The Labyrinth: Chapter Three


Newt informed me the next morning that I would be spending two weeks finding out what role I would be good at. Then that was that. I would spend the rest of my life here doing that same job every day until… I dunno. He explained it all to me, mentioning all the jobs that I would have to go through and who were the Keepers that would be keeping an eye on me as I did this and so on and so forth.

The names for the jobs were simple but an unusual way to name them. Mentally I thought that, along with mentally thinking that it made sense to call them that as well. Confusing right.

The first day was spend with the Med-Jacks. I had only been awake now for officially two days, so they were still concerned about anything and everything that I did.

Newt did not stay for long. As soon as he was finishing explaining how things were going to go down, he gave a quick goodbye and said he had jobs to finish. Chuck wasn't there either. Apparently, he had to finish his work before he could even think about having at least ten minutes off. Jeff was trusted enough to be left alone with me, as he mainly had been the only other person that I interacted with for the past two days.

Alby never came near me along with the rest of the boys. They were all too scared to break his very strict rules. That meant I predicted that my life here would become a very lonely existence in just a few short weeks with no one really to talk to without fearing repercussions.

The day of the Med-Jacks proved that.

They were only a team of two that worked tirelessly to make sure that the Gladers didn't effectively die here. Jeff instructed that I couldn't stay in my room all day, so I was forced to sit in the medical room and do tasks that he instructed me to do.

The first thing that Jeff had me doing was do reorganise the medical supplies that they had. They had received a few new supplies in their last shipment from the Box and they needed spaces in the room to put all the new supplies in.

It was a very tedious very boring job. There was no fun in doing it. When he first explained it, I believed that it would have been only a few boxes that needed sorting. To my horror I was greeted with a room jampacked with piles and piles of boxes stacked high to the ceiling.

"Yeah," Jeff said. "We hadn't expected this much. Something must have gone wrong."

Jeff opened the first box and pulled out a large wad of cloth. He twisted it around in his hand as he inspected it. "These seem good," he said. He shot out his hand toward her with the wad of cloth still in it. "They go in the corner over there." He pointed with his index finger. I took the cloth from him and placed it where he said too. "Right, let's get these all stacked up."

We spent a few hours taking things out of the crates and placing them round the room. Every now and again someone would enter the room with an injury that Jeff had to take care of. I came to discover that boys were incredibly clumsy. They would cut themselves on whatever they were using and immediately start bleeding. I couldn't tell you how many times I opened plaster packets.

I lied. I could, but I don't want too.

To fill the time, Jeff spoke at me. He told me about the life of the Glade and what they did here. He explained that the first ones to arrive here came roughly two years ago. At that point there was nothing here apart from the building that they found themselves in and the bare amenities they needed to survive. The Homestead had once been incredibly small, but thanks to the Builders there was more to it.

There were no adults in this place. The boys (Gladers) had been left to fend for themselves, with only supplies coming up very week and a new Greenie once a month. Sounded … odd. There was no explanation as to why they found themselves here and why it was only boys that came up out of the Box. Until now obviously. He carried on telling me more stories about Gladers (stories that have been forgotten) and things to be careful of as I ventured further out.

I was desperate to ask him what was beyond the walls. I had barely heard a whisper apart from being told not to go beyond them. At one point, Jeff caught me staring at the furthest Door from us.

"Only the Runners go out there," he said. He looked round and over his shoulder then said in a low-voice. "I dunno if I can tell you anymore, but there's a Maze out there. Never seen it, but the Runners are trying to find a way outta here."

I raised my eyebrow. That was something Newt had already told me. Why was there more that he couldn't tell?

"There is a way. Otherwise why place us here." He shrugged his shoulders and went back to work.

Over time, I knew I would learn more. But that simple statement caught me. Why were we here in the first place? What was the intention?

We packed and sorted boxes as the sun rose higher in the sky. A few boys continued to enter with minor injuries. A few gawked as the saw me, what must have been, the first time. As soon as they caught eyes with me, a few ducked their head and avoided eye contact. Whatever their Keepers had told them must have been working. No one was looking or even engaging with me, unless it was a phrase or a grunt.

A rap at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Look at this place," Newt commentated. I was standing in the middle of a pile of cloth, with multiple, and I mean multiple, open boxes around me. "I thought you were supposed to be putting things away."

"Gotta make a mess first before you can clean up," Jeff said as he placed down what he was holding. "Just make sense."

"Okay," Newt rolled his eyes. "Well, I've come to get Greenie for lunch. You're taking over from Clint. I've sent lunch up there."

Jeff sighed. He rubbed his head with his hand and exited the room mumbling, "Will I ever catch a break?"

"After lunch," Newt called after him. He turned back to me with a grin, a shine in his deep eyes. "Come on. Lunch is outside. No excuses you're having it with the rest."

I took in a deep breath. There was no point negotiating, not like I could get a word out anyway.

"Once you take the first step everything will be fine," the golden-haired boy reassured. "You just gotta do it."

I stared at him. He was right. I was the only one holding myself back. This was them being accommodating (I think). I'm sure Alby would have grabbed hold of me and dragged me from the room demanding that I do not make a fuss and to sit there and eat. I silently counted in my head to three and took a step out of my blockade. Newt took this as a sign and left the room with me trotting behind to catch up to him.

We had to line up to get food. Uncomfortable was the closet word I could think of that described the experience. Being stared at liked a prized being in the medical room was enough to make me squirm. All eyes were entirely on me when I exited the Homestead and joined the back of the queue. My first thought was to brush my hair in front of my face. That immediately fell through when I realised, I had plaited into a braid this morning with the only hairband that I owned (the one I arrived in, thankfully it was saved and preciously wrapped around the hairbrush given to me by Jeff the other day).

It was weird what things I remembered. Plaiting my hair came naturally. Tying my shoelaces, well someone still had to do it for me. And Newt very clearly informed me that I had to do it myself very soon. He wasn't specific on the very part, so I reckoned I had some time left to use.

Instead of hiding behind my long hair, I only managed to pull out strands causing the braid to feel like a complete mess.

What a scene you are making.

I had manged to cause a scene. In my head apparently. I yanked the hairband from the end of my hair and quickly readjusted the braid. It kept the staring from my mind. It kept me focused as the line shortened in front of me as I gradually closed the gap.

Third strand.

Up and over.

First strand.

Up and over.

And tie.

Newt checked over his shoulder and chuckled. I scowled at him. Narrowing my eyes to slits. What was he laughing about? I flicked the end of my hair of my shoulder in disgust. I wasn't to be laughed at.

Eventually I arrived at the front of the queue to be greeted by the infamous Frypan.

The guy was in his element doing his best to feed the army of Gladers that mingled around his kitchen area. I couldn't tell what age he was, but the full beard and hair sticking out all over his body screamed an age I thought of would be the wrong one. Personally, I didn't think he was the most sanitary guy in the world to oversee all the cooking. But he was there for a reason, so that thought wouldn't be questioned.

"Yo Newt, any news on fixing up the back of the Kitchens?" Frypan said as he past the boy his food.

Newt shrugged his shoulders. "That's a question for Gally, not me."

"I've tried askin' him, but he's being all grumpy and put off."

"I'll have a word," Newt grumbled. He moved aside to let me come in behind him.

"Make sure you … girl." Frypan's mouth dropped open as he stared at me. A split second later he shook his head and gulped. "I mean … girl … no."

"Just give her her food," Newt said with a little irritation in his voice.

"Yeah." Frypan handed over the plate and I took it from him. He nodded and gave me a weak smile. "Glad to see you not yet disappeared."

Newt took a step forward, Frypan snapped his head and said, "sorry I didn't mean it."

"Come on," Newt instructed. He pointed to a far table. "We'll go there."

We joined Chuck for lunch on the picnic bench furthest from everyone. Chuck had already devoured half of his food, and wasted no time in hoovering up the rest. He greeted us with a mouth full and continued until there was nothing there. I moved my plate closer to me. Half of my thought that he wouldn't stop eating and start to take the contents of mine before I had a chance to fight him off.

"When am I gonna help with," Chuck pointed at me with his chubby finger instead of saying 'Greenie'. He saw the look on my face and thought better of it.

Newt swallowed his food then said, "When you manage to get all your tasks done on time. I told ya what would happen."

Chuck grumbled a few words into his empty plate.

I carried on eating, being careful to not pick at my food. There was a feeling inside if my that told me not to eat. Don't know where it came from, but I was essentially forcing the food down my throat. The feeling of being stared at didn't help my disdain for eating. With the way that food arrived to me at certain times of the day so far, I would have to eat now as it seemed that I would have had to have waited until dinner. Which I had no idea when that was.

I ate in silence. I have listened to Newt talking to Chuck about whatever they were discussing. Chuck had gotten over his pouting very quickly. They discussed things that I know nothing about. Maybe as time progressed, I would understand, but at the moment it was just useless knowledge that I didn't feel that my empty brain needed. Ironic right?

Once both Newt and I had finished our lunch, we cleared away our plates (leaving Chuck behind to clean everything) and headed back to the room where we found Jeff swallowing down his food as fast as he could.

Newt spent a little time with us as Jeff finished his break. He helped with packing things away and ordering things in the correct places.

That didn't last long. It seemed that despite him promising to stay (I had no problems with Jeff, just didn't appreciate the emptiness of what was told), he soon was pulled away to handle a problem outside with other Gladers.

Time passed through the afternoon and soon enough I was tucking myself into bed thinking about what the next day would bring.


"Her vitals are spiking," a muffled voice shouted above me. "She's going to wake up!"

"Increaze zee leffels in her Himblant, sche cannot vake up," another odd-sounding voice replied in the same tone.

Flashes of light zipped across the front of my closed eyes. No matter how much I willed them to open, I was stuck. Frozen. Unable to open and see what was going on.

I tried and tried and tried.

"Her eyes are moving, it's not enough!"

With every will power in my body a forced them open. Bright light flooded in and I squinted. The involuntary reaction of moving my hands to cover my eyes didn't happen. They were frozen to my side. Panic. That overwhelming feeling. I screwed my eyes shut to protect them.

"Get her zedated now, sche cannot vake up!"

"I'm trying!" the voice shouted back. "She's fighting against it. It won't let her sleep."

I awoke panting in a dimly lit room. My body drenched in sweat. The room was silent expect for the low snoring I could hear outside of my window. I wanted to stay under the covers after whatever that was, but going back to sleep could have triggered another nightmare. I yanked them off and let them slide of the side onto the floor. I felt a click in my brain and I instantly picked them off the floor. I shoved them underneath me and laid on top of the sheets, letting myself cool off.

I stared at the ceiling. Nothing but the nightmare playing over and over again. It felt so real, like I had actually lived it. Not imagined the whole thing. The feeling of being frozen, with people shouting over me. It felt … felt …

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Every second past and I saw my chest moving up and down underneath my shirt. I noticed my hands trembled as I tried to steady myself. My vision blurred when I attempted to focus.

Suddenly, I was hot and sweaty again. So hot and sweaty that I need to take my sweatshirt off and run my face under cold water. But as I stood up to go to the bathroom, the hand trembling travelled down into my arms and legs, leaving me unsteady on my feet.

My heart seemed to pound even faster, even harder.

I tried taking a deep breath to calm myself, but my breaths were sharp and shallow.

My vision got darker and narrower and looked kaleidoscopic, like when you close your eyes and press down on your eyelids to 'see stars'.

You're dying. This is what death feels like, and you're going to die alone.

And then, I slowly sank to the floor.

I don't know how much time passed.

Newt found me.

On the floor, head resting on the mattress, my arms limp at my said.

Tears trailing down the sides of my face.

I don't remember much.

Everything blurred into one.

I do remember him helping me up.

Getting me on the bed and from somewhere cooling me down with water.

He never left.

Just waited until it eventually wound itself down and I was able to stop the trembling.

My heart slowed down and finally I could breathe properly.

The first thing I noticed was the flash of golden from the window, then the flash of golden from the corner. His head was rested up against the wall, his eyes shut. He looked peaceful – resting against the wall. A few strands of hair swept across his face. Every so often his nose scrunching when the ends tickled his nose. It was something I could have watched for hours. I felt my cheeks flush.

Get a grip.

The creak of the bed stirred him from his sleep. He screwed his shut eyes together and rubbed them with his hands as he awakened. He opened his eyes wide and stared at me. His mouth formed into a grin.

"Good, you're up." He rose from the floor and brushed the dirt from his trousers. "Right you'll miss the first hour, but Frypan won't care. You're helping him in the Kitchens today. I've got a clean shirt waiting and…" He paused and looked away and said very quietly, "… underwear." He cleared his throat. "Head to the showers and I'll wait for ya outside."

I nodded my head and made my way to the bathroom round the back of the Homestead. Newt followed closely behind. He waved to the cook as we passed, giving some hand signals.

This was the first time that I had seen the Glade empty. As we walked round the corner, I noticed that there were a few boys sleeping under some trees. A few rocking in their hammocks as the sun slowly dawned on the place. It hadn't crossed my mind that they would sleep outside. I had assumed … well I hadn't assumed anything just not thought about it. Newt had mentioned that it never rained here. I just hadn't thought that far ahead. These things never really crossed my mind.

Newt pointed to where I could find the clean towel and clothes. I showered and changed fast, I didn't want to be caught out, threw my old clothes and towel in the box, and joined Newt outside. He passed me the hairbrush and the hair tie attached. As we walked back to the Kitchens, I brushed (strained too) my hair and braided into a plait out of my face. Newt took the brush from me and stuffed it into his pocket.

"Well that's your workout done for the day," he mused. He laughed at his own joke. I side-eyed him. He was crazy.

We weaved through the rows of picnic tables and entered the Kitchens, where Frypan was hard at work sorting out breakfast for everyone. Immediately he got me to work, with Newt helping as well. Kneading the dough gave me a good view of the Glade. It seemed peaceful, with everyone still asleep. The light had yet to dawn. It must have still been early.

I hadn't seen much of the Glade, only snapshots when I had left the safety of the Homestead. Something seemed off. Everything was still in place, but the landscape. I couldn't place a finger on it.

"The Walls shut at night," Newt pointed to the furthest part of the Glade. He must have seen my scrunched nose and deflating dough. "Every night at clockwork. They open in the morning as well. Keeps the Grievers out."

I raised an eyebrow. Grievers?

"Ah." Newt put down the knife. "I need to do that."

Boom.

I jumped out of my skin.

Newt chuckled beside me. A shot him a scowl.

At the furthest opening, a cluster of boys gathered watching the Doors rumble and grumble as they opened. The ground shook, letting everyone know in the Glade that the day had begun. As soon as there was a wide enough gap, the boys slipped through and disappeared into the Maze.

"I'm surprised you haven't seen this before," Newt questioned. "It's not like it's a silent thing."

I pointed to the gaps where the boys had just been and opened my palm out wide to try and indicate 'Who are they?'

Newt's eyebrows furrowed together as he tried to decipher what I meant. "Erm … the boys?" Newt said with slight confusion. I nodded. "Oh, their Runners. Don't worry about that for now."

Newt dismissed the topic and moved quickly onto the next. I half-listened to him as he babbled about what happened when everyone rose from their sleep.

Runners.

Newt had mentioned before that only Runners were allowed in the Maze. Running all day, solving the mystery behind the Maze. The second time registering it, something started to click. I wasn't sure what. A nagging feeling at the back of my head. It was as if it sounded familiar.

But how?

I had no memories.

I had never been here before. That much was certain.

Why was I having … déjà vu?


The day passed at a blur. Frypan kept me on my toes. There was not a second that I didn't have a thought in my head. Chuck joined me at some point to relieve Newt. We washed pots and his mindless chatter sent me into a daze. I caught parts of what he mentioned, but most of it went in one ear and out the other.

The stares. They hadn't got any better. I still noticed them. Just now, I was sort of getting used to it. Being out in the open all day, the novelty of me for the boys soon wore off. And slowly, I would fade into the background. That was something worth looking forward too.

By the time I had finished cleaning the last pot, I had had enough. Kitchens were not for me. I yanked the apron from my head and chucked to where I had last found it, not bothering to hang it up nicely. I stormed out of the area. My first thought was to head to my room, but being outside all day had changed my mind. Suddenly, I was sick of being trapped in a small room. I needed somewhere different to go. To escape to when the walls became unbearable.

I headed for the forest area. There it seemed mostly undisturbed. Where I would be most likely left alone. Even if they wanted to try and find me, it wasn't like there were many places that I would be. I still had ventured very far since the tour I was given.

Somehow, Newt had spotted my moment. As I entered the treeline, he came trotting up beside me and causally matched my pace as I entered into the forest.

I stopped and he stopped with me. I took two steps and he did as well.

"I dunno what you want but you ain't walking round here by yourself," he told me.

I huffed at him. I wanted to be alone. Not guarded. I know I was still afraid. Right now I had the courage to be alone. And he was ruining it.

I crossed my arms and tapped my foot on the ground.

"Oh." He feigned surprise. "So we actually have an attitude. This is a new development."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Look, if this is about today. They'll warm up to you eventually. It takes time for them to adjust. Take Chuck. He's rather annoying but we've all sorta warmed up to him. It takes time."

"Does it matter?" my voice croaked. "It's not like I'm wanted here. I see them stare. They only see me as something else."

This time I saw the real surprised face.

I ducked my head. I had involuntarily spoken, without any need of encouragement from myself. I stepped away from Newt, taking protecting from a tree behind me.

"Don't hide," Newt softly said as he saw me retreat. "Talking isn't bad."

Lifted my chin up. "I'm not afraid of talking," I truthfully told him. "I just don't want to answer everyone's questions."

Newt titled his head and looked away trying to figure out what I meant. I rolled my eyes in distain. "If I talk, I would have to explain myself. It's easier not too."

"What's the logic in that?"

I shrugged. "I haven't figured you lot out yet."

Newt stepped forward. "Is that why you haven't told us your name yet?"

"What do you mean?" I questioned him. Only I knew my name. Why would that be the first thing he would ask me?

"Jeff heard you in the bathroom the other day."

My eyes widened in horror. I stepped back further and nearly ended up round the other side of the tree. I bought my arms to my chest and hugged myself. They already knew. They had heard me.

Newt read the reaction and softened his demeanour. "Don't worry. He only told me." He waved his hands as if trying to calm me. I'm not sure what that would have done. "I figured that since you weren't tellin' us anytime soon there must have been a reason. I know you talk. I just figured that you would talk in your own time. I didn't mean to mess it up."

"I just don't want to be the centre. It's already hard enough," I admitted. Maybe me being mysterious and not talking meant that the situation became worse. They would get over it. Then fading into the background would happen faster.

"No one else know," Newt told me in a soft voice. "I don't even have to call you that if you want."

"No," I firmly said, surprising myself. "I think I need to bear the brunt and do say it. Like you said. They'll get over it. And then finally they'll stop staring … and I really hate being called 'Greenie'." I pushed a stray hair from my face. I sucked in a large breath and released it slowly. "My name is … Clarke."

"Nice to meet you Clarke." Newt stuck out a hand. "The name's Newt."

I shook his hand. Little bolts of electricity darting up my fingertips at the touch of him. It wasn't nasty. It felt … nice. A warm fuzziness flooding through me. My cheeks flushed and I swear I could see myself turning red. I ducked my head and did my best to cover my face with the loose strands of hair. Newt stepped away and turned his back to me.

"Good." I heard him sigh with relief. "Chuck's been out of his mind for the best of a day. Nattering on that you spoke to him. I was convinced he was lying."

"He does talk a lot," I added, still refusing to look at him.

"He does," Newt agreed. He glanced over his shoulders. "Do you want me to escort you back?"

I glanced past him at the Homestead. There were several boys that were milling around outside. I thought for a moment, then thought better of it.

"I'm gonna do it on my own," I affirmed. If I was going to live in this place comfortably, now was the perfect opportunity to do things on my own.

"Good that," Newt quickly replied, his back still to me. "I just remembered I have to do somethin' with the Deadheads. I won't be long. Yell for Jeff or Chuck if you need anything. I know you can talk now."

Newt shuffled away from me as soon as he finished speaking, he's back still too me. He moved fast, his limp not slowing him down. I did the same, darting from the tree line straight for the Homestead. I didn't stop to think about the boys staring. I was set on getting into my room and closing the door. Now I wanted the comfort of the small room.

The hot flushes returned the moment I shut the door. Not the terrifying ones from the morning. They felt different, almost natural.

I dove for the bed, tore my shoes from my feet and wrapped the covers over me. I didn't care that I smelled really bad.

I couldn't stop smiling.