I winced as Newt pressed a handful of ice to my bruised eye.
"I'm sorry, love" he muttered, frowning. "This'll bring down the swelling - promise"
Grimacing faintly, I was touched by how gentle he was being - it was only a black eye after all.
Maybe he's angrier with the circumstances, not the actual black eye, I thought to myself, remembering his tortured expression as he'd looked at my crouched form on the ground. (Was that only an hour ago?)
"Newt..." I began, wondering if I should ask him this. I WAS curious.
He glanced at me, straightening up.
"What exactly do you remember about - well, before? Apart from your name, that is?" I started to twirl my hair anxiously as he studied me.
"Not much that matters. 'course we all have basic common sense and an understanding of the world and stuff in general - some more than others" he joked, weakly.
I didn't smile.
He looked away, busying himself with the ice. "But we don't know klunk about what the outside world is like, or anything about our family, friends..." he trailed off.
I understood. It was painfully frustrating. Imagine not knowing who gave birth to you, who read you bedtime stories, who took you to school - it was maddening.
"It would have been nice to have some details" I agreed quietly.
Sighing, I stood up - my head was spinning slightly - and walked over to the door of the room.
It had only been an hour since I'd left the Feast to wander the woods. It felt like forever ago...
"Anyway," Newt turned back to me, taking a deep breath. "I'm gonna show ya something that all the Greenbean's have the pleasure of witnessing - "
He walked outside and gesture for me to follow "I hope you enjoy it..."
Curiosity awakened, I strolled outside and watched as Newt headed towards the walls of the Maze.
Hmm, I smiled to myself. Looks like things are getting interesting.
X_X_X
I caught up with him infront of an opening in the Maze - sort of like a window. It was covered in a glass-like material that was foggy and murky from disuse.
Probably to protect us against - something? I guessed, frowning.
Newt held out his hand to me, face serious.
"Look he told me, pointing out of the window. "One'll be coming along soon"
"Its so dark - " I began, taking his hand.
"Won't be for long..."
After a minute or two of silence, I was thinking of asking another question when suddenly the windows lit up with illuminating light.
As we moved forward - hand in hand - I caught sight of a shadow flitting behind the blurry glass. Automatically, I leaned in, pulling Newt with me.
What I saw then made my heart stop in terror;
It was a Creature - larger than a cow and with numerous mechanical legs, all twitching and jumping as the thing moved behind the window.
Its body was slimy and disgusting - in stark contrast to its horrendous metal limbs. Its eyes gleaming red and a set of terrifying fangs snapped angrily at us.
Most disturbing were the weapons - shears, pincers and saws were jutting out of its large body, randomly moving open and snapping shut.
It was sudden, painful death to anyone who crossed the monster's path...
I wanted to scream, to run, run far away from this thing - a beast from hell itself, a Griever.
I remembered my hand then, gripping the life out of Newt's, although he didn't seem to mind as he squeezed my hand back.
The Griever approached the window, clicking and sliding across the hard concrete ground of the Maze.
Whimpering, I began to back away before it caught sight of us.
I felt Newt's hand move up to my lower back, pulling me closer to him.
Burying my face in his shoulder to stop shaking, I detected subtle hints of wood smoke and pine when I breathed him in.
"Its alright, Resa" his voice was calming. "It cant get us in here"
As my breathing slowed and my body stopped trembling, Newt pulled away only to touch my face with his fingertips.
"Are you okay?" he still had a hand gently at my waist, I noticed vaguely.
I realised I hadn't said anything. That's weird, I thought. That SO isn't me.
Nodding, I loosened my stranglehold around his neck, bringing my hands to his chest. (I belatedly noted that this was a bit of an awkward situation)
Turning to the window, I whispered;
"That's a Griever right? The thing the walls are protecting us from"
"Yes..." Newt pursed his lips, following my gaze. "That's why you can NEVER find yourself outside those walls - 'specially not at night"
I could hear the monstrous weapons banging against the window for a while, until the Griever turned away - after one final snarl our way.
Swallowing, I watched the lights begin to fade until we were left standing in the darkness once again.
X_X_X
It was only then I noticed I was still standing in Newt's arms. Looking at him, I blushed and began to pull away.
He cleared his throat and released me, running a hand through his ruffled blond hair.
"So, ermm, do the Runners see them during the day?" I asked, glancing at him.
"Nah, the buggers only come out at night - lucky for us or they'd have free access to the Glade." Newt nodded me over as he began to head towards Homestead.
What are we doing here? I thought. Surrounded by those - things?
The Gladers called them Creators, I remembered. The people who put us here, who wiped our memories.
I hated them.
NEWT POV
Strange, I thought. Shouldn't she have more questions?
Glancing at Resa, I remembered how the other shanks had run around like headless bloody chickens after seeing their first Griever.
Then again, she isn't like 'other shanks' is she? I smiled to myself, strolling towards the noise and light - the Feast.
"Newt!"
I turned to her, eyebrows raised.
"We're not going back THERE, are we?" she asked indignantly, hands on her hips.
I heaved a sigh to hide my grin - she looked just like a stroppy ten-year-old.
"Come on, love. You can't miss out on the Feast - you're the Guest of HONOUR" I told her, grabbing her hand.
Resa rolled her eyes adorably, trying to drag me away.
"But I thought the others weren't supposed to know about Paul" she complained.
I stopped at the mention of that slinthead, attempting to keep the anger out of my face.
"They won't, trust me. But you have to come back with me, greenie - you haven't experienced the entire thing yet"
She glared at me but obliged, walking ahead towards the Feast.
I shook my head at her back. Had no idea I could be so bloody persuasive, I thought smirking.
X_X_X
"Here you go, greenie - knock yourself out" Gally slammed a jar of amber concoction on the wooden table infront of us.
Resa eyed it suspiciously, while Minho and Harry raised their eyebrows in surprise.
"Sure you wanna trust our Greenbean with that, Gally?"
"Why not?" he replied, grinning. "It'll be fun - she might turn cannibal on us"
She turned to him, smiling sweetly "Yeah, Gally - fun for ME, maybe not so much for YOU"
We laughed "Very true, man" I agreed, smiling at her.
"Well, what's in it?" Resa asked him - a question none of us even had the answer to.
Infuriatingly, Gally just tapped his nose and winked slyly. "Top secret, shank. If I told you THAT it'd ruin the taste - and you cant ever bring that back"
Harry shrugged at her confused expression, leaning his elbows on the table.
Gally always gave some bloody smart-ass answer when asked that question - we'd all given up.
Resa made a disgusted face "Why, did you brew rats' tails' in it or something?"
Even Gally laughed at that one, shaking his head "Nope! But you're close, greenie"
He pushed the jar towards her, "There you go, its tradition for the Newbie at the Feast"
I looked at her, not sure if she would agree. Gally wasn't the most sincere person I knew.
She sighed, glancing around at the four of us before taking a wary sip...
SWITCH POV
I gagged, violently and glared at the boys as the laughed at me.
Well, I thought, coughing. THEY knew what it tasted like.
It was awfully bitter and a vile taste spread as I attempted to swallow.
"You bastards!" I yelled. "That tasted like the back end of a bloody donkey!"
Gally grinned evilly, "You got me" he stated as I swatted him with the back of my hand. That just made them crack up even more.
However, I discovered the after-taste was almost pleasant - sort of spicy.
Minho picked up my discarded jar and winked as he took a huge gulp.
I pulled a face at him, impressed at the same time.
"You're alright, love" came a familiar voice in my ear.
I turned to face Newt who was smirking at me, eyes sparkling.
"This makes you one of us. A bloody Glader - though and through"
I detected a hint of pride in his voice as I grinned back at him, pleased with myself.
X_X_X
"First day at the jobs tomorrow, lucky you"
Harry and I were walking back towards the Dorms after the Feast.
I still didn't know as much about these jobs as I'd like to, I thought with a frown.
"How many are there in total?" I asked him.
"Huh, I'd say about 9 or 10" guessed Harry. "And they all have Keepers too - you'll meet us all soon enough"
He looked at me abruptly. "Hey I was gonna ask you - what happened earlier today? Y'know, when a bunch of shanks disappeared from the Feast? You were gone for good while"
I looked away. Harry wouldn't tell anyone, but Alby was specific.
"It was nothing important" I lied. "Alby was just showing me round Homestead - no big deal" I winced at how daft it sounded, but Harry didn't seem suspicious.
"Mhh, right then - you'd better get some sleep. If I know Newt, and I do - he'll be up at the break of shucking dawn tomorrow and expect the same of you" he grinned, stopping at the door to the Dorms.
I rolled my eyes "I believe you Harry"
He waved, laughing. "See you tomorrow, Resa!" before we separated.
ALBY POV
I sat glaring at the scarred wooden table infront of me.
"You have to see it, Alby, its the only way" Newt was imploring, hands on the back of his chair.
Obviously too agitated to sit down, the shank had been ranting furiously for the last 15 minutes about punishing Paul.
"I know what you're saying, man" I assured him, folding my arms. "But aren't we being a bit too damn harsh?"
He stared at me, mouth open. Newt wasn't usually speechless, I thought grimly.
"TOO HARSH? Are you bloody drunk?" he demanded, beginning to pace again. "The slinthead almost RAPED her, Alby!"
"I know, I know! I'm just saying..." I looked at him, cautious. "...Are you surprised Newt, Really?"
He turned his back to me, fuming. After a long minute of uncomfortable silence, it became apparent he wasn't going to answer the question.
Not that he had to - I could easily guess the answer to my own question. It sounded barbaric, but it was still true.
I decided to try again;
"Look, dude. I'm thinking we give him a week in the Slammer - the same as if anyone else had harmed another Glader, right?"
He turned slowly, frowning. "And if one of the others tries it - what then?"
He leaned heavily against the wall. "A week in the bloody pit wont do klunk to these guys"
I glowered at his stubbornness. "I'm just gonna say it - I don't want to Banish him, Newt!"
He stared at me, but I wasn't done.
"The greenie's been here two days! The other'll explode if we're Banishing Paul over a little harassment" I watched his face carefully as it changed from stubborn to grudging acceptance.
Relieved, I stood up;
"So, he was a dumb shank and he's gonna be punished, 'kay?"
Newt folded his arms, looking up, "But not as he should be, right?"
Pursing my lips, I nodded "Right. But think about it. When the rest of them find out, they won't exactly be all 'Congrats mate, well done!' They WILL resent him for it"
Glancing at him I continued, knowing I was right. "I mean, our Greenbean's made quite the impression already - people are gonna stand up for Resa, especially against a shuckface like Paul"
He blinked as I spoke, taking it in.
Suddenly, I noticed his eyes flicker when I mentioned her name.
There was SOMETHING there, I noticed staring. Something he was trying hard to conceal.
I grinned to myself as it became clear. Newt thought he was shucking unreadable.
Raising my eyebrows at him, I tried to pretend it wasn't obvious.
"So, erm, why the sudden over-protectiveness?" I asked, innocently.
He glanced down, rapidly - blushing? Definitely weird.
"Its nothing mate" he said, unconvincingly. He seemed to find the crack in the ground extremely fascinating.
Unable to stop myself, I sniggered, "Yeahhh, well next time you want to convince me of something, I'll just remember you're a lovestruck fool who cant think straight"
He scowled at me as he tried to form a response.
He wouldn't deny it, surely?
"She's just... she's..." he attempted. "...She's different"
"Yeah, like we've got a variety to compare her to" I grinned at him.
"Seriously Alby, she doesn't ask stupid questions like the rest of these shanks. She actually listens - and observes" he told me earnestly. "And she's brave"
Shaking my head, I walked towards the door.
"Whatever Newt, just - be careful"
He raised his eyebrows at me.
"And we've got a Gathering early in the 'morn, so bring her to that - then you can start with the jobs, right?"
"Yeah, yeah okay. See you then" he turned back to the papers, shuffling absently as I walked out.
Wonder if she like him back, I thought to myself heading to the Dorms.
The Greenbean had only been here a couple of days anyway. She barely knew the place. Probably thinks we're all hormone-driven male shanks, I sniggered to myself.
But Newt had a point. She wasn't what I'd expected a girl to be like.
Don't think I heard her complain since she got here.
But whatever it is, they better not get distracted.
We've got a Glade to run.
SWITCH POV
Hiya everyone! Thanks again for all the reviews and support - its really motivational :)
Regarding the story, I know its moving slowly but I thought I'd take the time to give the characters some depth and build upon the relationships - because that's what brings a story forwards!
I apologise for the lack of Annoying, I-Want-To-Punch-You-In-The-Face Gally but I really like his character and I thought I'd make him slightly more likeable and 'big-brotherly' in the fanfic
I have a number of exams around the corner but I'll try and get Chapter 5 up ASAP :)
Love, LadyFantasy13 xox