Reviews;
BookRain - Yep, I couldn't see Newt going back after the last time they both met. I tried to picture it but it didn't work haha... Thanks for replying and enjoy this one!
Guest - Omg, I'm so glad you've been enjoying it so far! I can't believe you read it so fast - that's amazing!
Its great that you yourself were inspired to start writing after reading this, its always nice to hear something so nice. :)
Yep, I've definitely tried to improve the way I write about romance in this story, can you tell I'm really inexperienced haha!? There's a bit in this chapter, so I hope its better.
Thank you so much for your awesome review and I hope you enjoy this one!
JulieDuke16 - Hey Julia! Aww that's very sweet of you! When I read the story myself, I just thought it portrayed how God is always with us even if it doesn't seem like it and we can't see Him. I'm not a Christian myself, but I definitely think some version of a God watches over everyone, all the time!
I'm not sure that it happened exactly like that, but some aspects of the story must be true. I wouldn't be surprised! :)
Anyway, I'm you liked the story and thanks for reading! Enjoy the update!
District DivergentPotterhead - Okay, I LOVED your suggestions! Thanks a lot haha! So I will have Minho and Resa have a little sappy talk BUT I decided to have something going on with Finn. Y'know, increasing the drama and all that ;P
I hope you enjoy their talk because I definitely see them as brother and sister... Thanks for your continuous support and enjoy this one!
Fawn22 - Yesss, I'm so happy you've created an account! You're no longer a guest on this hahaha! ;P
Okay, so I've taken your advice and Finn is in worse condition - in a way, Resa definitely freaks out and everything so I hope its all more or less believable! Haha, no I wouldn't say Ava is bad in the books, just a bit misunderstood - so you're all good ;)
Aww that's great, I bet you had an amazing time on holiday!
Thanks for you constant support and enjoy this one!
"I still think we should've at least told Newt we were going..."
"No worries, I already told him we'd go back at some point today"
Jeff and I ran hot on Minho's heels through the darkening corridors of the Maze and I frowned at his strange behaviour. "Minho. Are you feeling okay?"
He spared a tired glance for me over his shoulder. "I said, don't worry greenie - its just been a long day. Y'know, I left later because of the Gathering and I wanted to come back earlier too"
"Yeah, that's why... I'm sur - surprised you're still on your feet!" My words broke up as I struggled to keep up with the Runner's long strides. The Med Jack threw me a concerned look. "Finn's arm was pretty bad when I left last night - d'you think he'll have been alright?" I was still shocked I hadn't spared a thought for the boy all day.
"As long as he's kept it clean and not lifted anything heavy, he'll be absolutely fine, Resa" Jeff managed one of his reassuring smiles even as we ran and I returned it weakly. "Its been less than 24 hours, there's really nothing to worry about if it was just a scratch and the Griever didn't bite or Sting him"
I took a deep breath and nodded at him. "Thanks for being here, Jeff. I'm glad and I'm sure Finn will also appreciate it"
We heard Minho scoff in derision. "Calm the shuck down. We're on a bit of a tight schedule here, need to get back within the next two hours - max"
I held my tongue until we reached the familiar intersecting paths which meant Finn's lair was close by. Jeff held a finger to his lips before I could say anything and we cautiously approached the wall, Minho bearing a thin-bladed knife in the process.
It was dark. Darker than usual, anyway. Maybe my imagination was running wild.
The narrow corridor was dank and depressing and I found myself fervently hoping nothing bad had happened to Finn - however unlikely it was. I hurried on ahead of Minho and Jeff and tapped the large circular door softly.
"Finn? Are you there?" No reply. "Hey. Finn, open the damn door" My voice rose from a hiss to a low shout. Just open the door, you idiot. I need to know you're okay...
Minho must have sensed the desperate look on my face, because he grasped my upper arm and stepped infront of me. "Oi, Finn! Get over here, we brought help" His hand made a few loud thumps on the door and the noise echoed painfully around us.
"Maybe he's sleeping?" Jeff sounded uncertain.
I backed away from the door, feeling numb. "Maybe he's passed out... The place isn't too big"
"Okay, I'm not sayin' I believe you Resa but, I'm gonna try and get us in - " Minho pushed me behind him and pulled out a wickedly long knife. "If this wonderful idea doesn't work, I'll try and cut out the lock..." He murmured softly as he used the knife to probe within the lock of the door. Jeff and I exchanged a nervous look.
To my utter relief, there was soon a soft click and Minho quickly pulled his weapon out again, using the hilt to carefully swing the door open.
The three of us gazed through the dark gap in wonder, still in shock that Minho had successfully picked a lock! "Well, if I wasn't a criminal before, I must be now" His weak attempt at a joke hung in the air as we strained our ears for the slightest sound.
"Do we have a torch or something?"
Jeff produced one and flicked the light on. "Hey?... Anyone there?"
I followed the Med Jack into the room. "Finn! Are you there?"
"Resa"
I turned to Minho in question. He was staring into the picture room - the door was wide open - allowing us an undisturbed view behind it, with the help of Jeff's torch.
The photos were completely strewn over the small area - on the ground, atop the small tables, the corners folded and abused. I caught my breath in surprise as the truth became apparent.
Finn wasn't here. There was no-one here.
"But he can't have gone anywhere else, he can't go out during the day!" I ran a hand through my plait and glanced at Jeff and Minho in confusion. "What's happened to him? - Unless..." I froze, my mind running through the implications. The rooms had been taken apart - bed sheets on the floor - it was dark and dank and most importantly, nothing had been taken except Finn. Oh no... "What if they took him? WICKED? Because he's helping us escape?" I slumped in one of the chairs as Jeff walked over to squeeze my shoulder comfortingly.
"Maybe its not for a bad reason, Resa... Maybe he's somewhere getting more information or something?" But even the Med Jack sounded unsure.
I shook my head. "No, that can't be - he told me - " No, you can't tell them what Finn said.
"What?" Minho was looking at me. "What'd Finn tell you?"
"Uh - no he just said... He doesn't remember being out of the Maze before"
But he hadn't. I remembered the fear on his face when he'd told me about the outside world. "There was... Fighting and - screams, horrible noises" Part of him - small as it was - didn't want to escape the Maze.
Minho made for the door again. "Well, its possible that they've taken him out for something. I'm sure he's fine - wherever he is - " He met my eyes quickly before walking out. They were full of uncertainty. "Come on, we need to tell the others. There's no point in waitin' around here for trouble"
I felt a powerful flow of emotions run through me as I stood by Finn's dishevelled bed, torn. " - Wait! We should leave him something"
Jeff frowned at us and Minho only rolled his eyes. "Look greenie. As kind as leaving him a bunch of flowers would be, we really don't - "
" - No! I mean a note! We should leave him a message telling him we came here and we're worried and what the hell happened? Oh and maybe that we're thinking of making a dash for the Griever Hole soon - he knows where it is" As I spoke, my fingers began probing the floor for a large photo to write our message on. "Jeff, do we have something to write with?"
The Med Jack hastily pulled out a ragged looking - but working - pencil and I quickly got to work, Minho standing at my shoulder.
The three of us walked at a brisk, cautious pace back to the Glade. Since Finn hadn't actually been there, we had much longer to get back.
"I uh, dunno if I've told ya this but - " Minho gave me an uncharacteristically serious glance. " - You mean a lot to the boys here, Resa... We've all been a lot happier since you arrived and I know there are a fair few shanks that - would do anything for you - " He sounded incredibly uncomfortable but despite his fumbling, his words went straight to my heart.
A huge grin spread across my face. "Wow, thanks Minho - you guys mean a lot to me too... Would YOU be one of those 'fair few shanks', hmm?"
The Runner smiled back. "Yeah, why not?" He nudged my arm gently as we approached the Glade. "...And Newt's another..." He said it abruptly, as though afraid I would disagree with him.
"Minho, I DO care about him - believe me" I glanced at Jeff quickly out of the corner of my eye. The Med Jack was busy inspecting the various green leaves that dotted the ground in the Maze. He probably hoped they could be used as medicine or something, I thought before Minho continued.
"Yeah I know, just... If we get out of here - "
" - When. You mean when we get out of here"
His head jerked forward in a strange nod. "Yeah, when... Make sure you don't... hurt him, y'know? He's been through a lot in this place and uh, I don't - "
"Minho" I spoke gently and stopped to look at him directly. His face was as open and vulnerable as I'd ever seen and my eyes softened. "Trust me. Hurting Newt is the last thing on my mind... I never, ever want to be the cause of his pain and I'll try my best to make sure he never feels it again" Minho continued to stare at me, as if in a trance. " - I might be the newest Newbie here but... I care about all of you, okay?"
The Runner smiled. A real, genuine one. "Okay, greenie. Good that. Honestly speaking - " He paused and leaned closer to me. " - I wish I had that on film. Never heard you sound so mushy before..."
" - Hey! I could say the same about YOU, you shank!" I swatted him across the arm as he jumped out of reach, laughing.
I joined in as Jeff and I hurried after him back to the Glade. The whole while, my thoughts spun around Finn. Where was he? Was he safe or not? Would he even come back?
FINN POV
I opened my eyes for the first time in what felt like decades - although I knew it had been mere minutes. My eye lids were heavy - hell, they weighed a tonne - and my vision faltered confusingly. At the moment, the white walls and ceiling merged into one giant stretch of nothingness. Strangely, the room was free of the crisp, clinical voice that I'd heard not so long ago, telling me what I had to do, what was best for everyone, for the future of our generation and generations to come... Bollocks.
Please. Please let it be over. The pleas were useless, however, as I began shifting my limbs, only to find them lashed to my sides. As they had been for the past 24 hours - give or take. They must be giving me a break, a chance to gather my bearings and rethink my options. How very generous of them.
On the other hand, they could be preparing something else. Something that involved me doing something other than just lying here, getting lectured. Something worse. How very not-generous of them.
Because they hadn't given up. Oh no, that would never happen! Instead, it would be me who would break before WICKED changed their plans. And they didn't have long to wait, either. They knew that. I knew that. This was our only way out, even if it didn't seem like it from where I was sitting - or lying anyway.
My eyes closed again as a pair of footsteps got gradually louder. I wasn't fooling anyone, of course. It was just nice to not look at them, that's all.
"Hello, Finn. I hope you made the most of that break" Very crisp, extremely clinical. The same woman, without a doubt. "We don't have long so I'm just going to get on with it - you are now of course aware that we need your help to ensure the Maze Trials go smoothly and without error" I didn't answer. She was going to talk whether I said anything or not. "You are not aware, however, that we will need to remove someone to ensure that happens. Someone that would be of greater use to us in here... Someone who seems to have made quite the impression on you, if I'm not wrong"
Finally, I opened my eyes to stare at her impassively. Her tone and expression didn't suggest any sort of hostility. She was perfectly neutral, like she wasn't discussing the fates of dozens of unsuspecting teens.
The woman simply adjusted her skirt and continued to smile pleasantly at me. "We will - of course - reward you both handsomely upon completion of the task. If everything goes well, you both may even have a chance at a normal life - who knows?"
I inhaled deeply and stared up at the colourless ceiling, thoughts spinning.
"What do you want me to do?"
SWITCH POV
The sun floated low over the horizon, dusky orange grazed through the trees - rendering them shadows - making way for the deeper, richer blue that coloured the rest of the sky.
My fingers grasped the mug of hot chocolate that Frypan had forced on me, because apparently, I looked 'like a mixture of ill and cranky', not to mention in desperate need of chocolate.
I sighed and gazed out into the trees of the forest. Everything had been going so well until now. We had a working plan to escape the Maze and it seemed as though everyone would be coming with us. Now however, Finn had gone missing and I had no idea what state he was in - especially after his injured arm.
I should have just stayed with him instead of leaving him in the Maze alone. We'd been through a lot last night. A few more hours wouldn't have done anything!
My frown deepened as I sat there - back against a tree - contemplating my choices of late. Until I became aware of someone watching me...
"What is it?" I sighed.
"Just thought you looked a bit worried - " My mouth dropped open in shock when I turned to face Newt. " - Anything I can help with?"
"Newt! I - I didn't see you..." No matter what I said, I was glad to see him here. I hadn't seen nearly enough of him over the last few days. "What's wrong?"
He only smiled and lowered himself down beside me. "Oh come on, there doesn't have to be something wrong if I come and find you, does there?"
"S'pose not" I rested my head on his shoulder and smiled when he looped his arms around me. "Um, I'm sorry we ran into the Maze again without telling you" Had to get it over at some point, after all.
He sighed and leaned his head against the tree. We seemed to be in this position quite a lot. "Honestly, I don't know what I was so worried about, love... You - I don't know what it is about you but - " He lifted my chin with a finger until our eyes met. " - All this time, you've been completely at home in that place. Even after spending a night there, you strolled back - calm as you like - and told us about the Griever that attacked you" His eyes were bright in the moonlight. At his words, the image of Finn getting speared by the Griever filled my head. "And somehow, now you look even more spooked than this morning. Minho hasn't told me anything yet... so what happened, Resa?"
As if that question had triggered it, suddenly all my emotions came tumbling out of me. I took a deep breath and a nervous shudder racked my entire body. Newt only held me tighter and that caused a series of tears to fill my eyes. Shaking my head, I moved away from him. "I'm sorry - its... Its all going wrong, its falling apart, Newt!" He frowned and grabbed my arm, preventing me from moving any further from him. "He wasn't there... Finn's gone! And I don't know what to do!"
I slumped against his chest and began sobbing openly, his whispered reassurances were all I could hear through my own gasps. When was the last time I'd cried? Actually cried? I couldn't remember.
Eventually, my breathing returned to normal and I lifted my head to look at him. "...Sorry" I whispered. "I know I'm being stupid - "
" - No" He was quick to interrupt, his thumb slowly stroking down my neck. "I know how you feel, Resa. I know what despair feels like, hopelessness. But this is different. You don't know where he is, but he'll come back - wait and see, he won't have left us. He won't have left you" Newt smiled faintly again as I gazed at him. "Alright? So don't worry about him, because we need to prepare for the escape. The escape that's only possible 'cus of you, yeah?"
I managed a nervous giggle. "You carry on like that, and I'll start sobbing again - " We both laughed quietly in the silent darkness.
"Go ahead, love. I don't mind"
His eyes moved to gaze into the trees behind me, giving me the chance to stare openly at him. I studied the angles of his face, sharp lines that defined his features. All the way up to his tousled hair, swishing and waving in the wind. His brown eyes were slightly narrowed against the cool breeze, eyelashes shielding the fragile features.
He must have sensed me watching, though. A sheepish grin escaped me when he met my eyes and raised an eyebrow self consciously. Oh God, now he knows you were slobbering over him. Instead of questioning my actions, Newt leaned in to capture my lips in a quick kiss. Sweet and soft.
Well, he probably meant it to be sweet and soft. As a response however, I wound my arms around his neck and deepened said kiss - throwing a leg over him and scooting us closer together. I felt his lips part in surprise.
" - Resa? - "
"Shh, someone might hear - " And my hands continued exploring down the length of his arms as I full-on straddled him on the ground.
Newt laughed softly against my mouth and I broke away to look at him pointedly. "What?"
"You sure you don't wanna take this somewhere else?"
I tilted my head at him, wearing a suggestive smirk. "If you really want to interrupt this, then its fine by me..." Not breaking eye contact, I began lifting myself off him.
"Hey!" He yanked me back down again, sliding his hands up my top in one quick motion. " - Y'know, I've heard forest grounds are actually quite comfy - why don't we give it a try?"
His low voice travelled into my ears and made my head swim in the best way. "You don't see me complaining" With an unusual surge of impatience, I removed my top and threw it to one side - forgotten. His hands began hovering around the strap at my shoulder, slowly sliding it down. "Why don't you finish what you started this morning?" My voice had also lowered to a whisper as we gazed at each other, breathing heavy in anticipation.
"Oh, I'm definitely not complaining, love" He released me for a split second - but that was enough for me to pull his top off, exposing his chest.
My heartbeat only increased as I came to terms with what we were doing here. The warm tips of his fingers stroked over the curves at my waist and I watched his eyes darken in lust until they were almost black.
A moment later, his eyes rose to meet mine again, only to close as he leaned in for another slow kiss. It was tender, he wanted to make me feel comfortable, safe. I began squirming on his lap as the need rose inside me - I wasn't going to wait much longer...
Soon, his top lay unwanted beside mine and we had both risen to our feet, clutching at each other frantically. Our bodies exchanged places - quick as lightning - until I was pressed against the tree truck with my arms braced on his shoulders. The sole sound filling my ears was our laboured breathing - almost continuous gasps - joined by the odd strike of lust shooting up my spine at his touch. I felt his warm breath on my neck as his hands roamed further down, exploring my lower regions and making me shiver against him.
We were almost fully unclothed now, in the forest, at night. But you wouldn't think it from how we were acting.
I pulled us closer and hooked a leg around the backs of his, smiling at his arousal. It was thick in the air around us, crackling like electricity, bursting inside me like fireworks.
In that moment I only hoped we wouldn't be interrupted...
Phew!
So yes, I think its safe to say they eventually had sex :)) About time, too... I kept it within T-ratings because of the rest of the story, I don't feel right changing the ratings now that we're so far in. Let me know what you thought of it please, I'm not very good at writing romance.
Anyway, I'm thinking of having a time lapse of 1 week between here and the start of the next chapter. During that time, the Glade will have made significant progress by training in preparation for the escape and maybe we'll know more about Finn's situation.
Thank you all for reading so far, I really appreciate your support and kind words :)
Until next time!
Love, LadyFantasy13 xox