Chapter Text
Thomas watched as Newt stepped away from him, longing for the moments they had spent together curled up on the cot. The sense of security he felt in Newt's embrace was indescribable. Thomas couldn't help but push aside these thoughts, reminding himself that Newt was his closest friend and these fleeting emotions would surely fade away, just like they did for Teresa. Despite their close bond, Thomas couldn't understand why he had developed feelings for either of them. Newt was his loyal companion while Teresa had betrayed him. As Thomas let out a deep sigh, he couldn't help but question the validity of his emotions.
Vince placed a reassuring hand on Thomas's shoulder, jolting him out of his tangled thoughts and bringing him back to the harsh reality around them. "Take whatever you can carry," the older man instructed, before turning his attention to Harriet. Thomas watched them for a moment, they seemed to be close. The events of the previous night replayed in Thomas's mind like a broken record. He felt a pang of guilt as he recalled Minho's words and his promise to Minho at the Crank Mall - "I don't want to end up like those kids we left behind." The words echoed in his head like a blaring alarm, just as they had last night when WICKED separated him from Thomas. It was hard to believe that it had only been a week since he had uttered those words.
Thomas closed his eyes and tightly covered his ears with his trembling hands. Desperately trying to calm the guilt that threatened to consume him. The weight of his failure to protect Minho bore heavily on his shoulders, a constant reminder of his mistakes. Newt’s comforting words echoed in his head, trying to convince Thomas that it wasn’t his fault, but he could shake off the persistent feeling of responsibility that gnawed at his conscience.
He looked around, his gaze landed on a small, abandoned backpack lying haphazardly on the ground. He bent down and gingerly picked it up, carefully examining it. It was still in good shape, unlike most things in the camp. He started to pack his meager belongings. Suddenly a surge of determination coursed through his veins, he had to save Minho and bring down WICKED. They should have never caused so much suffering. Lost in his thoughts, Thomas didn’t hear Frypan’s question. His words lost amidst the tumultuous whirlwind of emotions swirling within him.
“We gather the others and start over, I guess,” Vince responded to Frypan's question. Thomas stood up and swung his backpack over his shoulder, then picked up a rifle from the ground. “I'm sorry, but I can't go with you,” he declared. Newt stood up, his brows furrowing in concern. “What do you mean?” he demanded, his accent thickening with worry. Thomas glanced at Newt's face, hesitant to share his thoughts. He knew that if he told his friend, Newt would never let him go alone, and he couldn't risk involving his friends. Newt stepped closer, his voice more firm. “What do you mean you're not coming with us?” he repeated. “I made a promise to Minho, and I intend to keep it,” Thomas replied, avoiding eye contact with Newt. He didn't want to see the disappointment in his friend's eyes.
"Kid, take a good look around. WICKED just kicked our ass!" Vince snapped angrily, gesturing to the devastated camp behind him. Thomas glanced around, feeling overwhelmed with guilt. "I understand, but I couldn't fulfill my promise to Chuck. I have to keep my word to Minho," Thomas muttered, his voice filled with remorse. Newt reached out and firmly grasped Thomas's elbow. "I've known Minho..." Newt paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "For as long as I can remember. I want to rescue him just as much as you do, but what you're suggesting is simply impossible," he said, his tone filled with a mix of concern and resignation. Thomas locked eyes with Newt, and the profound sadness reflected in his brown eyes was truly heart-wrenching. "I'm not asking anyone to come with me," Thomas whispered, his voice barely audible. Newt's hand slowly fell, and he shook his head in disbelief. "I can't bear to lose you too, Tommy," Newt said softly, his voice filled with a sense of desperation. Thomas felt his heart break even more at Newt's words. If he decided to go back for Minho, it would mean leaving Newt behind. Thomas's gaze lingered on Newt for a few moments, before shifting to Frypan, who stood silently behind him, then to Vince and Harriet, and finally to Brenda and Jorge. As he looked at each of them, the weight of his decision became even heavier.
“What you are you talking about is suicide, hermano.” Jorge piped up, his face showing no emotion. Brenda bit her lip and her brow creased as she watched him. Thomas looked away from them, and took a deep breath, felling the crisp air brush against his skin. “This isn’t just about Minho. It’s about everyone that WICKED has ever taken, and everyone that they will take. They’ll never stop so I’m doing to stop them.” Thomas promised. “I’m going to kill Ava Paige.” The words ignited a fluttery and exhilarating sensation in his chest, fueling his determination even further.
Newt still look uncertain. “I will admit, I’d like some revenge.” Harriet spoke first, a slight smirk playing at the corners of her lips. “But only if we can rescue Aris and Sonya too,” she quickly added, not forgetting her own friend’s in WICKED’s hands. Thomas nodded in agreement. Vince looked between Harriet and Thomas, before letting out a sigh. “Well, kid. That was one hell of a speech.” He remarked, clearly impressed. Thomas knew that he had gained Vince’s support, and that meant a lot to him. He turned to Frypan and Newt, almost wished they would just let him go alone, but he knew that they won’t now. “Count me in.” Frypan responded without hesitation. “I don’t want to lose anyone else either.” He added, determination in his face. Brenda stepped forward, standing next to Frypan. “We will stand with you,” she said firmly, gesturing between herself and Jorge. Her eyes burning with an unwavering resolve.
Thomas turned to Newt. He was the only on how hadn’t answered yet. “Tommy. I would follow you anywhere, you know that, but this is dangerous. Any one of us could be killed.” Newt pointed out, crossing his arms around his chest. Thomas looked deep into Newt’s eyes. “I know,” He whispered, he didn’t want to lose anyone, especially not Newt, but he had to save Minho. “I know, but Newt, you said last night that we would find a way to make all this worth it, this is how we do that.” Thomas responded. Newt’s brown eyes burned into his, and he could feel himself getting lost in them. What would he do if he had lost Newt? Tears began to burn his eyes at the thought, he had already lost Chuck, Minho was taken by WICKED, and Teresa betrayed him. Teresa’s face flashed in his mind and his heart broke a bit more. “I can’t let Teresa go for betraying us. And…and maybe by taking WICKED down, I can seek redemption for my past actions.” He muttered, his lip caught between his teeth.
The touch of Newt's hand in his own felt like the most natural thing in the world to Thomas. It brought him a sense of comfort and reassurance that he hadn't felt in a long time. As their fingers intertwined, a tingling sensation ran up Thomas's arm, causing him to shiver slightly. He couldn't help but glance down at their hands, marveling at the connection they shared. Meeting Newt's gaze, Thomas found solace in the depths of his eyes.
"Please, Thomas, you have to stop blaming yourself," Newt whispered softly, his warm breath brushing against Thomas's face. Thomas pulled Newt even closer, resting his head on Newt's shoulder. The weight of his guilt was heavy, but being in Newt's embrace made him feel safe, protected. "I can't, Newt. I just can't," Thomas muttered, his voice filled with a mixture of self-blame and sadness. "I can't help but feel like everything that has happened is my fault." The words escaped Thomas's lips, heavy with the burden he carried.
Newt let out a sigh, his arms wrapping tightly around Thomas's shoulders. "I know," Newt spoke, his voice filled with understanding. His grip tightened, as if trying to shield Thomas from his own thoughts. He cleared his throat, trying to find the right words. "But you have to believe me, Thomas. It's not your fault. None of this is." Newt's words were gentle yet firm, an unwavering support that Thomas desperately needed.
Thomas felt a sense of safety and warmth envelop him as he leaned into Newt's embrace. In that moment, he never wanted to let go. Newt's presence was a lifeline, a beacon of hope amidst the turmoil they faced. "I will continue to tell you," Newt whispered, his warm breath grazing the back of Thomas's neck. "I'll keep reminding you until it sinks in. You are not to blame." His words sent another wave of shivers down Thomas's spine, a mixture of fear and longing intertwining within him.
Just as Thomas was losing himself in Newt's embrace, Frypan's throat-clearing broke the spell. Startled, Thomas pulled away reluctantly, his heart still fluttering in his chest. He noticed the deep shade of red that had spread across Newt's face, a reflection of their shared vulnerability. "This is all great," Frypan interjected, his voice bringing them back to reality. "We really need to regroup and come up with a plan for your rescue mission." Vince's gruff voice cut through the heaviness that had settled around the group, bringing a reminding them of urgency to their situation.
Though his stomach tightened at the thought of Minho still being in WICKED's clutches, Thomas knew deep down that Vince was right. He exchanged a knowing glance with Newt, their unspoken bond growing stronger with every passing moment. "We won't be of much help if we get caught," the blond reasoned, his hand clasping Thomas's shoulder in a silent show of solidarity. Thomas nodded, a mix of determination and fear coursing through his veins.
"Now, we should really start moving before we find ourselves left behind," Newt said with a sense of urgency, gesturing towards the people who were boarding the few remaining vehicles that hadn't been destroyed in the brutal WICKED attack. As he hoisted his pack over his shoulder, Newt led the way towards the vehicles, his determined strides echoing his determination to survive.
Thomas, glancing from vehicle to vehicle, couldn't help but notice Brenda sitting in the passenger seat of a battered pick-up truck, with Jorge at the wheel by her side. She caught sight of Thomas and enthusiastically waved him over, beckoning him to join her. However, just as he was about to make his way towards her, Thomas felt a firm grip on his elbow, pulling him back. It was Newt.
"Stick with me, alright?" Newt asked, his voice filled with a mix of concern and a plea for companionship. Thomas couldn't resist the genuine vulnerability in his friend's eyes, and without hesitation, he climbed into the back of the worn-out jeep, settling down next to Newt. The sunlight reflected off Newt's blond hair, illuminating his features in a way that always captivated Thomas. He found himself unable to look away, his mind flooded with a confusing whirlwind of emotions. Why was he experiencing these unfamiliar and intense feelings towards Newt?