Searching For You (TW/TMR Fusion)

Chapter 11

Boyd broke the silence.

"It's... It's Derek. He's asking to talk to us. And you in particular, Mr. Stilinski."

Scott hissed, his eyes flashing.

Everyone broke into speech, listing out the various reasons why Derek shouldn't, couldn't, be trusted. Seeing how he was actually considering it, even more vehement opposition was made.

Finally, the Sheriff said, very quietly, "Enough."

The pack fell silent. They looked resigned, knowing what his decision would be.

"I'll talk with him." Looking at their dejected faces, he smiled a little. "You can be there with me," he conceded.

No sooner he said that, there was a knock on the door and in walked Derek Hale, looking like a wreck.

***

Morning dawned like it did every day in the Glade.

As the Gladers slowly woke up, one by one, the events of the previous day filtered in. Chuck, Gally and Frypan rushed over to where Newt was.

On reaching Newt, they fell all over themselves to keep quiet because it was apparent, looking at the worn out, sleeping boy, that he had only passed out when he no longer could keep himself awake.

Frypan decided to start preparing breakfast so that Newt would have something to eat when he woke up. Gally frowned with concern at the tear tracks visible upon the pale skin of the devastated boy and instructed Chuck to remain with him, and left to warn the other boys to leave Newt alone.

Chuck sat by where Newt was lying near the hammocks, wondering why he had to suffer so. He knew he wasn't close to Alby and Minho as much as Newt was to them, but he did consider Thomas as his best friend. Thinking of Thomas sent a wave of pain over him, filling his eyes with tears. Gazing at Newt, who was moving restlessly while murmuring, "No, no... Tommy, Minho... please, Alby, no...", Chuck had to grit his teeth to keep from sobbing.

It was unfair, oh so unfair, that it had happened just when Newt was finally happy. Chuck had never seen Newt smile as brightly, as freely, without putting on a facade, as he had done when he was around Thomas. He vowed to be there for Newt as Newt had been to every Glader when they had woken up in the Maze, alone and scared.

It was the least he could do.

***

The Maze was open.

It had opened at the same time as it did every day. There was nothing to show that the Maze had been responsible for the end of three lives just the previous day.

When the sound of the Maze opening had been heard throughout the Glade, everyone had rushed to the opening, their hearts filling with hope against their better judgement.

There was no one. No Minho running through the opening, tossing a cheeky wink. No Alby, with his reassuring presence and a calm smile to anyone who needed it. And, no Thomas, with his mischievous smirk and sparkling eyes.

Newt felt as though the ground had dropped away from under his legs. He knew, logically, he knew, that he wasn't getting his friends back.

No one survived a night in the Maze.

He knew it and yet, like an idiot, he had let himself hope. And now, it felt like his whole world was crashing down around him and he's standing there powerless to stop it.

He staggered away from the Gladers who were reaching for him, murmurs of sympathy filling the air.

He couldn't breathe. Dark spots littered his vision. There was someone calling out his name. He fell to his knees, dry heaving to the side. Soothing hands smoothed over his hair and back.