Saying goodbye to Thomas at the train station was actually quite harder than Newt expected it to be. His throat felt tight and Thomas hugged him goodbye and he shamelessly buried his face into his neck and choked back tears.

Newt knew they were meeting up again the next weekend to beat the pack because they were so close to finding the answer to whatever the hell was going on, but he didn't want Thomas to go. He liked having Thomas with him, he liked kissing him and holding him and talking to him in the middle of the night when they should have been sleeping.

Newt definitely didn't cry while blasting sad music in the car on his way back to his house.

When he got home he pulled out the letter he got in the mail again, something was sitting weird in his stomach about it since the second he got it. He ran his UV light over it again, and paused as he saw something in the upper right corner. It was something he and Tommy had missed.

This one looked like a phone number.

Against his better judgement and regards for his own personal safety, Newt scrambled for his cell phone and typed in the number. His hands were shaking as he hit the keys to send out probably the worst message of his life. "Hi."

Newt's heart was pounding as he put his phone on his chest, what the fuck was he doing. He had no idea who was on the other side of that line. Who now had his phone number. Newt bit his lip. Well they already had his address and knew about his sister so in reality what more damage could this even do. They already destroyed his computer, Lizzy's book, they were backing him into a corner, they were reaching the end and they had to figure it out before whoever the hell was behind this beat them.

If they weren't fast enough the next news story would be about Newt or Teresa or Minho or Tommy. God forbid, one of them could end up dead.

Newt's phone buzzed and he jumped so hard his phone hit his face, his hands were shaking as he picked it up.

Unknown: I was waiting for you to text.

Newt swallowed hard as he typed out a reply. You were?

Unknown: yes.

Newt: you sent me the letter?

Unknown: obviously, you're smarter than this.

Newt: what do you want from me?

Unknown: I want your help.

Well fuck Thomas was right.

Newt: how do I know this isn't a trap

Unknown: well you don't right? But do you really have another choice?

Newt bit his lip because in reality, the unknown person was right, this was his only option right now, this was the only lead they had besides beating the pack and that would definitely get them all killed.

Newt: well I guess not.

Unknown: tonight. You have the address.

Newt: you realize how stupid it would be if I came right? I'd practically be killing myself?

Unknown: You'll come

Newt: how are you so sure?

Unknown: You'll come because I'm the only one who can stop Thomas from dying

Newt: what are you talking about?!

Unknown: I'll see you tonight

Newt's heart was hammering as he put his phone down. His mouth was dry and he kinda felt like he was going to throw up. He couldn't tell the others about this and he knew that was basically kick starting his own funeral, but something felt off and he couldn't really put his finger on it.

Newt grabbed the letter and typed the address into his phone, making a face when it pinpointed to an old parking garage that shut down when the old stadium did a few years ago. Whoever the fuck it was, how was she here? How did she know where he was?

Newt swallowed hard and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Unknown: Ten. Don't be late Issac.

Newt looked at his clock. It was six then so he had time. Instead of being smart and preparing he decided to self indulge. He opened snapchat and smiled softly when he saw an unopened picture from Thomas. They exchanged snapchats before Thomas left because Thomas said he didn't want to go long without seeing the face he could so easily kiss the hell out of which of course almost made Newt die.
Newt opened the picture and felt his chest tighten, Thomas was leaning his head against the train window and it said "the people next to me are making out...that could be us."

Newt sent a picture back of him sticking his tongue out quickly typing out "don't say stuff like that tease." He forgot all about the terrifying conversation he was having moments earlier, Thomas did that to him somehow. He took over his brain and thoughts and refocused it on only him.

Thomas replied almost immediately. "Wouldn't be a tease if you came home with me."

Newt sent a video of him rolling his eyes. "Sure lemme drop out of school and become your bitch."

Thomas sent a picture of his eyes wide. "Promise?"

Newt laughed and sent a picture of him flipping off the camera.

Thomas sent a picture back of him biting his lip. "Snapchat was a bad idea, you gonna make me act up."

Newt felt his face flush. "What has gotten into you?"

Thomas stuck out his tongue in the next one. "You showed me how gross girls are...can't stop thinking about it."

Newt flushed redder, his cheeks were burning at that point. "We barely did anything."

Thomas was smirking and Newt wanted to reach through his screen and strangle him. "Well we could change that."

"Thomas Edison!"

"Damn baby say my name"

Newt slammed his phone down as his heart pounded. What the fuck was going on in his life today. He ran his hands over his burning face, trying to chill out until his phone started buzzing like crazy.
Thomas slid over on snapchat and was blowing up his chat.

T_edison: too far?

T_edison: newttttttttt im sorry

T_edison: come back, don't leave me on this train by myself, I'll contain myself pinkie swear...wont think about the way you dug your fingers into my back when I bit your neck

T_edison: IT WAS A JOKE

T_edison: pls bby plsssssssss I'm bored

Newt swallowed his pride and texted back

Itsnewt: i hate you i hate you i hate you i hate you i hate you

T_edison: I'll stop I swear, didn't mean to go too far

Itsnewt: you didn't go too far.

T_edison: oh so you wanna hear about how I practically bust a nut when you curse bloody hell under your breath when I touch you or how much it fucks me up when you whine Tommy

Itsnewt: THOMAS. MICHAEL. EDISON.

T_edison: too easy

Itsnewt: i hate you

T_edison: you say that a lot even though it's the farthest from the truth huh

Itsnewt: die.

T_edison: you ruined girls for me Newt. hell you ruined boys for me too and we barely hooked up enough times to fill up the fingers on one hand

Itsnewt: glad I took ur boy makeout virginity.

T_edison: wannnaaaa kiss you right now

Newt bit his lip and let out a breath.

Itsnewt: dont kiss anyone else

T_edison: what?

Itsnewt: I know we're not like dating or whatever but I don't want herpes

T_edison: omg are you jealous

Itsnewt: yes.

T_edison: oh sweetheart. I'm all yours.

_______

Newt pulled his jacket tighter around him as he walked into the abandoned parking garage. He credited this as the worst idea he'd had in his entire life. Not only was it freezing but his stomach was flipping because he was sure at any point some psycho was going to pop out and murder him or shoot him in the face or tie him to some chair and electrocute him until his brain fried. Okay maybe he was also dramatic but it came with the fact that he was terrified.

He kinda wished he had the garage there with him but he knew that if they were there he'd be even more scared because if one of them got hurt Newt would never forgive himself.

Newt shivered again and pulled out his phone, it was dry except for a text from Thomas that was borderline inappropriate.

"Issac," a voice sounded from behind him which sent chills down his spine.

Newt spun around quickly his heart jumping into his throat.

There was a girl standing there, she had short brown hair and a fair skin. She had on a tight shirt that Newt only noticed because it showed the belt she had on that holstered the gun on her hip. Her cargo pants were baggy but Newt could clearly tell the pockets were filled with something that he probably didn't want to know what they contained.

"Uh hi," Newt stuttered because of course he couldn't think of anything else to say.

The girl crossed her arms over her chest. "Do you know who I am?"

Newt shook his head, he was so scared he couldn't even think.

"I'm Brenda, Jorge's daughter."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Newt blurted out because that's the only thing he could think to say.

The girl rolled her eyes. "I'm not here for your pity. I didn't drive all the way here for your fucking pity."

Newt was a little taken aback so he just shut his mouth. His hands were shaking and he wanted Thomas to hold them.

"WICKED killed him," she said shortly.

Newt swallowed hard. "How do you know?"

"Because I was there."

"Okay," Newt said softly. "What do you need my help with?"

"WICKED is behind this."

Newt took a breath. "Are you sure, I mean we've been looking into it and it just doesn't make any sens-"

Brenda jerked her head to the side. "Look out there, at the town."

Newt did, it was dark, he could only see the soft lights from the houses and the cars going down the street.

"What am I supposed to be looking at-"

"Your friend Chuck is being murdered out there right now."

"Wha-?!" Newt's blood ran cold. "I have to g-"

"You can't, he's already dead."

"How do you know that?!" Newt snapped as he felt tears prick his eyes.

"Because Janson killed him."

"Janson is here?"

"Your friend Chuck activated the pack, Janson is trying to kill everyone who activates the pack."

"Well then how the bloody hell am I not dead?!" Newt screamed.

"Going to your friends house saved your life."

"I think you're a liar," Newt said as he crossed his arms.

Brenda raised her eyebrow. "Call me a liar again when the hit on your boyfriend passes tomorrow."

Newt's blood ran cold. "No."

"To be killed right?"

"You're lying."

"And you're scared."

"Chuck is fine."

"Maybe. Maybe not."

Newt gaped at her. "Y-you're a bitch."

Brenda shrugged. "Janson killed my father, you're going to help me find him or Thomas won't live to see another day."

"Don't fucking touch him," Newt scowled as he clenched his fists.

"You think I'm the bad guy, WICKED is killing these kids Issac, it's not me."

"You came in here threatening the people I care about! How did you think I was going to react?!" Newt snapped. "You threatened to kill Tommy-"

"Tommy huh?"

Newt's face flushed. "Doesn't matter what I called him, don't fucking touch him."

"I'm on your side, you're not realizing that."

"You can ask for help in better ways than threatening to hurt the boy I care about!"

Brenda let out a breath. "Oh honey, this isn't a game, this is life or death, I'm not going to bat my eyes and say please, you're going to help me or a lot more people are going to die. Being honest, I don't give a fuck about your pretty little boy or your friends, I care about Janson and Ava Paige. You care about the gamers, we can help each other out. I know things that you don't and you have access to things that I can't get into to. If you willingly help, I'll protect your friends, if you say no, I'll make sure your friends never wake up starting with the pretty one you call Tommy. Are we clear."

Newt bit back a snarky comment. "Crystal."

"So you're in?"

"Yes."

Brenda pulled out her phone and tapped a few buttons on it. A sound came from behind Newt which made him jump.

Two guys were dragging in a kid who was struggling who Newt instantly recognized as Chuck. Relief washed over him as he ran to the kid and threw his arms around him. Chuck was sobbing as he grabbed onto Newt. He was petrified but he wasn't injured visibly so at least that was a good sign.

"You're so stupid," Newt breathed into his shoulder. "Why'd you activate the pack?"

"What pack?" Chuck whispered back.

Newt shook his head, deciding to ask questions later before pulling back and letting out a breath. "You're okay?"

Chuck nodded as he wiped his cheeks and tried to contain himself. "I think I shit myself, but I'm fine."

"Did they hurt you?"

"Not badly."

Newt stayed by Chuck's side as he faced Brenda again. "You're a psychopath."

"I'm a psychopath for trying to get justice for the person I love, really Issac? I thought you of all people would understand."

"Don't bring Lizzy into this," Newt snapped.

Brenda shrugged. "We're not as different as you think."

Newt rolled his eyes. "What exactly do you need from me?" Chuck was holding onto his arm so hard at this point it hurt.

"Find WICKED and kill Janson."

"Okay," Newt said softly.

"I'll be in contact," Brenda said as she snapped her fingers and left with the two guards who dragged in Chuck.

"What the fuck is going on Newt?" Chuck asked as he started shaking again. "I was in my bed t-they dragged me out of there."

"When was the last time you were on the game?" Newt asked. "Think real hard."

"Not since that one time you asked me, I can't, not since Aris-"

Newt watched Brenda leave, narrowing his eyes. Something felt off in his stomach and his palms were sweating from a mixture of nerves and fading fear.

Something from Lizzy's book rang in his head again.

Don't trust the girl.

_____

[Kilee] 1:34am: YOU MET BRENDA IN THE DARK ALONE ?!?!?!

[Sang] 1:35am: yes. don't yell at me, just listen. WICKED killed Jorge and she insisted that they're the ones behind this

[Oben] 1:35am: I thought we already said that wasn't possible

[Sang] 1:36am: well she tried to kill Chuck so I had to say that I'd help her

[Delario] 1:37am: ok so when do you want us to come back and don't say we're not helping you because we're in this together

[Sang] 1:38am: sigh.

[Kilee] 1:38am: cut the shit bitch

[Delario] 1:39am: agree

[Oben] 1:39am: wow they just started dating and they already agree with everything the other one says

[Delario] 1:40am: stfu at least I can keep my tongue in my own mouth

[Oben] 1:41am: ok and ????? Newt's sexy ???? I can put my tongue wherever I want on that boy

[Kilee] 1:41am: ewewewewewewewewwww

[Oben] 1:42am: she started it

[Sang] 1:43am: chuck almost died can we please focus.

[Delario] 1:44am: yeah I'm sorry Newt, we'll be there this weekend okay?

[Sang] 1:45am: I don't know if we should beat the pack

[Kilee] 1:45am: we're so close we have to

[Oben] 1:46am: plus you said Brenda is protecting us now right???

[Sang] 1:47am: yeah but Tommy you're sleeping with me and never leaving my sight

[Kilee] 1:48am: how tf she know that you guys messed around a few times ???

[Sang] 1:48am: idk but it scared me

[Oben] 1:49am: I'll be fine but really won't complain to sleeping with you

[Delario] 1:50am: the flirting makes me SICKKKK

[Oben] 1:51am: you've never cuddled with him it's really life changing

[Kilee] 1:52am: date already.

[Sang] 1:53am: ANYWAYS we need to track down Janson

[Kilee] 1:54am: you're not actually thinking about killing him right?

[Sang] 1:55am: fucking hell no, but I think that there's so much more to this then we know and Brenda is not who she says she is

[Delario] 1:56am: she's def sketchy

[Oben] 1:57am: yeah you got that right I don't trust her

[Sang] 1:58am: everyone just keep digging and we'll regroup this weekend okay? Goodnight

Newt sighed as he turned off his phone and looked at Chuck who was asleep on his floor with a blanket wrapped around him, he was too scared to sleep back at his house so Newt let him spend the night with him. It took Chuck a while to stop crying, but he finally did and said he'd tell Newt more in the morning. Whatever Chuck was going to tell him, he needed to hear so he was going to get up early and get them donuts from the cafe down the street.
Newt ran his hands through his hair and let out a breath, this was all so fucked up and Newt needed to sleep for three days. It needed to be over. And he needed Thomas.

His phone buzzed one more time and Newt checked it, a huge smile spreading across his face.

Tommy: can't wait to see you this weekend, gonna kiss you til all you can think about is me

Newt: you better pull through on that promise pretty boy

For the first time in weeks Newt went to sleep with a smile on his face and a pathetic light feeling in his chest.

_____

I'm so sry this took awhile. don't cancel me