CHAPTER 2:
"Welcome to the Haven."
Frank thought to herself, if Haven means safe place… what are we safe from? Who put us here? Frank voiced her thoughts.
Dani looked at her sternly then turned to the crowd of her new family. "Alright you slackers, get back to your jobs! Everyone can meet the Newbie at the party later tonight!"
Everyone quickly dispersed to not upset their glorious leader. Wow, she must have earned a lot of respect… too bad she hasn't earned mine yet. Frank mentally thought as she scoffed. Dani, fortunately didn't hear her and grabbed Liz's arm before she could walk off.
Frank overheard their quiet conversation. "Liz, I need you to tell the Farmers and Doctors that Frank is going to be with them tomorrow. And tell Belle she's with her first." Liz nodded and jogged off toward a wooden structure that was roughly built with only 3 walls and a makeshift roof. She could see there were some hammocks inside.
She turned her attention back to Dani as she started talking again. "Okay Newb, let's start with the grand old tour and then I'll answer your stupid questions. Deal?" She held out her hand. Frank took it with a role of her eyes and replied, "Fine."
"Cool. So let's start where we are. What you just came out of is the Cage. Might as well start from the beginning. So, a group of 12 of us showed up here sprawled out around the cage. We all woke up with no memory except for our names. After the initial confusion and chaos, we decided that it would be best if we worked together to form a community. I was elected the leader because I was the only one who could find some order, and I nominated Liz as my second-in-command because she is a little nicer than I am when dealing with people's feelings. So, apart from that, you are the third Newbie. A new Newb arrives every month and supplies every week. Comes out of the Cage sent by the Creators. Don't know how or why, but it never fails. The Haven is split into four parts. The House, Farm, Barn, and Forest. The House is where everyone sleeps. There are now 15 of us, including you now, so it gets stuffy in there sometimes. So, some of those boogers sleep outside. And before you ask, no, it never rains and it never changes temperature."
The House sure did look cozy… not. I guess I'll just sleep outside. Frank thought.
"Over there is the Farm. That's where we obviously grow our food. Water comes out of the irrigation pipes. Always has. I don't know how, but we have electricity. And over there in that corner," Dani pointed to a couple of pens with some cows and chicken and pigs, "is the Barn. I know, there isn't a barn, but that's just because we've been here for 3 months and we haven't had time to build it yet. You'll notice we're still getting up and running and planning things. Anyway, the Barn is going to be where we raise the livestock to butcher them. And lastly, in the far edge is the Forest. Just where people hang out. Okay, I know you've been looking at the Entrance, but don't get any ideas of running like a flat out idiot."
Crap, she caught me. Frank mentally scolded herself for being so easy to read. She really did not like this leader more and more by the second.
"Out there is the Maze. We just started to send people in and explore for and exit, but we haven't found it yet and you don't want to get lost out there at dusk. Because in," Dani checked her watch, "ten minutes the Entrance is going to close and you don't want to be stuck out there."
"Why?" Frank blurted out.
"The fourth day we were here I wanted to explore the Entrance. It opens every morning at 7am and closes every evening at 7pm, so I just wanted to check it out. See where it lead, you know. Just being curious. So I jogged past a couple of turns and I saw this hideous Beast. It charged at me and I ran my butt back here so it didn't slice me to pieces with its claws and knives. It got me though and sliced me up pretty good," she motioned to her scars on her neck and wrists that Frank saw earlier, "It pinned me to the wall and tried to choke the crap out of me. Thankfully, Maddie came and saved my butt. The Beast saw her and turned around back into the Maze. We made it back and Belle fixed me up. From now on, no one is allowed into the Maze unless you are one of the Runners. And that's why this place is the Haven. Because it keeps us safe from the Beasts of the Maze."
Frank looked at her in shock and admiration. Dani was able to survive something like that and still have the courage to wear her scars proud. Frank thought that maybe she underestimated her. She now understood why everyone looked up to her.
Frank tried to speak up but Dani cut her off, "Alright, let me finish before you ask questions. I'm pretty sure I'll answer them all before-hand though." Dani shot Frank a smug look.
"Alright. So, we have three rules that we have formed a consensus on. 1) Do your job. Don't slack off. We have to keep this community running if we want to survive and we can't afford free-loaders. 2) Don't harm anybody in your family. Whether physically, or mentally. We all have to work together if we ever want to get out of this freaking place. And lastly, 3) never go out in the Maze. Unless, you're a runner, like I said before. You got me?"
Frank nodded but knew she couldn't keep a promise.
"Cool. So we have seven jobs so far. We have Chefs, Butchers, Builders, Farmers, Doctors, Recorders, and Runners. Chefs cook our food and the Keeper is Laurel. The Butchers slice our meat and tend to the livestock and the Keeper is Nat. The Builders build obviously, and the Keeper is Max. The Farmers grow our food and the Keeper is Lacey. The Doctors patch us up and the Keeper is Belle. The Recorders keep records on who lives in the Haven, how many people we have, and stuff like that. The Keeper is Link. And lastly, the Runners look for a way out. The Keeper is Maddie because she saved my life from the Beast. You will try out for every job except Runners. You have to earn a job like that over time, prove yourself. You will start with the Doctors tomorrow morning and the Farmers after lunch."
Just then a loud screeching noise made Frank turn her head to see the Entrance closing. Dani noticed her shock and shook her head. "Don't beat yourself up trying to figure it out. It just happens. Just accept it."
"So, Newb, any questions?" Dani asked.
Frank rolled her eyes at the nickname but shook her head; she pretty much knew what they did now, so no need to ask a question if Dani was just going to reply with 'I don't freaking know!' Frank decided that if she wanted to know all the answers, she was going to have to find these Creators.
Dani gave a curt nod and then a beaming smile. "Alright. Let's get to that party then! You are the guest of honor!"
AN: Alright, I just had to write this chapter and post it today! Sorry it's really slow building but I feel I need to explain the characters in depth. Frank will soon meet a couple more people at the party, but for now at least y'all know who the Keepers are! Thank you for all the kind updates! I know I'm not a fantastic writer but y'all literally made my day with the sweet reviews. I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter and if you gave me a suggestion I tried to follow it! And the two OC's that are now added is Nat as the Keeper of the Butchers and Laurel as the Keeper of the Chefs! Thanks again for everyone's submissions and support!