I sat outside the Council Hall, legs folded on the grass.
The Gladers had gone back to normal after the Gathering - which had taken all of 20 minutes to wrap up.
As expected, there had been a shocked silence followed by a gradual wave of mutterings after Alby had made his announcement.
Most of the Keepers agreed enthusiastically - some claimed it was for the best and a handful thought it was 'over the top harsh'.
At least I wasn't to blame, I thought vainly.
The boys weren't pointing fingers at me for the Banishing of their friend. In a sick way, I was glad.
Sighing, I leaned my head back, taking in the sun. Newt had told me to wait for him to take me to my first job sampling.
Part of me was excited, but on the other hand I was constantly dreading tonight, when I would witness Paul's Banishing.
I took the relative quietness to think about the jobs. I would be doing this for as long as the shuck creators left us in here - it better be good.
From what I'd heard and seen, each Glader was suited to at least one job. I thought of Minho's strength and agility as a Runner, of Harry's playful ruggedness and love of animals, and Winston's hard brutish nature made him perfect for the Blood House.
What am I good at? I wondered. Of course, my memory swipe didn't leave me an awful lot of options, but I analysed what I had;
Resa. Seventeen years old. Tallish, tanned. Brown eyes, dark hair. Only girl in the Glade. I wonder if that fact made me susceptible to stereotypic judgement?
Would Frypan make me join his Cooks by assuming I was a naturally excellent chef? I however, knew in my heart that I wasn't great at cooking. I was always so impressed at anything Fry cooked up.
Then would Gally keep my far from his Builders? Huh, I probably WOULD bring down Homestead if he armed me with a hammer, I thought wryly imagining the chaos.
My mind drifted back to my interests - I had a certain liking for the wilderness. My hazardous walk in the forest had shown me the beauty of nature, the slender trees and graceful plants which provided US with life.
Suddenly, I sensed a shadow pass over my field of vision.
I cracked my eyes open to find Newt smirking down at me, arms folded;
"Enjoying yourself, greenie? Lucky I don't mind shanks sloffin' on the job"
I rolled my eyes at him as I heaved myself up. The second in command was in high spirits ever since Alby had declared Paul's fate.
"Huh, shouldn't you be a little more subdued? There's gonna be a bloody Banishing tonight!"
He pursed his lips as he studied me. I was wearing leggings and a longish top today, my hair scraped into a messy bun.
"Yeah that", he stated calmly. I frowned.
"If you'd been here a little longer love, you'd also think that shuckfaced shank deserves what's coming to him"
As I opened my mouth to ask the obvious question, Newt clapped his hands together dismissively;
"Well enough of that, thought you'd be all jumped up 'bout the jobs today, eh?"
I grinned at him, gesturing, "This right here Newt, is my 'all jumped up' face - do I get to choose?"
Newt scoffed as he waved me over, "No such luck, greenie. This way"
X_X_X
Slicers.
That's what they had planned for me.
Folding my arms, I grimly tried to take in what Winston was saying. Obviously, I'd gathered that this Keeper pretty much disliked me - the feeling was mutual.
He looked gruesome in his blood-stained apron and seemed to have a scowl permanently stitched onto his grimy face - although maybe that was because of me...
Neither of us mentioned his rather unorthodox suggestion at the Gathering this morning- I just wanted this to go smoothly.
To my disappointment, Newt had to leave - something about overseeing the extension of the Dorm Huts. So I was left to deal with Dracula alone.
Winston glanced over before handing me a short, sharp paring knife.
"Right greenie, we're gonna start with cuttin' up chickens" he told me, grabbing two that were already dead. "These have been plucked so there isn't much to do - helps when they're not flapping around, at least" he gave a humourless chuckle.
I had to stop myself scowling at him in disgust.
X_X_X
Just after midday, Winston told me to go get some lunch. I skipped out, grateful for a break from the blood and death.
He'd also looked delighted to be rid of me, I noticed. That's probably to be expected though. I must have squealed fifty times when the blood sprayed over my apron and I point blank REFUSED to touch the live pigeon with the knife.
I knew these animals were necessary for our survival, but I also wouldn't bring myself to turn into a raving mass murderer - I mean, the pigeon was LOOKING at me for goodness sake!
I winced, glancing at the numerous bloody cuts across my hands and arms, souvenirs of my time in the Blood House. My aim wasn't as good as I'd care to admit.
Walking towards Frypan's Hut, I was brought back to reality by the sound of my name. I turned to find a red-haired guy strolling over to me - Aidan, I remembered waving at him. He worked in the Gardens
"Hey! So you're trying out the Slicers, eh? Good times" he grinned at my disgusted expression.
"Ugh, it's horrible!" I told him. "Winston tried to make me cut up a pigeon!"
Aidan laughed at me, shaking his head. "Does that mean we'll be seeing you as Head Slicer in the next two weeks?" he joked.
I huffed at him, "In your dreams" I imagined the look on Winston's face if he had to put up with ME everyday. Then again, I wouldn't exactly go that way without a fight.
The Keeper of the Slicers had let me out for lunch late so the Mess Hall was pretty much empty when Aidan and I arrived.
Aidan looked at me carefully, "By the way Resa, I'm sorry about what happened last night - y'know, with Paul..." he trailed off, picking at his carrots.
I didn't like being reminded of that but I suppose it was selfish of me to expect it to go away - especially when Paul was going to die.
"Thanks Aidan - I appreciate it"
He returned my smile as I turned back to my soup. (I'd felt too queasy to manage anything more exotic) "Do YOU think he should be Banished?" I still felt extremely guilty thinking about it. The Gladers were all so closely knitted together - I didn't want to be the reason that changed.
Aidan planted his elbow on the table, thoughtfully "In a word, yes" He glanced at me, "Newt's probably given you his shucking speech on order, right?" I nodded, remembering how insistent the second had been.
"Well, that's why this is necessary, We can't ignore a small incident that could get bigger if its allowed to continue. And, we have to make the punishment severe to make sure it doesn't continue"
I could understand that - but it didn't make it any easier to accept.
X_X_X
HARRY POV
I was more excited than I'd like to admit about Resa trying out with the Farmers tomorrow.
The Greenbean had made quite the impression after popping out of the Box - was that only 3 days ago?! Seems like we've known her forever.
I'd just spotted her strolling to the Mess Hall with Aidan. She'd looked quite cheerful, so my foul mood from this morning had somewhat abated.
Although, I wasn't alone with my anger towards Paul. He'd quickly become the most unpopular shank on the Glade.
How could he even DO such a thing? I asked myself as I laid fresh hay with the chickens. Resa had such a likeable personality and despite being the only girl amongst dozens of dudes, she'd never made a big deal about it.
And in return, we respected her boundaries - well, some of us, I admitted scowling.
There were always some shucking cowards who wouldn't stop themselves whistling or leering at her - like the creeps they were.
I however, couldn't figure out my feelings for her.
I'd been one of the first to speak to her, and even then, she'd struck me as different. Curious and confused, but not scared.
Then, infront of the bonfire I'd felt weirdly drawn to her - like when she'd got up, I wanted to grab her hand and tell her not to leave...
Now I wish I'd done just that - maybe then she wouldn't have encountered Paul in the forest.
I shook my head for the twentieth time that morning - Dude, you've GOT to stop obsessing.
'Course I wasn't stupid, I knew I sort of liked her - in THAT way. But i felt shallow just admitting it myself, never mind her.
Huh, she probably knows we all fancy her in one way or another. probably thinks, 'Those shanks, they're so bloody predictable!"
SWITCH POV
I found myself counting the hours 'till I'd get to leave the Blood House.
The only excitement was when Winston introduced me to the other Slicers - there were 4 more in total.
Luckily, they were all a lot more welcoming than their Keeper and tried their best to help me out.
One of them, Andy, was teaching me how to sharpen a thick-bladed knife to use on the cows.
"We don't get an awful lot of recruits 'round these parts" he told me, checking the edge with an expert eye.
I looked at him - not wanting to seem rude, "So what made YOU join? You don't seem to have an unnatural love of blood" I joked lightly.
His snigger was extremely contagious and I smiled too,
"Nah, that's not all that matters, greenie. You have to be smart and decisive - make the most of the animals. Plus, this is a big part of what keeps the Glade running smoothly" He handed me another blunt knife, "We'd be shucking corpses without these animals"
His explanation increased my respect for both him and his job. He's obviously passionate about it - even if its not what people would normally choose, I thought to myself, running a whetstone across the knife's edge rhythmically.
X_X_X
An hour later, Winston dismissed me.
Apparently, there would be a Gathering after I'd tried all the jobs - then a Keeper would pick me. I could already tell Winston wasn't gonna be that lucky shank.
Grimacing, I probed my raw hands and arms - which were covered in yet more bruises and cuts. Probably should have worn gloves, I thought shaking my head.
The cuts were coated in dried blood but the bruises would be worse tomorrow. Somehow I knew I had to get a salve on them before they left permanent scars.
I was determining a way to the Med jacks when I felt a hand tap my shoulder gently.
It was Newt.
As I returned his grin, I realised how glad I was to see him, "Long time, no see" I took in his wind swept blond hair and warm earthy eyes.
He looked me over in turn, "Exactly my thoughts, greenie" His gaze stopped on my hands, which I'd dropped to my sides in the hope he wouldn't notice - no such luck;
"What the bloody hell?!" he frowned, taking my hands softly in his on.
"Newt, its nothing! Just a couple of scratches - " I began, trying to pull back.
He wasn't convinced, giving me a withering look "Of course they are - come on, to the Med Hut"
I huffed at his fussing, "I was literally ON my way there! Just point me in the right direction - "
He just ignored me.
I glared at his back as he dragged me over to a small two-storey hut to the left of the Dorms.
" - Newt, this isn't necessary..." I complained uselessly as he lead me inside and dumped me on a bed, before rummaging around for bandages and medicine.
"How the shuck did you manage this?" he wanted to know, searching for the Med-Jacks.
"It just happened, I barely noticed" I laid my arms across my legs to stop them touching anything unnecessarily.
Newt just shook his head in disbelief, muttering something under his breath as I watched him ripping bandages apart.
I didn't understand why HE was getting so worked up! The cuts were on MY hands, not his, for goodness sake.
Fussy or not, I was still happy to see him...
Just then, a smallish mousy boy walked in, accompanied by a larger, dark skinned one.
Newt looked up, "Resa, meet Clint and Jeff, our official Med-Jacks"
We nodded at each other. They both smiled at my exasperated expression - Newt seemed to not notice.
"Can you recommend something for first day at the Slicers?" he gestured at my hands.
I sighed, "Yeah I thought maybe a wash and some mild salve to prevent scarring? Oh and something for Newt's nerves would be helpful too?"
The Med-Jacks raised their eyebrows at me and laughed, "I like you, greenie!" said the dark-skinned one, walking over and clapping me on the back.
I frowned uncertainly at them while Newt smirked, "Slim it Clint, is that what she bloody needs or not?"
Clint sniggered, "I couldn't have put it better myself" he glanced at me. "wait here, Resa while I go and make that salve" Nodding at his colleague, (Jeff, I assumed) he walked out of the room.
I could sense Newt watching me as the mousy boy kneeled beside the bed, examining my hands.
"There are quite a few cuts - but they aren't deep, just long and thin" Jeff had a quiet, intelligent voice to match his appearance and I immediately took a liking to him.
"And you were right on greenie, this'll need to be cleaned before applying the salve - then bandaged" he smiled at me and I grinned sheepishly back.
"I'll go get warm water - are you staying, Newt?"
The second gave a single nod, eyes fixed on me as he leaned against the bed post, arms folded.
When Jeff walked out, I turned and raised my eyebrows at Newt, who came and took Jeff's place at my knee.
"So, d'you want to tell me why you're acting like my guardian angel?"
Infuriatingly, he didn't answer - just looked at me under his lashes as he kneeled there.
Oh my God, he looked so adorable... I sighed heavily. "I knew I was going to get hurt okay? I was expecting it - and I was prepared, but - "
He eventually cut in, " - That's the difference, love" His voice was soft, quiet. "I knew it too, but nothing would prepare me for you getting hurt"
Blinking, I stared at him. What did he mean by THAT?
Loud footsteps confirmed Clint and Jeff had returned with the water and salve. "Here we go - turmeric and basil salve. It doesn't look pretty, but it sure works" Clint grinned at me.
Just then, we heard a handful of voices from outside.
Clint cursed, "Oh shuck, that'll be the Runners back - we'll have to see to 'em, greenie" He glanced at Jeff before they both looked at me apologetically.
Before I could say anything, Newt took the warm water and rags from Jeff, "Its fine guys, you go. I can handle bandaging a few cuts"
They nodded, turning back to the door.
"Good that, we'll be back to check on you Resa" Jeff assured me.
I smiled, "Take your time"
Oddly, my hands were beginning to ache a bit. Its probably just the cold air, I thought - no need to inform Newt of that.
Newt however, had dragged a stool over to the bed with the hand basin full of warm water. I studied him as he sat down - he was unusually quiet.
He took my hand and gently wiped a soaked rag around the bloody marks.
"We don't have much time", he glanced at my frown "'till the Banishing"
I looked away, suddenly uncomfortable.
There was a soft thumb stroking across my inner wrist. Hesitantly meeting his eyes, I was startled to find him staring at me intently.
His stool was slightly higher than the bed, so he had to sort of lean towards me on his elbows. he was closer than I'd expected.
Again, I felt a warmth spreading throughout my chest. That was weird.
Swallowing, I decided to get him talking again, "So um, what's gonna happen to him? Isn't there a chance he'll - "
"- None whatsoever" Newt reached for the bowl of salve and proceeded to dab it on the required areas. "After tonight, he'll belong to the Maze - there's no bloody doubt about it"
Maybe I was hearing things, but he sounded less delighted about the Banishing compared to this morning.
Because its so close now, I thought solemnly. Now nobody cares if Paul's a shuckfaced bully - nobody deserves THAT.
Feeling a sharp sting in my arm, I jumped away from Newt's hand.
"Sorry, love" he muttered, washing the salve off his hands and offering me a faint smile.
I sighed tiredly, "It wasn't you Newt, no worries."
Finally he began binding my lower arms and hands in white wrappings.
He broke the silence, gesturing at the silver bangle on my right wrist, "This came up with you right? I was gonna ask before but..."
I had also given it a lot of thought - why should I have it when no-one else did? But the answer had came to me soon after I'd remembered my name;
"I think it's religious" I told him. "Its really frustrating but that's all I remember - so I wear it" It wasn't much of an explanation, but Newt seemed to understand.
He moved it over my fresh new bandages and gently ran a finger across the smooth steel. "Either way, it suits you"
I detected a hint of his usual smirk as he pulled me to my feet.
We faced the door as the rabble of voices became louder. I glanced at him nervously "This is it"
It wasn't really a question, more of a statement.
As his fingers brushed against mine softly, he carefully grasped my bandaged hand. "Right, greenie. Its time for a Banishment"
Hey again! Hope you enjoyed the chapter, its the longest one yet! - I know, its really dragging out, but it'll be worth it (I hope!) I can promise a Banishing in the next chapter :)
Good News: Since I've tortured you with such drama, I'll post Ch 7 in the morning - you're welcome haha!
Thanks for the support,
Love, LadyFantasy13 xox