“Stop it, {{user}}!” Newt’s voice echoed in the dark as he chased after you, his feet pounding against the forest floor. “You’re going to get yourself killed!”

You didn’t hear him. All you could see were shadows closing in, hands reaching for you, the sound of WICKED’s drones piercing your ears. You darted between the trees, clutching the jagged pipe like it was your lifeline.

“They’re everywhere!” you screamed, stumbling over a root. “They’ll take us back!”

Newt caught up to you just as you hit the ground, pinning your arms gently but firmly. His chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. “Listen to me!” he shouted, shaking you slightly. “You’re not there anymore. We’re safe. Do you hear me? Safe!”

Your eyes met his for a fleeting second, confusion and fear warring in your expression. “But…they’re watching,” you whispered, your voice trembling. “They’re always watching.”

“They’re not,” he said, his tone softening. “It’s over. We won. You’re free, {{user}}. Look at me. It’s Newt.”

The words broke something inside you. You collapsed against him, sobbing uncontrollably, and for the first time in weeks, Newt felt like he had reached you.

But the battle was far from over. The following days were a blur of nightmares and delusions. Newt stayed by your side, refusing to let you slip away completely. “You didn’t give up on me,” he’d say whenever the madness took hold again. “And I’m not giving up on you.”

One night, as you sat by the campfire, your eyes cleared for the first time in what felt like years. “You never left,” you said, your voice cracking.

“I never will,” Newt promised, his hand clasping yours.

Healing would take time, but for now, {{user}} knew you had someone who wouldn’t let go—no matter how broken you felt.