Way out

Chapter 6 : Thank you

"Friendship gives us the strength to turn from lambs into lions."
― Stephen Richards

Fourteen months after the wake up

Two months had passed since Newt's accident and only a few people were truly aware of what had happened. For privacy issues, there was Nick, Alby, the Med-jacks, Minho and Esther who knew the truth. For the other Gladers, Newt has stuck his foot in a hole when he was running and the result was that he was seriously injured. They were also the only people allowed to visit the teenager during his rest since according to Nick, trying to end his life, he had thereby put other people's lives in danger with him. So Newt's two months of recovery also became two months of punishment.

The first week was the worst for the young boy as the Med-jacks wasn't been alble to keep his leg in a fixed position, so they had to use the objets at their disposal, but also their imagination. Jeff had the idea of using a tourniquet and Clint some splints to keep everything in place. However, they had to undo everything to clean the wound and change the bandages. When Esther thought back to that times, it was hard for her not to shudder about the groans and sometimes even the cries of pain that she had heard outside of the walls of the infirmary. Nevertheless, throughout his remission, at no time the boy had an infection.

The second month was a piece of cake. Newt was now able to get up in bed without problem and he could sometimes, when there was someone with him, move a little in the hut. It is also at this time that Minho and Esther decided to make visits schedules to take care of him. When Minho was in the maze, the girl remained with Newt and when Minho came back from his run, it was his turn to take care of him while she was working. It had been difficult to coordinate everything, but after a few days they had finally managed it. It might sound strange, but Esther had grow closer to Newt in the last two months. They spoke more, they were much more opened to one another, but mostly they understood each other better. She understood how Newt had sunk into depression and he better understood how after the attack, she was afraid of the others's opinion.

At the end of sixty-three days of convalescence, the Med-jacks announced that the Glader will finally be able to get out of the hut. Following this news Alby, with Nick's support, decided that it would be a good idea to celebrate the return of the young boy among them while Minho and Esther had had another idea. After having a long talk with Jeff and Jacksons, they had had the idea of building a walking stick to Newt, to assist him in his movements. So when he would be alone and he needed to walk, he will have the opportunity to use the stick to make life easier. So this is why Esther was walking around the Glade, trying to find the Keeper of Builders.

''Hey Gally!'' Exclaimed the girl when she arrived near the boy. He was perched on the top of a tree because Nick wanted to transform it in a lookout tree. ''Can you come down? I want to ask you something...''

The boy looks at her for a few seconds before motioning her to wait. Within a year she had never really asked something to the giant. Indeed he and she hadn't really a relationship. They were both Gladers, which allowed them to have a friendly feeling towards each other, but they were not friends. During the meeting of the Keepers they listened and respected themselves, but that was about all. When the teenager finally got down from his perch, Esther was surprised to see the condition of his hands. He was truly a Builder.

''What can I do for you this beautiful morning Esther?'' Gally asked, with a smirk.

''Oh stop it.'' She said, returning the smirk. ''I have one favor to ask.''

The boy raised one eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest. This is now or never. She thought, before starting her monologue.

''This afternoon Newt can finally get out of the infirmary, with a little help for sure. The problem is that he will not always be accompanied by someone to help him walk, so we wanted to know if you could make him a sort of walking stick. You know, something rather strong for him, but who can also help him not to put weight on his leg...'' She explained in one breath.

When she saw that the boy didn't say a thing, she felt like he wasn't going to help them.

''I know you're busy. ''She said quickly. ''It's not required to be you! You can ask another Builder...''

''Calm down Esther. It's okay. I'll do it by noon.'' Replied the teen, trying to contain his laughter.

The young girl couldn't help her smile. He accepted. Gally would help! It took all of her determination not to squeeze the teen in her arms. Newt would be able to walk without assistance when they would be busy!

''Thank you Gally! Thank you so much! I'll go and tell Minho!''

Esther begins to walk towards the Runners's hut when Gally's voice called her out.

''Hey Esther!''

''Yes?'' She said, turning to look at him.

''He's a lucky guy.'' He said, looking at the ground.

''Who?''

''Newt. He's a lucky guy.''

The girl gave him a small smile before continuing her walk. She felt that for the first time in a long, long time things would improve and that everyone would finally have a good day. When Esther finally finds his friend, she was relieved to see that he looked happy. The Med-jacks must have said something good..

''Hey!'' She said, giving him a little wave.. ''What's the news?''

''There is good news and bad news.'' He said, which surprised her. Why did he look happy if he had bad news.

''Shoot.'' She wanted to know.

''Newt will be able to move a little each day. Impossible for him to run nor to put weight on his bad leg.'' Began the asian. ''The first two weeks someone will ALWAYS be with him to avoid accidents. If he ever gets tired, he need to go back to bed''

Everything was perfect. She truly felt like they had narrowly escaped a disaster. Even today, for boys who hardly knew what they were doing, the Med-jacks were true heros and she would be grateful for a very long time.

''And what is the bad news?'' Honestly she was a bit worried.

''Newt can't remain a Runner. His leg didn't repair like it should... He will have a limp for the rest of his life.''

Esther sighed. She didn'tt expect that. She thought that his rehabilitation would still be long, that it would still hurt for a while, but that Newt could no longer run ... This was going to be a hard blow for the teenager.

''Does he know?'' She asked, looking in the direction of the infirmary.

''Yes and he even said: ''It's still better than loosing a bloody leg.'' I was surprised.''

''You think he's still depressed?'' It was one of her biggest fears, that one day he tries again to end his life.

''If he is, he's a good actor. I think our talks and our efforts put him on the right path.'' Said the boy quite proud of him.

Minho and she had acted as a real team for Newt. While she was compassionate and gentle enough with him, Minho was hard and had threatened on several occasions to kick his ass if he didn't act like the old newt. When Esther was afraid to hurt him, and that, in any sense, Minho hadn't hesitated to rush and make him understand that if he was in that situation it was entirely his fault so he had to accept it and shut up. As he often said, Newt was lucky to have them.

Esther then took the opportunity to tell his friend that Gally had agreed to help them. If all went as planned, they were going to have the stick around dinner time. It suited them since Newt could get out of here this afternoon.

''We just have to wait.'' Announced the boy. They had waited two months, hours were absolutely nothing.

Way out

As they had discussed, Gally joined the two teenagers with the stick in his hands. To see his expression, he look proud of the result.

''Wanna take a look?'' He asked, holding out his work to the two Galders.. ''My team wanted to send a short message to Newt.''

Minho was the first to examine the stick and when he saw what was on it, he began to laugh.

''Oh Esther, you have to see that.''

The girl took the stick and looked at it. A huge smile stretched her lips when she saw the words that the Builders had inscribed on the wood. There were phrases like : Old person's cane and Newt's stick, but small drawings and the slangs that Gladers had invented were on it too.

''This is so perfect!'' Esther was trying with all her strength not to burst out of laughter. ''That'll teach him to be so ... clumsy.''

''Yeah. Thanks Gally.'' Minho said before shaking his hand.

They continue to observe the stick for a while until Nick appeared in their vision.

''Hey.'' He said when he finally joined them. ''So that's his gift? A stick?''

''This is Gally who made it. It's to help him walk.'' Said the girl proudly.

The leader turned to glance toward the giant before taking the stick. To see his reaction, he did not seem very happy with the result. But since when is he happy to anything? Esther thought, watching Nick. She could not remember the last time that the boy had laughed or even made a joke. Lately everything the boy said it was orders or derogatory comments ...

''You think this is a funny thing?'' Nick asked, watching them. ''Newt almost lost his leg!''

''Well that's the thing Nick. He didn't.'' Esther wanted to laugh, the last two months had been far too serious for her liking. ''Maybe it's time to laugh a little and not to cry.''

The boy looked at her for a moment before handing her the stick.

''Meet me in the infirmary in thirty minutes.'' Their leader said before heading to the kitchens.

''Is he not a real ball of joy?'' Esther looked at Minho for a moment before rolling her eyes.

''Well, if you no longer need me, I have to finish a lookout tree.''

The two teenagers thanked once again the Keeper before bringing their attention to the maze.

''You know what?'' Esther asked, turning to the asian.

''No, what?''

''I think it was the most intense two months of my life and I am glad they are finally over.''

The boy looked at her for a moment and nodded. She had enjoyed spending some alone time with him, but she was tired of worrying for him all the time. As soon as she heard a sigh of discomfort or see the look of panic from the Med-jack when the leg was not healing as fast as they believed it would, she freaked out, but the worst was when they had missed of painkillers and they had to wait three days before receiving the delivery. Maybe it was a little selfish on her part, but she was glad not to have to live with that anymore.

They still continue to talk a while, until the time on the boy's watch told them that the thirty minutes had passed by. Taking the stick she had put on the ground in her hands, they began their walk towards the meeting place and when they arrived in front of it, they were surprised to see so many people waiting. Nick quickly explained to them how things were going to happen : the Med-jacks would soon explain the do's and don'ts with Newt's leg. After, he will tell him what was going to be his new role in the Glade and finally Esther and Minho were going to give him their gift. Once he had finished his explanations, all nodded their head before they went inside the hut.

''Why are you all here?'' Asked Newt sitting on his bed. ''I'm serious, why?''

''Because I can't go a day without seeing you!'' Minho exclaimed, one hand against his heart.

While the teenagers laughed at the remark of the Runner, Nick cleared his throat several times to restore calm.

''If they are there is to understand the directions given by Jackson's team. I want to be certain that they will not do klunk with your leg.'' Replied the leader, crossing his arms against his chest.

When everyone calmed down, doctors begin to advertise the many indications about the leg. Newt and the others had to be careful not to put weight on the leg either in a direct or in an indirect way. If Newt felt a pain whatsoever in his leg, he had to come and see one of the three Med-jacks. All teens confirmed that they had understood the instructions before letting Nick speak.

''Since you can't run anymore, I decided that you were going to work where we would need help your help. BUT, for the next few weeks you will have light duties. I expect that the Keepers will not be too hard on you.''

Esther couldn't stop the furious glare she sent to the leader. As if they were going to have fun torturing him with loads too heavy or make him run in the Glade to catch the chickens who were fleeing from the pens.

''So if you have nothing to say about it, I think those two have something for you.''

Without saying a word, Esther handed the stick to Minho who gave it to Newt. The boy looked at them before looking at the stick. When he noticed the little decorations on it, Newt burst out laughing.

''What's that?'' He asked, still laughing.

''You see.'' Minho Began with a serious expression on his face. '' We wanted to be sure that if somebody finds it, they will know it's yours.''

''It's to help you walk.'' Nick replied far too serious.

The leader informed them that if they didn't have any further questions on the subject of their meeting, they were all invited, especially Newt, to come celebrate his recovery around a campfire and of course some food. All were smiling at Nick's announcement before leaving the hut. Esther and Minho then took advantage of the moment to help Newt helping him up, while he used his new walking stick to distribute his weight.

''He looks like a sheep who is learning to walk!'' Exclaimed Minho, which earned him a slap behind the head from Esther.

''Don't listen to him Newt. You're doing very well!''

The boy gave her a forced smile while the small group began to walk to the place of the festivities.

The party was already started when the small group arrived at the campfire. The atmosphere was good between the musicians who had greatly improved since their first concert and Gally's secret potion, Esther had really the impression to celebrate the return of her friend among them.

''Do you need something?''Asked the girl to Newt. He might be able to move with his stick but he was still injured.

''No, I'm fine.''

The girl gave him a small smile before turning her attention to the show in front of her. Frypan was giving food to any hungry teen, which in her greatest misfortune wasn't bacon and Gally's team was giving mason jars to everyone. She had once tasted the preparation of the giant and she had promised herself to never retry the experience. If she remembered correctly, it took at least two days for her throat to recover from the damage. However, she frowned when she saw Minho arrived with a glass for him and a glass for their friend. I'll kick your ass if he falls because of you Minho, she thought when she saw Newt who was drinking a little too fast the drink.

However, her attention was captivated by Billy, Joe and ten Gladers who were dancing with too much fun around the musicians. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen as much fun on their face.

''Hey Esther!'' The girl turned her head toward the voice that had called her.

''Hello Jack. What can I do for you?'' She asked, looking at him. Since George's attack, she and Jack were not as close as before. She felt like he held her responsible for the exile of his friend.

''Well.. I was wondering if you wanted to come dance with me and the others...''

Esther was completely surprised by the request. Her? Dance? She felt like she would create a disaster if she joined them. After all, she wasn't the most graceful person living in this hole.

''Jack that's nice, but I think I will continue to observe a little.'' She could feel the eyes of Newt on her but decided to ignore him. She wanted to have fun tonight but not ridicule herself in front of the whole Glade.

Her heart squeezed a bit when she saw the disappointment on the face of the Bagger. He gave them a last look before he went to join his friends around the musicians while Esther turned back to Newt.

''What?'' She asked. She had the impression of having done something wrong.

''In your place I would have said yes.''

''I'm good here.''

''Oh please Esther don't lie. You spent the last two months taking care of me. I will not break, go have fun! This is your team.'' Honestly she wanted to have fun, but on the other hand, she would feel bad to leave Newt alone. It was a bit unfair for him not to be able to fully participate in the party given in his honor ... ''Stop thinking and go Esther. I'm not gonna hurt myself.''

The girl looked at her friend and laughed when she felt him push her toward where her team was dancing. Maybe she could afford a few minutes of pleasure. When she joined the dancers, she was greeted by several cries of victory and without giving her time to react, they showed her some dancing steps they had invented. After a few minutes of dancing, she realized that Newt was right, her team had missed her and she was bored of spending time without them. She doesn't know if she had danced twenty minutes or four hours, but several times in the evening she noticed Newt's gaze on her.

When her head finally began to turn, Esther decided to go rest a little farther away from the group. She liked the atmosphere of the festivity, but sometimes calm was nice too, especially when her feet began to hurt her. As she sat against the trunk of a tree, a rustling behind her made her get up.

''Who's there?'' She asked, putting her hand against the machete she always kept at her hip.

''It's just me Eree.'' Replied a voice with an accent she knew only too well.

''What are you doing alone?'' She exclaimed, while she walked over to him to help him move. ''Don't you think you did enough effort for today?''

''Relax Esther.''

The girl helped him to sit against the tree where she was just a few minutes ago. While her shoulder brushed Newt's arm, she could notice how the boy was relaxed. I never noticed how much he loved being outside... When she felt the boy's hand take hers, she gently closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder.

They sit in silence for a long moment, as they had done many times in the past two months. Despite this, never that silence had been heavy or uncomfortable, it was simply relaxing. They quickly learned that it wasn't mandatory to speak when they were together, sometimes the mere sensation of their interlaced hands was enough for both of them.

''Esther?'' At the sound of the voice of her friend, the girl slowly opened her eyes, the magic of the moment somewhat shattered.

''Hm?''

''I just want to say thank you.''

''This is Gally who made the stick you know, not me.''

''No.'' He said, laughing. ''Not for the bloody stick.''

The girl gently lifts her head from Newt's shoulder to watch him. He couldn't help squeeze her hand a little more when he saw the incomprehension on his friend's face.

''So, why did you thank me?''

''Because you stay at my side all this time.''

''But.. It's normal Newt! I mean everybody would have done the same!'' To thank her? He was her friend, it was the least she could do to him. He had did the same when she was in his situation.

''Maybe for you it's normal, but I'm sure some people here would have sent me into the maze the same bloody day...''

Nick's name automatically came into her head. After all, the Glade's leader had still punished Newt when he had tried to end his life. Having a damaged leg for the rest of his life wasn't itself some kind of punishment?

''Let them try..'' She said with a gloomy voice, which made her friend laugh.

''That's exactly what I told you. Esther, thank you. You're an amazing person, never forget that...''

The girl gave him a small smile before resting her head against his shoulder. For some reason she can't explained, she always had the need to protect those around her. Hell, she even tried to protect George after he attacked her. They remained in this position ten minutes or perhaps even an hour. Newt's thumb was tracing little circles on the palm of Esther while she was trying to stay awake.

''I believe it is time to go to sleep.'' Newt whispered in her ear, trying not to startle her.

The young girl nodded slowly before standing up. When she turned to help the teenager at her side, she couldn't help but groan when she saw that he was trying to do it without her help.

''I'm really starting to believe that they had a good reason to write Slimhead on this piece of wood!'' She said, before helping him.

She placed one of his hands against her hip while she helped him up with the second. When he was finally on his feet, or foot, she noticed that his hand was still in the same place and the space between them was very, very thin, which made her heart beating a little faster. When she raised her head to look at Newt's face, she was struck by the intensity of his gaze. It looked like he had just seen something for the first time. He almost looked surprised, but before she can say a word, his face relaxed. Slowly, as if she saw the scene in slow motion, she saw his head come down towards hers, until his lips stops a few millimeters away from her mouth.

''Good night.'' He said under his breath, before his lips gently kiss the girl's cheek.

Before she understands what had just happened, Newt was already far away from her. Slowly she brushed her cheek with her fingers, as if she was afraid that the feeling of warmth that exuded it disappears. What was that..?

AN :

Good Sunday everyone!

First of all, I want to apologize for this chapter which I find extremely ordinary. I think on my computer there must be three different versions of this chapter and this one is one I find the least horrible ... If you don't like it I understand completely.

I also want to warn you that this week there will be no update. I travel for the week, so no time to write!

To Dry and Leily : Thank you for your reviews, as always read them makes me happy.

Thanks to : nimkrissyjumanji, 0Silverflower0, thedamoracle and fairyprincess91 for following/favorite my story. You guys are awesome!

Feel free to leave me a comment and see you next chapter.

Awaell.