Chapter 2.

Welcome to the Glade

The moment Gally's words sunk in and the three boys saw what he was talking about everyone started talking at once. The sound of everyone talking was almost as bad as the ride up to this place, and I tired really hard not to throw my hand up to cover my ears. The three boys backed away from me as they started speaking their thoughts out loud. Evidently, I was a problem and they didn't know how to deal with me.

"They sent us a shuckin' blind girl," I heard Nick exclaim.

"Why in the bloody hell would that do that?" New sighed.

"This is going to be just great," Alby groaned.

"Gally how about you get back to work," Nick ordered. "Thank you for telling us about her… problem. We can handle it from here."

Surprisingly Gally didn't say anything before I heard him leave; and to my great relief, even though it was a loud outburst from the boys, it was short. It was quiet for a few more seconds as Gally left. I could feel three sets of eyes staring at me and it made me really uncomfortable.

"So, what are we going to do with here?" Alby asked, breaking the silence.

"What do you mean?" Newt asked. "'What are we goin' to do with her?'"

"I mean exactly that Newt. What are going to do with her? She's blind and she's a girl. She can't really help around here on the account that she's blind, and she surrounded by boys with raging hormones. How do you think this is going to end?"

"Guys come on," Nick tried to reason. "Stop arguing. We can solve this."

"Slim it," Newt told Alby, acting as if he didn't hear Nick. "She'll be fine. I'm sure she can take care of herself."

"If she could see I wouldn't doubt that, but she can't," Alby argued.

"Well she," I interrupted them, "would greatly apricate it if you didn't talk about her like she wasn't standing right here in front of you."

All of them stopped talking once more, and I could feel their eyes on me again. The feeling made me wish I hadn't said anything, but I was getting annoyed because they were acting like I wasn't even here. I understood why they were going crazy. From what they were talking about I was the only girl here and to add on top of that I was blind. That didn't help them or me at all. So, Alby had the right question. What were they going to do with me?

"I'm sorry Greenbean," Newt apologized, bringing me out of my own head. "Sometimes we say things without thinkin'."

"It's fine," I told him, waving it off. "But will you stop calling me 'Greenbean' or 'Greenie'. What does that even mean?"

"Well that's are what we call the newbies around here."

"And what would you like us to call you?" Newt asked. "What's your name?"

Before I could even answer I was interrupted by Ably.

"If you don't remember your name that's fine," he said. "Most of us don't remember it until a few days after we arrive. Now forget everything else. Those memories are gone.

To be honest I was starting to get really annoyed with him. It seemed like he didn't care about anything, or he had other things to do than sit here and talk with me all day. And it was clear I wasn't the only one getting annoyed.

"That's great Alby," Nick muttered sarcastically. "Way to break it to her slow."

"She needs to know," Ably said. "The fast she knows the faster we can work out a system for her."

As the two older boys were talking – more like arguing – I felt someone come up to my right side. Standing my ground, I waited for the person to speak while holding my breath. I was going to stroke out before I even found out where I was.

"Ignore Ably," Newt stated, as I let out a breath. "He gets mean when he doesn't know what's goin' on."

"I guess that makes sense," I mumbled.

"Now then, I know I asked you before, but you were rudely interrupted. What's your name Greenbean? Or do you remember it yet."

"I remember. It's Vicky."

"Well Vicky," Nick stated, seemingly done arguing with Alby. "Welcome to the Glade."

"The Glade? What is the 'Glade'?"

Everyone was quiet again. These were the times, in the short time I could remember, that I was irritated that I could see what was going on. I could just imagine the three boys giving each other a look not know what to do. I was about to open my mouth and say something, but I didn't get the chance.

"It looks like were going to have to explain more to you than the average Greenie," Nick stated. "Considering you can't see. I guess we can start the tour. You came up right on time; which is a good thing."

"I'm not going on this tour," Ably grumbled. "I've got better things to do than take a blind girl around the Glade, when she can't see anything."

"Well then go back to work Ably," Newt snapped, "or piss off. I'll help with the tour."

Ably didn't say anything; I heard him turn around and stomp off in a direction I couldn't tell. I heard someone sigh, and I did the same. This was more than frustrating; this was downright horrible. I couldn't see and because of that I needed to have a babysitter.

"Don't worry about him Vicky," Nick stated. "He's just frustrated like the rest of us."

"But if he does cause you any trouble," Newt stated, "don't be afraid to tell someone."

"You see there are only three rules in the glade. Rule number one: Everyone does their part. There are no slackers. Rule number two: Never hurt another Glader. We all must trust one another. And rule number three: Never go outside the Glade, unless you're a Runner."

"But what is the Glade?" I asked. "And what is a Runner?"

"Bloody hell Nick," Newt laughed. "I think you got ahead of yourself. Don' confuse the poor girl."

Nick laughed too. I didn't even understand what they were laughing at. This was taking longer to figure out than I thought it would be. Being blind didn't help, like I kept on saying.

"Come on Greenbean," Nick said. "Let's start the tour. Now you're going to have to bear with us. We've never had anyone come up here with the problem you have. Unlike most new comers don't be afraid to ask questions. We usually wait till the end of the tour, but with you we'll make an exception. Just not too many please; we only have so much time."

"I'll help you," Newt offered.

I left him grab my hand and I sucked in a breath. There was an electric shock – or at least it felt like one – that spread through out my body, when Newt touched me, leaving a warm feeling in its wake. He must have felt it too because I heard him catch his breath as well, but he didn't let go of my head. Once the electric shock had ceased I got to feel how rough and big his hand was compared to mine. I could feel the warm sensation running through my veins, never leaving my body, and I didn't know what to think.

My head started to spin, as Newt gently lead me in the direction he wanted us to go. I didn't know where I was, or how I came to be here, but what I did know was this was going to be an interesting experience.