My head was swimming the next day when I woke up, it was still dark in the Homestead and most of the boys were still sleeping. I let out a dry cough and my head started to hum, it was miserable. I sniffled and rolled over, I knew this feeling. I tried to clear my throat to confirm, and it sent a eruption of fire into my mouth and caused me to start coughing again. Shuck, I thought and rubbed my temples. This feel exactly like last time when I was sick. Should I go to the Med Hut? I would have to face Clint and Jeff, I closed my eyes and took a slow breath in. My chest hurt from it, maybe this wasn't the flu it felt worse. I just wanted to sleep, I closed my eyes and let myself doze until the rest of the Glade started to wake.

It was when I woke up the second time, I knew I couldn't wait in my hammock. I clung to my thin blanket, but I was still shivering, I wasn't sure I could even force myself to get up. I started to cough again and it made me tear up, I had to fight to regain control and made myself breath through my nose. I'll have to go to med hut. But why? What's the point of getting better?, my brain started to fight itself. Maybe if I get sick enough, I'll die.

This thought at any other time would have shook me to my core, I would have leapt up immediately and marched to the Med Hut. I lay still in my hammock in the barren room. Could I just let this sickness kill me? How did I even get sick again... probably from being out in the cold so many nights. But why now?! I readjust to get comfortable and my head starts to throb. This won't kill me, I tell myself. If it did, it would solve all of Alby's problems, he wouldn't have to worry about me telling his lies to everyone. Did he make me sick? No... that's just silly. Besides, Clint and Jeff have the cure.

I fell asleep again, but this time I didn't wake up on my own.

"Sleepin' on the job, huh?"

Foul breath causes me to stir and crack an eye open. I see a wide silhouette blocking the rest of the room, the voice is familiar but my head can't make the connection.

"Wake up, Greenie. Need ya today."

Frypan, my eyes finally adjust.

"Frypan?," I croak out to make sure. My voice is shot even though I haven't had a real conversation with anyone in weeks.

"Klunk," I hear him mutter under his breath as his crisp cold hand touches my cheek.

I pull away from him, the icy touch had surprised me.

"You sick again?," he asks.

I don't bother to confirm me, I just rest my head again and shut my eyes.

"How you sick again?! Girl, I swear you be doin' this just to get out of seein' me," he chuckles to himself. "Let me go get Clint."

"No," I moan. "I just want to sleep."

Frypan doesn't listen, he leaves my side and later returns with Clint or someone who sounds exactly like him.

"Oh Greenie, you're burning up again," he says worriedly.

"I'm just tired," I tell him without opening my eyes to confirm it's Clint.

"Fry, go grab some garlic and ginger from the Kitchen. I'm gonna heat up some water."

I couldn't really piece time together, I would be asleep until someone would wake me and then I'd fall back asleep again. Clint made me drink some tea, it tasted awful and almost savory, but I just didn't have the energy to fight him. I awoke later on a stable frame, no doubt they had moved me to the Med Hut when I was passed out. Typical, I thought before drifting off again.

I was sitting my a tree, but it was like no tree I had ever seen before. It's trunk was made of flowing water and the branches were crashing waves. I look up expecting to be swallowed into the water but I'm surprised by seeing bright yellow leaves tangled into the branches. And handing from those branches are chimes, the forces of the waves crash into them and cause them to sing out harmoniously. The sun shone off them, blinding me with it's perfection but I didn't mind. The music reminded me of something, something I couldn't remember like it was too long ago for me to really grasp it. I listened to the melody as I leaned against the tree and watched the valley below me. The grass was long and green, it swayed like the sea, sending ripples across the side of the mountain. This went on as far as I could see, the endless green mountains filled with music.

"I never thought a place so perfect could exist."

I turn and see Jackson sitting beside me.

"It's everything I ever imagined while being in the Glade," he smiled. "Now it's all I see... all I can hear."

"It's beautiful," I admit.

All around us the chimes start to fall into the grass, some of them roll away down the mountain while other are caught in the tall grass. Jackson picks one up and blows on it, it send a cascade of sweet tunes into the air. I'm hypnotized by how beautiful it sounds.

"Jackson?," I call his attention. "Where are we?"

"We are free," he smiles and hands me the chime.

I wake with a cough and the pain sears my sore throat. I feel dizzy and nauseous, I lean over the side of the bed and gag on my empty stomach. What was that dream? It was nothing like when I had dreamed of living with Newt, it was just so different. Jackson looked so real. Why didn't I hug him and cry? Why didn't I tell him how much I missed him. I should have asked for his advice. I wiped away my tears, it was just a dream, I had to remind myself. I was happy to see no one was in the Med Hut with me, they left me alone in the darkness, it must have been nighttime and everyone else was asleep. I didn't want to close my eyes again, I was too concentrated on remembering my dream.

Jackson was there, he looked so happy. Was he really happy? Did he finally find happiness away from this place? I sat up in the bed and looked to the wall that faces the Deadhead. I know he's buried out there... but did he really escape? Could he have found that place? Is he really somewhere in the mountains? Is he finally happy?

Is it really that easy?

I stand from the bed, I was hoping to find some peppermint leaves to chew on, Clint had told me they helped with nausea. I felt around the work bench, but I couldn't see much in the dark, I fumbled and spilled a jar.

"Shuck," I muttered and tried to pick up what had fallen. My eyes were adjusting but it was still so dark in here without a torch. My finger felt something cool and hard, it was small and felt cold on my fingers. It wasn't what I had spilled from the jar, it was something else on the bench that I had no idea what it could be. I picked it up, it was small and fit easily in the palm of my hand. It was almost like a ball, but longer, like a small cylinder. Could it be another jar? It would have been such a tiny jar. It didn't feel like glass. I like the way it felt and didn't want to put it back, I kept it clasped in my hand and went back to the bed. I didn't want to spill anything else in my search for peppermint.

I rolled the object in my hand, even with my eyes now adjusted, I had no idea what this thing was. I didn't look familiar, I don't think I had ever seen it in the Med Hut before. It was relaxing to roll it back and forth on my hand, it's smooth texture had no interruption or ridges, it didn't feel like wood or glass. Maybe metal? It had to be metal, I squinted and put it close to face, but the night prevailed.

I lay down and think about the tree made of water and the yellow leaves, it was really the most beautiful place I had ever seen. The windchimes echoed in my head and I squeezed the small object in my hand. Maybe it's a wind chime? I thought before falling back into slumber.

No dream after that, I woke up to Jeff moving around the Med Hut. I looked at the bench, no sign of the mess I made last night, they must have already picked it up.

"Good morning," Jeff smiled. "Your fever already broke last night, and you got some new color in your cheeks."

"Thanks," I sat up. My hand ached, I looked and saw it was still clenched shut, I had been gripping onto something all night. I slowly relaxed my muscles and opened my fingers one by one to see what was sitting in my palm. There sat a tiny metal tube. I had never seen it before, but it gave me a sense of Deja vu. I didn't understand until it caught a beam of sunlight tracing through the door and the glint shot into my eye.

Windchimes.

I covered my mouth with my other hand, could it really be? I looked around the room, I don't what I thought I'd see. Maybe a yellow leaf or endless grass, but the Med Hut was unchanged.

"Oh, I thought I lost that vial," Jeff chuckled and reached for the tube in my hands.

Instinctively I pulled away and clasped it tighter so he couldn't take it. Jeff looked confused and stood up again, but he didn't say anything or ask why I refused to give it back.

"What is it?," I asked him, cautiously opening my hand to look at it again, afraid he might try to snatch it away.

"It's kind of like a specimen vial. The Builders started to make them for us out of the extra piping we got a few months back. Clint and I use them for collecting when we're out. See that hole, it's supposed to be for twine to go through so we can wear it. Makes it easier to collect when it's hands free."

I took notice of the hole drilled into the side, it was all the way through, I hadn't seen it yet because of the way I had been holding it.

"Does it make any noise?," I asked Jeff, rolling it in my hand.

Jeff's face scrunched up, like he didn't understand the question I asked him, or maybe because the question made no sense.

"No, it's just a vial."

It's a windchime. I was convinced. It looked just like the chimes in the tree, except it was smaller. I contemplated putting my mouth on it, I wanted to recreate the music that Jackson had made. I stopped myself because Jeff was still watching me.

"Where's Clint?," I changed the subject.

"Ahh," Jeff rolled his eyes. "Some guys in the Garden started to break out in a rash or something, he went to check it out. Might be from the new fertilizer, I told them using the pig hooves wasn't a smart choice. He should be back soon, he was going to be pick up breakfast on the way. You hungry?"

"No," I shook me head.

"Surprise, Surprise," he joked with a grin. "I've never met someone so stubborn to not eat before you, Greenie."

"I just don't feel well."

"You're certainly getting better a lot quicker this time."

"Just lucky I guess," I said while looking down at the tube.

"We really should get you warmer clothes for the chilly season. Hopefully they send some stuff up with the next Greenie," Jeff continued to talk as he mixed herbs.

I was focused on my dream and despite what Jeff said, this thing in my hand was more than a mere vial. It felt like Jackson was reaching out to me, I didn't care how crazy that seemed. He wants me to be free. He wants me to be happy too. The serenity of those mountains and the gentle winds that rocked the long grass, it was like I had found peace. If there is no real world like Alby said... maybe there is other worlds? Worlds beyond this one, where Jackson is. Maybe Nick is there too and Joe. Maybe happiness it not here, but on another world. I held the small windchime close to my chest.

"Jeff," I cut him off from whatever he was saying.

"Huh?"

"I want to thank you for taking such good care of me," I smiled at him. It was a genuine smile, I was thankful for him and Clint and how they helped me adjust to the Glade. They had tried so hard to help me, make me feel safe and wanted. Too bad it was outweighed by everything else here.

"Of course, how could we not take care of our favorite little sister," he grinned.

"Maybe I should eat something."

Jeff raised an eyebrow," You the same girl that I was talking to a minute ago?," he joked.

"Hope everyone wants oatmeal!," Clint sang as he walked in. "Greenie, so good to see you back to your old self."

"She does look better," Jeff agreed taking his bowl.

"I grabbed you one," Clint handed it to her, it was still steamy and hot.

"Thanks," I smiled. "You two are always the best."

"Don't inflate his ego," Clint whispered and winked.

"Ego? As if," Jeff took a bite and nearly spit it out it was so hot.

"The Glade really is lucky to have you two. I was lucky too."

"Was?," Clint laughed. "You still are! Jeff and I will always be here for you, Greenie," he rested a hand on my shoulder.

I was touched to think that Clint and Jeff still saw me as their little sister. I remembered the times I would wake up everyday in this room, I was just a girl waiting for new name, waiting for a place in the Glade. Clint was always smiling and Jeff was cracking his cheesy jokes. I was so impressed by Clint and he ability to keep the Glade healthy, he was so smart. And Jeff was so dedicated, he and Clint tried to be prepared for any disaster that could come. Those memories feel like so long ago, but it's only been a few months.

Even when the chaos started, Clint and Jeff were there. They helped when I was dealing with Lee and then when Newt was put in the Slammer. They were even there when I was freaking out about the maze, Clint was always looking out for me. Why was I so worried about coming to see them in the first place?

I reached up and took Clint's hand," I mean it, thank you for always being so kind and sticking up for me."

Clint didn't know what to say, he must have been caught off guard by my sudden intensity.

"Anytime, Greenie," he gave my hand a squeeze. "Now where's the root for the rash?," he asked Jeff.

"Which root?"

"I told you..."

I watched them bicker about roots with a soft smile, they were quite the pair. It was rare to see them separated in the Glade, it was almost like they were one person combined. At least with them here, the Glade isn't a complete loss for the next Greenie, I thought and took a bite of my oatmeal.

"I should head to the kitchen," I stood up once I was done eating. "I'll take the dishes with me."

"Greenie, you should rest, at least until tomorrow," Clint tried to persuade me.

'I'm fine," I smiled. "Frypan said he needed help today."

"He can manage," Jeff scoffed. "And since when do you call him Frypan? Don't you always call him by his name?"

"Oh...," I just realized it had been so long since I had called him Siggy. "I guess I just heard everyone else call him Frypan. Don't worry about me, I'll take it easy," I promised. "I'll see you guys at lunch," I said before leaving.

"We left another jar of sleeping slave by your hammock," Clint winked.

"Thanks!"

It was weird, when did I start calling him Frypan? I couldn't remember, but it wasn't a big deal, not to me. I didn't tell Jeff that I had kept his vial, I tucked it into my pocket and could feel it against my leg. It was mine now. I dropped the dishes off at the Slopper station and went into the kitchen.

"Hey Fry," I smiled. I forgot to call him Siggy again...

"Well well well, look who's all healed up," Frypan chuckled. "Lookin' good, Greenie."

"Thanks. How can I help?"

I could tell Frypan was keeping my past in mind, he didn't let me cut or use fire. He kept me busy with easy chores that I completed above his expectations. I felt re-energized, like I was just buzzing with enthusiasm, maybe there was something hidden in that oatmeal. The day passed quickly as FRypan and I settled into our old routine. We made jokes and laughed, it felt like it had when I first got here. It felt easy. As the day was ending and as I was cleaning up I was approached by an unwanted figure.

"You look good," Alby mentioned. "Heard you got sick."

"I'm all better," I said politely while organizing the empty bowls in my cart.

"Glad the Med-Jacks could fix you up," he smiled.

I wanted to plaster on a big fake smile, but even with my liveliness I couldn't do it, not for Alby. I could do it for Clint and Jeff, I could do it for Frypan, but I could never force myself to be happy for Alby's sake.

"Yup," I tried to keep my responses light.

Alby was a liar and traitor! He betrayed my trust and I would never forgive him, I would take this hatred with me to the grave! He had been spying on me, send Gally to extort me further and acted like he was just a prince above us all. I did hate him and I would never stop.

"Keep up the good work," he smiled before diving into another conversation with the Bricknicks.

Keep up the good work.

Probably a subtle way to tell me I'm doing good at keeping his secret. What a slinthead! I found that even though Alby was still trying to control me, it didn't effect me as much as it used to. I'm in control of my life, not Alby. I will escape his world and he won't be able to stop me!

I turned around with the cart and nearly ran over Zart's feet.

"Sorry Greenie!," he apologized even though I was at fault.

"My bad. Didn't see you."

"And I'm a hard guy to miss, or so they tell me," he itched his neck.

No kidding, Zart was covered in red bumps from his face to his neck to his hands.

"Oh wow... that looks painful. Did Clint get you anything?"

"Yeah, some root rub or something to put on it twice a day. Not that it's been much help so far," he continued to itch.

"Yeah, I heard about the garden, some sort of fertilizer?"

"Yeah, big miscalculation. I'm hoping I can get some of the guys to go for a shave, though I doubt it since chilly season is coming."

"Why a shave?," I asked curiously.

"Hair is a good mulch, it helps with moisture control and keeps weeds away."

"Hair? Really?"

"Yeah, but I guess we'll wait till chilly season is over."

"I'll donate," I said without a second thought.

Zart raised his eyebrows," What?"

"Yeah," I reached back and let my hair fall. "I have plenty to spare. I won't need it come the chilly season."

"Wow, yeah, that'd be great. You sure?"

"Yeah I'm sure. I'll grab scissors from the Med Hut," I ran away from the cart of dirty dishes, abandoning my duties to grab the rough shears left in the Med Hut. The people who had dropped us here had only ever sent one pair and they were worn and rusty. They still did the job though and would be good enough for my purposes.

I came to find Zart still standing by my cart, I handed him the scissors and he looked confused.

"I don't normally cut hair."

"I don't mind," I spun around and threw all my hair behind me. The dark locks were a tangled mess, I hadn't brushed through in so long, I wasn't sure I'd be able to tame it again.

"Right here? Now?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Uhh...," Zart was nervous. "So... should I go like here," he pointed a stop below my shoulder. It would have cut off nearly eight inches, but for some reason it wasn't enough. I took the scissor from him, pulled my hair out and snipped through the curls.

Zart's jaw dropped. I had cut my hair well above my shoulders, just below my ear and I held in my hand a clump of nearly eleven inches of hair.

"Just follow that I guess," I handed the scissor back to him.

He did his best and it only took like 2 minutes for him to finish.

"Wow, I should have asked Newt. I'm sorry Greenie. I don't cut hair," Zart grimaced as he circled me.

"I'm sure it's fine, " I shrugged. "Enjoy the mulch!," I sang as I pushed my cart away.

"Woah! Greenie!," Frypan's jaw dropped.

"Oh? Is it that bad?," I reached up to feel the uneven ends. It blew my own mind, I was so used ot having my hair all around me, pulling at the ends so casually. But now my head felt weightless, no more hair to weigh it down. Besides, it doesn't matter how I look, I told myself.

"No! No! you look good, just so different! I barely recognized you, Greenie," Frypan started to laugh. "Though you was some runner comin' to ask for more," he continued to laugh.

"Just little old me," I smiled and put the dishes away.

"No, it's nice. Suits you well."

"Thanks Fry," I went to put my pull my hair back but it wasn't there. I laughed at myself and kept putting away the dishes. When I left for the night there was someone waiting for me, leaning on the side of the Kitchen

"Hey Greenie, I like the haircut," he tried to put on a weak smile.

"Hey Ben."

"You look good, really. I think being out of the Slammer is best for you, being all cooped up was too much."

"Let's not talk about that," I quickly changed the topic.

"I just want to check up on you," he looked worried.

I need him to see that I'm doing better. I don't want him or anyone else watching me anymore than Alby already is.

"I really appreciate that, Ben," I smiled and his eyes seemed to brighten. "You've always been a good friend."

He snorted a laugh," Maybe not always. I wish I could have just kept my big mouth shut and we wouldn't be here."

"Ben, let's not talk about that," I went to pull on my hair but was grasping at empty air.

"You're right," he put his hands in his pockets. "Focus on the future."

"Yes," I agreed.

It's hard to put Ben in any one category. I do consider him a friend in the Glade but we haven't always on the best of terms. He had a special way to annoy me and he never seemed to believe me when I needed him to. I just wish he would have been on my side... I thought as I glanced over to him as we walked to the Homestead. Even though he was the one who shattered my false sense of happiness here, he also exposed me to the reality of our situation. It helped me find my way to freedom.

"Thanks for all you're help, Ben. It means a lot," I smiled.

"Help? I don't think I've ever been thanked for being helpful," he mentioned as we entered the Homestead

"Just take the compliment," I laughed and headed towards my own hammock.