Chapter two:
I awake to the feeling of weightlessness, as it seems I'm trapped in a cell in some sort of elevator. The unknown brings dread to my still sluggish body. The fear of anticipation is killing me as the cage and I lift higher. I'm terrified as I can only scream. "Ahhhhhh….."Just then a huge seal opens up to a blinding light, which radiates in my eyes. The elevator comes to a fast halt, as I'm jerked to the side of the cell my stomach hasn't caught up as I feel the urge to vomit.
is nothing but a few shacks in the distance. I barely can make head or tails of the situation. There isn't any life forms near by as far as I can tell. Was I fated to be stuck in this cell? No I can't accept that option; making enough noise to rally attention. I bang on the latches, basically anything I could get a solid grip on.
"Hey!" I scream as loud as humanly possible. Once again repeating myself. "Hey! I'm in the cell." Nothing happens, where was everyone. If there was anyone. "Help!" Damn it I curse under my breath as I awaited for something.
I was feeling heavily fatigued as I begin give up. Suddenly people swarmed towards the lift.
"We got a live one folks," called out a medium height guy with blonde hair.
"Holy shit, this isn't a joke, get the tools." Another guy appeared this time he was around my height and had black hair. Two others came running with a lock pick and a hammer. I watch in my confusion as they work to break me out.
"Isn't it usually once a month before they send new ones up?" Asks the dark skin teen picking the lock to his friends.
"You're right mate, this is rather dodgy."
Moments later the group manages to free me from that infernal cell. Two hands reach out to help me. Each of my hands grab both people's hands. It's the first two, who are aiding in my freedom. I stumble shortly as I get both feet firm on the ground.
"Easy mate."
"Steady does it, let's get you to our cabin. Fry got alert the others," asking his friend.
"Mate what's that in the cage?" The young pale blond jumps into the cell and grabs a paper and a few supplies. I follow the guy who's leading the way. As we walked, the scenery jumps out at me. We were in a giant forest. It was lush and full of activity. But there was just one concerning eyesore.
A massive concrete wall encamped the forest. It was at best ten stories high. No way in or out. What kind of fresh hell was this? I ask my self as we entered the dingy shack. I sit on a wooden chair which I did question the structural integrity. But alas it did good holding my body weight. The shack was only stocked with the bare minimal. Obsessing with fear, I took notice that I struggling to compose myself. Next thing I noticed the guy passes my a steel cup of water.
"So what's your name?" He ask me after moments of silence.
"I… I don't know." Just then the elephant in the room became apparent. I didn't know my name or age. I panicked as put my hands in the jacket I was wearing. I pulled the pocket's inside out of my green bomber jacket. I was tempted to search my denim pants, but it probably would of provide the same absence of an answer.
"Well thats to be expected when you arrive. I'm Thomas by the way," he informs me as we shake hands.
"They call me Newt mate. Puttta there," he mentions walking into the shack, shaking hands.
"Nice to meet you two," I smiled softly making their acquaintance.
"We'll I'll be damned! A brand new shank," A tall and rather built dark skinned guy enters the shack to confirm the rumors.
"Here Alby read this," Newt pass the guy a rather lengthy piece of paper, which he proceeds to read aloud. As others seem to gather around.
"After lengthy consideration and deliberation, a revision has been made. He's the final one ever, a reascent. There will be no further revisions."
"What's that mean?" Ask Newt who seemed, confused. "What's a reascent?"
"One who doesn't adheres to rules. A rebel by nature not of nurture," I answered softly.
"We'll first thing's first. I'm Alby leader of the Gladers. This is Newt my second in command. And despite the paper, there are three rules you must obey!" I store at the guy who spoke harshly and unimpressed.
"Firstly, everyone pitches, no slackers. Second, never hurt another Glader, you have to trust one another," Newt says his eyes dart around uncomfortable with the stagnant atmosphere..
"The third and most important rule, no going into the Maze unless you're a runner," hisses Alby. "Welcome to the glade newbie." Alby walks away, with Newt in tow. Some welcome party that turned out to be. I say getting up to walk around.
"Your gonna need a job," Thomas informs me as I walk around to be accustom to the Glade.
After an hour walking around trying to asset what I could work as. I meet a few friendly keepers of the different jobs. Some rather indifferent or plan mean to Thomas and I.
"I just don't fit in anywhere…."
I complain as I feel rather useless,as I started to become somber over my only redeeming attribute; my high level of intelligence. Where would that fit in this predicament? They needed outgoing people who can provide initial continuation of survival. I was useless in all aspects.
"You can be a cook and work with Frypan."
Thomas was trying to cheer me up, I just wasn't interested in a futile pep talk.
"Yo Greenie ditch the freak and come with us," a tall blondish short hair guy marches pass us, insulting me for no apparent reason. I'm starting to lament this place as I hang my head low.
"Don't listen to them. They were just the same a few weeks ago when I arrived," Thomas said patting me on the back. "Follow me, there's something I wanna show yah." Thomas ran off towards the gathering crowds near the most northern wall.
He was fast as at first. It took awhile to catch up. But eventually I made haste and kept up beside him. It would be a few seconds too we got next to the crowd.
"Oh no it's the freak," said the same guy.
"Shut It Gally!" Thomas snaps at him.
"Impressive," comments Newt with Alby beside him.
"Indeed."
Alby said conferring with his second in command.
"What's impressive?" I question.
"That you managed to keep pace with Thomas who's a runner," Newt said with enthusiasm in his voice.
"He'd make a fine runner."
Said some guy who walk towards the open wall. Frankly I didn't even notice that it was open.
"Afternoon Minho. As much as I would like to make him a runner. The new guy has to display his worth at the proving."
Alby spoke with authority, reassuring who ever that he was in charge.
"Don't forget to add being a freak. Who ever sent him, left a note detailing that newbie was rebellious," Gally talks up adding his disdainful thoughts. Great… Word travels around fast I see.
"Nonetheless I have say so over who I make a runner, am I not Alby? Perks of being keeper of the Runners."
Minho said as he took other runner's to the opening. Thomas follows as I'm left alone. This was the one most thing I didn't wish would occur. The remaining Gladers store at my with different glances. I could just die, if looks could kill. The tension was paramount. I just froze like a deer in headlights.
"Chuck, see to newbie here gets a bed and shack," Newt orders, as a small pudgy boy runs up to me. He was as tall as my waist. It was disgusting to see a child forced into a sick madman's machinations.
"Roger sir. Follow me greenbean."
I follow the kid to the most outer edge of the Glade. It was out of the way which I didn't mind. It would work in my favor when it came to working out. I could smell the freshness of the outdoors, open fires and food being cooked. Passing the lift I've arrived in were some fancy looking shacks. I could see Chuck wanting to talk. I fain silence more then small talk.
"For a greenbean, you sure don't seemed lost. Usually new shanks often have a mouthful of questions. He gave an odd expression on his face. Did he to think I was a freak as well? "Especially on their first day." He continues.
"Well this is it I suppose?" I begin to walk inside the shack it was nothing like Thomas has. The bed was made of heavy hay riveted together.
"Hey new guy, don't mind Gally, his just a obsessive zealot. He takes the rules seriously."
I hear Chuck say lastly while he walking back towards the others. Alone at last. I hop on the bed and relax. I attempt to throw my bomber jacket on a rack. Shoot almost had it. The shack was decent if I was being modest. It was run down and shoddy. The outside consist of a gravel path. There is a mahogany plywood for an excuse of a front door. Unlike the other shacks there was just one floor and two beds. So I'd be bunking with someone.
It was quiet on this side of the Glade. The closest thing near my shack was the garden. Zart the keeper was kind with me. So I wasn't that lonely. I just began to think about my first day in the Glade. If I payed enough attention I could hear the cattle in the distance. People all going about their busy day. It was fairly dark as out as the sun was setting beautifully over the Glade. I had a great view thru a window across from my bed. Then it dawned on me, there wasn't no visible sun in the sky. No matter how bright it was. I chalk it down as an weird occurrence. No one seemed to seem bothered by it. There was warmth when needed and soothing cold when needed. The Glade was a functional ecosystem.
"Hey, Shank time for dinner," a rather taller light skin male came to retrieve me to eat. I could already guess he's was the odd man out. Forced to collect the newbie. The freak. As we walk I notice he radiates a serious vibe, one that's not tolerant of nonsense.
"Thanks for getting me," I calmly speak up sincerely. Because I knew I was hungry and didn't have the courage to ask amongst the crowd earlier in the afternoon
"Don't mention it Shank." He said leading the way. "Listen before we get to where heading. Keep your head down and speak when spoke to. Bad enough Gally nearly convinced Alby to throw you off the Cliff."
He warns me with a sediment of precaution.
"Thanks," I say grimly.
"Save that appreciation for Newt, he saved your life."
A/N: Chapter two done. I eager to get feed back, and I have 13 chapters done, just in the editing phase. R&R. Also I wish I'd own this series but I don't.