AN: Hey guys. I think this chapter is kind of anti-climactic but I promise, this is gives your OCs some sort of false sense of security. Which is kind of cruel. Thank you so much for your support. Disclaimer? First chapter.
Please read The real world is scary's "The group before A" and AsgardianGrizzly's "The Other Glade" if you want to find out who wrote the entries and because I recommend it. (::)
Also, I need a new summary. If you have any suggestions, please review them because I feel like my summary lacks something. So if you can review your summary ideas, that would be super awesome! :)
Everyone heard the Grievers stomp all over the Glade, despite them being a few feet under. They, however, didn't hear Chen scream. Which made James suspicious of her. Was she actually protected in the Slammer? Or did she escape?
Anna was now jittering. She was so frightened, despite not seeing Grievers personally. Flo had taken it to herself to comfort her with Lilli giving calming advice to Anna.
Nath was pacing. Along with Teddy, they were devising a plan that could take down the Grievers if they didn't leave immediately. This was their only home. If Grievers came to graze and destroy it, they would fight, even if it was until their last breath.
Leo miraculously found a stick and started drawing on the ground, Teddy and his team didn't care about flooring this place after all, it was just an emergency room, it didn't need to look fancy.
Leo illustrated the Maze. By some reason, he remembered every detail with precision, was it because of his robotic eye? Was it possible that these people were pulling them on both sides? If one would stand in the middle, they would see that there are downsides to being here, a.k.a. Grievers, the Maze, and losing your memories. There are also upsides, supplies, company, and safety from whatever was out there. It was an equal measure on both sides.
By the time Leo had finished contemplating about the upsides and downsides of this place, he had finished drawing the Maze.
"Woah," Em wasn't the one to usually give out compliments, but this was an exception. What Leo had drawn was so intricate, almost accurate in her eyes.
"Awww, Emmy. I knew you always had the shuckin' hots for me," Leo smirked.
"Slim it, slinthead before I take back what I said about your drawing." Em threatened.
"Shhh!" Nicole scolded.
"Sorry." Em replied, guilty.
"Sorry too." Leo added, not really meaning it. Nicole didn't bother arguing. As long as it was quiet, the Grievers wouldn't find them.
Gale and Bear read the entry silently. It was called Entry #19: Memory.
I had a glimpse of a memory. I remembered Addy, a girl. We used to be friends. I don't know how I recalled her, but she was in my mind. I had an entry about her before, I forgot which notebook it was in, since I've written so much and hidden so many notebooks around the Glade. I could've sworn Vani and she were related, they looked so alike, in my dream at least. I didn't have the heart to tell Vani for the fear of giving her false hope, I'm not cruel.
It was one of those days at the Glade, the routine to wake up, do your job and the whole load of klunk. Despite the Glade being peaceful, I knew the Gladers were fed up. They wanted out. I've seen Vani act strange. She was sadder every day, I swear, I've seen it in her eyes. I couldn't bring myself to talk to her in fear that she might get angry and push me off.
Betsy and I've gotten closer these past months. It just goes to show that even if you're in your darkest times, there will always be one person who will be your light and guide you out of the darkness. The Glade is my dark tunnel, I think Betsy was my light. It sounds cheesy, but it is true.
I sound sappy.
The King of the Shanks is a shuckin' sap.
Never have I heard of that.
End.
"I shuckin' knew it." Gale whispered.
"I think this entry is going to help us understand why some of the Gladers are suddenly recalling memories without going through the Changing." Bear speculated.
"Agreed. You should show this to them."
"Nonsense, Gale. You and I are going to present it." Bear snapped.
Gale knew her brother was stern and understood his behaviour. What she didn't understand is why others would snap at her for no absolute reason. She remembered how James had welcomed her in this place, he called her names and she hated it. Rose snapped at her when she did something wrong. Gale understood she wasn't being angry but she was being particular. But people can still be particular and be less rude in pointing out mistakes.
Aside from Bear, Teddy, Mei, and Em were the only ones she trusted.
Teddy was their leader and she knew he was fitting for the role. He was gentle and caring. He was afraid of losing everyone. From that on, Gale had trusted the guy.
Mei was the older sister they never had. She was gentle but others thought she was cold and heartless at times. Gale knew what Mei was going through. But the older girl hid it well and everytime Gale would inquire, she would brush it off and talk about something else. When Gale pressed, she would turn angry and Gale would be slightly guilty for invading Mei's privacy.
Then of course, there was Em. She was slightly complicated. Gale knew of what Em was hiding. She remembers things she shouldn't. Em was jealous of her and Bear. Em knew of her brother and he broke her trust. She hated him. Gale understood that. Sometimes, even blood cannot make a person forgive the other for what they've done.
"Gale! Gale!" Bear hissed, snapping Gale out of her thoughts.
"What the shuck were you thinking? You basically stared at space for a whole five klunkin' minutes." He asked concernedly.
"Sorry. I was just thinking of what would happen if Grievers found us─"
"If it came down to that, we will run and not look back, as selfish as that sounds." Bear interrupted.
"What's in the diary?" Teddy inquired gently, sitting beside Bear.
"It's about girls named Betsy, Vani, and Addy. I think the author is a boy. He says he's the King of the Shanks." Gale replied.
"Alright. Is that all?"
"No. We're not done reading the whole journal." Bear retorted.
"Get some rest, then. It is 5 minutes to six," Teddy checked his watch. "We'll wake you up when it's safe to go back out." Teddy remarked.
The younger ones, Em, Flo, Anna, and Mark had already fallen asleep. Leo was still scribbling on the floor.
"Go on. We'll watch over you." Teddy assured. Gale yawned and laid on the cot she was sitting on.
"Good night, I guess." Gale smiled lazily. She moved to make space for Bear as the cots were compressed to each other, not giving spaces in between.
"Don't let the Grievers bite!" Teddy whispered jokingly. Bear and Gale softly laughed and fell into an easy sleep.
Teddy made his way to Leo who was still drawing. He had taken up almost all of the free floor space with his drawings.
"Shank, go to sleep now. We're watching over you." Teddy ordered.
"I don't wanna─" Leo yawned.
"Okay, maybe I want to." Leo agreed. He got into the corner most cot, which was beside
Mark, who was snoring softly.
Leo waited for sleep to claim him and eventually, it did.
5:00 AM…
Chen heard noises. It was irritating. She could hear the same sound of the creatures that haunted her sleep for days. She didn't know what they were called but they were hideous, disgusting, and overall creatures one should avoid. She could see a faint outline of one of the creatures.
From the little window the prison had, she could see sunlight beginning to rise.
She could now see clearer. There were about 4 as far as she could see, ravaging the buildings and everything.
Where did they go? Did they leave her here to fend for herself? Or were they hiding? But where? The place didn't offer much hiding places except for the thick forest on one of the corners. She doubted they'd hide there. It didn't offer much protection due to the fact that the creatures could climb.
She was safe here. Those idiots actually did her a favour. The shabby hut in front offered her some sort of protection by hiding her from view in a certain angle. It those creatures come after her, she could easily hide because the place had only a tiny window and the size of those creatures will not help their heads squeeze into the window to see if anyone was trapped inside.
From her observation, the creatures seemed to chase after many people than just one. The more the merrier? Chen laughed bitterly. Chen didn't want to look selfish but these people treated her this way, and they deserved nothing more but anger from her.
2 hours later…
Chen stayed away from the window. She didn't hear any more noise. It was eerily quiet. Curiosity gnawed her insides. She had to see if the creatures are gone. She heard a loud noise. When she peeked form the window, she saw gigantic walls move and close. The creatures already fled way before the walls collided. It was over. But the damage was already done.
AN: That was a false alarm. The Grievers aren't done with the Glade just yet. :) - Just imagine that smile as an evil one. Kidding!
Replies:
MRL2002: Thank you, here it is! If you can, please spread it to your readers as well! :)
softball007: Thank you, as for who wrote the entries, I've given a major clue in this chapter. As for Margie seeing Newt, there is a possibility. ;)
AsgardianGrizzly: So I cleared that up in the latest entry. I have some Betsy/Journal Author here! Since the other readers don't know who he is!
Newtie: Yes, yes it was. Thank you! :)
Datgirl45: Thank you for your support. And of course, total support on your story!
Please review if you have any corrections/suggestions/criticisms/ideas.