A/N: Major apologies! Finally got a job about a month ago so been a little focused on that and rescheduling my off time. I promise to try and get better with updating chapters or at least getting in some writing so it's not a super long wait again in between. I'm sorry if this chapter seems a bit short, but thanks for the patience and enjoy!

Another day of surviving. At least that's the only way Mel ever saw it. Like the day was on constant repeat. Nothing new, nothing exciting. Although the one new thing that had happened was learning about her brother thanks to Gally. Stopping and thinking on it a moment, she realized she seemed more hopeful in recent days. The thought of someday seeing Newt again made her want to leap with joy. She was brought out that daydream when Elise walked into the med room and startled her.

"Oh hey Elise, uh all chores are done for now so was hoping I could go a bit early." Mel explained and then asked, biting her lip with an impatient smile. She knew Elise never cared when she came and went as long as they weren't busy or had people that needed tending too. But it didn't mean she still didn't like being polite and formally asking before taking off. Elise nodded returning the smile.

"Go for it. If I end up with nothing either I might just close up for the day. Thankfully those we had from the attack a week ago are fully recovered and doing well so I'm empty for now." She replied looking around the quiet room she spoke of. Mel gave a silent cheer and grabbed her bag, double checked her picture was safe in her pocket, and headed for the door.

"Oh hey, have you seen Gally at all today? I looked for him earlier on my way here and didn't see him." Mel asked preparing to exit but didn't when she noticed the look on Elise's face.

"What?" She asked Elise seeing her mouth turn into a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

"Nothing. Just nice to see you having a friend like him. Someone you can relate to." She explained taking her seat at her desk and going over the mess of papers she had strewn across it, keeping her true thoughts to herself to keep Mel from any embarrassment. Mel watched her a moment before nodding in agreement and walking out. Slinging her bag over her shoulder she began by the market, looking for the familiar tall boy. After a few moments of searching and having no luck she headed towards the housing area, asking along the way if anyone had seen him.

"Yea I saw him not too long ago, he headed over to Lawrence, pretty sure he's still there." One of the guys told her as he made his way to the outposts.

Sighing she marched her way over to Lawrence and his 'club' of rebels. Didn't she warn him about them? Gally seemed like a good guy, and would hate to see him get mixed in with their trouble. As she got closer she spotted him walking out. As he noticed her he smiled and headed over to her meeting her halfway.

"What are you doing?" She asked with a look that told him to tread lightly.

"What do you mean?" He asked simply, hoping for elaboration on what exactly he did.

"Why are you with them. I told you they aren't good guys." She crossed her arms, copying what she called his 'signature look'. Gally sighed and gave a smile as he started to walk, Mel following close behind, as he made his way to towards the market to get some food.

"Look, I know you don't care for them too well. But honestly they aren't that bad. They have a cause, and I support it. One of these days WCKD's going to pay for what they did to us. To all of us. And I'm gonna be right there with them." He explained plain and simple.

Mel groaned in frustration. She agreed with him on the fact of getting revenge against the people hiding behind their walls. But she still didn't trust Lawrence. He hid too much, kept to himself and his crew without keeping the rest of them in the loop of what they did and how. After a silent moment of inner monologuing and arguing with herself, she sighed and nodded.

"Alright fine. But you better tell me what they don't tell us. If something is going to happen, we should be ready to face the outcomes." She said with finality.

He weighed the options of the ultimatum she gave him. And didn't see any harm in relaying the small stuff that gets discussed. Surely if he was to end up in a search party or going out on any drives through the wasteland, she should know in case any news of her Newt or the others is found.

"Ok, deal." He agreed and shook her hand confirming their exchange.

Mel found herself in a slightly better mood now, knowing that she could keep better tabs on him now while he was doing whatever type of work they had in store for him. After they got their food they went to their usual spot and ate in silence. Neither of them really having anything to say after their earlier conversation. After finishing her sandwich and water, she cleared her throat, curiosity getting to her.

"So, what did you all talk about then." She said nonchalantly, trying to act as if she didn't care too much.

Gally took a moment to finish chewing before answering, "He's getting sick. Said he can feel the virus moving through him." He said hesitantly, surveying her shocked reaction before continuing, "He doesn't seem much different than before, but he wants me to go talk to Elise and see what she can do for him. Since she used to work for WCKD and all."

"Well that must explain the weird look I saw on his face when we had that attack. The way he just stared at the dead cranks before we disposed of them." She wasn't sure if she could believe it or not. But if Lawrence really was turning into a crank, what would that mean for them all? Gally just watched her a moment, trying to remember any differences he could've spotted when talking to the man that day.

"Alright then. Let's go see Elise." Mel said standing up and without wasting a second, made her way back to the med room, Gally following right beside her. She hoped they would get helpful answers, as well as a helpful solution to this new problem the Last City was about to face.