Disclaimer: I own nothing but my storyline and OC(s).
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CHAPTER SEVEN
Eleanor
The first person to arrive back in the hut was Alby. He hurried in, followed by Gally and Frypan. Next was Newt and three others that I didn't know. They all sat down in front of me, except Alby, and looked up at him expectantly. They all looked especially grim and I wondered what was going to happen. Was I going to get punished? I mean, I probably deserved it but surely Lenny did too.
I forced myself out of my thoughts and into the present. Looking at Alby, like the rest of the boys, we watched as he paced for a few seconds before stopping and looking around at all of us.
"I'm sure most of you saw what just happened, or have heard it from someone else." He paused, as if waiting for someone to shake their heads.
"What we don't know," he continued, "Is why it happened. Eleanor?" He looked at me and I felt my throat go dry. I stared blankly before realising that Alby wanted me to explain.
"Well," I started hesitantly, "This morning when I woke up, I didn't know where I was. I presumed maybe it was my room, as Newt had already left-"
"What's this got to do with you punching the lights out of Lenny," someone called out. I looked over at the boy, glaring at him. He had brown skin and lots of acne.
"Shut your shuck mouth." Muttered Newt from the first row. I looked at him appreciatively and he nodded at me to continue speaking.
"As I was about to say," I stared at the boy who had spoken, "When I woke up Newt wasn't in the room, but someone else was. Lenny was standing in the room with me." I heard a few mutterings throughout the crowd but I couldn't tell if they were in disgust, confusion or something else. I pushed these thoughts aside and continued, I needed to explain why I had done what I did.
"We talked briefly and he proceeded to tell me that last night Newt had…" I paused, unsure. Looking over at Newt I saw him staring at me encouragingly. Taking a deep breath, I continued.
"That Newt had taken advantage of me while I was sleeping." I looked around the room at everyone's faces. Newt was now looking at the floor, Gally was beginning to turn red, Frypan looked disgusted, Alby looked solemn but the other three were just blank, as if they didn't quite understand.
"Anyway," I began again, raising my voice, "I cried and he came over and comforted me, and told me that he would never do something like that and that he could show me if I wanted." A few sharp intakes of breath went around the room and Gally rose slightly in his seat. I could see him beginning to get angry.
"I ran out of the room and into that group of trees over there," I pointed in the general direction.
"The deadheads," clarified Newt. I wondered at the name.
"Yes, that place. I ran into there and Newt saw me and followed. Naturally, I got angry and yelled at him." I winced, looking at Newt, trying to convey how sorry I was. He just gave me a small smile.
"Is that all?" Alby asked, "Newt told you the truth so you went and punched Lenny." I shook my head.
"Newt told me the truth and we left the trees. As we were walking Lenny and some of the people with him began to essentially catcall us. He said that, that must be the type of guy I like, the kind who takes advantage of me in my sleep. So, I punched him." I looked around the room. Alby sighed.
"Did you really have to punch him so many times?" I thought back to what had happened.
"He called me my name." I quietly said. I was asked to repeat it so I raised my voice this time.
"This morning, I remembered my name and said it out loud. He was there to hear it. When I yelled at him, he called me my name and that's what made me punch him. I told him not to and he did it again, so I tackled him. Then he said that he liked that position and I lost it." I slumped back in the wooden chair as I finished my piece. That was the truth, now I just had to hope that they didn't see me as the bad guy.
Looking around the room, I had hope that some of the guys would be on my side. Newt sat with his hands clenched and jaw strong. Gally was red and pacing. Frypan looked utterly disgusted and gave me a small smile in pity. I wasn't so sure about the others though. Some of them, I just couldn't tell what they were thinking while others were looking at me suspiciously.
"Alright." Alby said finally, "Who has an opinion they would like to share?" I got the feeling that this invitation wasn't extended to me.
"Who the shuck does he think he is?" Gally said angrily, raising his voice, "Telling lies like that and then trying to make a move on the greenie?" I remembered then that I hadn't told them my name. Did I even want to? Or should I keep it for myself?
I realised that Lenny and Newt already knew, as well as whoever they told, so everyone would find out soon enough.
"Eleanor," I said. Gally looked at me, confused.
"My name," I explained, "It's Eleanor." Gally nodded at me and I saw Newt look up, out of the corner of my eye.
"So, what do you suggest we do Gally?" Alby asked him.
"That shank needs to be punished." Gally said, looking around the room as if daring anyone to contradict him.
"Why?" Asked the boy from before. Everyone turned to face him.
"Technically, he didn't break any rules. He didn't harm the greenie in anyway. She, however, did break the rules. I think she should be one the who is punished." He pointed at me and I shrank into my chair.
"Really, Winston?" Newt asked angrily, standing up, "Eleanor didn't even know the bloody rules, and he shucking provoked her!"
"She punched him shank!"
"He bloody hurt her!"
Both boys were standing on their feet and yelling at each other. Just when I thought they might start throwing punches, the door swung open. In walked Minho.
"You shanks having a gathering without me?" He asked in mock hurt, walking towards the front of the room. He sat next to where Newt was standing. Whatever tension there had been before Minho walked in with Newt and the kid named Winston, fizzled out. They both sat back down.
"Minho," said Alby, "Are you aware of why we're here?"
"Yeah, something about the greenie punching someone." He looked at me and I was expecting to see shame but it looked more like a hint of pride. I had to hide my smile.
"Newt, fill him in." Alby told them and Newt began to whisper to Minho. When they were done, they both leaned back and looked up at Alby.
"Let's take a vote," He said, "All shanks in favour of Eleanor receiving a punishment, raise your hand now." Three people raised their hands, Winston and two others I didn't know.
"Everyone in favour of her getting off free this time, raise your hand." Newt and Gally shot their hands in the air, followed by Minho and Frypan and finally Alby.
"No punishment." He concluded. I let out a breath that I didn't realise I had been holding and smiled over at the boys. I got up to leave but Alby stopped me.
"We're not done here yet, greenie." I looked at him, confused. Wasn't that all I was needed for? I sat back down and glanced around the room. Most of them looked just as unsure as I did, except Newt. He was nodding as Alby spoke. I tried to catch his eye but he didn't look at me so I turned back to Alby. He had been speaking but I had zoned out.
"-need some new rules." He was saying, "My suggestion is that if anyone makes an unwanted move on the greenie, they're punished. We can decide the force of the punishment based on what they did." No one said anything but a few of them nodded.
"But wouldn't she be protected by the never hurt another Glader rule?" asked one of the two whose names I didn't know.
"I don't think so, Clint." Alby said, "Many shanks could write it off as not having physically hurt her." Clint nodded and didn't say anything else. Alby looked around the room before standing still.
"All in favour," he said. Everyone raised their hands. I didn't know to feel about this.
Would this rule just be another way to isolate me? Would it actually stop anyone from doing anything? Or just draw attention to what they could possibly do? These thoughts were running through my head but then I remembered Lenny this morning and I pushed the doubt away.
I got up and, when no one protested, left the building. I could see Lenny waiting over to the side, presumably to see if he'll get a punishment, but I didn't stop. I heard footsteps behind me and then a voice calling out.
"Hey, Eleanor!" I turned to see Minho with a grin on his face.
"Alby wants you to wait here, yeah?" I sighed and nodded.
"Why?"
"Needs to give you the tour afterwards." Replied Minho. Then he turned to Lenny, his expression going sour.
"Get in here slinthead." He shouted, "And no shucking funny business." Lenny shrugged, got and walked inside without acknowledging me. Minho gave me one last smile before closing the door behind him.
I sat down, leaning my back against the wall of the gathering building, and closed my eyes, ready to wait.
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I must have dozed off because I was jolted awake by the sound of loud, approaching voices. The door swung open and I scrambled to my feet. Out came Gally, followed by Minho. Both of them looked furious and gave me a small grimace before heading off into the glade. I watched them go, wondering what had happened.
Next came Frypan, who smiled at me and touched my shoulder gently. He was followed by Winston, who didn't acknowledge me, and then Clint who also gave me a small, apologetic smile. The boy with blonde hair who I didn't know also walked out, looked at me and then walked away.
After a while Newt walked out, looking flustered. It seemed he didn't notice me so I grabbed his arm. He jumped slightly and turned to me. I laughed.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." I chuckled. Newt cracked a smile and rolled his eyes playfully.
"I should go," he said and my smile faded, "Alby will come out soon and give you the tour." He began to walk away.
"Wait!" I shouted after him, "What happened in there?" He turned his head back to me but didn't say anything. I sulked, crossing my arms, and waited for Alby.
Finally, Alby exited the building.
"Ah, greenie. There you are." He spoke. I didn't waste time.
"What happened in there? Was he punished?" Alby sighed and looked at the ground and then up at me.
"No. He wasn't punished."
"Oh," Was all I could think of to say.
"It was voted no, because the rule hadn't been made when he did what he did." Alby continued. I nodded, that made sense.
"Now," He said, changing the subject, "Let's start the tour."
Alby showed me around the whole glade, starting where I slept last night which I learnt was called the homestead. He told me about all the different jobs and how I would try them all out over the next few days. He told me, briefly, about the creators and how they send up supplies. Then he told me the rules and, finally, how we were trapped inside a maze and why I should never leave the walls of the glade. I shivered at the name, grievers.
Once we were done Alby, begrudgingly, asked me if I had any questions. I could sense that he wasn't very willingly to answer all of mine so I just asked one.
"Where will I be sleeping?" I asked, he hadn't mentioned that in the tour.
"Oh shuck!" Alby muttered, his hand flying to his head, "I forgot to bring that up in the gathering." He thought for a moment before giving me an answer.
"You'll have to sleep in Newt's room again tonight and we'll figure something out as soon as possible. I don't want you sleeping with all the other boy's downstairs." I nodded, that seemed reasonable. Then, we walked back to the middle of the glade.
By the time we were done, the sun was getting lower and my stomach was grumbling. I hadn't eaten all day. Unfortunately, Alby told me that dinner wouldn't be for another hour or so. I groaned.
He had to leave to take care of some stuff so I was stuck all alone. I couldn't see Newt, Minho, Gally or any of the others anywhere. I sighed and headed towards the deadheads, intending to find the lake I had found that morning.
When I arrived there, I took in the serenity and beauty of the area. I could get used to this. I sat down against a tree, ignoring the temptation to dip my feet in. Closing my eyes, I listened to the sound of running water and drifted off to sleep.
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A/N:
Anything you want me to include? Let me know!