Chapter 6 - A new greenie

AN: Here I am again, my readers and gladers! Here is Chapter 6. I'm very happy to finally have more time to work on stories, although our country is being a battle ground for good against evil and it's been sickeningly worrying enough to make all of us focus on that only. But I'll try to focus more on writing, for you and for my mental health too.

As you know, Newt and Alby took a day off to wash themselves and Alby gave Newt an incredibly sweet surprise: A little lamb! What do you think these three will do next?

Have fun with this chapter!

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From now on I had a fixed ritual every morning. Immediately after getting up, the first thing I did was run to the stable to see how Blue had gotten over the night. I had taken that little packet of wool to my heart from the first moment on. Blue knew me by now and came waggling up as soon as she saw me. The first few days she was still a bit unsteady and clumsy, but after just one week she jumped in a high arc across the glade as soon as she laid eyes on me. The little sheep followed me wherever I went, which surprised me a lot, but also made me happy. Alby was also surprised until he found out that Tina, the mother, let her lamb drink, but otherwise skilfully ignored all maternal duties.

Without further ado, I was appointed as Blue's second mom. So it happened that I often sat in the barn until late in the evening, caressing my lamb, cuddling it and making sure that it also drank. More than once, Alby had found me in the straw the next morning, with hay in my hair and a small sheep snuggled up first on my stomach, then later in the crook of my arm.

Of course I helped Alby where I could in the glade. He had the idea of building a meeting house where all important matters were discussed. Since we had wood in large quantities, this was no problem. The problem was Blue. I loved the little sheep dearly, yet it was very annoying that she was always scurrying around between my legs or almost getting hit by a falling board.

But Alby wouldn't be Alby if he didn't find a solution. He made a kind of portable enclosure out of four boards. That way Blue wouldn't be in danger, move a little, but still see me. After a few days she got used to it and we didn't have to worry about her anymore.

But time flew by, especially since I had Blue in addition to working. I hadn't noticed that a month had already passed since I had come to the glade.

So much had changed and I too wasn't the same as when I arrived. My arms had become stronger and more muscular, my whole body more sinewy and also in terms of thinking I was a different person. While the first days and nights I had been on the verge of a nervous breakdown, my life here in the glade now had a meaning. At least partly. I could help Alby and also take care of Blue. But I hadn't found the right meaning of life yet. Perhaps it would still appear.

One morning I was woken up by a loud roar that echoed throughout the glade. Frightened, I shot up and looked around. I had never heard such a noise here. I didn't even notice that I had once again spent the night in the sheepfold. At least not until Alby stuck his head in the door.

"The Box. It's coming up again. We're getting a new greenie."

I had never been on my feet so quickly. I hastily slipped out of the straw and out the door. Then I sped up and sprinted along the path to the opening in the ground. I skidded to a halt and came to a standstill next to Alby. A second later, a "Baa" sounded next to me, so we knew that Blue had arrived as well.

Curious, we looked at the wooden boards that covered the way down. I had peeked under them once and felt sick. You just looked into black nothingness. As a test, I had dropped a log down. I had hung over the hole for over 10 minutes, waiting for the rumble. It never came. But now the planks trembled and a strangled scream came through to us. So we hurried to fold up the wooden boards and give the greenie some light. The cage was in fact there. I almost didn't believe it. Now I realised that there was a kind of wing door on top of the grille that had to be folded up. No sooner said than done.

Then Alby jumped down into the cage. He squatted next to the boy and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Distraught, the other turned around and looked at Alby and me in turn. He was Asian, with black hair and dark, slitted eyes. He actually looked quite friendly.

"Hey. My name is Alby. Welcome to the glade, greenbean."

He stood up and held out his hand to the Asian to help him up. The latter grasped it hesitantly and with scepticism in his features, but he accepted the help and climbed out of the cage skilfully and quickly. He came to a halt in front of me. He was about the size of me and quite athletic.

"Hey, I'm Newt," I said and stretched out my hand.

For a moment he looked at it as if he expected me to strangle him the next moment. Then he gave himself a jerk and shook my hand.

"Hey."

His voice was deep and had a warm sound.

"I am... uh... What the...?! Is that a bad joke? I have no idea what my name is, damn it!" it suddenly burst out of him.

I was just about to explain to him that it had happened to me too, when he suddenly seemed to become aware of the surroundings. With his eyes getting bigger and bigger, he spun around once. His breathing accelerated. Then, without warning, he sprinted off. Like a madman, he ran exactly in the direction of the open gate. I guessed what he was up to. As fast as I could, I raced after him.

"Newt, stop him!" Alby shouted behind me.

I mobilized my forces and forced my legs to carry me a little faster. Now he was so close that I could almost catch him with my fingertips. But suddenly he stopped as if rooted to the spot. Right in front of the entrance to the maze. I managed to brake just in time, otherwise I would have crashed into the Asian at full speed. Gasping, I straightened up and was about to open my mouth to give him a good telling off. But I didn't get to that. The boy stared wide-eyed into the maze. His mouth was slightly open, expressing his confusion very well. He cautiously took a step closer, then another, until his hand touched the cold stone.

Hesitatingly, he started to press against the stone, hoping it would give way. However, I knew from my own experience that this was only wishful thinking. And I was right. The stone did not give way of course, so that the boy finally turned to us again.

"How's any of this possible?" he whispered.

Alby had also arrived by now and heard the question.

"We don't know. But we're also asking ourselves the same question. For a long time now."

The black-haired boy looked at us, astonished.

"Why? How long have you been here already? Are there any others? Where are we?", the questions now came gradually bubbling out of him.

"How about we sit down over there? There's sunshine and we can explain everything to you in peace." I suggested.

Alby nodded in agreement.

„Newt, watch out, Blue's standing directly behind you," he advised me before he turned and ran toward the sunny spot.

The Asian followed, not before throwing Blue a glance first. A smile illuminated his face, but he trailed behind Alby. I had to smile as well. I should have thought as much. I quickly lifted my little lamb up so that she wouldn't scurry between my legs, then I ran after them.

We sat down in a circle on the grass. I was sitting crosslegged, which Blue liked particularly. IAgain and again she climbed onto my knees, then jumped into the gap between my legs and climbed out again on the other side. The Asian observed the whole scene.

„Is your sheep?" he asked uncertainly.

I nodded.

„Yes, she's called Blue. I have technically adopted her. Her mother lets her drink, but that's about it. She follows me like a puppy. Here."

With these words, I pushed Blue toward the boy. He slowly stretched out his fist and let the lamb sniff it. Then he gently stroked the soft wool with his flat hand. A glow made his face light up. Encouraged, he began to scratch Blue, something she especially loved. I had to smile as I saw how much they were both enjoying the moment. Alby had noticed as well. Nevertheless, he had to come out with the truth at some point.

"You have just asked us how long we've been here already. I've been here for about five months..."

"I'm sorry, what?!" the Asian cried out.

There was sheer panic in his eyes. But Blue pressed himself against him and he somewhat calmed down again.

"Newt's been here for one month. But he has helped me more than the other two who have been here before… "

Then Alby told him the story of Peter and Alec as well. Why we hadn't gone back into the maze so far. What we had achieved up to now. And that every month at least one greenbean came up. That it was normal to not remember anything. That our names would come back to us again. Hearing this information, the Asian smiled.

„Then it's all right. Because I actually remember what my name is."

„That's great. That was pretty fast," Alby rejoiced.

„And what's your name now?" I wanted to know somewhat impatiently.

He smiled.

"Minho."

END OF CHAPTER 6

EN: That concludes Chapter 6. The next chapter will probably come out somewhat later, because I would like to focus on my other story and a translation, but this week I will definitely upload a new chapter.

Until then, kisses and cakes,

Yuna McHill, certified translator