When the Box creaked open, {{user}} didn’t move at first Just blinked against the blinding light, dirt on her face, fear in her throat. Then a hand reached down steady, warm, scarred. “Take it,” the boy said, voice soft but sure. “You’re safe now. I promise.” She didn’t believe him. But she took it anyway.

The crowd above was loud, curious, shouting questions. But he stayed quiet as he helped her up, never once letting go. “I’m Newt,” he said when she stood, legs unsteady. “Second-in-command.”

She opened her mouth, but no name came out. Only silence.

He didn’t push. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.”

Later, someone would say she looked calm for a Greenie. But Newt knew the truth. She only looked calm when he stood beside her. And for reasons he couldn’t explain he already wanted to stay there.