Count On Me ➵ Newt [1]

TWENTY-ONE | thomas' punishment

I sighed in annoyance and rolled my eyes. Even Thomas looked irritated, though he somehow managed to keep his mouth shut.

"Something ain't right, and until we figure it out, I officially recommend that we lock his butt in the Slammer - for a month, and then have another review."

Newt gestured to Gally to sit down, then pointed at me without looking. "Go ahead."

"Three days in the Slammer," I said simply. "The last time I went out there into the Maze to save Ne-to save someone, you guys voted for three days. I think it's only fair if Thomas gets the same punishment as I did."

Without even so much as a glance at me, Newt then pointed to Minho, who stood quickly.

"I was out there; I saw what this guy did - he stayed strong while I turned into a panty-wearin' chicken. No blabbin' on and on like Gally. I want to say my recommendation and be done with it."

"Good that," Newt said. "Tell us, then."

Minho looked at Thomas. "I nominate this shank to be a Runner."

"Are you shucking serious right now?" Gally said.

"Yes," Minho said, staring Gally firmly. "Yes, I am."

"Can I say something now?" Thomas asked, sounding quite frustrated. "I'm sick of you guys talking about me like I'm not here."

Newt glanced up at him and nodded. "Go ahead."

"I didn't do anything wrong," Thomas said. "All I know is I saw my friends struggling to get inside these walls and they couldn't make it. To ignore that because of some stupid rule seemed selfish, cowardly, and... well, stupid."

I glanced at Newt. That was exactly my point.

But the blond turned red in the face, gritted his teeth and ignored me.

"Here's my recommendation," Newt said. "You broke our bloody Number One Rule, so you get one day in the Slammer. That's your punishment."

"Wait," I said, getting increasingly annoyed now. "One day only? How is that fair-?"

"I also recommend we elect you as a Runner, effective the second this meeting's over," Newt cut over me, increasing the volume of his voice so that I had no choice but to stop my protests. "You've proven more in one night than most trainees do in weeks."

I couldn't tell who looked angrier, Gally or me. My anger wasn't directed at Thomas of course, but more towards Newt, who still sat ignoring my presence.

"What about my punishment?" Thomas asked.

"Tomorrow," Newt answered. "The wake-up till sunset. Meeting's over now; you're all dismissed."

Everyone else left in a hurry except for Newt, Minho and Thomas. I glared at the blond, my face heating up as anger roared in me. What the actual hell? I get that he was scared of losing me, but to treat me with that shitty attitude of his in front of everyone like that was just plain unnecessary and rude.

He bit his lips, face red, and pretended like if he hadn't noticed me as he stood up to leave. A knock on the opened door grabbed my attention and I turned to see who it was. Chuck stood there, looking like he'd just been chased by a Griever.

"What's wrong?" Newt asked.

Chuck was wringing his hands. "Med-jacks sent me."

"Why?"

"I guess Alby's thrashing around and acting all crazy, telling them he needs to talk to somebody."

Newt made for the door, but Chuck held up his hand. "Um... he doesn't want you."

"What do you mean?"

Chuck pointed at Thomas. "He keeps asking for him."

-

I followed Thomas and Newt out the meeting room and to Alby's room. Newt knocked lightly and a moan sounded in reply. He pushed open the door and stepped into the room slowly, clearly hesitant. Alby was lying in his bed, eyes closed.

"Is he asleep?" Thomas whispered.

"I don't know," Newt said quietly.

He walked over and sat in a wooden chair next to the bed. Thomas took a seat on the other side while I stood behind him, arms folded across my chest.

"Alby," Newt whispered. Then more loudly: "Alby. Chuck said you wanted to talk to Tommy."

Alby's eyes fluttered open - bloodshot orbs that glistened in the light. He looked at Newt, then across at Thomas. With a groan he shifted in the bed and sat up, his back against the headboard. "Yeah," he muttered, a scratchy croak.

"Chuck said you were thrashin' around, acting like a loonie." Newt leaned forward. "What's wrong? You still sick?"

Alby's next words came out in a wheeze, as if every one of them would take a week off his life. "Everything's... gonna change... The girl... Thomas... I saw them..." His eyelids flickered closed, then open again; he sank back to a flat position on the bed, stared at the ceiling. "Don't feel so good."

"What do you mean, you saw-" Newt began.

"I wanted Thomas!" Alby yelled, with a sudden burst of energy I didn't know he had a few seconds earlier. "I didn't ask for you, Newt! Thomas! I asked for freaking Thomas!"

Newt looked up and gave Thomas a questioning look with a raising of his eyebrows. Thomas shrugged.

"Fine, ya grouchy shuck," Newt said. "He's right here - talk to him."

"Leave," Alby said, his eyes closed, his breathing heavy.

Newt frowned, but stood from his chair and walked over to the door, opened it. He was about to leave when he looked back at me - the first time he fully acknowledged my presence since our argument.

"You too," he said quietly.

I stared at him for a moment, a little taken aback by his sudden willingness to look at me. Then I pushed past him as I walked out the door, avoiding his gaze.

I was about to head out of the Homestead when I heard him say, "We need to talk."

I paused in my tracks, my back to him. A few minutes ago, he was ignoring me completely and acting like a douchebag, and now he wants to have a conversation with me? Was he serious?

I heard him approach me from behind and I tensed up, waiting for harsh words to come out his mouth, but none came.

"I'm gonna go," I said quietly.

"No, Rose, wait-"

He grabbed my left arm and I cried out in pain. My injured shoulder throbbed and I whirled around, clutching my arm as I stared at Newt.

"I-I'm sorry," he stammered, looking horrified. "I didn't mean to-"

"Yeah, I'm sure you didn't," I muttered. "Just... Just leave me alone, please."

"Rose-"

But I turned around and left without a word.

[ END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE ]