Here is the longer chapter I promised.

I'm not too happy with this chapter but I can't change anything now.

Any comments or predictions are welcome. Critics are also appreciated. You can't become a better writer if you don't know you're doing something wrong.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything it all belongs to James Dasher

We're rolling...

Chapter 4 - Settling In

Over the next two weeks, I tried out for every job expect the runners and builders. The builder tryouts were today.

I had refused to even enter the blood house when I was scheduled to be a slicer and I detested being a slopper. The baggers creeped me out, so that was also a no. I could cook a decent grilled cheese but that was about it. I don't think the boys wanted to live off cheese sandwiches for the rest of their time in the Glade.

I couldn't and didn't want to be a track-hoe but Zart, keeper of the Track-hoes, would agree with me on that.

Anything I touched while planting ended up dying. I did not have a green thumb.

The med-jacks were nice and I got along with Clint and Jeff just fine but I really wanted to be a runner.

...

I still hadn't spoken but the boys just ignored it now. George loved to talk my ear off and Newt was always good about it. Sometimes I'd hide in a tree and whisper to myself; nearly fell out of the shuck tree when I heard my heavy British accent.

That was the only time I'd talk.

...

Even after two weeks I still didn't feel comfortable talking. I had met most of the keepers and they all seemed decent. I got along best with Frypan, Clint and Jeff, Newt, George (even if he wasn't a keeper), and surprisingly Minho, keeper of the Runners.

Newt was a runner but he stayed in the maze most days to help Alby. Being leader could be stressful. I always watched them leave before going to get some breakfast. Minho constantly teased me about talking but I just ignored him.

Since I hadn't spoken they didn't know my name. They took to calling me greenie and girlie. I knew I'd have to tell them my name by the time of the next greenie but that was still two weeks away.

...

I was working with the builders today and it started off pleasant. Gally just told me to work with David. We were building a new edition to the homestead. David was nice enough but he'd stare at me. It creeped me out.

Finally, I left. I went up to Gally and pointed to David. He seemed to get the message cause he assigned me to Ben.

Ben had been here for two months and he was very nice. He talked to me about random things while working on the homestead.

As I was leaving David walked up to me. He slung his arm around my shoulder which I quickly slung off. He didn't seem fazed. I glared at him and he walked away.

...

I walked to the deadheads instead of dinner. I needed to be alone.

I found the stream and dipped my feet in. It was so relaxing.

A little while later someone disrupted my peace. "You missed dinner."

I turned to look at Newt. He tossed me an apple. I held it in my lap, swishing my feet back and forth in the water.

"You know greenie, your job's gonna be chosen at the next council meeting." I was alarmed, I hadn't tried being a runner! "Greenie! Girlie! Are you listening to me?" I tuned back in

"Skylar" I whispered.

Newt was taken back, "what'd you say?"

I sighed, boys were so thick. Though, that thought was kind of rude. I mean, I hadn't spoken yet. "I said my name is Skylar,"

He smirked, "greenie finally tiring ya out?"

I glared at him, "shank"

Newt laughed.

My glare intensified, "Hmph."

He calmed down slightly, "you know you have an accent like mine"

I nodded, staring into the water. "I figured that out on the second day here"

Newt stood up and stretched, "well now that your talking, what job do ya want? Those shanks might actually be so glad they'll give it to ya."

I shook my head. I wanted to earn my job. "If that's true I'll keep my job to myself, thank you very much"

Newt shook his head smiling. "I was just kiddin'. Though, knowing them they might actually do it. Depends on what ya want."

I looked at my feet, still dipped in the water. "I want to be a runner. Or at least be able to try out. I love to run and I won't be happy confined in the glade. Especially when I know you're risking your life every day along with the other runners to find a way out of this bloody maze." I blushed after speaking. I was really passionate about being a runner and not being treated differently than any other greenie. George had told me that he'd tried out for being a runner. Or at least he was scheduled to but it never happened.

Newt smiled slightly, "well, the least we might be able to do is a trial. That is if you appeal to Alby's good side."

I faked a look of shock. "Alby has a good side?"

Newt shot me a warning look.

"Hey, I'm joking. I know he can be nice. It must be hard trying to control all these boys." I raised my hands in defense.

Newt shot me a sheepish smile. "Sorry 'bout that but nobody gets how bloody hard it is to run this place. We lost three boys to disorder in the beginning."

I slowly got up and put my shoes on, "tell me about the beginning. You've been here almost two years..." Newt didn't look like he was going to agree. I gave him puppy dog eyes. "Please?"

Newt's eyes turned sad but he had a smile firmly in place. I took his hand in mine. He was surprised by the action but I didn't let go. "You don't have to talk if you don't want to." I didn't want to bring up bad memories.

He shook his head, "no it's fine. It just brings up sad memories. Well, it all started when..."

We slowly strolled through the deadheads, stopping to pay respect to the Gladers in the graveyard. Newt pointed out each person and gave me some information.

It took them a good two weeks to even have the Glade in working order. Everyone was scared cause they had no memories.

Then this kid, Nick, took charge. He was the first leader.

He died trying to escape through the box.

Nick had kept them organized after the first tortuous week or two. He had them build onto the single building there, the homestead, and some set up a garden.

They had to eat.

Eventually, boys grew curious about the maze. One even ventured in. He never came back. His name had been Bill. Nick established a rule that no one goes into the maze.

Minho had come up with the originals. He had only one goal: run the maze. Knowing Minho he probably wore down Nick, cause obviously, he changed his rule.

As we strolled out of the deadheads Minho ran over to us. "There you are ya shank. I've been looking all over for ya. Alby's going shuckin' nuts...But I see you were preoccupied with something..." He glanced at our still intertwined hands. We let go quickly but not before I saw Minho wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Newt had slowly gotten redder and refused to look at me. "Wash out that bloody mind of yours Minho" I snapped.

He looked startled before replying. "Finally talking are ya? 'Bout shuckin' time. Did I finally wear ya down?"

I rolled my eyes, "in your dreams shank"

He just laughed.

Hope you liked it.

A bit of lighthearted fun along with background information and foreshadowing. A good day.

Later Gladers,

Tmr_Potterhead250