Newt x Reader || A13

Below me, the celebratory fire glows bright, and the Glader's spirits brighter as they jeer and yell, cheering each other on as they try and take on the boy with the low, rough voice, Gally, in the Fight Circle.

I grip the wooden railing of the watchtower, wondering how the boys find the time to celebrate at a time like this. How can they live like this- without answers? What happened to us? Who put us here?

Most prevalent, however, is their acceptance of this fate; why is everyone simply content?

I stand alone in the tower, the darkened sky an endless void above me. Newt gave me a quick tour of the glade, but then the sun went down, and he brought me to this celebration.

I don't quite fancy a drink of whatever strange concoction I saw a couple boys drink a while ago, and I don't particularly wish to challenge Gally's fight circle superiority, so I find myself here. Under the stars. Lost in thought.

Suddenly, the ladder creaks, and the hatch opens. A single, tan hand reaches up through the floor. I watch as Julian climbs up, easily swinging his legs up from the hole in the planks and on to the platform next to me.

"Shouldn't you be back at the party?" I ask, looking over the railing, down at the fire, and at the Gladers dancing around it. When he doesn't say anything, I turn and look at him. He's just standing there, staring at me with a slightly parted mouth.

I clear my throat.

"Shouldn't you?" He asks, and I shrug.

"Not my scene." Is all I say. I can practically hear the next words on his lips: then what is your scene? Knowing I won't be able to answer without hating myself for being unable to remember, I divert, hastily changing the subject. "I remembered my name," I add. When I look up, Julian's still staring at me with an unreadable expression.

He unsettles me greatly, I realize with a smirk.

"Seriously? Impressive- it usually takes everyone else at least a couple days."

"How long did it take you?" I ask, watching him as he hesitates.

"Well, you're not quicker than everyone." He finally says with a wink.

"I wish I was. I wish I was able to remember a single damn thing about myself other than my name." As soon as I say it, his face falls. With a surge of satisfaction, I entertain the possibility he years for answers as badly as I do.

He doesn't speak for a moment.

A minute.

"Yeah I.." he breaks the silence and begins to walk towards me. Leaning against the railing, our arms almost touch as he leans forward to speak in a low tone. "I know it's your first day here, and you just got your name back, but.." he pauses and exhales in a little confused snort, turning and looking at me.

"What?" I breathe, unsure of what comes next, but I find myself leaning in, yearning to understand.

"This is different," his voice is hurried now. "I've seen-" he starts, but is abruptly cut off by Minho's shouts from below.

"Julian! Get your ass back here- it's your turn to take Gally on!" He hollers. Julian looks at me for a second. I return his gaze expectantly.

"See you later." Is all he says before turning and bending down to unhook the hatch. I watch as he quickly disappears, but not before turning around and shooting me one last look.

Something is off.

My head still pounds occasionally from earlier; tonight is not the night to deal with another situation. I've only just arrived.