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THE YOUNG GODS
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

" THEY'RE NOT DREAMS, NEWT.
THEY'RE MEMORIES. "
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BLOOD POURED out of the girl's lips as she spit out on the dirt. Her wounded hands supporting her on the ground as she looked up to see him reaching towards her. His arm snaked around her neck tightly locking it. The boy brought her up to her feet hurting her in the process as he put pressure stopping her access to oxygen.

      "Come on, Rosie!"

       "You could do it!"

      Her eyes caught the boy with long hair yelling towards her, "think! What's the next move?"

       Her head was dizzy. The urge to quit felt so nice to her at this moment, but she knew she needed to continue. She rammed her elbow into the boy's gut loosening his grip on her neck. The girl did her best to put her hands through the lock giving her the littlest bit of space but enough to breathe. Rosie swiftly slipped out of the boy's hold grabbing his arms and striking her forehead with his face. The boy lost his balance falling on the floor holding onto his nose.

       "Sorry Aidan." Rosie spoke before receiving a nod from him to tell her that it was fine. Her eyes widened when two other gladers stood up from the bench. "I'm tired!" Rosie exclaimed looking towards Gally who shrugged his shoulders.

      Her eyes then reached Vincent's. "Again."

      "But I'm tired! We've been doing this for hours! I can fight! Everyone sees that!" Rosie exclaimed with the two boys still not moving.

       Vince stood up walking towards her, "do it again, this time with two."

She shook her head panting, "I've never done that."

"That's the point." Vince replied pointing at the two gladers ready at Vincent's disposition. "You don't know what will be outside these walls. I gotta at least be able to have you handle multiple people at once."

"Fine."

A grin formed on the boy's lips slapping the girl's shoulder, "atta girl." Vincent walked back to the bench, "start!"

Both boys rushed towards Rosie causing her to freeze not knowing who to go to first. Before she could even decide, Adam rammed into her bringing her down to the floor. Rosie felt her head reach the floor first and a boy lowering himself down to take a swing at her pretty face. She raised her arms up being able to dodge the fists coming at her.

She rolled away being able to escape and get up on her two feet. She wasn't given any time before barely dodging the other punch that came from Tim. Rosie sidestepped Tim's next move, grabbed his wrist and moved behind him. She used him as a shield before pushing him onto Adam bringing both down to the floor.

      "So, they just beat her up till she taps out?" Thomas asked Chuck who shook his head.

       "I haven't been here that long but from what I know that guy keeps training her almost everyday to prepare her." Chuck replied pointing at Vincent before going back to shaping the piece of wood in his hand. Thomas winced watching Rosie fall to the floor in pain holding her stomach. 

       "Prepare her for what?" The greenie asked

       The kid shrugged his shoulders, "for whatever's out there, Thomas. And it's not like she can't take it, Rosie's a lot stronger than you think. The times you think shes giving up she gets up. Again and again."

        Thomas raised his eyebrows in slight surprise not knowing much about the only girl in the glade who was able to defeat the two injured boys. "Impressed?" Rosie asked with a rag pressed on her shoulder to stop the bleeding. She walked towards the table he was at with a few of the boys specifically to a British boy who had remained quiet the entire time.

      Thomas nodded, "you're quite good."

       "Thanks." Rosie chuckled taking a glance at the boy who was in the midst of his own thoughts before noticing the girl reaching his proximity. "You alright?" Rosie asked looking down at him reaching for his chin.

      Newt felt the scrapes from her hand on his chin, "are you?" One of his hands slithered around the back of her leg holding onto it. He avoided her question trying to not drown her in his own intrusive thoughts.

       A smile lift her bruised lips, "of course."

        All of the boys sitting on that bench knew what the pair wanted to do. They all felt that tension the two carried for one another. But the pair didn't dare say anything, they just kept going the way they were going. Both knowing about each other's feelings for one another but hiding it.

       Newt admired the girl, even with her forming bruises and cuts. She was so beautiful, so captivating to his eyes. Rosie unknowingly had painted in his life with strokes that were insistent but soft and Newt found that his life was colorful with her by his side. It made him warmer than anything he'd known before. She was more stronger emotionally and maybe even physically and he was okay with that. He was in pure awe.

"Ready?" Rosie sat down at the edge preparing herself for what was to come. Clint was always ready with a little box of materials to stitch her up.

"No," she let out a laugh always hating this part of the training. It was this weird thing she had against needing to be stitch up or checked on. It made her feel fragile to the rest of the boys. She didn't want to be portrayed as a damsel in distress. She wanted to be able to handle things herself.

Clint grabbed the jar filled with moonshine. "It'll be quick, don't worry." He replied taking the rag off using a clean one to clean the entire spot. "This will make it burn a bit."

Clint handed Rosie the jar to take a sip before using it for something else. All the boys watched in silence fascinated by Clint's work and Rosie's unfortunate suffering. The drink ran down Rosie's shoulder burning inside the wound cleaning out any bacteria. Rosie bit her tongue from screaming the pain away and feeling the needle insert itself into her skin and closing it back together.

"Woah! Can I try?" Rosie heard Jimmy's voice between the group of boys. She assumed Clint shook his head after Jimmy continued, "aw, come on! It don't look that hard!"

"You want Rosie bleeding out?" Gally asked the young boy as he reached the group to make sure the girl was in good shape.

Jimmy shook his head, "no."

"Then let Clint finish." Gally spoke sounding like a father figure reprimanding his son. Rosie blocked out the chatter that started between the boys as she focused on the stitches in her shoulder. Clint wiped the shoulder again before applying an unlabeled cream and covering the stitches with a bandage wrap.

       "You're good to go," Clint stated grabbing his materials and putting them in a brown bag.

       Newt stood up realizing a lot of the Gladers weren't stationed or doing their work. "Alright, everyone! Stop taking the piss and get to work!" His announcement was loud enough for all the boys to return to their stations and continue working including Rosie who stood up. "Not you." Newt spoke softly before glancing to the young boy, "you, yes."

      "But—"

       "Jimmy go on, I'll catch up." Rosie spoke as Jimmy huffed walking back to the stationed kitchen outside. "What's up?" The girl added before sliding her hands behind her back pockets of her pants.

        Newt sat back down on the bench, "you wanted to talk to me last night. What about?"

Rosie looked around making sure there was no one near by before sitting down next to him, "it's about the dreams I'm having."

"What about them? You keep forgetting most of 'em." Newt replied picking at his nails.

She shook her head grabbing his attention again, "they came back." Rosie stated as Newt looked back up, "pieces of it. I remembered some of the dreams fully but then there's the others that I forget in a few minutes. But, but they come back in pieces a few hours or days later."

Newt watched the girl intently trying to figure out if she was lying or was truthful. "So? What do you think? They're just dreams, no?"

"This is what I wanted to talk to you about." Rosie replied, "what if, what if they're not dreams, Newt. They're memories. It can't be a coincidence that I know I've seen Thomas before. Or how, Vince and Winston feel like they were a part of my life before all of this happened. The dreams I had about them feel so real."

Newt stayed quiet trying to figure out how she was the only person who could remember things. Was it truly just a simple glitch or was she sent down here to do something else. "We should talk to Alby about it when he comes back."

≪ °❈° ≫

     HER HANDS had a mind of their own. The girl was entirely zoned out and had all of the vegetables cut and ready to go. She didn't remember what she was even doing. The two runners worried her. She had this bad feeling in her stomach and knew something bad was going to happen.

      "Can you believe that?" Ander asked the girl across from him.

      Rosie blinked a few seconds snapping out of her trance, "believe what?" Rosie hadn't spoken much to him since he was either occupied with Aidan or she was hanging out with other gladers.

      "That you haven't done anything with Newt yet." Ander spoke as he filled a pot with water. "Shuck, if I were you I would have gotten with his thang along time ago." He explained dragging out the word along.

      Blush slowly crept around Rosie's cheeks as she shook her head, "of course you would. Wouldn't doubt that." She replied laughing at her best friend's commentary.

       "Please, Newt looks like he could be good at both. A romantic lover but also a freak in the sheets." Ander mentioned putting the pot on the wooden counter. "It's just a matter of time when you're gonna let him get at it."

       "Ander," Rosie tilted her head, "c'mon."

       Ander let out a chuckle putting his hands up before dropping them to shrug his shoulders, "c'mon yourself, Rosie." He replied grabbing a few of the vegetables she cut and sprinkling them inside a boiling pot. "Newt's all yours and you know it. He's just waiting for you to give him the green light. I don't know what you're waiting for."

        "What am I suppose to tell him?" Rosie asked unsure of how to confess her feelings. "Oh! I'm finally ready, Newt. I want to be with you now. That?"

       Ander nodded vigorously. "Yes!"

       Rosie rolled her eyes adding the last few vegetables into the pot. "You're mad insane, Ander. I don't think it'd work out anyway."

       "Why?" He asked

        "Because!" Rosie explained knowing this was a long stretch but possible. "What if, what if someone I loved is waiting outside for me? And what happens if I give my heart to Newt? Then what? I end up breaking someone's heart."

       The tall boy stopped what he was doing trying to understand if he heard her clearly. "Do not tell me you're hung up on the guy from your dream. Please do not."

       "I—"

       "Rosie! No!" Ander explained, "that was a dream. It's not real, this is real. Newt's real."

       Rosie stared at the ground remembering the brown eyes and dark black hair that belonged to the boy in her dreams. "He felt real to me."

         Ander kept shaking his head, "even if that was a possibility, it's been months and we don't know how long they took to put you in here. That guy could've moved on by now. Or he could even be dead. Do what you want Rosie but remember that you do have someone willing to give you everything he's got."

      "I know, I know. It's, I'm just worried, okay?" Rosie spoke running her hands across her face. "What if we're actually stuck here for the rest of our lives? I'm scared that this is it. I don't want a future with Newt if this is where I'm going to spend my last days."

        "I get that Rosie." Ander replied stirring the pot, "but love doesn't wait. It's now or never and you know that. Minho and Alby are going to find something that's why they're taking forever. They've found something and we're going to get out very soon. I know it. I can feel it. Tell him."

       "Okay. I'll tell him tonight at dinner."

       Before Ander could reply a drop of water landed on his cheek. A few drops of water started landing on Rosie's face. Without realizing water started pouring on them. It was with no warning ruining the warm food the two had cooked.

       "Slicers and Baggers! Start helping the Cooks with the food!" Newt's command was heard from the garden.

       Rosie grabbed what she could bringing it under the shelter as the other gladers started doing the same. Other gladers either finished their projects or rushed to cover from the rain. The girl searched for a particular boy and smiled when she spotted him walking under to get shelter.

     Rosie sprinted to the boy who spotted her rushing towards him. He raised his eyebrow at her as she pulled his arms when she arrived. "Come with me!"

     Gally furrowed his eyebrows in confusion shaking his head, "go where?"

     "I need help with something in my hut." Rosie stated pulling him with her even though Gally was confused as to what she needed but still let her guide him.

     The two enter the quiet hut and Gally watched Rosie lay on her bed. "What do you need?" He asked sitting down on the floor leaning on the edge of her bed.

     "For you to take a break." Rosie replied.

     "I need to get going." Gally grumbled getting up from the ground. His eyes looked over through the open window watching the rain pour down.

      "Why?" Rosie groaned sitting up as she enjoyed the boy's company more than most and wanted to spend time with him. "Stay."

       "Can't." Gally replied watching a few gladers run around in the rain. A few enjoying it while the others were builders running back and forth trying to fix up holes inside the structures that were leaking. "Break's over. I need to go help."

       The boy tried to not even glance at Rosie knowing how easily he'd be able to crumble just by looking at her. "Five minutes, please!" Rosie begged grabbing a hold of the boy's arm.

     "Rosie—" the girl tugged on his arm pulling him towards her as he let himself get pulled down onto the single bed. The boy laid down next to her in the tight space that only really fit one of them. "Half of me is not even on the bed."

       "You're fine." Rosie mumbled wrapping an arm around his neck to be as close as she could. Gally swallowed as he didn't know what to do with his hands in this situation. Does he wrap his arms around her too? "Move closer."

      "I fear that if I move even an inch the bed will break, little thorn." Gally uttered as his breath hitched once Rosie moved one of her legs on top of his.

"That's actually a good idea." Rosie stated.

"Why would that be a good idea?"

"Because if it breaks, that means you can stay longer!" Rosie stated as if it was obvious what she was trying to imply before.

      The boy started to shake his head and trying to get up before they both fell in utter silence as the bed snapped under them. A loud thud was heard which caused a fit of laugther from both.

     Gally's eyes flickered down to Rosie's lips as he hovered over her. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted her to be his. He wanted to be able to hold her, touch her, kiss her anytime and anywhere. And this was his moment.

     "Rosie, I've been wanting tell you that I think I like—"The biggest smile was on her lips so kissable but the boy immediately stopped his confession and moved over once the door flew open. Ander stood at the door witnessing Gally getting off of Rosie both looking a bit guilty.

     "Uh, what's going on?" Ander questioned his close friends.

      "I'm going to go." Gally stated as he walked out of the room letting Ander enter and speak to Rosie. "I'll be back to fix the bed." Gally mumbled.

      "You do know that you've got an almost relationship right? And it's not with Gally." Ander explained loud enough for Gally to hear as he walked out. Ander walked further into the room throwing his hands up in the air.

      Rosie bobbled her head, "I know."

      "Then?" Ander questioned her. "Why are you looking at Gally like he's the love of your life?"

      "What?" Rosie exaggerated her words as she shook her head, "No im not."

      "Yuh huh!"

      "Nah uh."

      Ander placed his hands on his hips ready to reprimand his friend. "Rosie, please."

     "I like Newt." Rosie reminded Ander but it was more to remind herself.

     "So?" Ander confused the girl. "Look, you can also like Gally too. Matter of fact, he isn't that bad looking and might be a better fit—"

     "Dude!" Rosie exclaimed being more confused. "Newt's told me he wants me and I can't just leave him and get with Gally."

      "I wasn't saying that." Ander muttered

      "You we're implying that." Rosie stated.

     "Okay maybe I was, so what?" Ander replied. "What do you think I just walked into?" He questioned her.

      The girl shook her head trying to convince him but more herself. "We're just friends, Ander."

      "So are we!" Ander countered her argument. "We're best friends might I add and we do not do anything like that! I bet you don't go around breaking beds with Frypan, do ya?"

     "What do you want me to say?" Rosie spoke desperately, "that I'm some slut or some sort of cheater?"

     "What?" Ander questioned, "no you dumbass. I just want you to admit your feelings for him, Rosie. It's okay to have feelings for more than just one person."

      Rosie shrugged her shoulders in desperation, "I don't know, Ander. I just—I saw him look at me differently."

     "Girl, he's been looking at you like that since the first day he saw you looking all sweaty and musty in that box." Ander explained to his oblivious best friend, "it was you who finally saw him."

     "What?" Rosie asked in shock as all of her feelings she bottled up came back. "There's no way."

≪ °❈° ≫

       "WHAT happens if they don't make it?" Rosie heard Thomas from afar ask Newt who kept his attention on the entrance of the maze.

        "They're gonna make it." Newt replied

        Thomas turned to look at him and walked over, "what happens if they don't?"

         Newt glanced to him repeating himself, "they're gonna make it." Thomas watched Newt for a split second than back to the entrance and shook his head.

       Rosie finished covering the food before waiting for Thomas to walk away. She headed over to Newt who was leaned on a tree. He glanced to see who was approaching him and gave her a weak smile.

        She reached his side as her arms gently wrapped around his stomach as his left arm wrapped around her neck. She pressed a kiss on his layered chest. "They're going to make it." Rosie reassured him.

       Newt brought her closer to him pressing a kiss on her head, "I know. I know."

       Both of them doubted immensely but it felt it was their rights to give hope to one another. Especially in these weird times. Newt was satisfied with holding her in his arms. What cared for the most was right next to him in his embrace.

≪ °❈° ≫

     ROSIE stood in between Chuck and Gally. Everyone stood quietly watching the entrance carefully. All hoping that Minho and Alby would show up at any second. Her eyes glanced down to meet Gally who was crouched down a few feet away. He slowly met her gaze and they silently understood what was soon going to happen. They both knew it was a rare chance they'd make it out at this time. They should've been back by now.

       Fear struck everyone once the metal sound of the walls started. The walls were starting to close and they were nowhere in sight. "C'mon guys can't we send someone after them?" Thomas asked to no one specifically.

      "It's against the rules." Gally explained trying to hold in the sadness that was rising in his chest. "It's they make it back or they don't."

       Newt added on to Gally's explanation after noticing Thomas' disbelief. "Can't risk losing anyone else."

      Harsh wind traveled out signaling the walls were starting to close. "Shit." Rosie cursed under her breath not wanting to believe that the leader and the keeper of the runners were still inside. Gally stood up trying to see if he could see either of them.

      "There!" Thomas yelled pointing at someone who was struggling.

      "Wait no, something's wrong." Newt spoke trying to figure out what to do in a matter of seconds.

       "C'mon Minho, you could do it!" Chuck yelled as the rest of the gladers joined in hoping it would somehow help him.

      Rosie turned to Gally, "he's gotta leave him, Gally."

      Gally in disbelief knew Rosie was right as he yelled back to Minho, "Minho you gotta leave him!" He yelled.

       "Minho! Leave him!" Rosie yelled, "C'mon!"

        "You can make it!" Chuck cheered

       Newt's anxiety rose as he tried to remain calm, "they're not gonna make it."

         Rosie heard Newt tell Thomas as she knew he was right. They weren't going to make it. "You gotta leave him!" Gally yelled again.

      It felt like slow motion. Everyone yelled after Minho trying to encourage him giving him the slightest of hope that he could make it in time. Everyone so focused didn't notice Thomas run. Rosie's attention sharpened the second she saw him take a step further.

"Thomas!" She let out in a loud yell grabbing everyone's attention.

      "Thomas, no!" Chuck yelled after him.

       Taking a step the girl threw herself forward being able to grab a hold of his hand. Initially she fought trying to pull him back in but was met with much more force that pulled her in instead. She could feel someone's touch from the other hand and she knew it was Newt who had tried to grab her but missed. She could only feel the lingering of his fingers. 

      The walls were foreign to her as they started to crush her body. She could hear the boys on the either side yelling after her and Thomas. Her eyes welled up knowing this was not what she wanted to do. She didn't want to go after Thomas. It was as if something was trying to control her.

      And it was too late to turn back around now.