A Way Back - The Maze Runner (♡Newt) UNDER EDITING/REWRITE

Chapter 54

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Newt's pov

I was lost in my own thoughts when Cally snapped me out of them with one simple word.
     "What?" She questioned while glancing up at me from the bowl of berries.
     I must've been staring at her, "I was just thinkin'," I said, shrugging it off a little.
     Only I should've known that that answer would only make her curious, "What about?"
     "Today," I answered. Almost immediately, Cally lost her interest. She looked back down at the bowl in front of her, a sad look in her eyes. I knew why she reacted like that. Ben's Banishing. It looks like she took it harder than the rest of us. After Ben was behind the wall, I saw Ezra hugging her. I could've gone to them to ask what was wrong, but I already knew. Having to see a Banishing is already awful enough, but Ben addressed her, bagged for her help. I knew that she wanted to help him, I knew she was against all of it. It must've taken its toll on her. I couldn't help but be angry at Ben for addressing her, for making it worse for her. Even though I understood why he did it, he should never have done it to her. But there's a reason the Gladers look away. It's to prevent the exact thing from happening that had happened to Cally.
     Then I understood. I was wondering why she was still awake and why she would go to Ezra, but now I get it. She's still shaken up about all of it.
     "He shouldn't have done it," I said, making Cally look questioning at me.
     "Who shouldn't have done what?"
     "Ben, he shouldn't have addressed you." And again, Cally looked back down to the bowl, picking up some berries before dropping them back with the rest.
     "Of course he should have... he was about to get Banished. I would've tried to get someone to help me as well if it was me getting pushed into the Maze..."
     "I would never let you get Banished," my voice was soft, I didn't mean to say it out loud, but I had said it before I could stop myself.
     Cally looked up at me, a half smile finding its way to her lips, "what if I break a rule?"
     "Well, just don't break a rule, and you're fine." I said, small smile on my face as well.
     "But what if I killed someone?" She asked, amusement starting to creep in her voice.
     I scoffed, "You? Kill a Shank? If memory serves, and I'm bloody sure it does, won't ya even think about killin' a shuck chicken."
     Cally laughed slightly. "But what if..." she mused, moving closer, looking up at me with what I can only assume she intended to me big, innocent eyes. I couldn't help but smile at the spark of mischief in them. "Chuck gets soooo buggin' annoying, that I can't control myself and kill the Shank. You're still not gonna let me get Banished?"
     I shook my head no while I leaned in closer, looking down at her. Needing all of my self-control to keep focussing on her eyes instead of her lips. "Nope," I let the P plop, the amusement now also sounding through my own voice.
     She cocked her head slightly, some hair that had been tugged behind her ear falling loose. "Well, that's stupid; why not?"
     Because I'm in love with you...
     "Because you're my best friend. And the only one that can keep that bugging dog under control."
     Cally laughed at my answer, taking a step away from me. "I thought Minho and Alby were your besties?" She asked with a mocking, yet playful voice. 
     "Can't a guy have three?" I asked back, matching her energy.
     "So you wouldn't let them get put inside the Maze either?"
      I could feel my smile slightly drop as my thoughts unintentionally went to the plan that would be set in motion the moment the sun would rise, "I don't think I've got a bloody choice there."
     Cally's teasing tone dropped entirely, now looking at me with crossed eyebrows and a hint of concern, "How do you mean?"
     I took a deep breath and sighed before answering, "Minho and Alby are gonna go to the dead Griever when the doors open, first thing in the mornin'."
     Cally thought about that for a moment, "but Alby's not a Runner, and he's still allowed in the Maze?"
     I nodded my head, "For things like this? Yeah."
     "Wait..." Cally said, apparently realizing something, "with Admiral Alby in the Maze, who's gonna play leader?" When she said 'Admiral Alby', I looked questioning at her, which she noticed, "Minho and I were messing with the Greenie... I'll explain later. Anyway, who's going to replace our leader for a day?" She asked again.
     "That... would be me." I answered while looking at my hands, which were lying on the table in front of me. Only Cally didn't seem bothered by it.
     "Oowww! So Newton's got the power for a day? Exciting." A bit of teasing returned to her voice, pushing against my shoulder with hers, making me sway over to the other side for a moment.
     "If you wanne call it that," I answered with a small smile.
     "You don't like being in charge, do you?" Cally asked, swotching back to her serious tone again.
     "Not really, no. But as Second-in-command, I have to."
     "Ow! Now I get it." Cally said, confusing me.
     "Get what?"
     A smirk grew on her face, "Why you're eating in the middle of the night. You're stress eating."
     "I'm not a stress eater."
     Cally laughed. "Yes, you are! I see you stress eating your nails all the time!"
     I shook my head, trying to hide the smile that wanted to grow on my lips. "That's different."
     She scoffed, taking a hold of my hand and showing it to me. My nails indeed kept short and with some jagged ridges here and there left behind by my teeth. "No, it's not." Before I could protest, Cally continued, lowering my hand without letting go of it. "But it doesn't really matter. You don't have to worry so much about tomorrow, I'm sure you're going to do just fine as leader."
     An unamused, single laugh escaped my mouth, "That's not what I'm worried about."
    "Then what is it that worries you?" Cally asked.
     A deep sigh escaped my lips. "Those two Slintheads, going to see a dead Griever.... I have a really bad feeling about it."
     Cally nodded, showing that she understood. "I get that, but I'm sure they're going to be just fine. I mean, yes, they are Slintheads, but those two Slintheads can take care of themselves."
     My eyes left the sight of our joined hands, resting on the table and found Cally looking at me with something that reassured me. "I know, Cals. It just... doesn't feel right."

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A/n: And here I was, thinking this was gonna be a short chapter. But No! 2434 words! Not a lot happened here, I know, the next chapter(s) are going to be more eventful.

And to the 3 people still reading this, LOVE YOU! And if you are somehow a 4th or 5th person (or higher but I doubt that) still here, LOVE YOU AS WELL!

Anyway, that was it, have a nice day/night/afternoon/evening! Byebye!

~ Purple Dragon
(18/01/19)

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Edited: 26/06/20