Variant | Newt

1 | the first

"Nah," Jeff said, "Doubt it. That leg wound looked more like a...knife, you know? And I bet she'd be crazier if it was a sting."

"Hopefully she'll wake up soon. We can get her some pain meds, and dinner," Clint replied. Suddenly he glanced at me. "Newt, ya need anything? How are you feelin'?"

I silently stared at him, like I did most days. I was fine, physically. My leg hurt, as usual, but the pain was mental. Emotional. The boys couldn't help me with that.

"Alright then," Jeff said kindly, "If ya need anything...you know you just ask."

The two of them began to step out, before they realized they were disobeying Alby's order not to leave the girl out of their sight. They glanced at each other, debating silently who should stay.

"I got it," I said calmly. I glanced at the girl, who was still motionless. I wanted to be left alone, as usual, and this girl seemed better company than the Med-jacks. Clint bit his lip. "Uh....you sure 'bout that?"

I cocked my eyebrow at him, silently replying with a stern don't question me look. They both backed off and walked out of the room. A second later, Jeff peeked his head back in. "Hey, uh— I'll be back in with lunch soon. But if ya need anything, holler."

He shut the door. I was alone again, other than my resting companion on the cot next to me. The room began to go back to what I was used to, without the chaos the boys had just brought in. A breeze blew through the window next to my cot, carrying the voices of the boys working nearby. I could make out some of their conversation.

"I get first dibs!"
"She's prob'ly sent to kill us."
"Gally said she was pretty."
"I bet she'll bleed out before we know anything."

I pursed my lips, embarrassed by my fellow Gladers' comments. I looked at the girl again, pleased to see she was still sleeping. Good, she wouldn't hear the things everyone was saying about her. I thought about her, a few ideas I'd not voice aloud running through my head.

Maybe she's here as a sign the Creators are saying we'd be stuck here forever, so we should go ahead and....make our own society. I was disgusted with myself at the thought, but I couldn't think of any other reason. The Creators never make mistakes, right? They said she came from the Maze; what if she escaped from somewhere else? Another Glade? Or she was sent to us by the Creators as a spy. There were too many possibilities.

I felt a twinge of guilt hit me as I looked over her peaceful body. She, in this moment, was the exact opposite of trouble. This girl had an angelic quality to her. She was too precious for this nightmare we were all trapped in. I hated we all had to be stuck here, but for this girl in particular, I had an innate sense to protect her from the world outside this room.

I studied her looks again. She looked around my age and in pretty good shape, other than the bandages on her skin. Her eyes were a pretty (y/e/c)—

Oh, god. Her eyes were open. She was awake. And staring at me. While I stared at her.

Neither of us spoke. We just watched each other, awaiting the other to say something.

She spoke up first. Her voice was quiet - not on purpose, I don't think. Her throat was probably dry.

"Hi."

That's all she said. She could have asked a question, or screamed, or started crying. But instead, she greeted me.

I found my voice as soon as I could, replying softly, "Hello."

She paused, licking her chapped lips. Oh! She must be thirsty, I realized. Before I could even think, I quickly pushed myself up and grabbed a cup, pouring some water into it from a nearby jug. "Here. Sorry, I should have got that earlier."