusted me, so he trusted Thomas.

"Yeah I agree with that, this is the first piece of hope we've had of an exit and we'd be stupid to not take it," Minho finally spoke for the first time since the gathering started, shooting a dirty look at Gally, "me and Thomas can run the maze, find the tunnel, while people stay and figure out the code."

"Or maybe we're stupid for following this guy," Gally stepped in again.

"You don't know anything Gally," Minho rolled his eyes so far back I thought they might get lost.

"I know more than you shank," Gally spat back, his face growing red in anger.

"Mate, you have as much intelligence as that floorboard," Minho pointed to the floor next to him, laughing straight in his face. The tension grew thick, almost suffocating as they stared each other down. Gally had no comeback so stood up angrily, knocking the chair onto the floor as he did so. He stormed away but turned, a hot fire bright in his eyes.

"You'll see where following him gets you," he looked at each of us, throwing as much menace into his words as he could. As he went to leave the room, Newt laughed.

"For the record, I also trust Thomas so you know where I stand," he called back. Gally pushed the door open, disappearing into the glade. We carried on finalising the plan, making sure Minho and Thomas had the right things needed for finding the tunnel in the maze, and figuring out who was going to sort through the maps and find the code. I was glad Gally had left because the tension went with him and even Winston came round to the idea of escape. Out of nowhere the door burst open, I expected to see Gally but it was Chuck, his face red and radiating a red glow from running to us.

"Chuck, what are you doing here? What's wrong?" Newt asked, waiting for him to catch a breath.

"The map room," his voice was gripped with fear, "it's on fire."