"What?" I holler at Newt as I saunter towards him. As I approach, his creased brow and wrinkled nose show his obvious disdain.
Crossing his arms, he leans against the door of the Homestead, "Tanya, where've ya been? The new chap's runoff, probably balling his eyes out somewhere, you're meant to be lookin' after him, givin' him the tour."
"Maybe he just needs some space, I think we all did on the first day," I respond, walking up beside him.
Newt rests his hand on the door; stopping for a moment, "Comin' up to the Maze was the worst day of my life, no question, bein' trapped here for the rest of my life. Sure this Greenie feels the same, he don't need you gallivantin' off on him, not to mention we gotta stick to the rules, no slackin' off. "
"You're right," I say; shrugging my shoulders.
Nodding, he begins slowly pushing open the door, "Good that, now let's get searchin' for this Greenbean."
With a loud splash, a large bucket of water falls over Newt, raining down on him. It pelts down onto his head; collapsing his golden locks like a flood against simmering flames. Water continues to soak into his clothes and bandage as it rolls down to the floor, dripping against the wooden panels. A noisy clang echo through the room as the empty bucket drops to the ground.
I grip my stomach, laughter escaping my lips as Newt squeezes his eyes shut, letting out a loud sigh. Shaking his arms, Newt murmurs indistinct complaints beneath his breath.
"Ar..are...y...you...o..okay?" I stammer in-between sniggers.
Newt cocks his head towards me, glaring. He begins waving his hands into the air, the water flying off in every directing. Placing my hand over my mouth, I try to choke back my laughter.
"Pffft!" A chuckle emerges from behind a pile of supply crates lining the hallway of the Homestead.
Newt shoots me a suspicious look, "Did you hear..."
"Yeah," I respond as Newt begins walking closer to the crates. Low whispers can be heard from the other side as I follow behind Newt, sneaking up to the boxes.
We crouch down at the crates as Newt mouths something to me, "One...two...three."
"Hey!" Newt shouts, water dripping from his face as he jumps behind the boxes.
Frypan and the Greenie jump up from behind them, their eyes bulging out of their heads. The Newbie shoots his arms into the air.
"I'm sorry!" Frypan blurts out, "I didn't think you'd be back from running yet."
Newt flares his nostrils, resting his hands on his hips, "Well I am!" He exclaims, his hair slipping back down over his face.
"I'll, uh, get you a towel." Frypan giggles, heading towards a rickety stairway at the end of the hall.
Newt tightly squeezes his sleeves, water droplets falling to the ground. Frowning, he crosses his arms. "Friends, right?" I say, patting his shoulder.
"What am I supposed to do now, Tammie?" He snaps, "I'm soaked! Can't ya help or somethin'?"
A sly grin slips across my face as I head towards the door, "Oh no, no, I gotta give the tour, remember? Gotta stick to the rules."
The new guy follows on after me, and both of us step out into the Glade.
"Hey, Tambles," Gally says, promptly emerging from behind one of the walls. A small smile lies across his face.
"Seriously, Tambles?" I respond.
Shrugging his shoulders, Gally runs his hand through his stump of hair, "Look, it convinced the Greenie. I think it suits you."
"Well, I don't." I huff; pausing for a brief moment, "Anyway, I gotta go give him the tour or whatever. Something about the last Greenie giving the new one the tour."
Gally puts his hand over his eyes, squinting from the afternoon sun. The new kid huddles up against one of the walls while fumbling with his fingers.
"Usually, unless some shank volunteers or the last Greenie's dead," Gally responds, the Greenie's eyes bulging at his statement.
"Who gave your tour?" I ask.
Gally sighs before continuing, "George."
"The guy in the Deadheads?" I ask enthusiastically, wincing for a moment, "Sorry..."
"It's fine, it ain't like we were that close." He says, the Homestead door making a loud creak as he slams it shut, drowning out the constant noise of Newt's complaints, "Him, Nick, and Alby were close, before he got himself stung anyway. The first shank to get stung, ain't the last."
"Nick, huh? Well, I better get started on this tour before dinner, or Newt will have my head on a platter." I reply, prompting the Newbie to amble over from the wall.
Beginning my walk, I turn from the Homestead and towards the Blood House. Its small image casts a shadow over the ground near it, shade surrounding the animal pens near-by. A soft wind carries the stench of fertilizer from the gardens. Gladers start to finish their jobs for the day, finishing off their projects. The Greenbie hobbles along beside me, dreary-eyed with his hands in his pockets.
"Hey, Tanya," Gally shouts from behind me.
"What?" I ask, twirling around.
Gally jogs up to me, his feet thumping against the ground, "I'll, uh, give him the tour if you want." He says while scratching the back of his head.
"Really?" I respond.
Gally lifts his eyebrows, "Yeah,"
"Ar...are you joking? I can't tell." I say.
He ruffles his brow, looking away for a moment, "No, I'll show the shank 'round."
Excitement bustles in Chuck's eyes as his jaw drops open, "Chuck! I remember my name! I'm Chuck!"