A/N: My longest chapter yet and I think this one has to be my favorite so far. Let me know your thoughts as well!
Mel ran out of there as fast as her legs allowed. She felt stupid, no she felt more than that. How could she forget that he wouldn't recognize her? The blank look he gave her as she was moved backward and ignored. She swallowed all those feelings as she approached medical and immediately threw herself into work to distract herself. His face stuck in her mind every time she closed her eyes. So she did her best not to blink too much.
Elise and others had already made some progress. The wounded were all in beds, although it was clear to see that some hadn't made it. Blankets covering their bodies respectfully. From the aftermath she saw during her search for Gally and coming back to help, she knew that the dead had outnumbered the wounded.
Those guns. It sent a shiver down her spine as she thought of how long they'd been hiding those and just waiting to use them on everyone. The screaming echoing in her ears as she flashed back to not that long ago when it all happened, the adrenaline from that moment coming back to her as she cleaned up wounds and bandaged others. She was glad though that Gally had not been brought here, or the group her brother was with. They were all safe.
Mel had been working for at least an hour. Making frequent rounds to everyone and making sure they were as comfortable as could be while making sure wounds or cuts were staying clean and showing no sign of infection. Elise's supplies had run thin again and she figured another trip with Gally would be due to get her any sort of restock.
Elise looked downright exhausted as she came over to Mel and thanked her for helping with everyone. The two of them agreed that all they could do now was wait, and that all they could do had already been done. Elise took off to get some rest and said she would return in a few hours. Mel decided to stay with two others and watch over them in case anything changed.
Now that all the busy work was done she was left to drown in her thoughts again. And it only got worse as Gally quietly stepped inside and nodded for her to follow him out. She wanted to be left alone, but knew that some fresh air could do her good so she begrudgingly followed.
"I know you came to check on me, I'm fine." She said as she leaned against the wall, arms crossed and avoiding his gaze as she looked down at the ground. Her voice showing how tired she had become herself.
He could only give a sympathetic smile as he watched her closely, "Your a terrible liar."
She simply shrugged wishing they weren't having this conversation right now.
"I'm sorry Mel." He started taking a step closer, "I was hoping that I could've found you after we grabbed them and went through all the reunions. Would have been easier at least."
She could only scoff as she finally made eye contact with him. "Still wouldn't change the fact that he has no clue who I am."
"No, but he would be more understanding I'm sure." Gally defended him.
"In the three years I knew him in the Glade, he always made sure he had all the facts first. Made sure all the details were in order before making judgements. At least a majority of the time he did. Once Thomas got here all common sense got thrown out the window with everyone."
Mel listened quietly as he tried to get her to understand and not feel so bad. "You still really don't like this Thomas guy huh?"
"Not when I first met him." Gally said considering his next words, "But those were different times, even if it was however many months ago. Being here I've learned a lot and I've changed. Seeing the truth and what this world has become I've realized that I should have had more trust in him. Then we all could have made it out better."
Mel nodded and gave him a tired smile. "Well make sure he knows that yea? Try to make amends."
Gally gave his own nod in return. The silence returned as he watched her, seeing the thoughts run around in her head as she bit her lip to keep it from quivering. It hurt him to see the pain she felt. He supposed if he was in any similar situation he would feel somewhat the same.
"Come here" He said softly as he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her. She didn't want to hold it back anymore so she buried her face into his chest and let the quiet sobs free. Gally could feel the tears soak through his shirt as her shoulders trembled but he didn't care. He placed his chin on top of her head and rubbed his hand up and down her back in soothing motions.
He stayed there as she let it all out and would be there as long as she needed him to be. Whatever he could do to try and lift her sorrows he would.
Eventually the tears stopped and she took a shaky breath before pulling away to look up at him. He only gave her a small smile and reassured her it was ok. Looking at his chest she couldn't help but give an apologetic chuckle at the decent sized wet spot she made from crying. He looked down himself and joined her in the small laugh.
"Yea I think I'm gonna go change my shirt."
"I should go check on everyone inside again anyways. I'll see you later ok?" She started to move back inside but Gally stopped her.
"Hey, you've worked more than you need to. From what I saw they're well looked after. Once I go change how about I meet you in your room ok? You need to take care of yourself too you know." He said not giving her any room for argument.
She didn't have the energy to fight back so she caved in and agreed to meet him in a bit. She went back inside to grab her stuff, and made one last sweep of everyone before leaving, telling the others to come and get her or Elise if anything happened.
The walk back to her room felt like forever as she looked over in the distance to see the mess that was made almost cleaned up and looking like nothing happened. Everyone was staying away in fear of another shooting, the silence more deafening than usual. She hurried her pace and was soon down the hall and in her small room. She tossed her stuff to the floor and let herself fall onto her bed, the frame of the bed giving a quiet noise of protest at the sudden movement against it.
It did feel good to lay down and figured a nap wouldn't hurt her after the chaos that had ensued. If she had to guess, she would say that the afternoon would just be ending, and evening would be starting. She thought the sun would start to set now, but there were still a few hours to go.
Gally still hadn't shown up yet so she curled up and closed her eyes to try and rest, her body begging for some relaxation. Just as she could feel the wave of sleep creeping up on her there was a light knock at her door. She gave a soft noise of complaint but kept her eyes closed. Surely Gally wouldn't mind her napping.
"Come in Gal" She slurred, a yawn escaping as she did so.
She heard the footsteps move inside, lighter sounding than Gally's usual heavy feet. "Sorry to disappoint."
Mel's eyes opened as she heard the accent and saw Newt standing in her doorway. She immediately sat up and rubbed at her eyes.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you." He apologized and moved as if he was going to leave but she shook her head quickly dismissing it.
"No no it's ok. I just got in a few minutes ago. Long day is all." She sat criss-crossed against the wall, hands in her lap and eyes focused on them, worried that if she looked up at him instead he'd disappear again like he had eleven years ago.
He stood there a bit awkwardly at first, feeling unsure of how or where to even start. It was hard for him to believe anything Gally had told him. But when he brought up his point of always being truthful in the Glade, he knew he needed to at least give it a chance in the realm of possibilities. But the thought of it all, of having a sister and family he knew nothing about, was still difficult to grasp. He took another step into the room looking around as she avoided him. He couldn't blame her now for how she reacted, he had acted a bit harsh earlier and knew he needed to apologize for it.
"I uh, just wanted to say sorry for this morning. I didn't mean to upset you. It's Mel right?" He said watching her, looking for any features or similarities he could relate to. Her eyes looked a bit like his from what he could see.
Mel only shook her head, "Melinda, but I go by Mel for short. And you don't have to, Gally explained to me before how you all lost your memories when going in. I was just so happy to see you again that it all was forgotten in the moment. It was me who upset myself."
Taking a chance she finally glanced up at him, only to see he was looking back. They held each others gaze a couple seconds longer. "He said you had proof"
"What?" She frowned thinking of what he could mean.
He gestured towards the hall, "Gally, he told me that you had proof we were related."
Mel then reached into her pocket and pulled out her picture. Looking down at their younger selves and smiling a quick moment before she held it out for him to see. Newt took a hesitant step forward and gently took it from her. Seeing the family of four he furrowed his brows. Something deep in his mind seemed to spark, but it all still looked a bit unfamiliar to him. Looking closer at his younger self he couldn't deny that it was him. Not much had changed in his facial features. And looking to who he supposed was Mel, he could see some of her features that stayed similar as well.
"What else did Gally tell you?" Mel asked curiously, wondering what he knew.
Newt continued to hold onto the picture as he took a seat in the nearby chair, "Nothing really. Said that you had proof, but everything else wasn't his to tell."
Mel smiled at that. Gally may look hard and angry on the outside, but she knew on the inside he was soft and caring. And the fact that he told Newt to talk to her himself meant that he supported and believed in her.
"Well I'm an open book. Ask anything you want."
He seemed to think for a moment, wondering which question was more important. What things he wanted to know and what he didn't. "I guess from the beginning. How did you end up here alone?"
Mel took a deep breath as she recounted the day, "Well it started with us living out of the country, hence your accent. I lost mine as I grew up, was too little so I just followed everyone around me and what I heard. Anyways, mom and dad knew something was up. News stories everywhere about a virus spreading quicker than they could've imagined. Then suddenly they tell us that a company called WCKD is using everything they have to make a cure for the world, to save us. So just like millions of others, parents got us packed up and headed to them. We traveled by boat." Newt was quiet as a mouse as he listened, looking at the photograph once more to make the connection of their parents and imagine them as she told the story.
"It wasn't easy though. Too many people trying to get on with us. I remember seeing a few hanging onto the edges of the railings, trying to get on as the boat took off and went into the open water. We were about three days in when people started to get sick. Mom included. They didn't want to risk anyone else catching it so they set up a quarantine for them." She paused to lick her lips, the memories becoming a bit stronger as she spoke them. "We never saw her again after that. Dad just told us they had to keep her away so we wouldn't catch it. But I think we secretly knew what they really did with them all."
She glanced at him to see he was still listening. He nodded for her to continue, "It took a total of about a week to make it here. And this spot is right where we came. All I really remember is chaos. People everywhere pounding on their walls and trying to get in. That's when they said they were taking children only. Some happily handing their kids to the very front, hoping it would at least give them the better chance. Dad didn't trust it though. It all seemed off to him. So him and others all decided we needed to be hid and kept safe from them."
"They took us all to one of the buildings that hadn't been completely destroyed yet. Me and another girl were hidden under the floor, it was barely big enough for us. Then they put you and two others in some sort of cabinet. Every time guards came around that's where we all hid. Unfortunately they caught on, they forced their way inside and found you and the others. I remember hearing you screaming, dad shouting right back. The sound of a gun, then silence."
Mel took a moment to compose herself as she felt her eyes tear up for the millionth time. She turned to him, hoping he would understand. He looked back at her with the same intensity. "Dad loved you so much. He tried so hard and gave his life to try and save you from them."
Newt could only nod. It was hard trying to picture an adult, any adult, risk themselves for him. But knowing that it was his own father left him feeling a pang of guilt. They were only children, and because of that too many people were hurt and killed trying to protect them.
"They raided every building they could. Once it was all over, I was a part of the few kids who were left. Everyone took turns helping out with us, making sure we were ok. So many nights I cried and cried, wanting to have my brother back. And they always said the same thing, that you'd be back soon." She sniffled.
It was a lot to digest. To think that WCKD was so desperate that they just kidnapped children, it seemed crazy. But after spending three years inside a giant maze, Newt could see how far they would go. He finally stood up again, eyes never leaving her form and he moved across the small room so that he could sit down next to her on her bed.
"I believe you." Was all he said, and placed a hand over hers. He could feel the slight tremble in it as she tried to keep herself from crying.
Mel looked up at him and smiled, a true happy smile. A few tears eventually spilled and made their way down her cheeks. "I missed you so much."
Newt returned the smile with one of his own, not as big but it was soft and genuine. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you back then. But I'm here now, you won't lose me so easily a second time."
Mel let the conversation die, knowing that he was just given a bit too much information and would need time to process it all. But she was glad that he stayed, and together they sat on her bed, his hand on hers while her head rested on his shoulder. And what the two didn't know was Gally had been outside her door listening with a smile of his own as the two got to know each other again and rekindle their lost relationship.