~Chapter Two: Horrors of Home~
An uproar aroused from the crowd. Half of the boys shouted cheers of approval while the others told Stephen he was crazy.
"It could be dangerous!" someone apposed, but from the look on Stephen's face, Alby could tell the other boy probably already knew that.
"I say that tomorrow we should send a few guys into the maze to look around. I'm willing to go, but I will need maybe four more volunteers to join me," Stephen announced.
The apposers didn't say anything. Everyone knew it was best if someone explored their new surroundings. A few voices rang out volunteering, including Minho and the spiky-haired blonde boy who had arrived with Stephen. Something inside Alby told him not to volunteer, to stay where he was. The idea of running of into the unknown was unappealing to him. He didn't want to chance it.
"Alright," Stephen said and pointed to four boys, "you four will come with me into the maze."
Alby noticed that Stephen included the blonde boy, but not Minho. A few grunts arouse from those who weren't picked to go on the journey.
"What about everyone who isn't going?" a young-looking boy who was only a few feet from Alby called out, "what are we supposed to do?"
Stephen smiled grimly. "What aren't you supposed to do? We have food to make, a shelter to build, crops to plant. We will all be very busy, but for tonight we can probably just sleep under the stars."
Sleeping under the stars. Alby could remember doing this, but he couldn't quite place with who or where. He saw people, but their faces were a blur and he couldn't remember any of their names. It was very aggravating. Where the heck is this place?
All the boys agreed to Stephen's plan. One day and the guy was already the leader. At least he seems to know what he is doing. More than I can say for myself, Alby thought. In a way he envied Stephen; Stephen was so brave and smart, but all Alby could do was linger in fear and confusion.
The blonde-haired boy, whom Alby discovered was named George, distributed food to all the boys while another boy, Adam, distributed blankets to everyone. They were short about six blankets, so some boys had to go without. Alby found that it was peculiar that everyone here was a boy; there were no girls in sight. Everything about this place was hopelessly confusing. Alby took his blanket and walked over to the corner of "The Glade."
Being in the open was awkward for him, especially since he found himself to be crying, unintentionally of course. He couldn't help himself; not knowing anything was scary. As Alby looked around, he saw that he wasn't the only one. There were many others crying, too. Everyone was spread out in separate areas. Alby hoped that somehow they could plant trees or something so that the place wasn't so empty.
A violent shaking shook the ground. Alby dug his fingernails into the ground and watched in awe as the world around him shook and moved. The walls of the Glade started shifting, actually shifting out of place. It was so un real. All he could do was sit and stare, mouth wide. This went against every law of physics he ever learned! It only burned the question more loud and true in his head: where was he?
The doors connected with a thud, shutting tightly for the night. All Alby could do was shake his head in disbelief. The idea of being stuck in this Glade place made him somewhat claustrophobic.
He sat quietly, munching on his dinner that consisted of crackers and peanut butter. Not much of a dinner, but enough. Stephen had said that they would set up a fire or something the next day so that they could cook food tomorrow. The biggest problem will probably be finding someone who can actually cook.
"Mind if I join ya?"
Alby looked up to find himself staring into the eyes of Minho.
"Knock yourself out," he said quietly. He hoped that Minho couldn't tell he was crying.
The boy took a seat next to Alby. Upon closer look it appeared that he had been crying too. It seemed almost impossible not to cry, after all no one knew where they were, why they were here, and for how long they would be stuck in this…maze. It confused Alby so much on why someone would put them in a maze. Well at least mazes have ends, Alby thought, maybe we can get out of here within a few days.
"You're brave you know," Alby whispered.
"Who? Me?" Minho laughed, "I been blubbering for the last twenty minutes, wouldn't exactly call that brave."
"Yeah but you volunteered to go in the maze…that's brave. I didn't even consider it."
Minho just shrugged. "I figure maybe I could help find a way outta here. If it's a maze, then it can be solved, that's what I'm thinkin'."
Alby nodded. "I was just thinking the same thing."
Minho laid down, folding his blanket and putting it under his head as a pillow.
"Well, even if I'm not going into the maze tomorrow I still need to get some sleep. I am exhausted."
"Yeah same here," Alby said, lying down. A good night's sleep could help clear his mind. Maybe he will remember something tomorrow.
He closed his eyes allowing himself to fall into a deep, dreamless, sleep.
"Wake up sleeping beauty!"
Alby opened his eyes to the beaming face of Minho.
"Stephen wants everyone by the pile immediately. The ol' crank isn't dealing with anyone sleeping in…says he's on a 'schedule.'"
Alby forced himself to stand and walk with Minho to the pile. It seemed like everyone was already there. They were all huddled in a tight group. A shout cuts through the air, quickly followed by another. Alby and Minho exchange a look and run towards the group. Alby strains to see over the heads of the other boys, but it is a lost cause; he can't see a thing.
Minho, on the other hand, wanted badly to see what the commotion was about. Pushing the other boys out of the way, Alby watched as he made his way to the front of the crowd.
"What's going on?" Alby asked a boy next to him.
"Not sure…but it seems like there is a fight," the boy, a dark-haired, pale skinned boy, not a day over fourteen responded. "You're Alby, right?"
Alby nodded, "Yes, what's your name?"
"Frank," the boy said.
"Whoa, whoa! What is going on here?" a shout arouse from behind. Alby turned to see Stephen running towards the clump of boys with George right beside him. The boys parted, making way for the two. As they did, Alby craned his neck to see what was happening. Two boys, whom Alby did not recognize were currently on the ground punching each other. It was both a startling, yet amusing sight.
"Break it up!" Stephen shouted, dragging one of the boys, a tall, dark-skinned boy, off of the other. George then pulled the other one up, holding them tightly. The boys fought back at first, but soon realized they were no match for Stephen or George.
Everyone was silent, all intent on hearing what would happen.
"What the f…shuck, is wrong with you two?!" Stephen yelled angrily.
Alby could hear a snicker from the front of the crowd.
"Shuck?" It was definitely Minho's all too familiar voice.
Stephen looked to his right, probably where Minho was standing.
"What? There are like twelve-year olds here. No need to be dropping swears everywhere," Stephen responded. Alby thought he could hear a hint of humor in his voice.
"I guess you're shuckin' right!" Minho laughed.
A few snickers came from the crowd, along with a few "Shuck yeses!"
Alby held his breath. Minho could be pushing it, making fun of the "leader" like this. Stephen didn't seem to care, though.
"I leave for five minutes and a fight breaks out! What the heck is the matter with you all! If you plan on living then we need friggin' order, not people acting like animals!"
"Shuck yes!" someone shouted.
Alby grimaced as a look of fury crossed Stephen's face.
"This is serious!" he yelled, "we can't waste time messing around! We don't know where we are, why we are here, we don't know almost anything! The only thing I know is that if we keep acting like idiots we won't last very long."
"Who made you boss?" the dark-skinned boy in Stephen's grasp snarled.
The look on the older boy's face was a mix of surprise and utter fury.
"Who made me boss? Well, I didn't really ask for it, so feel free to take my place if you want to! You know what? Go ahead! Why don't you lead the expedition team into the maze today? I will stay here and try to maintain some shuckin' order!"
The dark-skinned boy stood in silence for a moment. No one dared make a sound.
"I think I just might," he spat sarcastically.
Stephen took in a deep breath. "Good! Then go!" he huffed, pointing at the west entrance to the maze. With that he grabbed a shovel and a bag of seeds from the pile and stomped away.
Every boy was in shock. What the heck just happened, Alby's mind shouted. He turned around and spotted Stephen digging holes in a corner of the Glade. That guy is sure mad.
An hour later Alby found himself digging holes with Stephen and a few other boys while the exploration team was out in the maze. The sun was high in the sky, burning against his skin. Sweat dripped down Alby's face as he dug and dug. The day consisted of just that: digging and planting.
By the time the sun started to set, panic set in. No one had returned to the Glade yet. Their once fearless leader, Stephen was now pacing frantically around the place. It killed Alby to see anyone like this. Against his best judgement, he approached Stephen, who was standing by the east gate.
"Hey…everything alright?" he asked, mentally slapping himself after the words left his mouth.
"Alright?" Stephen snapped, "no one is back yet! They must have gotten lost!"
"I'm sure they are fine," Alby lied. He had a feeling the boys wouldn't be back by the time the gate closed, "besides, they can just come back in when the gate opens again."
"Yeah, I guess you're right…uh, I'm sorry what was your name again?"
"Alby."
"Alby. Alright thanks, Alby."
"No problem."
Almost on cue, a violent shake shook the world around Alby. The walls started moving, slowly and loudly. Watching them was still astonishing. How could anyone make the walls actually move? He wondered.
A sense of dread set in to Alby's bones as he watched as a group of boys took the corner in the maze, running frantically to get back to camp.
"George!" Stephen shouted, "Ryan!"
He started to run towards the almost closed doors, but Alby stopped him. He wrapped his arms tightly around the older boy, trying hard to not let him go. Alby refused to let go, despite the boy's protests. The last thing everyone needed was to lock their leader in a maze.
The doors shut with a boom for the night, leaving five helpless boys in the maze. By this time a group had surrounded Alby and Stephen. Now that the doors were secure, Alby let Stephen out of his grasp. The boy fell almost immediately to the ground and started to weep.
"All my fault…I should have gone," Alby could make out through the boy's tears. He felt sorry for him as well as the people in the maze. If he could do anything, he would, but he knew it was pointless.
"Everyone! Hey…guys!" A shout arose out of the silence. Every person in the Glade's head turned toward the sound. Straining his eyes, Alby could make out Frank, the boy he had seen earlier standing along with another kid on the west side of the Glade.
"Come look what we just found!" the boy screamed.
The feeling of claustrophobia set in as everyone fought to be the first to check out the new discovery of the evening.
"What did you find?" Stephen asked Frank glumly.
"Come see for yourself."
The crowd made way for Stephen as he approached the spot the boys were at. Alby felt a quick jerk as the boy grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him forwards.
"Come on, Alby," Stephen said, "I want you to check this out with me."
A feeling rushed through Alby's veins. Fear of what is to come? Pride that the leader seemed to like him? He couldn't quite place it. He and Stephen approached Frank and his friend.
"Right here," Frank said, gesturing to his right.
As Alby approached he could make it out. A box, a small transparent box. A word popped in to his head: window. There was a window in the wall. When he was close enough, he peered out and realized that this window showed a clear view to the maze. But why hadn't he noticed it before? He must have passed this very spot twenty times. The look of confusion on both his as well as Stephen's faces must have given Frank the signal to talk.
"It appeared as soon as the walls shifted closed for the night. When they close, the window is visible, when the doors are open, it disappears. Strange really."
Alby stared through the window. The maze looked menacing, evil almost in the pale moonlight.
"What'd you shucks find?" the familiar voice of Minho rang out from the crowd. Alby looked nervously towards Stephen, expecting him to be angry at the mocking use of his new word, but instead saw that the boy seemed amused.
"A window," he said flatly, "to the maze."
An uproar arouse from the once calm crowd. Everyone wanted a look. They all took turns, peering through, muttering, until eventually everyone head off for sleep. Everyone besides Frank, Alby, and Stephen that is.
"I say we just watch it," Stephen said, almost in a whisper. "Never know what could be out there."
The thought of something lurking in the maze at night scared Alby almost instantly. He thought of the five boys, stranded in the maze the whole night. He hoped they would be alright.
The three of them took shifts. Stephen would stay up first, followed by Frank, then Alby. Alby was more than happy to have last shift. That meant more sleep for him. He laid down, thoughts of the stranded "Gladers" he decided to dub them, out in the maze.
"Psst! Alby! Alby, wake up ya shuck!"
Alby opened his eyes drowsily only to see Frank standing above him, gently shaking his shoulders. Must be his shift.
"I'm up, I'm up!" he said grumpily, "now leave me alone and go to sleep!"
He propped himself against the wall, leaving a clear view through the window and in to the maze. It was so dark he cold barely see anything. He stayed in his spot for what seemed like hours, just staring. A sense of exhaustion over took him. His eyes got heavy as yawns escaped his throat. Alby wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. What was the point of this?
A flickering of bright, eerie light caught his eye. It startled him, causing him to loose his balance. Alby quickly regained focus and stared intently out the window. What he saw scared the life out of him. Slithering across the maze floor was a very large, bulbous creature, with lights on its head. It seemed to be carrying something, if it was possible seeing as how it appeared to have no arms, legs, or shape for that matter, but it did have something. The sight of the thing was disgusting. A cold, rush creeped down Alby's spine.
The creature turned sharply until it appeared to stare straight at Alby. He let out a yelp unintentionally. Then it lunged towards the window, turning sharply, seemingly releasing something from its body and flinging it towards Alby. Alby shrieked on the top of his lungs and jumped from the window, not even thinking about it.
"What is going on?" Stephen yelled. Him and Frank sat up abruptly only to find Alby staring with horror through the window. Well, not through the window, but rather at what was now slowly sliding down it.
Alby could feel all the blood drain from his face as he watched the mangled, bloody, body of George slide down the side of the window.
Sorry it took so long to get up. It is rather long. Reviews?