Chapter Text
The air was full of smoke and angry fire. Worried about his friend’s angry outburst earlier over a necklace, Thomas was in a rush to get him to safety. With instructions from Thomas, Gally and Minho sprinted away to find Brenda meanwhile Thomas stayed with Newt, watching over him carefully. After a few moments of Newt panting frantically and gunshots echoing across the street, Thomas could no longer wait in anticipation.
“Hey, listen to me- Newt?” Thomas shook his ill friend’s shoulders, making him focus and look at him.
“I need you to give me everything you’ve got, okay?” Newt grated his teeth and nodded.
“Alright bud let’s get you up.” Thomas wrapped his arms around Newt and hoisted him to his feet. Newt grimaced but didn’t put up a fight, his only response being a small groan.
Explosions were ricocheting around the city and the sky was pitch black. Using all of his strength, Thomas half-walked half-dragged Newt across a road which had been converted into a no-man’s-land. It was a miracle that they crossed unscathed. Thomas helped Newt through a smashed window and sheltered him, still cautious of the bombardment outside. Newt had stopped using his legs and was resting all of his weight on Thomas.
“Newt please-“ Thomas dragged Newt across an empty path for a few yards before the boy collapsed. Thomas was immediately on all fours, checking Newts breathing. The blonde boy was gasping in short bursts and his throat sounded raw.
Thomas didn’t give up, he couldn’t. Newt needed him more than ever, but things were becoming impossible. Thomas attempted to drag Newt the rest of the way but his energy was drained. He fell backwards, admitting defeat. He just prayed silently that the others would arrive on time with the cure. He placed his hand on Newts chest, checking his breathing. Suddenly something sounded all around them.
“Thomas?” Teresa’s voice played through the numerous speakers that surrounded him. He froze, confused.
“Can you hear me?..I need you to listen to me.” The world around Thomas went silent.
“I know you have no reason to trust me,” she paused for a while, “but I need you to come back to me.”
Blood rushed in Thomas’s ears as he stood up and looked at the speakers. The whole ordeal was unexpected and he didn’t know how to feel. The words that came next shook him to the core.
“Thomas, you can save Newt,” he unwillingly turned and looked down at his dying comrade, who was sprawled out on the floor,
“There’s still time for him.”
Thomas’s eyes stayed rooted to Newt, despair seeping into his mind. Teresa continued,
“There’s a reason why Brenda isn’t sick anymore- it’s your blood.” Thomas turned his attention back to the speakers,
“Do you understand?”
He wished he didn’t.
“She isn’t sick because you… you cured her. She doesn’t have to be the only one-“
Images flashed in Thomas’s mind. His mother. His father. Winston, and now Newt.
“All you have to do is come back, then this will all finally be over.” A white noise bubbled up inside of Thomas and he felt sick to the stomach.
“Please. Please just come back to me. I know-“ the electronics cut out and Thomas was left staring into space, a dark void where his heart should’ve been. Was that all it took? Could he save Newt? He didn’t care about himself anymore, but he certainly cared about his friends. He shook his head and forced his tears away. How could he trust Teresa after what she did? But then again… he stepped backwards slightly, the thought of him slowly dying as cranks feasted on his blood filled his mind. He could stop them from becoming cranks in the first place though-
Thomas was shaken from his thoughts by a figure moving behind him. Slowly, Newt stood up with his back to Thomas. Something wasn’t right.
“Newt..?”
The blonde boy turned around agonisingly slowly but when Thomas got a look at his face, he wished that his friend would turn back around.
Madness swirled around Newt’s empty eyes and black veins popped from his skull. His mouth was dripping an inky-black saliva and his posture was uneven. With a roar that was filled with pure rage, Newt bared his teeth and pounced.