Author's Note: Thank you so, so much to those who have left comments. They truly keep me writing! I'm dying to know what you guys are going to think of these next couple of chapters. The slow burn is starting to build momentum!
The first time he saw the little girl she had been peering through the window in his classroom, a halo of messy blonde hair popping up in the opening just before her face had.
He didn't recognize her, which was weird.
He saw the same kids all the time, rotating through classes, and meals and sharing the same wing of dorms.
He knew all of their faces but he didn't know hers.
Besides, they never let them just wander around on their own.
His first thought had been that she was going to get herself in trouble.
The second had been that maybe she was from another group of kids.
Maybe she knew Lizzy.
He saw her every so often, spying on them from outside of doors or around corners, always scampering off before he could figure out how to approach her and ask about his sister.
Newt would finally get his chance when he was 10 when two white coats showed up during class and escorted him wordlessly to a makeshift hospital room and he spotted a familiar little girl in one of the beds.
Only when he caught sight of her that time, so small and fragile in the bed, surrounded by not a single kind face…
He put aside his questions and tried to bring her what comfort he could.
He hadn't known that would become a habit.