It's about the middle of the night when I wake up due to the shaking girl in my arms. She's literally shaking, shuddering, shivering. I sit up straight and pull her into my arms. Her face is beaded with sweat. Her hands are freezing but her forehead is burning up. I gather her blanket around her and make shushing noises as she mumbles something in her sleep.
"You can't hurt him!" She says her arms swinging around. I grab her arms and pin them to her side.
"Anna. It's just a dream. It's okay. Wake up." I say a fist around my heart closing tightly.
She stays calm for a bit before mumbling, "Don't take him! Not him! Bring him back!" She starts to shiver. I pull off my blanket and place it on her. Suddenly her eyes pop open. She sits up wild-eyed.
"Anna, it's okay. You're safe." I say rubbing her shoulder. She gets swiftly to her feet. Walking around everybody she makes it to the door. I follow her. What is she doing? I find her walking across the Glade towards the doors. Why is she going there?
"Anna!" I say into the air. It's so quiet I know she can hear me, but she keeps walking. I run up to her, using all of my speed. I need to know what's going on. I grab her shoulders spinning her around. She doesn't look me in the eye like she always does, that's when I realize she's sleepwalking.
"Anna, wake up. You need to wake up." I shake her shoulders lightly.
"I need to go after him! Where have you taken him? Bring him back!" She says forcefully. After taking off in a run towards the tree line she stops like she's in front of a window.
"Newt!" She yells out. I know she's dreaming but it's still shocking. I get to her side as she crumples to the ground.
"Anna..." I whisper. Her eyes shoot open and find mine.
"W-Why are we outside?" She whispers.
"Y-You had a dream and then you were sleep walking." I say helping her to her feet. She looks at me in sudden panic.
"I dreamed they were taking you away, they were taking you into the Maze. I-I tried to reach you but I couldn't. I was a prisoner." She says tears filling her eyes. I pull her into my embrace. She hugs my waist as I run my hands down her hair, flattening it. It's soft and silky. "
I'm here and I'm not leaving. You're safe. I will never let anything happen to you." I whisper. She nods into my shoulder. We stand there for a bit, in the dark holding each other. She pulls away holding my arms.
"Please don't leave again..." She says softly, her eyes boring into mine.
"I won't." I say.
"Promise?" I can sense her fear. Do I mean that much to her?
"Promise." I say kissing her forehead. We walk back to the homestead. It's still the middle of the night, so everyone is still asleep.
"Thank you." Anna mutters as we walk around the people. I sit down leaning against the wall. Anna sits down between my legs and leans against me. She leans her head on my shoulder and I lean my head on her head. I wrap my arms around her.
"Good night Newt." She kisses my chin.
"Sleep well." I say to her even breaths.