Welcome to the Glade
The new world is black. There is a tight space that surrounds me and leaves me desperate for fresh air. Of course, I can't remember what that would feel like. I don't remember anything. Where I am and how I got here are all mysteries that drive me insane. I need to know something.
I look into my memory, which barely exists, and cling to whatever is clear to me. My name is Emmy.
Emmy. Emmy What? I don't know. All I know is that I know nothing. My eyes dart around in complete darkness and I strain to focus on something. I bang on the surface in front of me out of frustration and let out a long un-ending shriek. My throat is cracked and dry, and I estimate that I haven't eaten or drunken anything for awhile.
"Let me out!" I screech. My hands repeatedly pound on the metal box I'm encased in as I attempt to break myself free.
"Let me out of here!" I shriek. The lid of the box is opened just as I slam my foot against it, sending it soaring through the air. I hear a couple quick gasps and shouts of warning coming from outside and I jump up and out of the box, backing away from the people who have unleashed me. A couple boys, probably no older than 18 stand before me, and a girl about 16 watch me with curious eyes. I position myself away from them and look at my surroundings.
"Calm down Kid," the girl calls me. I turn to her and stare into her deep gaze. Her silver eyes show she is just as curious as I am.
"Where am I? How did I get here? And what is here?" I ask repeatedly. Each question after another leaves my lips as I try to figure out where I am.
"Tell us your name. You remember that, don't you," The girl demands. I watch her as she takes two steps towards me. So I take two steps away. Pair of arms wrap around me and I jolt, spinning to face someone new. A boy standing about 5'10 towers over me, his brown waves slightly covering his eyes.
"Back off Leo, she is still revering from her awakening," the girl states. Leo takes steps back and I watch each step he takes.
"What's your name?" Leo asks. I stare at him and my muscles relax as if I have seen him before. The whole place seems familiar to me. I stand straighter than before and blink twice.
"Emmy," I state. Then I turn to the girl. "My name is Emmy. Now answer my questions." I demand. The girl walks over to me and stops two feet away.
"I know you probably have many questions, but you need time to relax. We will start your tour tomorrow morning." She says. I blink rapidly and let out a sigh, turning my head to the ground, and then back at the world around me. There are walls that surround the community, large ones made of stone that are so rusted they might chip if I were to touch it. But it shows they have held firm for many years. I am perplexed by the walls that I begin to walk towards them, completely dazed by them.
"Hold it." The girl grabs my arm and I look at her again.
"You've just arrived, you need to get ready for the night," she says, beginning to lead me through the group of other teens that surround me.
"Sophie, come here. Get…Emmy situated in the homestead." The girl states, and then pushes me forward towards the crowd. It parts as a smaller girl about 5'4" wiggles her way through the crowd and towards me. Her blonde hair shines behind her and large blue eyes stare into mine.
"Hi, welcome to the Glade."
"What is this place?" I ask, sitting on the cot laid out in the large room. Fresh light from the sun seeps through the windows and illuminates the room. The walls are made of red brick and the windows have bars.
"I feel like I'm in a jail. Why was I sent here? Who sent us here? How did I-"
"Kid, shut up." Sophie interrupts my train of thoughts. I straighten up and furrow my eyebrows.
"Why is everyone calling me Kid? I look like I'm older than you." I retort. Sophie rolls her large eyes and smirks.
"I highly doubt that." She replies, grabbing a blanket and pillow from a box in the corner and handing them to me. "I'm 19. And my guess is that you are around 16 or 17." She replies. My eyes widen at the statement.
"Nine-teen? You look like you could be 14." I reply. She nods and sits down on the cot next to me.
"I know, everyone judges me for it. But one thing is for sure, I'm older than a lot of people here. And I'm calling you Kid because that's the name we give all the new Gladers." She states. I let out another long sigh.
"Okay then, what is a Glader?" I ask.
"We are. All the people who live in the Glade are called Gladers. That's the way it is. Always has been since I could remember. I was in the first group to arrive. About 24 of us or so. Mostly boys, about four girls. We got supplies and everything needed in a box once a week. Kids every month," she further explains to me. Then she stands and dusts off her black pants.
"Would you like to change?" she asks. I nod and stand up.
"You know, you are really pretty. In a girly girl kind of way." Sophie states, adding a small half grin. I open my mouth to speak, but then can't think of a way to form words.
"I…I don't know what I look like." I mumble. Sophie nods.
"Of course you don't. No one did. But here, follow me," she commands, grabbing my arm and pulling me through the doors and down a long hallway. She makes a sharp turn into another room, though this one hotter than the other. She places me in front of a large mirror that covers most of the wall. It's weird, I remember the name, all the names, but there are no memories to pin point how I know it all.
"Get a look at yourself," Sophie appears beside me and grins, giving my hand a tight squeeze, then turning and disappearing down another hallway. I look at myself, dazed and amazed at the same time. My skin is tan, indicating I have worked outside before. The olive complexion matched with dark spiral brown curls that reach down to my shoulders, and a large pair of hazel eyes. The colors, everything is so familiar but I can't remember how I know.
The idea of not knowing makes me miserable, and I let some tears trickle down my cheek. I try to hide them but I can't. Eventually Sophie returns with a handful of clothes and a pair of boots. A large smile is plastered on her face and I can tell she is excited about my reaction.
"Aren't you a looker." She states. Then hands me the clothing.
"It gets hot most of the time, so I got you some shorts. The socks are nice, keep your toes from getting too cold or hot. And stinky. There is a tank top and button up to go over it. Sorry the colors aren't very appealing, but we don't have much to work with," she says. Then she pats the pile and disappears down the hall. I stand in front of the mirror again and begin to change into the new clothes. The boots are lightweight, but sturdy and my shirt is comfortable for everything. I turn to look at myself in the mirror again and whimper.
"Who are you?" I ask myself, knowing I won't be given an answer. The old clothes I had are left in a pile on my cot and I pop my head out of the room looking for Sophie, but she has disappeared. So much for my guide.
Everyone is rushing through the doors towards the exit and I grab one boy who is quickly passing by.
"What's going on?" I ask. He looks down at me red waves bouncing around.
"Are you the Kid?" he asks. I nod.
"Apparently. I was supposed to be with Sophie, but I can't find her." I state. He nod and wraps his arm around me, leading me through the sea of people and down the stairs to a cafeteria, filled with teens, 60 or so of them who are all chatting and working.
"I'm Hawk." He states. I furrow my eyebrows.
"Does everyone have interesting names?" I ask. He shrugs. "Well, there is Soc, Mary, Marx, our precious leader Ada." He states. I look towards who he is pointing to and spot Ada. She is the girl I first met.
"And her second in command Leo." He adds pointing to the other taller blonde boy. I nod and begin to follow Hawk to a table with others. Sophie talks over carrying two trays of food and places them beside me.
"I knew you would find this place!" she exclaims, handing me a tray. I look down at the mix, rice and some sort of meat. My stomach growls and I realize how hungry I really was.
"Emmy, that's your name?" Hawk asks. I nod and turn to him.
"Yes. Who...when. Can someone explain to me where I am?" I ask. Hawk and Sophie smile and are about to answer, when a voice booms behind me.
"Welcome to the Glade." A familiar voice sounds. I turn and come face to face with Leo.
He stares into my eyes, "I know who you are."
