Chapter 4
Charlie's POV

I woke up to a swaying motion. Cracking open my eyes I saw the fire lit face of Newt as he carried me. I closed my eyes again. Why the shuck was he carrying me? I heard a door open and then I was laid on a rather comfy bed. Well comfy compared to the ground and tree I've been sleeping on recently. He stretched out my leg and I felt him elevate it with what felt like some sort of sling. I cracked my eye and saw the cloth hanging from the ceiling. I closed my eye again and listened. A blanket was laid on me and then the sound of creaking and swinging filled the room. The light was put out and The sound eventually slowed and I could hear soft snores. I opened my eyes and looked around the dark room. It was rather cramped with the bed I was on and the hammock that Newt was laying in but other than that the place was rather tidy. I closed my eyes and drifted off.

I heard the click of the door and slowly opened my eyes. It looked to be about mid day. I slowly sat up and released my leg from the sling and bent it. Pain flared through it and after a few more I put it back. My breathing was heavy and ragged. The room shifted and turned and my stomach was having none of it. I felt the temperature of my saliva change drastically and I jumped from the bed and flew out the door, I could feeling the bile in my throat and I raced down the stairs and out the door. Into the grass and finally let out the nasty contents of my stomach. I retched till it was all gone then stumbled back against the wall and promptly passed out from the sheer pain in my leg after its brutal treatment.

Newt's POV
I was returning to my room when I saw him. Charlie was leaning against the wall and a pile of sick was next to his unmoving body. I rushed over to him and felt his temperature. I lifted him up and carried him back to the bed and elevated his leg. I then ran to get Clint and Jeff. When I told them what I had found they hurried over to the poor boy. The room was crowded but they assessed his leg and deemed it miraculously okay after his journey outside. They checked his temperature and pulled out a cloth and a bowl to fill with water. Pulling off his tank top and then placing the damp cloths on his feverish form to cool him down. Clint left followed by Jeff after telling me how to take care of Charlie. I nodded and sat on the hammock completely exhausted. I waited about ten minutes then replaced the cloths again. I waited and the checked his temperature again relieved to find it almost normal. I meant to stay awake longer but as I sat down my head fell back and I fell into a deep sleep.

Charlie's POV
I woke up feeling quite a bit better from the last time. My stomach was growling for food but not wanting to throw it all back. I opened my eyes and saw my shirt was missing. I felt the damp cloths covering me and realized I must have had a bad fever. I closed my eyes and tried to keep all images of what could have happened far from my mind. I looked around and found my shirt not far from me and I could reach it just fine. I replaced it and set the cloths back in the bowl. I took my leg from the sling and bent it relieved to find it didn't hurt. I looked at the hammock and was surprised to see Newt laying there as if he sat down and passed out from exhaustion. I smiled, the second in command worked too hard. I stretched and started to leave the bed when I heard a groan from the hammock. I froze. When I continued to hear movement I turned my head and saw Newt sitting back up his head in his hands. Another small groan then he lifted his head and looked around finding me out of bed. It took a moment as he was surly still half asleep then it clicked and he leapt from the hammock and approached me with concern in his eyes.
"Are you alright? Why are you up? You should be sleeping still. Does your leg hurt? Are you still feverish?"
Question upon question, statement after statement. It all came rushing out at once and I couldn't follow it. I just stood there and eventually let him lead me back to the bed and put my leg back. I couldn't hold it any longer. I started to laugh. He stopped and looked at me confused. When I finally gained control of myself again I answered.
"I'm fine Newt. In fact my leg doesn't hurt much at all surprisingly."
He nodded and sat on the hammock again. I sat up a bit and rested on my arms a smile still on my face.
"Are you sure you're alright? After I found you passed out and feverish against the wall outside next to a pile of puke I was fairly worried."
I nodded. It was his job to worry about the gladers and now I was one of them.
"Yes I'm fine. Better than I have in awhile actually. I am a little hungry though."
He nodded and got up.
"Alright stay here and I'll bring something."
I sighed. Of course. Back to being bedridden again. I watched as he left then stared at the ceiling in thought. Why had he brought me here anyway? Wouldn't they have put me back in the med Jack hut? I thought back to when Newt was there obviously exhausted and sleeping on the bench by the bed. Why was he there? Did he suspect? I shook my head. No no way, he still thought I was Charlie the greenie boy. But then why did he care so much? I shook my head and the door open to reveal Newt holding two plates of breakfast. I accepted mine and ate quickly relishing the taste of Frypans cooking. When I finished we talked about the jobs. I had already done Slicers, Kitchen, and Gardens. I still had Builders, Bricknics, and Baggers left. I nodded but said nothing. Newt stared for a second then asked what I had been waiting for.
"Do you know who it was who hurt you that day during dinner?"
I shook my head. I had an idea but didn't know for sure. He seemed to sense I wasn't telling the whole truth.
"Any idea? Anything at all?"
I sighed.
"I think it might have been Gally or someone from his group. They were strong and those boys at least have made it known they don't like me."
Newt nodded. Before he could speak again I interrupted.
"I don't want to do builder or bricknick. I'll try out the Baggers but I won't go near the others."
"I understand."
He stood up and started to head to the door. His eyes were dark yet not as dark as I remembered from that day in the med Jack hut.
"You should get some more rest. The faster your leg heals the faster you can get back to work."
Then he left. I sighed and laid there staring at the ceiling. I hated this. I hated all of this. I closed my eyes and wished myself away from this nightmare. Unfortunately it seems I left this one for a worse one.

Dream
I was awoken by the screams of the grievers. I left the bed and stumbled till I reached the doors outside. I watched as fires started, the grievers ran around attacking all the boys. I stood there frozen as I watched a little boy get decapitated right in front of me. Bile rose in my throat and I couldn't stop the image of my killing the chicken with just as much care at the griever did to the fourteen year old. I couldn't move as the monster started to chop the boy up and then eat him. Eyes wide I could finally move and I ran at the beast picking up a spear and launching it at the blubbery body. It screeched as the long weapon pierced it's body. Then I was surrounded. Three grievers grabbed me with their clawed limbs and started to pull me apart. I felt my muscles ripping, bones breaking, and I couldn't stop the scream as I was ripped apart just like the boy was.

Hands on my shoulders and a yelling shook me from the night terror. I blearily opened my eyes and saw the frantic gaze of Newt as he held my shoulders. I was drenched in sweat and my whole body was on fire from the pain. I couldn't focus and sank once more into unconsciousness as I heard Newt's voice yelling my name once more.

When next I awoke I was surprised to see myself still in Newt's room. After last time I thought for sure I'd be moved back to the medjacks hut. I lay there my eyes still heavy with sleep and a pounding in my head. I slowly sat up squeezing my eyes shut as the room swayed and the pounding increased. I buried my head in my hands and waited for the pain to pass. It didn't. The door opened but I couldn't bring myself to look up. I couldn't think I couldn't move and I couldn't even hear as someone knelt by me talking. It was like I was underwater. I could hear a disturbance in the tones but there was no comprehension. I felt a hand on my leg but couldn't move. A shake and nothing. I sat there willing the pain to leave and only having it increase. A tear slipped out as the pounding grew louder and the pressure in my head stronger. I felt hands pushing me down and yet the pain persisted. I couldn't stop it, the blinding pain increased every second and finally a small whimper escaped me. My hands were moved from my face and the light assaulted my eyes. I squeezed them shut and grit my teeth as it rose even higher. There was nothing but the pain. The soft touches from the hands were nonexistent I was alone and in agony. Finally there was a greater darkness behind my eyes and I dove in. The pain ceased and everything faded away.

Newt's POV
I had walked in and started to get ready for bed when I saw Charlie started to move. His eyes were squeezed shut and then he started thrashing. I heard a loud crack and saw his head smack into the wooden corner of a shelf. I grabbed his shoulders and started yelling his name. I shook him nothing. A scream ripped from his throat and I was frozen in shock. I had never heard him scream. I snapped out of it and continued to call him and shake him. Finally the scream stopped and his eyes opened. He was drenched in sweat and seemed not able to focus. Then his eyes rolled back into his head and he went limp. I knew there was no way I could sleep after witnessing that.

I had left sometime the next day for some food and was on my why back when I heard the noise. It was soft and quiet but I heard it. Charlie was up and in pain. I rushed to the door and opened it to see him sitting on the edge of the bed, his head was in his hands and another groan escaped him. I knelt by him and started softly asking what was wrong. No response. I tried again this time a little louder but still nothing. I placed my hand on his leg and shook it still nothing. A drop of water escaped the face and landed on my hand. I panicked. Charlie was crying. I pushed him down on the bed and laid him out straight. A whimper sounded and I was almost frozen. I pulled his hands from his face and saw the amber eyes squeeze shut more tears falling. He grit his teeth and as I tried to talk ask what was wrong what was causing so much pain I still received no response. Then like it never happened Charlie went limp. I was frozen. Then I remembered. Last night I was sure he smacked his head on the shelf. I lifted him gently and found a large bump close to his temple. Shuck. I ran and found Clint on his way here to check on Charlie. He quickened his pace and examined him while I stood in the doorway. He told me to leave and I sat down on the stairs and waited. Minutes ticked by and my worry increased. What if Charlie died? He didn't even make it a whole week actually conscious. I sighed. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Clint. He nodded then left. I reentered the room and saw Charlie with bandages wrapped around his head and sleeping. I sighed in relief and climbed into my hammock and promptly slipped into unconsciousness myself.