Chapter 2
"Did they do this on purpose? Bring a girl into a maze of boys?"
"They just want her to suffer."
She could hear people talking around her. She barely remembered anything. Just remembered the box. The large, metal box that carried live animals and supplies, and her. She could vaguely remember the boys that had surrounded her before she collapsed, dead to the world. She had woken up briefly on the way to what she had hoped was somewhere quiet. She was tucked in someone's arms, and he was walking slow. Two other boys were on either side of her. She remembered hearing someone in front of her yell a few expletives before she was called back to the darkness.
Wincing, she slowly let her eyes open, adjusting to the surroundings around her. The roof was made of thatch and wood with twine tying them together. It was built to last the elements and had been together for a few years now. She was laying on something not as soft as she would think. Made of thatch and wood as well. But there were pillows that propped her head up and a blanket that covered her body. She winced, reaching back to touch the back of her head where she had hit it. It was clean, and she could feel the crude but neat stitching where they must have stitched it together. She then reached for her cheek, where a bandage had been taped over the gash she had. She touched the gauze, letting her fingers rub against the fabric. A few bandages were placed on her arms and feet. She hadn't realized how injured she had actually been.
There was the smell of alcohol and antiseptics. As she stared around the room, she had to piece it together. It was built as if they were an older generation, but they had modern medicines as well? It made no sense. There were jars and bottles of modern medicine, but others of what she hoped were water or other medicines. A lone bulb hung from the ceiling.
"She's not going to make it two days out there. They're going to attack her."
"Then we'll keep her around us. Not let that happen."
"And how are we to do our jobs if we have to babysit?"
She licked her chapped lips and looked down at the clothes she was wearing at the moment. It was what she came in, and there was still blood and a little vomit on the shirt. Her face felt red and she knew she was embarrassed. She brushed her stringy hair from her face. She could really use a shower. Did they have those here? She whimpered, pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. Where was she? Where did she come from? And when could she go home? Where was home?
The curtain that separated the rooms was flung open, Newt stepping through it. He hadn't realized she would be awake and looking up at them. "Hey." He spoke softly. And suddenly she was trembling. "Easy, love. It's okay. I'm not here to hurt you. We're not going to." He raised his hands as if to show her. She looked at him. "Do you remember anything yet?" She shook her head, still mute. Newt sighed. This was going to be harder than he thought. He grabbed the stool from the other side of the room and sat down, looking at her.
"You had a nasty gash on the back of your head as well as on your face. We cleaned those up. Don't worry. We didn't touch anything but those places and a few others that we can see. But if there's anything else then we need to know." He tried to reassure her. He knew this had to be chaotic. Waking up as the only girl in the middle of all boys in the Glade. Whoever sent her here had a nasty sense of humor.
"Where am I?" It was barely a whisper, barely audible. But Newt had caught it. He chuckled softly. "So she speaks?" He joked and he could have sworn he saw a twitch of the corner of her lip. But he didn't say anything. She shifted, hands pulling at the tank top before pulling the blanket over her chest.
"They brought up a box of supplies for you, actually." He dodges the question for the moment. As they were letting her rest and grabbing the supplies from the box, they noticed a box full of feminine items. At least the Creators were smart and gave her something she could use. "Do you want to freshen up? We have a shower you can use." Newt asked. She perked up at the idea of a shower. She didn't feel right, and she knew she just needed to freshen up.
Newt nodded. "Good that." He stood up, before poking his head out of the curtain. He spoke in hushed tones and then chuckled. Turning back, he looked at her. "We'll have the med-jacks check your wounds once you're done showering. It's over here." He waited until she was standing up, still shaking. "We'll get some food into you as well. Frypan should have something left over from lunch." Newt pulled the curtain back. She was occupied with keeping her arms around her chest. She walked out with him, looking over the vast fields and greenery that she was now a part of.
She jumped, gasping when two other boys suddenly came up behind them, but Newt quickly touched her hand. "It's alright. It's just Gally and John. You remember Gally, right?" She turned to look at the two of them. Gally stood there and gave her a curt nod. She did remember him. He had picked her up out of the box, and she believed he was the one that carried her in.
"Didn't know I would be chaperoning the newbie." He joked, but there was no malice in his voice. He seemed otherwise concerned. Gally. Who followed the rules and didn't let anyone push him around, was worried about the newbie. Alby was even confused about it.
Newt nodded and then turned to the darker-haired boy. "That there is John." He said. John had his arms crossed and was watching her face, trying not to let his eyes wander elsewhere. Newt had no idea why Alby had put him as a guard. He didn't like the way John was watching her. Newt took a step in front of her while Gally shoved his hand into John's shoulder, waking him from his stupor.
"Chaperoning?" She asked, looking at Newt as they turned around and continued walking. Newt sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets. "You're the only girl ever to come up in the box, into a place with a bunch of guys. Just guys. Alby's a bit concerned. You seemed to trust both me and Gally. It only made sense." He tried to explain it in the nicest way possible. No one was really keen on the fact that they were basically babysitting her until they could figure out where she could go. But they knew for a fact if they just let her roam, it wouldn't be pretty.
She stewed in those thoughts as they walked from the med-jacks toward what she guessed was their housing. "Thank you." She finally mumbled to the three of them. It was nice that they were at least helping. Newt managed a small smile as they crossed the path.
The shower wasn't an actual shower. It wasn't made with real pipes and already hot water, but it worked. A small cistern filled with water at the top, connected to a bottle with holes in it. Newt had made sure they had given her warm water instead. Most of the boys would have just used cold, but they had to be a bit accommodating for a girl. "You pull on the string here, and the water will pour from there. You won't have to worry about getting your feet dirty." He said, noting the concrete pad they were standing on. There were three walls made of wood and thatch, and then a thick curtain draped over the front. "The box of supplies is right beside you, so you can go through it from there. We'll take the rest to where you'll sleep afterward." Newt turned to go and saw how she was watching the others. He sighed. "Don't worry about them. It's just us three, and I'll make sure no one comes in or out." He promised her. She looked at him, before nodding. Newt then disappeared through the curtain and stationed himself in front of it, while Gally and John took the other sides.
She swallowed thickly, before slowly taking the clothes that she had come into. They were useless now, too torn and disgusting to salvage. She covered herself mostly, before taking a breath and moving toward the water. It was warm, and she relished in it. There was what looked like soap in the box beside her, so she took it and began to scrub all of the dirt off of her body. She didn't like the way she felt. But as the water cascaded down her body, she knew she was going to feel loads better after.
Once the water had run out, she pulled what seemed to be a towel from the rack made beside her and wrapped it around her body. The boys were true to their word and didn't move from their places. She dug through the box, finding some razors and feminine hygiene products she guessed she would need later. Further down was clothing. She pulled out the undergarments first, thankful for those. Then, she grabbed what seemed to be a dark pair of pants and a light gray top. These looked like they would fit her at least. She pulled on the clothes, thankful that she felt covered now. She felt clean and fresh, even in this place that was covered in dirt. She grabbed the boots that were sitting beside the box and slid them on, tying the laces. It felt good to have something on her feet. Closing her eyes and taking a breath, she moved and opened the curtain.
Newt took a step back when the curtain had opened, turning to look at the girl. She definitely looked like she felt better now that she was clean from the blood and sick. Her hair was brighter now that it was washed, her skin much paler than he had thought. He smiled softly, and Gally smiled as well. "Better?" Newt asked and she nodded.
"Good, let's go get your wounds checked out and then I'll give you the tour." He hadn't realized how much of a liking he had taken to the girl. She was quiet and bearable. "Gally, John, you want a break?" Newt asked.
"Don't keep the Greenie all to yourself." Gally joked and Newt rolled his eyes as the other two boys left. "Don't worry about them."
"Greenie?" She asked, brushing her hair from her face.
"It's what we called the new boys, well, new kids, when they come up from the box. I'll explain it once we get those wounds checked out and some food in your stomach. I'm starving as well." He was friendly, and she liked that. He was comforting back at the beginning, but now he was being friendly. Not overly protective or wanting to reassure her. It was like he knew that she needed to feel normal, so that was what he was going to do.
After they went back to the med-jacks and got her wounds checked, Newt and Greenie headed over to grab some food. They stepped into the kitchens right after lunch. She noted the difference in the kitchens. For one, there was a generator that powered a fridge and what she guessed was a freezer behind them. The only source of electricity they had.
"Frypan, got any leftovers? Greenie and I are starving." Newt called as they walked in. Frypan, a short but stocky African American kid walked out, his eyes widening at the sight of the girl. He had heard about her but hadn't seen her just yet. She turned to look at him, and his eyes shot away. He grumbled about having already cleaned but disappeared behind a curtain. "Don't worry about him. He always grumbles but he means well. One of our main cooks." Newt explained to her as they sat down at one of the tables. She moved and sat down across from him. She was still visibly shaken but slowly calming down. Her eyes didn't jerk each way to make sure no one would hurt her. They were filled with curiosity, taking in every detail she could find. Frypan came out moments later with two plates of what looked to be leftover bacon and some bread. Newt thanked him. "Dig in." He told the newbie, before taking a bite himself.
"What is this place?" She asked, watching him.
Newt swallowed his bite. "We call it the Glade. Our homestead. Whoever put you here put us here as well. We do everything ourselves, grow our own food, and slaughter our meat. Some of us have lived here since it started. Every month the box brings up supplies as well as a new boy. It's like some sort of test, and we can't figure out the answers." He explained. She raised an eyebrow as he explained it, confused. They had lived here for years? By themselves?
"But I'm the first girl?" She spoke, playing with the bacon for a moment.
He nodded. "That you are. We don't know what the Creators, that's what we call them, were thinking. Bringing a girl into this place full of boys."
"The one girl in a group of hormonal boys. This can't be good." She joked. Newt snorted. "That's your first joke, Greenie. Nice. Knew you had it in you." He swallowed his bacon. "You need to eat, get some energy up." She swallowed, proud of herself and the joke. It was the first time she had heard him laugh.
"Why can't I remember anything?"
"None of us can." She looked up when she spotted Gally coming up to them. He was much taller, and stockier than Newt was. He towered over her and the others easily. "But don't worry about that. You remember the things that are needed. You'll get your name back eventually." He sat down beside her, but further away to give her space. "Is she ready to go? Alby wants to give her the tour." He asked Newt, looking over at him.
"Give her some time, mate. She just woke up, let her eat." Newt argued, watching her as she bit into the bread and pulled it apart.
"Alby doesn't want to take any chances. Get her into the Glade and get the boys used to her. He doesn't always want her to be chaperoned. And the sooner we can get the boys' attention, the better. She'll do better if. . ."
"She's sitting right here!" She snapped, breaking both boys from their conversation. Even Frypan stopped when he heard her outburst. "But Gally's right. I need to learn this place if I'm going to fit in." She didn't realize how that sounded coming out of her mouth. But she liked it.
Gally smirked, watching her finish her food. "Alby needs you to help finish sorting the supplies. I can take her to him." His tone was genuine. Newt faltered, not ready to let her go out on her own. "Dude, she'll be okay. Anyone that tries anything with me around her will klunk their pants." She looked at the two boys in front of her. At first, she didn't want Newt to leave her. He was the first one to speak to her in the Box, and she didn't want him to disappear. But she also believed Gally. He didn't seem to be the type that would want to hurt her. She would be okay. She nodded to Newt, before standing up and following Gally after thanking Frypan.
It was sunny and warmer than she had thought. She was glad for the shirt she had picked. It had sleeves that stopped at her elbows. She looked around the Glade as they walked. "What is this place?" She asked again, the answer still foggy in her mind.
"We call it The Glade," Alby answered as he met up with the two of them, closing the distance. She stopped next to Gally, a few steps behind him just in case, even though she knew this man wouldn't hurt her either. "We were all brought up here, one by one, in that box. We've built everything on this land. We eat here, grow our food, and every month that box comes up with a new Greenie and supplies." Alby explained to her.
"Greenie, newbie?" She repeated the words as Alby led them to a tower, built up of wood and sturdy. He motioned for her to follow as he began climbing. She looked up at it, faltering. She didn't think her legs would let her up there.
"Hey." She turned when Gally spoke up. "I'll be behind you. I won't let you fall." He reassured her. And she knew she could trust him. She looked back up, before taking the ladder in her hands and beginning to climb after Alby. She only stumbled once, missing a rung with her foot. When she slipped, a hand shot out, touching the back of her thigh and pushing her upward. She looked down once she had her footing again, nodding her thanks to Gally. He was red, but he nodded back and they continued upward.
"Greenie is what we call our new kids that come up in the box. They're usually green when they come up from the sudden change of scenery. Either puking or klunking their pants." Alby continued his explanation once she was up at the top of the tower with him, Gally following. She looked around, feeling the breeze ruffle her hair. From all around she could see the Glade as it got on with its life. She saw the Box, where two people were pulling crates out of it and counting what they had. Further down there was a forest, a darker and almost sinister feeling. To the right were fields, rows, and rows of fruits and vegetables growing. There were pens set up near it, holding pigs and goats. She cocked her head to the side at the memory of the goat in the Box with her. "Most of the time, Greenies are male. Usually around thirteen to seventeen years old. Until. . ."
"Until two days ago. When I came up." She finished, leaning over the bars of the tower. Alby sighed and nodded, standing beside her. "So, I'm the first girl?"
He nodded again. "It's been years, some of having been here that long. And never, in any month have we had a girl come up. I don't know what the Creators were thinking, but I'm not sure what to do from here." She frowned, twisting a lock of hair in her hands. Why her? Why was she chosen to come up here?
"What's out there?" She pointed toward the large opening in the walls.
Alby hummed in disapproval. "That's another story. Right now we gotta figure out what to do with you." When she turned to look at him, he sighed. "You're our first girl. None of those shanks down there know how to act. While some, like the two you've dealt with, are okay, others may not be. And I don't want anything happening to you. You hear?" He asked. She nodded, rubbing her arm.
He sighed. "There are three rules to the Glade. Three rules you will not forget and we follow." He turned to her, facing her. "Do your part. We gotta figure out where we can put you, maybe give you something lighter, but you must do your part to help out in the Glade." Once she nodded, he continued. "Never harm another Glader." That was simple enough. "Never go beyond those walls." He pointed toward the walls. She turned to look at them again, before sighing and nodding. She was getting it. This was her home.
"We have a celebration tonight. You should join us, so that the boys can get to know you, alright? I have to get back down to help, we'll see you tonight." Alby turned and started down the tower, leaving her and Gally. Gally moved toward the ladder, before turning. "You ready?" He asked softly.
She took a step, before looking back out. "Can I have a bit more time?" She asked. Gally nodded. "I'll be at the bottom." He added before beginning his descent. She looked out again toward the walls once she was alone. What was out there that they didn't want them to see? What was going on? She leaned against the banister and sighed, closing her eyes and trying to draw everything in, to make it make sense.
After a few moments of numbing silence, she knew she couldn't stay up here any longer. She didn't want to leave Gally waiting. As she turned toward the ladder, she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see two boys coming into the Glade from the gate. She raised an eyebrow, confused as they continued down toward the woods. Just as she went to call down to Gally, a loud gong sound reverberated through the Glade, shaking the tower. She gripped the banister and put one hand over one ear as a loud screeching was heard. As she looked up, she saw the opening from where the boys came from beginning to close up. Her eyes widened as she watched the gate suddenly close and lock before everything went still. She looked down toward the Glade, but no one had been bothered by it, just going on with their day-to-day duties.
"That gate just closed up!" She called as she jumped from the final steps down to the ground. Gally stood up from his position at the bottom, dusting his hands off on his pants. "Closes up every night and opens every morning. Good thing too."
"Why? What's out there?" She asked, walking up to him.
"You don't want to know." He added.
"Why? Why don't I want to know? And who were the two coming out of there? I thought the rule was to never go beyond those walls?" She was agitated, no one was telling her anything.
"Look. There are things you want to know, and things you don't want to know about this place." Gally tried to explain.
"And no one will tell me? What? Because I'm a girl?"
"No that's not it. Easy there, easy!" Gally reached out and grabbed her wrists in his hands, holding her there. She stopped for a moment, frozen in place. "Look, it'll all be explained in time, okay? No one wants to know everything the first time they get into the Glade. And all for a good reason. There are things out there that can hurt you, can kill you. And the safest place is the Glade." He was calm, which was new for Gally, as he held her wrists in his hands. He wasn't hurting her, but it made her look at him. "Right now. The best thing to do is get you settled, and enjoy our celebration tonight, okay? Then, once you're ready and once we're ready, we'll explain everything, okay?" He asked her. She looked at him, wide-eyed, before nodding. He nodded, before slowly letting her wrists go.
"Sorry, it was the only way you would listen." He spoke and she shook her head, sighing. She had a headache. "Let's get you back to Newt, see what's going on." He offered, before falling in step beside her as they headed back toward the kitchens. She stayed silent most of the trip, but it was a nice silence.
The celebration was just what it sounded like, a celebration. A huge bonfire roared in the middle of them all, smaller ones lit around the outside so that there was light. The boys of the Glade were cheering, dancing to the music that was made. Frypan had gone out and roasted a pig for all of them, and there was enough for seconds for all of the Gladers.
"Hey, newbie!" She looked up from her perch on the log, pulling idly at the roast on a stick. The two boys she had seen running back into the Glade were passing her. She had been left alone for a moment or two, not bothered by the party going on around her. Even though technically the party was for her. "Kinda funny looking huh? Never thought we'd get a chick as a Greenie." There was no malice behind it. He was only being funny. She didn't say anything though, she didn't need to. She had been hearing it all night. There were some boys who were genuinely curious about her, like Frypan and the boy Zart who was always in the fields. They sat down and actually talked to her. But there were others, like John and a few more, who were trying to flirt with her, get her talking. Most of them backed off once they got a look from her three main bodyguards, but others were relentless.
"I'm Ben, this one here is Minho. We'll be seeing you around." He was short with his words, but he seemed nice. He was taller, with short brown hair. The other beside him was a bit shorter, Asian with jet black hair. He didn't say anything, just turned away to join the others. She gave a weak smile, before throwing the now empty skewer into the fire. She looked around at the others. They were having so much fun, and yet she still felt so off. They were staring at her as if she had three heads or something. She knew it was all new to them but she didn't have to feel so out of place.
Standing up, she moved around the bonfire, watching the others as they had fun, enjoying the company. She needed away from it all, so she traveled toward where it was a little darker. There was a large oak tree near the bonfire, with old knarled roots and limbs. It was tall, but most of the limbs were lower and large enough to grapple. She jumped over one root, before grabbing at one over her head. She hoisted herself up onto it, scrabbling for a moment until she was situated on the limb. From there she climbed a bit higher until she had a clear view of the bonfire under her and the stars above. She situated herself so she was leaning against the trunk and stared up at the sky. It was quiet, dark with the stars shining. A small breeze was rustling the leaves above her and she was comfortable.
"Hey, Greenie!" She sighed, opening her eyes. So much for peace. She turned a bit to look down toward the ground. Newt stood under the branches, looking up at her. She smiled softly. "Can I come up?" He asked. She nodded, before leaning back against the trunk as Newt made his way up. She heard the leaves rustle, and it sounded as if he was struggling to climb the tree. She chuckled once he found his way up.
"Did you have to pick this high?" Newt asked, out of breath as he sat on the tree limb. She couldn't help but laugh, looking at him. He smiled, running a hand through his hair. He liked hearing her laugh. Seeing her smile. She was opening up. "What are you doing up here? The bonfire is for you."
She shrugged. "I just wasn't feeling it. Doesn't feel like it was for me. Everybody keeps staring at me like I'm going to burst into flames or something." It was the first time she talked thoroughly. Not just questions, or small sentences. Actually talking. "I know I'm the only girl here, and it's going to be a bit rocky for the next few days, if not weeks. But I don't want to feel like an oddball here." She explained to Newt, staring at him.
He sighed, looking over the branches and back down at the fire. He knew it was going to be tricky for her, especially now. With everything going on. "We'll just have to find you a place here. We all have different jobs. Track-hoes, Builders, Slicers. You may not fit into one of those. But we can make you something, start you into something new."
She frowned and shook her head. "No. I want to do my part." Newt looked at her, confused. "Everyone does their part here. I don't want special treatment. I want to prove myself. I may be the only girl but I have to try, right?" Newt frowned. "Please, Newt. I can't be given special treatment or treated like a child. I want to prove it." She begged.
Newt sighed. "Fine, fine. I'll talk to Alby, and first thing tomorrow morning, we'll start you with the Keepers. Once you've gone through each job, the Keepers will decide if they want to keep you and then you can decide from there." He told her, smirking. She grinned, pushing his shoulder playfully. She was ready to show who she was. To fit in with the Gladers. "Come on." Newt motioned back down to the bottom. She sighed, but nodded and followed him down.
As she was almost down to the bottom, she slipped, her feet not catching her last limb. She crashed to the ground, knocking her head into the ground. "Whoa, greenie! You alright?" Newt scrambled over to her. She was blinking, trying to clear the stars from her eyes. Something clicked in her head. Three letters formed together.
"Hey, let me see your head." Newt helped her sit up, checking the back of her head where she had the gash from earlier. It didn't seem to be bleeding, nothing torn. "Is she okay?" She heard Gally's voice as a few others walked over to her, having seen the accident. Newt touched her head gently, and she winced but shook her head. "Ava."
"Come again?" Newt asked, still holding her shoulders as she looked at him.
"Ava. My name is Ava. I remembered it!" There were other thoughts swirling in her head, but her name. That's all that mattered. Newt couldn't help but grin, looking over at the others. Alby chuckled, before turning back. "Let's hear it for Ava!" He called out, and the boys cheered. Ava blushed, leaning into Newt as he helped her up, smiling at the others as they cheered. Ava, her name was Ava.
"Welcome to the Glade, Ava," Gally spoke her name with a chuckle, arms crossed. She grinned, watching the others.
Welcome to the Glade.