Chapter 2: The Gathering
3rd Pov:
This chapter's song is... Wherever I go, by One Republic. Sorry for the erratic posting, we'll try to post either every day or every other day. This is also on Wattpad or AO3, though for Wattpad we have about 15 chapter's posted. We took a small break to catch up on that website though. R & R please! Enjoy!
Newt had walked off, leaving Minho to his own devices. Minho continued to sketch out his section as he thought about recent events. A boy, not a boy, a toddler in the Glade. What had the Creators been thinking? He shook away the thoughts that tumbled around in his head. He was walking over to the kitchens when movement by the doors caught his eye. It wasn't Thomas, but some of the runners were already getting back.
Newt sighed, dreading the upcoming Gathering. He knew Gally would be beside himself with horrible suggestions. When he made it to the kitchen, he had to cover his mouth to stop himself from laughing. Alexander was sitting in the middle of a group of about six boys, all of whom were taking turns attempting to cut up the small piece of chicken on his plate. Newt could tell from small glances that they were only managing to smush it, and by Alexander's face he found this highly amusing.
Newt walked over and placed his hand on Alexander's shoulder, "Hey Xander." He greeted the boy, then he looked up at the gathered boys "Don't ya' have jobs to do?" They nodded, grumbling as they walked off. Newt settled himself next to Alexander, who looked at him with admiration. Newt gave the boy a small smile before continuing, "I need to ask you a few things, is that okay?"
The boy nodded. "Alright," Newt started, "Do you remember anything? Anything at all." The young boy ran towards him mother giggling, she picked him up as she laughed herself. "I love you baby boy." He smiled happily at his mother "I love you too Mommy." Newt poked the boy lightly in the side. "Well do you?" Alexander looked up, making his decision. He only remembered 2 things, and he'd already given up his name. "No, I don't." Alexander said, speaking clearly.
Newt sighed, nodding his head slowly. "Would you like me to help you with that? Considering these shanks can't work a knife apparently." Alexander laughed. "No, I can do it. It was just funny to watch them squirm when they realized they couldn't cut up food." Newt had to fight back laughter at the fact that the young boy could cut better than the teenagers.
It was then that Alby ran up to Newt, nodding towards the homestead and tapping his watch. Newt could tell he was getting agitated. Alby then headed of in another direction, probably off to track down the keepers. Newt sighed, standing and offering his hand to Alexander. "We're going to go and figure out what to do with ya and who's going to watch you during the day, all that fun stuff." Newt said muttering the last part to himself as Alexander nods, smiling slightly. "Okay!"
Newt bit his lip, wondering what to do with the young boy. He then snapped his fingers as a thought dawned on him. Newt turned and headed away, gesturing for the boy to follow. He ran up, and for every one of Newt's steps, he had to take two.
Newt stopped Chuck near the back of the Glade. "Hey, Chuckie!" He called out to the pudgy boy, there's someone I want ya to meet!" Chuck looked to Newt, but his gaze fell to the boy next to him. Who next to Newt, stuck out like a sore thumb. "W-wha-?" Chuck stuttered in confusion. Newt quickly hushed him, not wanting to upset Alexander. "We're holding a Gathering." He said, and Chuck nodded in understanding, "He can hang out over here for a bit." Newt nodded "That'd be the point, thanks Chuck."
As soon as Alexander was safely in Chuck's hands, Newt turned and ran to the homestead. He placed his hand on the door, about to push it open, when he heard the voices from inside. He paused upon hearing them,and let out a loud sigh. This was gonna be horrible. Newt sucked in one more breath before pushing open the door and facing the council of boys in front of him.
Alby was sitting, he head buried in his hands as he looked about ready to tear his hair out. Around him Gally was rallying against the boy. Screaming to anyone that would listen about how the toddler was unknown, he should be put in the Slammer till they knew more. Newt located Minho settled in a seat a few away from Alby. The runner glared at everyone around him. Muttering about idiots as he did so.
Newt pulled a chair closer to him and stepped onto it, "WILL YA SLINTHEADS SHUT YA BLOODY MOUTHS?!" He cried, struggling to raise his voice over the loud ones that screamed above his. Finally they began to settle, taking their places, still muttering among themselves. Newt jumped down from the chair, and then leaned back sitting in his chair as the others did.
Alby shot a thankful glance at his friend, before starting the Gathering as he always did. "I can this Gathering to order." He said lightly. "Newt speaks first, then the rest of ya, then me. Then we vote." Their leader said with an edge to his voice. He was mad with the creators for sending a boy as young as Alexander to the Glade. But he was mostly mad that the boys surrounding him, whom were suppose to be his secondary leaders in their rag tag community, couldn't even attempt to keep themselves together. He let out a heavy breath and looked towards Newt, "care to start?"
"We're not locking him in the Slammer, he's 5. And your sick minds wanna lock him up? We're gonna talk this over, and figure out where, and who he'll sleep with. Because it can't be outside, and it can't be with Gally." He said, sending a glare towards the builder.
"We also have to assign someone to him during the day so he doesn't go out into the Maze. Other than that, we don't have anything to talk about. If he wants to help with the work, he can, but he's five. He's not exactly going to be able to work all day." Newt finished, Alby looked at him. Slightly surprised, he never talked that much. Not even at gatherings.
Regardless, Alby nodded at him, and then wrote down his suggestion. Alby then looked to Zart, the gardener didn't say much, only uttered a few words and then agreed with Newt. That's what most of the Keepers did, until they got to Gally that is.
He stood up when it was his turn, causing their leader to roll his eyes. "He should be put in the Slammer. We've gotten the same thing in that box for 3 years: Teenagers. Then all of a sudden we get a klunkin' toddler? I don't think so. He could be a-" Gally was quickly interrupted by an annoyed Frypan
"You're being paranoid Gally, next thing ya know you'll say the kid's the devil." Frypan earned a dirty look from Alby, "He's a Council member, Fry. His suggestions are just as valuable as yours." Alby said to the cook. Newt nodded, before muttering under his breath, "Even if they are bloody crazy…" Conversations and arguments had erupted through the Council members again. Alby let out an aggravated groan, "Guys! You'll all get a chance to talk. For now shut your holes!"
Alby sighed when the other Keepers finally calmed down, and turned to the keeper next to Zart. Who suggested, they do start working the kid. That they didn't know how long they'd be here, and that he should learn. Alby raised his eyebrows slightly, but wrote down the suggestion. Clint was next, the medjack took a breath before talking, "I kind of agree with everyone," he paused. "Except Gally." He corrected, "I think he should be worked, but not extreme. Just help me and Jeff, or help the Trackhoes for an hour or so a day." He paused for a second beofre continuing. "And I also fully agree with Newt, there's no way he goes to the Slammer."
Alby wrote down his suggestion as he did every else's, Winston went next. "Normally, I wouldn't care too much as long as y'all didn't banish the shank or somethin'. But he can't work with the Slicers, My jobs' killing piggy's, not babysitting squeamish toddlers." He nodded his head, showing he was finished, Alby scoffed in humor before sketching down his suggestion.
After a few other people that agreed with Newt and Clint, It was Frypan's turn, "First off, we are not throwing him in the slammer. 2nd, I just want to state that I agree with the majority.. He should work a bit, no extreme jobs, and he should also be with someone during the day." The cook finished, and watched Alby sketch down his suggestion/
"Okay," Alby started "Minho?" He questioned as he looked towards the runner, "I agree with Fry." He said lightly, Alby quickly wrote something down before moving onto the next keeper, there were no other extreme suggestions. A few more agreed with the other keepers. A few also agreed with Gally, which, everytime without fail, led to Frypan getting mad, people arguing, and Alby and Newt trying to shut them up.
Finally it was time to vote, most Gladers were reasonable voting for Frypans suggestion, it was decided after the vote, that the young boy would work with the Trackhoes most of the time. He would also have to stick next to an assigned glader, and he'd sleep inside the homestead.
Newt nodded at the response, happy with the outcome of the meeting, but before the end of the meeting. Minho asked an obvious question, "So who's he he gonna sleep with?" Alby didn't hesitate to point at Minho, "You ya shank," MInho raised his eyebrows, "Excuse me? I didn't volunteer!" Their leader quickly retorted, "No, ya didn't. But you did insist you get a room in the homestead, and that it also be the biggest room in the homestead. So, your arrogant self gets a child."
Minho opened his mouth to protest but Alby quickly moved on. Newt laughed, earning an annoyed look from MInho. "Zart do you mind watching over Alex tomorrow? Since he'll already be working in the garden?" Alby questioned. "Sure, no problem." Zart responded. He was growing fond of the new arrival. Alby nodded, "Anyone have anything else to say?" Alby's question was met by silence, "Alright, meeting adjourned."
Most of the Gladers filed out of the homestead, except for Minho who hung back a bit. Newt walked over to him, clapping him on the back. Minho didn't look towards him, but began talking, "I was one of the original Glanders, I've been here 3 years. 3 years, and what does Alby make me do? Babysit, I have to babysit." Newt rolled his eyes "You're being dramatic," Minho turned, staring at him as if he were crazy. "I am not, Newt, man. I'm not really sure, but I don't think I was the best with kids before all this." Newt scoffed and began to say something, but the door was pushed opened and Thomas walked in.
Newt glanced at his watch, "10 minutes till they shut, really Tommy?" He said, looking disapprovingly at Thomas. Thomas shrugged and then glanced at Minho's annoyed face before continuing. "So what'd I miss, what was up with the Gathering?"
Minho scowls. "They're makin' me babysit a five year old, that's what." Thomas looks to Newt for help, seeing that Minho was clearly gonna be none. "A little kid came up in the box today," he said bluntly. Thomas's mouth drops open, and he looks around as though the young brunette would be standing there. "You mean… they… how old is he?" Newt sighed, biting his lip. "About five," Newt whispered cautiously, fearing what Thomas's reaction would be. The boy had a tendency to question and become outraged at things beyond his control.
It's wasn't his fault, he's not exactly like the rest of the Gladers. People claiming they remember something was big news, but remembering a Greenie? Newt had been there for 3 years and had never seen such madness. He was surprised Thomas hadn't gone insane from all of the claims people made about him.
Thomas furrowed his eyebrows. "Why would the creators send a little kid up here?" Newt shrugged. "Beats me. Them bloody shanks probably wanted to test us. See how long we could keep a little one alive." Thomas shook his head. "They're psycho."
A beetle blade dashed by at the Gladers feet, Minho glanced down at it. "How'd that shuck thing get in here?" He said attempting to kick at it. Newt rolled his eyes at MInho. "We've never been able to touch em before, that's not gonna change now."
"Guys!" Thomas called out to them, "Can we please focus?" Minho let out a breath of annoyance and Newt returned his gaze to Thomas. "Tommy, we did focus. We had a gathering. There isn't much we can do but see what happens."
Thomas ran his fingers through his hair, looking at Newt perplexed. "Where is the kid right now?" Newt grinned. "He's havin' a bloody grand time with Chuck at the moment." Thomas grinned. "If you keep putting him on babysitting duty, he'll have to give up being a slopper." Newt laughed, and the three of them exited the Homestead and made their way to Chuck.
He'd been where Newt had left them, and when the 3 Gladers made it to the tree, Thomas gasped at the sight. "But… that's not…" "We told you he was young, Tommy." "Yeah, but… I thought you guys were exaggerating. You do have a flare for doing that."
"Because we're such the jokesters? Right?" MInho said mockingly. Newt stepped away from the arguing boys, and towards the younger one. "Hey Xander." He said, playing around with a nickname for the boy. "This is Thomas." He said turning and touching Thomas shoulder, "he also live here," The boy bobbed his head and smiled up at the boy, then turned back to Newt. "Like me?" Newt smiled "Like you."
Thomas smiled at the little boy, crouching and holding out his hand. "So you're the one these idiots have been freaking out about." Alexander smiles, taking the outstretched hand and pulling himself up. "I guess so. Are there any other kids my age here?" Thomas winced slightly. "No, you're the only one. Which makes you super special." Alexander giggled, smiling up at the boy.
He looks around him, frowning slightly. "I heard people talking about work, what will I do?" Newt smiled, crouching next to Thomas. "You'd be planting seeds, but that's only if you want to. We don't want to overwork you, but we also can't just have you running around all day. We need to talk about the rules too."
Before Newt could continue, Minho cleared his throat. Newt chuckled and gestured towards Minho. "And this here, is Minho." Thomas stepped up next to Newt, throwing his arm around the blonde boy. "The biggest idiot of them all." He added on. Minho turned toward Thomas, "Yeah, well this idiot can still kick your butt. So watch it." Thomas laughed and pulled his arm off Newt, shoving Minho.
Alexander giggled at their quarrel, drawing their attention back to him. Minho nodded at him, "Hey kid, just so ya' know, you'll be bunkin' with me tonight." Alexander smiled shyly at Minho, "Where do we sleep?" Newt spoke up, "You'll be sleeping in there." He said gesturing at the deformed Homestead.
Alexander looked at it curiously and Minho stepped forward, "Come on, I'll show you." The boy walked off with Minho, leaving Newt, Thomas, and Chuck standing there. Thomas grinned before looking up to Newt. "You think this'll be good or bad?" Newt smiled slightly. "I think the bloody shank's got us all wrapped around his shuck finger, that's what I think." Thomas smiled, "I'd second that." Newt then headed off to help the Trackhoes, leaving Thomas and Chuck alone by the trees.
Thomas grinned at Chuck. "Look's like you're not the youngest anymore," he said teasingly. Chuck grinned back, "looks like you're not the Greenie anymore." Thomas laughed, motioning for Chuck to follow him. They walked together over to the Homestead.
