The alarm blared, bouncing off the walls, making it even louder. She had her hands clamped over her ears. Her eyes wide she turned to her brother.

"WHAT IS THAT NOISE? I RECOGNIZE IT!" She was yelling over the loud alarm.

Newt smiled, "That, my dear baby sister would be the bloody Newbie Alarm! Meaning, you're no longer the Greenie! Congrats!"

She jumped up and down punching the air, "YES! YES!" She bolted out the door, down the stairs and towards the box.

The other boys didn't seem as affected, but she headed to the box. Chuck came bounding over, bouncing up and down, at least he was as excited as she was! "Hey Chuckles! How was your morning?'

"Someone is having quite the day! First you snuggle with Mr McDreamy, then ..some kind of weird mental brain glitch, and now you're not the Greenie anymore. I think most guys will still call you She-Bean."

"Did you just tell me I had a mental glitch?" Alex glared at him.

Frypan sidled up with them, "So there ma lil lady-Bean, you going to explain what the shuck happened at the picnic table? And I want details of Minho and you last night!" He gave her an expected look.

Alex just shook her head laughing, "you two are impossible!"

"It's not like we have a lot going on. We have about 30 minutes before the box shows up. So sit down and explain."

Chuck pulled her down. He crossed his legs, elbows on his knees, he folded his hands and rested his chin on his hands, staring intently at her, waiting. She gave them the short version of what happened at breakfast. Both boys had wide eyes and mouths open. Chuck slapped his forehead.

"HOW DID WE NOT SEE THIS?" Fry nodded his agreement

"It's so shuckn' obvious! It's like a female version of Newt."

"HEY! That's not nice! I'm way better looking than that shank!" Alex protested.

"Well ya, that's a given! Your hair is also way more red" Chuck agreed his curls bouncing as he nodded. Fry had his hand tapping his chin, looking thoughtful for a moment. He looked at Alex with a sly glint in his eye.

"Whaat? Fry, I don't like that look!" Alex was a bit worried, "Mr Glade Gossip what are you scheming?"

He grinned at her, "well now that we KNOW Newt is officially off the market- well... with YOU anyways...Minho has a clear shot!"

"EEEEEEEWWW FRYPAN! There was never any 'on the market' with him! EVER! And why do you want Me and Minho together so bloody bad? Man you need a hobby! He's also been an idiot the last few weeks."

Chuck snorted, "A dreamy idiot. And he does have a hobby. Setting you up with McDreamy!"

"You keep calling him that, maybe you should take your shot with him, little mister!" Alex sassed back, poking Chuck in the chest. Changing the subject she asked "So, what do we think the new greenie will be like? Think it's another girl?"

Both boys shook their heads, "nah, it'll be some poor shank again. I think you were a weird fluke. No offense."

"Well offense is taken. And taken a lot! A fluke! You just called me a shuckin mistake! And just now, you told me I look like a guy AND I had a glitchy brain! You little slint-head!" Chuck fell over laughing, as Alex continued to poke him and tickle all over.

The friends spent the remainder of the 30 minutes arguing about what the new greenie would be like. Five minutes before the doors opened, a crowd had formed. Bets were being placed on a Shank or Shanket, if they would cry or not, run or cower. Alex felt a little sick, her sympathy for the kid was high. Only a few weeks ago that was her down there cold, wet, sick and freaking out. There was a green light from somewhere below the doors, the alarm blared again. They could hear a kid yelling for help. Definitely a Shank. Alex's heart sank, she was really hoping for a female friend. But she had Chuck and Fry, they acted like girls with their need for gossip and interest in her love life- or lack of, and Minho was dramatic enough for a girl with his mood swings...maybe she didn't need a girl, when she was surrounded by these moody shanks.

"Gally open the doors!" Alby hollered.

Gally, with the help of Newt, opened the metal cage doors. There at the bottom was a tall boy with dark brown hair, it was wet and plastered to his forehead. He had a hand lifted trying to block the blinding sunlight after being in the dark for so long. Gally jumped in making the cage swing. Alex could hear Gally's deep voice, "Day one Greenie" followed by a yelp, and thud, he had chucked the new boy onto the grass.

Man. I'm glad Newt was the one to greet me, pretty sure if it was Gally and he did that I'd die. Dude is definitely a shuckin slint head. Bloody bully!

The boy shook his head and got to his feet. His eyes wide with terror, he wiped his head back and forth and spun in circles. She could hear bets being settled and the Gladers yelling things at the poor kid.

"He looks like klunk in a t shirt"

"He's nothing but a slopper!"

"Aww look at him, he's gonna clunk his pants!"

"I could use help in the kitchen!"

"What? My help isn't enough? Rude!" Alex shot at Frypan who just shrugged with a little sheepish smile.

"Day One Greenie!"

"Hope you enjoyed your one way ticket!"

"WELCOME TO HELL!"

The boy stopped spinning, his eyes landed on the big open doors, Alex could see the boy's muscles tensing up.

"He's going to run" she said.

No one was listening, they were too busy laughing and pointing. She was right, he took off. Someone yelled, Zart, maybe, "WE GOT A RUNNER!" She waited for someone to do something. Apparently it was on her, because everyone was just watching and laughing. She pushed through the boys, whistled for Bark and she took off in a sprint after the boy. Her dog came dashing out of the Deadheads, Alex whistled again and Bark ran at an angle to cut the boy off. Alex was gaining on him too, she was definitely fast.

Pffft, and Minho doesn't want to train me! I'm probable just as fast as that stupid shuckface!

Her dog was now in front of the scared boy. The Greenie stumbled seeing the dog, he had slowed down just enough for Alex to tackle him, he landed face first in the grass. The boy struggled trying to throw her off. Alex got on top of him, he was still on his stomach, making pinning him a lot easier. She maneuvered her body so she had pinned down, sitting on his back, Alex had his arm wrapped behind him, twisting his arm, not hard, but enough to hold him. She was pushed her elbow onto his head effectively making moving impossible.

"Let me go! What's your problem? Let me go! You can't hold me here."

"I can't let you go either. It's not safe around here. Just...just trust me. Please. I don't want you to get hurt." She held him pinned until he stopped fighting.

"Ok, Greenbean, I'm going to slowly let go, don't fight, don't run, it's not safe. Okay? I promise you will get answers, and we will explain. Just no more running." Alex was talking calmly to the scared and skittish boy.

"What's going on? Why don't I know my name? Why can't I remember anything?!" The kid was panicking again, Alex slowly applied more pressure. The kid stopped.

"Breath, just breath. It's gonna be okay. I promise. I was you a few weeks ago. I get it!" The boy nodded. "Okay." Alex slowly let go and stood up. The boy turned over into his back, his eyes went wide.

"You're...you're a girl!" he struggled.

Alex looked down at herself, her eyes wide.

"Wait, what?" She smacked her forehead. "That's not what I was yesterday! Oh no! It happened again!" She grinned at the confused boy. She held out her hand, pulling the boy up. "I'm messing with you. Ya, I'm a girl. The only girl here. Names Alex."

He was tall, muscular, athletic, deep brown eyes and hair. He was quite good looking. And there was something about him, there was a tickle at the back of her mind, like something was trying to break through that mental wall. She rubbed her forehead, turning as Alby and Newt finally showed up.

"Don't worry guys, just doin' your bloody job here."

She looked back at the new kid, "this is Alby, the fearless leader, Admiral Alby. This here is Newt, Newtie, or as I like to call him Mama Newt."

Newt groaned and rolled his eyes, Alby let his lip twitch in a small smile for a second.

Alex continued, "He's second in command. Welcome to the Glade, Green bean!" She threw an arm out wide.

Newt chuckled, "Nice tackle there sis! Didn't know you were that fast!" He turned to the new kid "That was some dash you made earlier. For a second, I thought you had the chops to be a runner...till you face-planted!" He chuckled again, clapping the boy on the shoulder. Alex chuckled too at the confused look on his face.

Alex nodded to the boys. She turned to the Homestead to actually start her work day, she glanced back at the new kid.

Yup. There is definitely something...familiar about him. But from where? And Why?

The rest of her day was pretty quiet after the eventful morning, finding her brother, and all the drama with the newbie. Life in the Glade was crazy sometimes. Jeff came and relieved her of her shift, she was done for the day. She decided to go find the Greenie, see how he was doing.

She found him and Chuck sitting under a tree. The new boy was pelting Chuck with questions. Alex walked up and sat down.

"Hey Greenie! Hey Chuckles! How are you shuck faces doing?" The poor kid looked like he was going to explode with questions and Chuck looked relieved when Alex showed up.

"Man, Alex, this kid won't stop! And Alby said I was on Greenie duty!" Chuck said a little overwhelmed, jabbing a thumb at the kid.

Alex smiled gently, "it's ok Chuck, why don't you go get him a sandwich from Fry, and I'll hang here, good that?" Chuck got up and jogged off to the kitchen. She turned to the new kid. He was looking at her like she was going to bite, or tackle him again.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay. I promise. Four weeks ago I was in your position. I know you can't remember anything, and it's shuckin scary. You have zero clue what's going on and people won't answer your questions and it's frustrating." Alex talked gently to the kid, letting him know he wasn't alone, seemed to help relax him. Or maybe someone talking to him who wasn't Alby. He was usually cranky with the new kids. Chuck was a good kid, but not very helpful. The greenie took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"Where are we? Why am I here and why are you the only girl?"

Alex smiled.

"We call this place is called the Glade. Everything inside the walls, where we eat sleep and work. No idea WHY we're here. No shuckin clue. And yes, I'm the one and only girl. No idea why I'm the only girl. Frypan and Chuck think I was a fluke, or a mistake." She explained patiently.

The boy looked away and muttered, "Thanx for actually answering my questions, that other guy just told me to stop asking questions 'an wait for the tour, don't break nothin' and don't leave.'" The boy blinked rapidly, trying not to cry. Alex put a hand on his shoulder.

Her head snapped up, and then back down, and she shivered, her hand squeezed his shoulder.

*** Alex saw the new kid sitting in front of her, but he was clean and wearing white, the deadheads had changed to computer screens and monitors. He was looking at Alex with concern, tears in his eyes. Alex felt an overwhelming feeling of anguish.

"Alex! He's going to be okay, Minho and Alby found him, he's alive! He's going to live!"

"Alex?"

"...Uh Alex..?"

"Huh? What?" She blinked. The new kid was looking at her like she had just grown a third head.

"You looked like...I don't know, you zoned out and shivered...Do I gotta be worried?" He asked, nervously, scooting away from her a little.

"Nah, I'm fine." Alex lied, her head was sore, and she was unnerved by what just happened.

Was that a memory? Of what? What the shuck? Who's gonna live? Why'd I feel so upset? And obviously I knew this kid before here...THE SHUCK IS GOING ON?

"Didn't sleep very well last night, just tiered. Anyways...it's gonna be okay here, it's not all bad. I came out of the box, and boys were calling dibs on me, I had a full anxiety attack and passed out. Chuck apparently klunked his pants. You're doing good. It's ok to be scared. If you ain't scared, you ain't human!"

"Klunk?" he asked confused, relieved they changed the subject.

"Means poop" Chuck said as he sat back down, handing the boy a plate of food and water. The boy ate just as fast as Alex did on her first day. He put the plate down and was resting his head on the tree behind him when a flash of silver and red caught his eye. He stood up and rushed around the back to see it. Alex and Chuck stood up too.

"It's a Beetle Blade, a little robot creature that watches us." Chuck informed him. The boy stopped trying to see the creature and looked at them.

"Watches? Who watches? Watch what?" Chuck looked guilty and telling him something. Alex sighed, this boy was too curious, Alby was going to have his hands full. She decided to be honest though, she hated how everyone was so vague and mysterious when she first got here.

"Yes watches, Greenie. We are almost certain those creatures are actually little cameras. The people who put us here, we call 'em Creators, that's how they see and know what's going on in here. We don't know anything more than that. A best guess. And you can ask them yourself if you ever meet the nasty buggers!"

The boy nodded his head slowly, his eye went wide. She turned around and saw what he was looking at. Minho and Ben had just come jogging into the Glade. He started pelting them with more questions, but Alex wasn't listening anymore. She had bubble of rage forming in her chest. Alex left the Greenie to pelt Chuck with questions, and she stormed over to the 2 runners.

Her blood was boiling, she was so angry with the spiky haired Keeper of the Runners. Newt had finally told her what he was saying at breakfast this morning, after he had left her room. She had to endure sniggers and comments from some of the other Gladers as she walked past them all day. Alex was ready to go off.

"MINHO! YOU BLOODY SLINT HEADED SHANK!" she thundered. She was so loud a few builders stopped and looked. Ben looked between the two and took off in the direction of the map room. Leaving a confused and slightly guilty looking Minho alone.

"Thanks man! So much for the bro code!" He yelled after his running partner.

He turned back to see that Alex had stormed right up to him. She was toe to toe with him. Her face was hard, her jaw clenched, her eyes full of fiery anger. It matched her fiery hair. He had never seen her like this before and he was kind of scared at this little ball of fire. He was definitely taller and bigger than her, she only cam up to his mid chest, but she seemed to grow, fueled by pure anger. She narrowed her eyes. She threw her arm back, and with all the anger and hurt running threw her little body she slapped him. It was so hard his head flew to the side and he stumbled. The sound echoed all over the Glade. Her hand stung. She couldn't imagine how much his face stung...actually never mind, she didn't care right now.

The glade was quiet, a few Gladers even came out of the homestead to watch. Frypan had left his kitchen and was now standing beside Alby and Newt.

"You have a lot of shucking nerve! Last night when I asked you to stay because I needed someone and you used that to what? Stroke your stupid ego? Start some shuckin bloody rumors? Make me out to be a Glad slut? Try and make the rest of the Gladers...what exactly? Jealous? Dose it make you feel better? Do you feel like a man now Minho? The shuck is your shucken problem? I thought MAYBE you were actually my friend! Staying because you ACTUALLY cared about me. But no. You taunt your best friend and then spew some bull shit to the others! All of which, is NOT TRUE-AND YOU KNOW THAT. You have no shucken clue the comments I've got all day!"

She had turned red with anger, remembering the comments from some of the builders and bricnicks at lunch, especially from Chris. Someone in the lunch line smacked her butt as they walked by.

She was seething, she was shaking. She was so angry her eyes were burning with tears.

"Because now, thanks to your lies, I have guys who think its okay to make sexual comments and gestures. Someone decided my ass was their property in the lunch line, Minho. Did you know that?"

Minho's eyes were wide with horror. He opened his mouth and closed it. He looked down at his feet, shifting back and forth.

"You're shucken lucky I have a right hook and Alby was there to throw him in the Slammer. Shuck You!"

She took a another big breath, her face red, and continued her ranging.

"Why haven't you talked to me in weeks? It's because you're jealous, isn't it? Man! Fry was right! You're treating me like a shucking piece of meat. You of all people! Mr Confidence, himself, all insecure that I talk to other guys. And if you haven't shucken noticed Minho, I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE! I'M SURROUNDED BY WALLS AND BOYS!"

She was on a roll now, all her anger and frustration over the last few weeks exploding onto the stunned and guilty boy, who still had a red handprint on his face. Yelling at him was like verbally punching his stupid beautiful perfect face. A face she missed dearly, but the face she was livid with.

"I thought of all the Gladers.." She broke off for a moment, her voice catching, angry tears leaked over her lashes. "I thought I could trust you! You and Newt.. but... you're trying to one up him? I guess it's just Newt I can trust now."

"Alex..I ." He stuttered, but Alex cut him off again.

"I'm not done, you shuck-face! How long does it take to shuckin train a bloody runner? I can run, you know that! I'm just as fast, if not faster than you! Should have seen the sprint and tackle I had to do earlier. I know I've passed all your stupid mental tests. If you're stalling. Just stop. If you're regretting nominating me, shuckin man up and tell me! I want to run, I WANT to go out there! I want to find a way out of this shuckin prison! But if you don't want me for whatever personal shucked up reason, JUST MAN UP AND TELL ME. I'm perfectly happy as a MedJack! At last they TALK to me! And treat me with shuckin respect!"

Her chest was heaving, her hands were balled into fists, more angry tears slipped down her face. She swatted them away. She also couldn't stop shaking. Minho opened and closed his mouth a few times. Too stunned to say anything.

"What's the matter? Do I leave you speechless?" She sassed, with all the venom behind her words.

It's what he said to her in the Gathering. She turned on her heel to leave, but stopped, she turned around and spat,

"And for the record, you don't need to be jealous about Newt. His protective BIG BROTHER instincts are on high alert. My BIG BROTHER is ready to punch your pretty face. He has less restraint than I do! Watch your shuckin back"

He had managed to finally say something and all that he got out was "what?"

"Newt is my biological brother, you shuck-face"

And she left, her hair flying behind her. The whole Glade stood in stunned silence. Newt and Alby both stood by with proud little smiles. As she passed, boys moved out of her way, not wanting to get caught in her wrath. There was a slow clap started by a few brave Gladers. One boy, who was brave enough, called out "Go off sister!" She gave him a side eye, and had to suppress a smile. It was Matt and he was giving her a long distance high five. She obliged and sent him the other half of the long distance high five.

Minho POV

He stood there stunned. She was so little, but so full of fire. Truth be told, he was a little intimidated. His face was stinging, but not as bad as his pride. He felt so guilty, so disgusted with himself.

It took a full minute to understand what she had said.

Wait...Newt..was her brother? They were siblings? Well that was obvious now! Shuck it Minho! How could you NOT see that?! You shuckface! Your the Shuckiest Shuck-faced shuck there ever was!

He mentally face palmed. On so many levels did he mentally smack himself! He was jealous of his best friend because he had a better relationship with her, they got to spend more time together during the day...

Who's shuken fault was that, you idiot?

But they were Siblings! A selfish part of him fist pumped. Newt's protective instincts were driven by brotherly love. His... were definitely NOT brotherly. She was right, how could he be mad at other guys?

She has no choice! What do I expect her to do? Sit in the corner and only talk to the dog? Ugh, also why did I say that klunk this morning? SHUCK! What has gotten into me? Now she had this reputation to deal with because I was the most shuckiest shuck-faced shuck! I'm such an idiot!

He was so disgusted with himself, the guilt washed over him again. He desirved way more then what she did. One slap...sure she chewed him out pretty good.

Then there was the whole training business! He really needed to figure that out. He believed in her abilities.

What am I scared of? Losing her? Physically losing her to the maze and monsters? If I keep this up, I'll lose her emotionally. I'll lose her as a friend! And if I ever want to have more than just friends, I gotta get my klunk together! If I don't I could see her everyday, but I could never ever be with her. But if I do let her into the maze, what if she got hurt? Physically she would heal. Emotionally? If I don't get it together, she probably would never forgive me. She WANTS to help, you idiot! Let her help! If you believe in her..then pull it together! Maybe she'll forgive you;re shuck butt if you're honest with her. Tell her how you feel...but how do I feel?

He was so confused! Emotions were not something he dealt with, he built a wall around them and kept them close.

He had stayed rooted to the spot for so long some of the Gladers were concerned Alex broke him. He hadn't moved, he stood stiff, staring at the grass.

With everything swirling around in his head, he stormed off to the map room. To map out his section and to think.

After he was done, he opened the map room door, the bonfire had started. He wasn't in the mood for people. He stood at the map room door watching with his arms folder. His eyes searched for Alex. He found her laughing with Newt, the new kid, Chuck, Fry Jeff and Clint. He watched the group for a while. Especially Newt and Alex.

Now that he knew Newt and Alex were siblings, he was shocked he didn't put it together sooner. They had the same colour hair - hers was more fire red, but still. Same nose shape; hers had freckles, and scrunched when she laughed. Similar mannerisms, like throwing their head back when they laughed loudly, rubbing their bottom lip when thinking. She was cuter when she did it, though. She played with her hair when she was nervous, Newt ran a hand through his. Both of them would turn and give the person talking their undivided attention.

He was such a shank, he really did shuck up with her.

He was feeling too broody to be with people, he needed a drink. He walked along the edge of Gladers, in the shadows. He skulked over to Gally's table to grab a drink.

"You shucked up with her, ya know slint head." Gally muttered.

Minho froze. Gally shrugged.

"I don't trust her...and I don't really like you, but I'm not stupid. I can see that she likes you. And you like her. Or at least used to. Don't shuck it up more you idiot. Go fix it." Gally said with reproach.

"Are you giving me dating advice Gal?" Minho asked cocking an eyebrow.

"No. I'm telling you to not be an idiot." Gally replied, he then narrowed his eyes, "If you say anything I'll punch you into next week."

Minho rolled his eyes and left and walked over the treehouse. No one ever used it, maybe because Gally built it and it was sketchy craftsmanship. He climbed the ladder anyway and sat with his legs over the edge. Drink in hand and he just watched the girl with fiery gold hair.

He's shucken right though. Gally, is right.