CHAPTER 3:
Frank walked alongside Dani as they made their way to the center of the Haven for the much anticipated party. Frank saw a giant bonfire and everyone was laughing and joking around. It almost looked like nobody was bothered by being trapped in a Maze with no memory.
"The guest of honor has arrived!" Dani shouted while making a trumpet introduction noise.
Everyone gave a mighty cheer and lifted their glasses to Frank. Frank smiled in return. She was really starting to feel welcome.
"Well, let's meet everyone!" Dani exclaimed and led her over to a clique of people laughing loudly.
"Alright you idiots, meet Frank, the Newb. Frank, meet the Builders, Farmers, and our one and only Recorder."
Frank saw a really tall boy with a lot of muscle who looked around 16. He had shaggy brown hair and bright blue eyes. He was quite handsome and she might say she would have a crush on him if it wasn't for the girl hanging on his arm.
"Hey, Newbie! I'm Max, Keeper of the Builders. I can't wait until your tryout! Janey and I really need some help if we want to get the Barn up in the next couple of weeks!" He said as he gestured to the girl across the circle.
"Hi, I'm Janey." She said as she shook Frank's hand. Janey was very athletic looking and had short brown hair and dark blue eyes. Her eyes, though, had this disconnected look. Like she didn't really want to be at the party.
"Nice to meet you." Frank replied. She then turned to see the Farmers.
The girl on Max's arm spoke up.
"Hello, Newbie. I'm Lacey, I'm the Keeper of the Farmers. And from what I've heard, you will be with us after lunch break. Correct?"
"Yes. That's what Dani told me." Frank replied to the weird looking girl, but it suited her. She was actually very beautiful in a unique way. She had white hair that flowed elegantly down her back, and she also had one blue eye and one green eye. She was very thin and looked sickly because she was so weak looking. Frank then zoned in on her wrist to see Survivor tattooed there.
Lacey noticed the stare and smiled sweetly. "Oh, you looking at this thing? It's always been there since I woke up here. I don't remember why I got it, but it tells me that I have to keep fighting. Survive."
Frank nodded. She liked this girl. It seemed that she might be physically weak, but she was strong mentally.
Frank then turned to another girl who spoke up giddily saying her name was Cat. She looked so young and Frank only felt hatred towards these so called Creators for sending a child into this wretched place. She smiled at the small girl with red hair and big grey eyes.
"Hi there Cat! I'm Frank." Frank replied to the cute girl with the big smile.
Frank then saw another girl standing with a hand on Cat's shoulder.
She was a short Japanese girl who had long black hair and green eyes. She even had a blonde streak in it that was a little weird. She also had a strange tattoo on her shoulder of birds. Frank couldn't see it very well since it was covered a little by her tank top.
"I'm Rita." The girl replied shyly.
Lastly, the other boy must be the Recorder. He stood up and took Frank's hand. He had black hair and green eyes and looked very well-built.
"I'm Link. How you liking it so far Newb?"
"It's a bit overwhelming I guess. But it seems that's what it's like for everyone, so nothing much I can do about that." Frank said with a shrug.
Frank moved on to another group of people. I guess Dani left. Frank thought. She approached the group of four and introduced herself, like Dani said to.
"Um… hi. I'm Frank, the Newbie, as everyone else seems to call me that." Frank said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Oh hey! Nice to finally meet you. I'm Keeper of the Chefs, Laurel." The Spanish girl with brown hair and hazel eyes spoke up first. She seemed very cheery and not bothered by being locked in the Haven.
"I'm looking forward to trying your food!" Frank replied. "I heard it's like tasting a slice of Heaven."
"Well you would be correct. I try really hard to please everyone, you know. If I can't be as brave as a Runner, I might as well bring people joy. And what better way than to do that through food!" Laurel replied happily.
"Hi, I'm Nat." Said a tall, lanky Indian boy who interrupted Frank. He had black hair that went over his ears some and brown eyes. He even had a scar on his face that looked like a hoof.
"How'd you get that?" Frank said almost rudely.
"Well, I'm the Keeper of the Slicers. And one of the cows, I guess, didn't feel like getting sliced up so it decided to take it out on my face." He replied with a shrug. "Wasn't too bad. Belle fixed me up pretty good. I just had a concussion for a couple of days."
"Oh." Frank said trying to stifle her laughter. She just thought his pain was funny.
Frank then saw an intimidating girl who she has heard about a few times for patching up the injured, like Dani and Nat.
"You must be Belle." Frank said.
"You would be right." Replied the beautiful girl with the long bronze blonde hair and sea green eyes. Belle was tall and thin and had quite a few freckles dotting her nose. When she stood to shake Frank's hand, Frank noticed she favored one foot over the other. Maybe she has a limp. Frank thought.
Lastly, Frank saw a younger boy. He wasn't as young as Cat, but maybe only a couple of years older. He was tall for his age and he had brown hair and hazel eyes.
"And who are you?" Frank asked the shy boy.
"Louie." They boy said meekly.
Suddenly, Dani found Frank and ended the introductions short. "Alright, see you tomorrow guys. Belle, Frank is starting with you tomorrow morning, incase Liz didn't tell you."
"She did. See you tomorrow Frank." Belle replied.
Dani started leading Frank away from the group of Haveners. What the heck? Why did I make up that word? Frank thought. "Alright, now that you met mostly everyone, I wanted to show you the mighty Runners. Who everyone wants to be when they grow up." Dani said with a chuckle as she pointed to two people sitting down next to the fire.
Dani led Frank over to the 'cool clique.' "Alright you guys. This is Frank. Frank this is Maddie, Keeper of the Runners, and her accomplice, Benji." Both of them waved and smiled. Maddie was tall and athletic with choppy platinum blonde hair and grey eyes. She gave Frank a rude look that screamed, Go away. I don't talk to Newbies. Frank decided she had had enough of the judging girl and looked toward Benji. He was very handsome with short brown hair and sparkling, silver eyes.
"Hey, Newbie. Since Maddie over here is being a little jerk, I guess I'll introduce us." He said and gave Maddie a pointed look that said behave. "So as you know, we're the Runners. We're still looking for a way out but that dang Maze changes every night."
"No way." Frank replied dumbfounded that stone walls could shift.
"Yep, it's weird. I don't understand it either." Benji replied.
Maddie still hasn't said a word.
Benji seemed nice to Frank. Definitely better than Maddie, with her 'too good for you' attitude.
"Okay! Now that introductions are over with, I'm going to party hard and you can do whatever the heck you want, have fun!" Dani said.
Frank gave a scoff as Dani walked off and took a seat next to the now smiling Maddie. Frank saw the way Dani looked at Maddie. It was like she had a crush on her. Frank thought for a bit and realized she did. Maddie did save Dani's life and Dani did look like a lesbian, with the short hair and attitude, after all.
Suddenly, Liz walked over to Frank. Frank jumped and in self-defense, almost punched the blonde brace face in the mouth. That could have been nasty. Thankfully, Liz was quick enough to dodge the blow.
"Woah there Newbie! It's just me. There's no need to knock me bloody out!"
"Sorry. You scared the crap out of me!" Frank replied coldly.
"Alright, take it easy spitfire. I can tell you're not a socializer. And I can tell you're not enjoying yourself. I can just tell, I tend to be quite good at reading people's emotions. So I was wondering if you wanted me to answer any questions you have. I know you must have a bloody ton!" Liz chuckled.
Frank thought Liz was nice. So she was going to at least be pleasant.
"I'm pretty much caught up with everyone else. But I have one though, is Dani, you know…"
Liz cut her off with a hearty laugh. "Oh my gosh! That's you're only bloody question?!" Liz continued to laugh until she realized Frank was completely serious since she crossed her arms over her chest and shot the British girl a hard look.
"Oh. Okay. No need to get defensive. To answer your question, yes, Dani is a lesbian. And everyone knows she likes Maddie. But I'm pretty sure Maddie is straight. So you have a chance with Dani if you want!"
Liz started laughing again and Frank blushed beet red.
"I'm straight! I like boys!" Frank immediately replied as she raised her voice.
"No doubt! I'm just messing with you, Newbie!" Liz continues laughing and snorts. This just causes her to laugh more at herself.
"HAHA." Frank said maliciously. "You're right, though. I'm not keen on this whole party thing. Can you show me where I can sleep?" Frank asked in a demanding tone.
"Chill, Frankie. Sure thing. Right this way."
Liz led her to the House and pulled out a sleeping bag and a pillow.
"Pick a spot anywhere you're little heart desires. If I may add my two cents, sleeping outside is really peaceful. That's where I sleep. It's less crowded, less stuffy, and there is less snoring. And the stars are beautiful to look at, makes for better dreams." Liz said looking off into space with a sigh.
Frank was a little perturbed with Liz zoning out. It seemed Frank was really cranky when she was tired.
Liz snapped back into reality.
"This should bloody do it, Newb. I'll wake you up tomorrow morning for your Keeper training. Starting off with Belle and the Doctors. She's the one you met tonight."
Frank nodded and set her sleeping bag down by the Farm. She then sent Liz an appreciative smile for the help and Liz returned it with her signature brace face grin.
"Sweet dreams, Frank. I'll see you bloody bright and early."
AN: Thank you again for all the kind reviews and support! I love you all! I know this chapter is really slow because it was describing all the characters… but should I continue with Keeper training or do a time skip to when Frank gets her job? I know this is super long so I hope it makes up for me not posting in a week!