What If | tmr, newt ✓

Chapter 12

"Teresa, hurry! I managed to lose them but they'll soon figure out where we are!" I order, locking the door before lying down on a clinical-looking hospital bed. There's a machine suspended above my head, and Teresa stands by my side, holding my shaking hand with one of hers and simultaneously programming something into the machine. "Hold tight, little one," she murmurs, before the machine injects my neck and I black out.

I awake ridiculously early, unable to bear any more useless memories. I thought they had finally stopped.

I eat breakfast by myself, with only the company of a beetle blade surveying me. I had only seen a couple, but this was one pretty obvious, sitting right in front of me as I stared it out. "Shuck off," I mutter to it, and surprisingly, it does as I say. I eat the rest of my sandwich in peace, pack my rucksack, and start stretching. I'm already on to this final stage when Minho and the others start waking up, giving me strange looks as in 'why you awake so early?' I decide to ignore them and carry on.

Minho finally finishes, confused at my sudden eagerness to start running. "Okay, Falcon. You and your little brainy ideas mean that we're running the same sections as I did yesterday, five and two. And we'll do that for two more days to see the changes.

"Because it's a different route to where I normally run, you gotta take extra care to remember what turns to take and when. We'll also be cutting chunks of ivy off as we go just in case. I'm Hansel, you're Gretel."

"Got it," I mumble, wanting to leave the Glade as soon as possible. My watch says we have two minutes before the Doors open.

"Why are you so excited all of a sudden? A week ago you were happy to sit in here all day and stare at a blank wall."

I whack his head lightly. "Shut up."

Just in time before I tear them open with my bare hands, the Doors open. The last thing I see as I look back is Newt, having just woken up, watching us leave from a distance. And it was then, as I trailed behind Minho into the Maze, that I knew what I had to do.

***

Right, left, left, right, left, right, long straight passage. Right at the cross section, left then quickly right.

From what I can recall, I haven't said a single word since we entered, just diligently remembering the route and leaving a trail of ivy. Not even as the sun moved directly above, then further down, nor when we stopped for lunch or if Minho asked me if I'm okay. I just nod, not eating or taking a single sip of water, and he doesn't try to make me. I'll probably regret that later when I'm tired, hungry, and dehydrated.

In the middle of our journey back, when he asks me for the millionth time if I'm okay, I finally talk. "I'm just conserving my energy. If you hadn't noticed, this is tiring."

He laughs at my pathetic attempt at sarcasm, but I don't care. All I concentrate on is playing the route backwards in my head. I even have to correct Minho once. If this weren't such a grave situation, I'd have made a joke about him being dead if he went that way.

After what seems like forever, we turn the final corner and the Glade is just in sight. Even though I'm exhausted, I sprint even faster on my unsteady legs to reach the encampment. The Map Room can wait. For now, what I planned to do seemed more important.

Heart thumping in my ears, I finally notice Newt at the edge of one of the allotments. There's a solemn, serious look on his face as he works. He's alone, with most of the others having finished for the day, but still doesn't see me coming until I'm just metres away.

"Newt!" I say, breathless.

"Addie, what-"

"You were right," I say, getting closer at a walk. "You were completely right about it all.

"I don't want to be around you, I need to be around you. I don't like you as much as the others - I like you more. And I think we should stay apart just to stop me doing this."

And, finally, I kiss him, closing my eyes and pressing my lips to his as strongly as I can without knocking him backwards, holding my hands either side of his head. I can tell he's startled at first, but then I feel him smile into it, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me closer to him. I can't help but smile, too, as his fingers send cold, invigorating shoots up my skin where they touch my bare back, and I tilt my head up slightly to reach his height.

Eventually, we break it, but he holds me in the same position as I rest my chin on his shoulder, not once opening my eyes.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, "but I couldn't have still been your friend if I lost you to someone else."

"Don't worry. You never will."

A/N Who's liking the plot so far? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment. I love hearing your feedback! :)