Chapter 24

Even as you run away, you can hear Ben's agonizing screams. Finally, and you feel bad for feeling relieved, the cries are abruptly cut off and you turn around to see the Door closed. It's over now.
Ben is dead.

You start to slowly walk back towards the now dispersing crowd of Gladers. You see Newt going back to the shed, taking the pole apart and putting it back in its place, you notice that the collar part of it isn't there anymore and you make a note to ask Newt about it later. You come up next to Chuck and Thomas,
"Hey," you say, patting Thomas on the back gently, "how are you feeling?"
He doesn't look at you, doesn't look at anyone. He mumbles a quick, "Fine," and leaves, Chuck following behind him. Newt comes up to you and does the same thing you did.
"Hey, love. Are you okay?"
"A little shaky," you admit, "Are all Banishments like that?"
"Some are, no one wants to die but Ben's was by far the worst."
You nod, not saying anything, desperately wanting to change the subject, Newt seems to understand your silence and says, "Let's get off to sleep."
"Okay," you say and let him lead you back to the Homestead.


The next morning, you wake up and Newt isn't there. Looking around, you see a note sitting on the nightstand. It reads:

Good morning, Love. I've gone to get Thomas started with the Track-Hoes today. I'll be back in a bit.
⁃Newt

You get up, get changed and leave. You grab a quick breakfast and find Newt and Thomas sitting somewhere in the field near the Box, talking. When you reach them, Thomas is saying,
"Deal."
"Come on," Newt says, "let's get us some grub from Frypan. And hope we don't bloody choke."
They stand up and see you walking towards them.
"Y/N!" Newt says, embracing you and giving you a little kiss, "How'd you sleep?"
"Actually, really well, thank you. No dreams."
"Good to hear."
"What's the deal?" you ask and they both seem confused.
"What do you mean?" Thomas asks.
"You said deal," you explain, "why?"
"Oh, I…" Thomas looks to Newt for support and he says,
"I'll tell you later. Come on let's eat."

The three of you sit with Chuck at a picnic table and you, having already eaten, just join in on conversation as the rest shovel food into their mouths. Most of the boys suddenly got up and ran towards the West Door, talking excitedly amongst themselves.
"What's going on?" Thomas asks.
Newt shrugs and says, "Just seein' off Minho and Alby—they're going to look at the buggin' dead Griever.
"Hey," Chuck says, "I've got a question about that."
"Yeah, Chuckie?" Newt replies, "And what's your bloody question?"
"Well, they found a dead Griever, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks for that bit of news," Newt says, still sarcastic.
"Well, then who killed the stupid thing?"
All of you sit there blankly. You hadn't thought about that before. Is there maybe a more dangerous threat out there that could kill a Griever? Or maybe that thing or person could be an ally?


Later that day, you and Newt are sitting underneath a tree, trying to enjoy your lunch. But it's difficult when he keeps looking over at the Doors and fidgeting, biting his fingernails. His eyes are bloodshot and his forehead is creased with deep worry lines. He's too young for this, you think. You slap his hand away from his mouth for probably the thousandth time.
"Newt. Stop it. They'll be fine."
"You don't know that."
Lying back against the tree, you sigh, tired of his being negative. You spot Thomas and Chuck sitting a ways away talking,
"What's wrong with him?" Chuck asks.
You look back at Newt to see his reaction, he seems not to have heard them, he just keeps staring at the Doors that Minho and Alby left through this morning.
"I don't know. Why don't you go ask him?" Thomas answers.

Newt suddenly whips his head around—making you jump—and glares daggers at them,
"I can hear every bloody word you guys are saying. No wonder people hate sleepin' near you shanks."
"What is wrong with you?" Chuck ventures fearlessly, "No offense, but you look like klunk."
"Every lovin' thing in the universe," Newt says, turning away.
You lay a reassuring hand on his leg and answers Chuck's question,
"He's worried about Minho and Alby—,"
Newt cuts in, "They should've come back hours ago."

A/N: Thanks for reading guys, please fav, follow, and/or review. I'd love to know what you guys think.