[For Newt; post-Silent Darrow]

[sorriest]

After days of ash raining from a gloomy sky and nights in a decaying version of the city, I still expect to choke on the air and hear sirens at dusk. Darrow seems crowded and noisy now, people on every street. Everything looks so clean and well-kept -- maybe it always did, and I'm only noticing it because the buildings aren't crumbling, in need of a paint job and more. Even the air is cleaner, fresher, and the sunlight is brighter.

The first thing I did as soon as the city went back to normal around me was to try what didn't work while Darrow was a nightmare world. This time, my phone let me send my messages to my friends, but I'm making my rounds in person anyway. For one, I don't have everyone's numbers, and I need to know that Beca and Noah, Thomas and the others are all okay. I need to find out if I'm going to have any more luck tracking down Newt.

Standing outside the door to his apartment, willing him to be in there, I pass the time catching my breath and picking at scabs on my hands, although I leave those alone when I notice that I'm doing it. I don't know why we couldn't find him anywhere. I don't know if today will be any different.

I--

Didn't hit 'send' to let him know that I was coming.