Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who's added the story to their favorites and alerts and those who reviewed it! I seriously appreciate you guys! Hopefully I don't let you guys down as the story continues.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my character.

"With your help, we will be able to create these..." A round faced woman stood in the center of the room and gestured to an enlarged picture behind her. Her blonde hair was pulled tightly back into a bun, her eyes were sharp and shoulders straight as she commanded the room.

Evanna could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand straight as she gazed at the picture. An uneasiness washed over her as she stared wide eyed at her next project. Many of her fellow scientists and engineers had felt the same way as gasps filled the room, but Chancellor Ava Paige didn't miss a beat. She continued her speech with the utmost confidence.

"Although we realize this is not ideal, it is necessary. There are many who oppose WICKED –who don't agree with the research we carry out in order to find a cure for The Flare. They will do anything to stop us."

"This was designed to not only help contain our invaluable subjects but to keep them safe from the terrorists on the outside. We will be able to monitor them in a safe and controlled environment."

Ava stood proudly before them, a professional smile displayed on her face. "With your intellect, your expertise, and your willpower, we will be able to build these creatures. They will enable us to work on the research without a fear and be able to save to the World."

Applause startled Evanna as it erupted around her. Glancing around, she found many of her co-workers grinning and vocally approving their new project. She forced a smile of her own, trying to ignore the apprehension that burrowed deep within her.

-0-

Evanna woke with a start, scanning her surroundings. They were unfamiliar until yesterday's events flooded her mind. She sighed and ran a hand over her face. Her body ached tremendously from sleeping on the dirt floor. She sat up, cracked her neck and popped her back to relieve the stress on her joints.

"Glad to see you're awake." She whipped her head towards the barred wooden door to find Alby peering down at her. "Are you gonna try an' run again if I let you out?"

There was a heavy pause. As much as she wanted to run, Evanna knew she needed to be wise in her escape plan. The passageway she used to get in might not be closed. The threat they had made may have been nothing more than a scare tactic.

Evanna met his gaze and answered him evenly, "No."

He observed her silently before a giving her a small smile. It didn't reach his eyes. "Good… Ya know, this ain't the ideal place to be and unfortunately people have cracked livin' in here. But this is where we are, so we gotta make the best of it. We can't have Gladers hurting other Gladers; it ain't tolerated."

Alby's distrust of her was apparent and although he didn't say anything directly, his voice was thick with warning. "Come on," he said, finally opening the door to the Slammer. "I'll give ya a tour of the Glade."

-0-

She wasn't pleased; not at all. Evanna looked bitterly at the sight of corn stalks swaying carelessly in the wind and fruit trees encircled with fallen immature fruits. She turned back to the tomato vines in front of her and continued to pluck ripe tomatoes and place them in the basket behind her.

After the quick tour of the Glade with Alby, she had been introduced to a broad, rather dopey looking boy with a long face, named Zart. He was the Keeper of the Track-hoes, who were responsible for the tilling, weeding, planting, and harvesting of the crops. This was where she'd be working during her time in the Glade.

"Does she hafta be in our group?"

"Why'd Alby let her stay here?"

"We should send her back into the maze."

Evanna ignored the whispers of those around her as she worked. It didn't surprise her that there were some who unnerved by her appearance in the maze; it was to be expected. She was jolted from her thoughts when an apple hit her shoulder.

Whipping her around, she eyed the Gladers around her. Some tried to hide their laughter, while others simply continued working. She finally focused on two boys a couple over by the apple trees. One with buzzed black hair smiled smuggly while a shaggy brown haired boy cackled beside him. They noticed her looking but didn't bother averting their eyes, proud of what they did. Her eyes narrowed and she glared nastily, daring them to look away. After an uncomfortable amount of time, they finally looked away. Feeling a small amount of satisfaction, she turned back to the vine before her.

Over the next hour, Evanna ignored spiteful comments and a good amount of apples that were poorly aimed to hit her. But her tolerance for their immaturity was waning.

-bam-

"Son of a bitch!" Evanna swore as a hard object smacked into the back of her head. She cradled the sore spot with her hand as she watched an apple rolling slowly away from her. A few Gladers around her snickered.

"Nice one Teddy!"

Evanna gritted her teeth, her patience exhausted. Letting go of her head, she grabbed ahold of the apple that hit her. She straightened up and turned toward the two boys from earlier, just in time to witness the shaggy haired boy slap the other on the back before picking up his basket and walking off. Her nails dug into the apple, a small amount of juice trailed down her hand. She looked down at the apple, then back up to the buzz haired boy. A sly smile formed on her lips.

"Hey Teddy," she called out, a false grin plastered on her face. The laughter around her died out quickly. The Track-hoes had stopped what they were doing to watch.

The black haired boy looked over at her, a brief look of uncertainty washed over his face.

"Not many of those apples are ending up in your basket," she noted, gesturing to the fruits around her.

A smirk quickly replaced his confusion. "I thought I'd work on my target practice since my basket's full," he replied as he motioned to his overfilled basket. A few Gladers snickered, causing Teddy's smirk to grow wider.

"Huh. Really?" she questioned with a quirked eyebrow. She looked down at the apple in her hand, to Teddy's basket, back to Teddy. "I feel like there's room for one more."

Before he could reply, Evanna hurled the fruit at him, nailing him right in the crotch. Teddy yelped in pain, staggering back into his basket, knocking it over. She couldn't help the satisfying smile that curled her lips as the apples spilled out. Laughter shattered the silence that had surrounded the Gardens, covering the soft whimpers escaping from Teddy.

A familiar coarse voice cut through the loud snickers, "What the shuck is goin' on here?" The laughter quickly stopped. Evanna straightened up and turned to find Gally standing a few feet from her. A frown covered his features as he scanned the Garden. He looked at the strange sight of apples in the tomato vines around Evanna and Teddy crouched holding his privates.

"I ain't gonna ask again," he said, his gaze focused back on Evanna.

Evanna gave Gally an innocent look. "I was just helping Teddy here, with getting the apples in the basket. His aim was a bit off."

It didn't take Gally long to get a vague idea of what had happened. He rolled his eyes, turning his attention to Teddy who was finally standing up, face mixed of agony and fury. "Stop shuckin' around and pick up the apples Teddy," Gally ordered. "And you," he looked back to Evanna. "Come with me."

He turned away and walked toward the homestead, irritation rolling off him in waves. Sighing, Evanna followed quietly as they passed a few sniggering Gladers. They walked in silence for a little bit before Gally came to an abrupt halt and spun to face her. His eyes burned with frustration. She stumbled back in surprise.

"Why are you causin' problems?" he asked.

Evanna raised an eyebrow at him, "How was giving Teddy his apples back 'causin' problems'?"

"Don't shuck with me, Greenie. Instigatin' a fight? Have you not learned anythin' since being put in the Slammer?" He was piqued and clearly not willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

She snorted and crossed her arms. "Instigating a fight? You really think that I started that? How 'bout you get your facts straight before you start accusing people of shit," Evanna shot back.

"Your track record hasn't shown anythin' otherwise."

"Track record?! I've been here all but two days! Two! How the hell is that enough time to even have a track record?"

"It doesn't matter," he growled out. "If you want to continue living here in the Glade, you better buck up."

She just looked at him, her mind reeling. "You really have your mind set that I'm the bad guy here, don't you?" He didn't answer her. She shook her head, "Ridiculous."

Evanna turned away from him and began to walk off. She needed to clear her mind and calm down.

He quickly took a few steps forward, trying to grab ahold of her arm, "Hey—"

"Don't touch me," Evanna snapped out as she yanked her arm away from his closing fist.

"I'm not finished talkin'," he stated getting in front of her.

"Well I am. Why should I continue to argue with you if you're not going to listen to me?"

"Look, I'm just tryin' to help you."

"How is this helping me?"

"The Glade has strict rules and you can't keep pushin' the line. It's how we live."

"How am I supposed to follow the rules when I'm being harassed?"

Gally opened his mouth to reply, but no words came out. Evanna waited, wanting an answer. When he didn't give her one, she looked at him one last time before she brushed past him. With each step she took, she tried to fight against the anger and frustration washing over her.