The night came as it always did.
The sunset over the walls, washing the Glade in deep shades of blue, purple and darkness. The heat from sun rays wafted off the rocks and trees for some time after, until the coolness of a summer's night took its place. The chirping of nighttime creatures filled the air and shining stars peaked out of the carpet of the sky.
All and all it was the same as any other night; except for the churning, grinding, rumbling of the stone walls, shifting together as they moved and changed. The Doors, which had been open all day, like every other day, rumbled to a close and that was it.
The end of another day; it was Alby's seventh month.
A large celebratory fire had been lit and the boys were gathered around it, sharing in one of Fry Pan's all-in-one-pot meals of fresh vegetables, herbs and chicken. They were celebrating the arrival of the new girl, although it seemed she was in no mood to celebrate with them. Jeff had appeared a few minutes after the lighting of the fire and explained that she had fallen asleep in the hut after he had checked her over. Alby thought it best not to wake her.
"We can still celebrate right?" He was determined not to let the confusion and bizarre events of the day ruin what little joy the boys had in the Glade. The boys agreed heartily and continued their meal, passing around mason jars of Gally's moonshine. Alby himself didn't quite know what it was, just that Gally used a lot of the leaves and herbs from the garden. The taste was horrible, but it kept you warm and it was a crowd favourite.
Gally was still sour from the day's events, but he sobered up enough to stride into the Fight Ring. The ring was a circle of sand not far off from the fire, it was maintained for the boys to challenge each other in fights. Gally had thought of it himself, telling Alby that it was a good way for the boys to let off steam, to get something off their chest if there was a dispute. The worst injury anyone had endured was a split lip and some bleeding gashes, but no bones had been broken yet, so Alby allowed it to continue.
So there he stood, the blonde giant, goading on Winston as the fresh non-Greenie was enticed into the ring by his comrades. The brawny Glader was eventually pushed in by Fry Pan and Newt and soon found himself brawling with Gally.
Alby, a mason jar in his hand, lay across a rock close by the fire, watching the match. Minho came to stand behind him and Alby turned his head to nod to the black-haired boy. Minho was strapping a small brown leather backpack onto his shirt; Alby raised an eyebrow at him.
"Are you planning on climbing the Wall and leaving now?"
Minho smiled, finished the buckles only to undo them.
"Just making sure I have everything I need and this pack fits. I want to leave first thing in the morning, no hold-ups,"
Alby smirked and looked back at the fire.
"You're not scared?" He was serious.
Minho didn't reply right away, he looked down at the ground and kicked a stray rock closer to the blaze. Alby looked back at him; Minho was watching the flames.
"I'd be crazy not to be scared,"
Alby nodded and Minho met his gaze.
"But I'm more scared of being stuck here. This place, this maze, whatever it is. This can't be it,"
Alby nodded in agreement.
"You're right," He smiled at the boy "Good luck out there,"
Minho smiled and nodded.
"Thank you,"
Alby nodded and took a small swig of his drink, coughing as the liquid stung its way down his throat. Minho chuckled and Alby set it down, shaking his head.
The sound of Winston hitting the dirt raised their attention, as did the cheer that rose up for Gally. The undisputed champion threw his hands over his head and soaked in the praise, clearly over his previous feelings. Winston stood up, shakily, and shook hands with Gally, who in return pounded him on the back. Called him a good sport for trying his metal.
"Not a Greenie anymore Winston! You're a real shank now,"
The boys cheered for Winston and he ducked his head, embarrassed.
Presently, Jeff, who had been checking up on the girl, came running up to the fire. Alby sat up as he came closer.
"She's up. She says she remembers her name. She wants to talk to you, Alby," Jeff panted out his words.
Alby climbed off the rock, beckoning for Newt and Gally to follow him. Jeff looked a little concerned as the two approached, more specifically as Gally strode forward.
"I'm not sure she will want to see you... again,"
"So what, she's giving orders now?" The blonde raised his eyebrows at the Med Jack, crossing his arms over his chest. Jeff swallowed nervously and shrugged his shoulders. Alby spoke for him.
"Gally won't speak unless he's spoken to, right?" Alby directed his question to Gally; the blonde rolled his eyes but nodded his reply. Alby nodded to Jeff, who shrugged his shoulders again and led the three back to the hut.
The hut was nothing to gawk at. It was warm and well-lit inside with little chance of any kind of wind blowing it over. It was cozy enough to hold two people if needed. The makeshift beds were furnished with dark brown blankets with straw stuff mats standing on wooden boxes. They were not as comfortable as a hammock, but the sick could not complain.
Jeff had offered the girl the bed behind a closed curtain, striving to maintain her privacy as much as possible. He pulled back the tattered grey cloth for Alby, Newt and Gally, staying close by if he was needed. The room was fairly small and Gally had to duck until he stood closer to the centre. They gathered together around the sickbed. The girl sat on the bed, the blankets were strewn around her, with her legs tucked underneath her. She remained quiet with her eyes on the floor as they stood before her. Alby spoke up, keeping his voice soft.
"Jeff says you remember your name?"
The girl nodded, keeping her eyes on the ground.
"Eve, my name is Eve," she finally looked up, meeting Alby's eyes. "That's all I can remember," Her lower lip quivered and she looked away again, unable to maintain the connection.
Alby chewed on the top of his thumb for a moment and stole a quick glance at Newt. The skinny boy shrugged and shook his head. Alby looked back at Eve.
"Nothing else?'
Eve's eyes widened and she looked up again.
"You said that was all I would be able to remember..." her voice trailed off and she looked nervous. "Is there more? Did I not remember all I should?"
Alby shook his head and approached the bed, sitting down carefully at a comfortable distance from her, not wanting to cause alarm.
"No, no. That's all anyone remembers. I just thought it might be different for you. You may have noticed, but you're the only girl we've seen come up in the Box,"
Eve was still confused.
"The Box?"
Alby gestured over his head and outside.
"The Box you came up in. It does that every month, with one boy and supplies for the next month. You're the first girl,"
Eve nodded her head slowly, digesting the information.
"Why?" Her voice, although not as timid as before, was still gentle. Soft. So different from anything Alby and the others had heard since… well forever. It was a pleasant change.
Alby shook his head.
"I don't know, I was hoping you would remember something else that would help answer that question,"
His tone was not accusing, but Eve ducked her head.
"I'm sorry,"
Alby flashed her a comforting smile.
"Nothing to be sorry about, you're just like any of us. You don't have answers and neither do we. No blame on anyone. We just can't figure out why they would send you up,"
Eve's eyes sparkled with interest, she seemed to be losing her fear, replaced with curiosity.
"Who are 'they',?
Newt spoke up now.
"We don't know that either. Someone is sending us all up here. Someone built this place and someone put us here for a reason,"
Eve took another moment to respond.
"I wonder why I'm here then,"
Alby smiled, a slight laugh on his lips as he spoke.
"Maybe for a change,"
Eve smiled softly but did not reply. After a moment of silence, Gally spoke up.
"So what can you do?"
Alby rubbed the bridge of his nose, wishing Gally could hold his tongue once in a while.
"What Gally means is that everyone here has a job. Jeff, you saw, is our Med Jack. Fry Pan, you'll meet him later, is our cook. Newt, here, grows the vegetables and other plants. All the others work on the buildings like the one we're in now. And tomorrow we're going to have our first Runner go and check out what's beyond that Door. Everyone has a job. We'll have to see what you're the best at. Everyone has to pull their own weight around here,"
Eve looked back and forth between Gally and Alby.
"That makes sense. I'll do my best,"
Alby smiled.
"We can figure out what you'll be best suited for tomorrow. For now, we'll have to find you somewhere to sleep. I'm willing to let you sleep in here, sleeping next to a bunch of boys may be less than desirable; you'll want the privacy,"
Eve's eyes widened and she trembled visibly.
"You mean... sleep in here alone? No, please," She grabbed Alby's arm, the first contact she had initiated since she arrived, her voice pitched in earnest. "Don't leave me alone,"
Just as she spoke, a scream rippled through the air. It was one of them, its squealing, metallic cry echoed off the stone walls around them. Eve startled and backed up from the boys, fear crowding her eyes as the sounds faded into nothingness. She looked back at Alby, her eyes pleading.
"Please, don't leave me alone,"
"The Doors are closed for the night, you'll be fine,"
Newt slapped Gally across the forearm and he put up his hands in exasperated defeat. Eve stared at Alby, desperate.
"Please! Don't leave me in here,"
Alby smiled at her, understanding how she felt. He turned to Newt and Gally, warning the latter with his eyes.
"Set up another hammock, put it between yours and we'll talk about it in the morning," He turned back to Eve. "You'll be safe, I promise. You'll sleep between Newt and Gally for the night and we'll sort it all out tomorrow,"
Eve swung her legs off the bed, standing up shakily, her eyes still wide and wary. Gally rolled his eyes and left the room. Newt beckoned Eve to follow him.
"C'mon love, the only thing keeping you up tonight will be Gally's snoring. It's awful!"
Eve smiled a small smile and passed under Newt's arm as he held up the curtain for her. Alby caught his arm before he followed her.
"Try to keep Gally from yelling at her again,"
Newt nodded, chuckling lightly.
"I'll do my bloody best,"