Gone Wrong (43)
231.05.01 | 8:02 p.m.
Kat waited for Newt. Every evening.
She worked with the Builders, kept to herself the rest of the time and lived when Newt was there.
And he was with her. Every evening.
Not so today.
After mapping the maze he had left the Map Room and headed for the bathroom to have a shower. No one had seen him since.
But no one paid much attention anyway, because Gally had called a Gathering.
After a short but heated debate Kat was called to the homestead. Puzzled she stood in front of the semicircle of Keepers. Nick said something, but his words made no sense. Gally looked at her sideways, wary and somewhat expectantly.
Everyone seemed to expect something from her.
She stared back, hoping for someone to give her a clue what was going on he…
Gone Wrong (42)
231.04.19 | 7:48 a.m.
“You shouldn't be humping such heavy stuff!”
Kat hauled the timber another couple of feet, then dropped it with a groan and faced Newt. “Shouldn't I? What else shall I do then? Knit sweaters?”
“Ha ha. There's lots of less heavy work in the Glade. Cook for example. Or...”
“Runner.”
He rolled his eyes. “Kat, we've been through this! Why do...”
But he was cut off again. “No, we've not been through this! Because you don't listen to me! You just repeat the same mantra again and again!” She roared in frustration. “I don't need to be occupied. I need to test my theories.”
“But you...” His jaw dropped. “Your what? What was that?”
“I have several theories about the Maze. But you won't listen. How long will you go on and on and nothing…
Gone Wrong (41)
231.04.14 | 10:48 a.m.
During the next days Kat was only seen at work. Gally never saw her during the meals nor in the evening or any break at all. She did what she had to do, and when her work was finished she vanished. No chance to have a private word with her.
So one day he made sure that he alone worked with Kat on a new fence for the pens.
“You are rarely seen in the Glade”, he began, carefully avoiding every phrase that could make her angry.
She shrugged and kept working.
“How are you? Are you not well?”
Now she flashed him a glance.
Yes, he knew he wasn't known for being polite, or even caring. But he had to prod on: “Is there anything I can do for you?”
She shook her head. But she smiled. And finally took pity on him. “No. It's alright. Th…
Gone Wrong (40)
231.04.11 | 9:18 p.m.
Newt felt uneasy. “Hey.” He laid an arm around her, trying to comfort her.
She stiffened, hunched up like a gargoyle and about just as soft and trusting. He could feel her shiver.
“Look, I… I'm sorry. For what I said. I mean, it's fine if you found your group...” His words made her aggressively shake her head and cry even more.
“Are you together? You and Gally?” he asked.
Again she shook her head, her face still hidden in her arms.
“You don't know where you belong, am I right?”
She shrugged.
“Look, we can call a Gathering, if you are not happy with your squad!”
She shook her head again.
“Then what do you want to do now?”
She shrugged.
Newt sighed. “Talkative, are you?”
She showed no reaction other than a heavy shiver, which caused hi…
Gone Wrong (39)
231.04.11 | 8:48 p.m.
The fight with Kat bothered Newt far more than was acceptable for a Runner who had to focus on the Maze. Since a few days he was allowed to run the Maze on his own again. Minho needed him, and he was glad to find to his old form so soon, but … well, why deny it? The girl meant something to him. Meant a lot to him, in fact. He would see her this evening and make amends. Though she'd had her part in that fight, too. But she was well known for her short temper, while he usually was the well balanced one. He sighed and concentrated on the pattern of passages and corridors.
When he returned to the Glade, Kat was nowhere to be seen. He asked some boys, but no one knew where she was. Not even Frypan had a clue. And that worrie…