The sound of the Box coming up caused all work to stop in the Glade. Noon had come and gone, the sun was beating high in the sky.

Eve felt her heart begin to thump in her chest, her stomach clenching into little knots as she put down her gardening tools. Zart, who had been working not far from her, put down his tools as well, starting to head out of the garden.

"It's a little late today,"

Eve stood up as well, her stomach strangling her insides. She had noticed that; those extra few minutes had been torture to her. Was something truly different about today? Would it be a girl in that Box?

Zart turned back to beckon Eve.

"Come on,"

Eve swallowed nervously and followed his lead. Zart didn't wait for her as he joined the crowd at the Box, standing next to Jeff and Clint on the left side. Eve approached carefully, holding a hand to her stomach as she got closer. Newt, who had been talking to Alby behind the crowd, caught sight of her as she stopped on the fringe. He spoke a few hushed words to Alby and started toward her, a smile on his face.

"I'm sorry I never made it around to the garden, love, it's been a busy day. How are you feeling?" His question was genuine, his eyes curious.

Before Eve could answer him, she felt a hand on her back.

Gally wrapped his arms around Eve; his Builders mixed into the crowd seamlessly. Eve nodded briefly to Newt as a reply before closing her eyes and turning into Gally, craving the comfort of his embrace. He pulled her close, looking over her head the Box.

"You'll be alright, no matter what happens. Nothing will change," He spoke gently, his gruff voice soothing. Eve nodded her head, wishing she could believe him. Gally squeezed her close, kissed her forehead, then stepped away, pushing through the crowd.

Newt took a step closer after Gally left.

"You're alright then?"

Eve nodded slowly, not fully knowing how to respond. The sound of the Box was getting louder and the ground was beginning to vibrate. The Box rattled for a moment before it stopped completely. The doors swung upward and Box opened. Eve held her breath as everyone leaned forward, trying to catch a glimpse of the new Greenie.

The sunlight was bright that day and it took some squinting to distinguish the shapes inside, but it soon became clear as they adjusted to the light. But soon they saw a familiar sight of WCKD boxes and a frightened figure on the floor.

It was a boy. A brown-haired, olive-toned, broad-shouldered boy.

At first, Eve didn't feel any different. Then, an incredible weight fell off of her; the worry and anxiety that had berated her all these months subsided all in an instant. She suddenly felt very drained and dizzy. She took a step back, blinking her eyes rapidly.

A sudden need to be gone, out of the sun, away from the boys came over her and she took a small step back. The boys were leaning into each other, whispering and gesturing. Winston glanced at her for a moment and Dan tilted around Ham to look at her. Alby, who had stepped forward to greet the newcomer, cast his eyes over her before kneeling in the grass.

Eve felt Newt's hand on her shoulder, squeezing comfortingly.

The Glader's attention was recaptured as Gally jumped down into the Box. He helped him up and out of the Box. The boy, his brown eyes wide with shock, did not seem to be afraid, although he was definitely not in his element. He took Alby's outstretched hand and looked around as Alby introduced himself. The Glader's started greeting him, welcoming him to the Glade. It was standard procedure, everything was normal.

Eve took another step back. Newt's hand fell off her shoulder and he looked back at her.

"Eve? What's wrong?" His eyebrow was furrowed

Eve shook her head, backing slowly away from the Box.

"I can't... I can't be here," Newt turned around and took a step closer. Eve shook her head again and turned on her heel. She started walking away; there was no hurry in her step, she simply kept going, walking away from the crowd, toward the Deadheads.

"Eve!"

Newt turned back to see Gally shoving his way through the crowd, his eyes on Eve. The new Greenie was following Alby and the Med Jack's back to their hut. The excitement seemed to be over, the new Greenie calm despite the newness and mystery of his surroundings. Newt grabbed hold of Gally's arm before he could get further.

"Let her go, Gally. I think she needs a minute,"

Gally shook off his hand, squaring up to him with a frown.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Newt gestured around him.

"I mean she needs a moment to process. She's been depending on this new Greenie to be a girl. But it's not and we can't keep comforting her. She has to get over this, maybe that means not being coddled right now. If you go after her, you're only going to make it worse.

Gally looked ready to smack Newt. By now, a few of the other boys gathered around to see what would happen between the two. Gally towered over Newt, a scowl on his face.

"I would make her feel worse? Me?"

"Yes! Eve has to decide what she's going to do now for herself; she doesn't need you muddling her mind. Maybe she was a mistake, never supposed to be there, no one knows it for certain. She's going to have to decide if she's going to continue seeing herself as a mistake or as an added asset to the Glade. No one can make that decision for her, especially you! You're biased and she knows it!"

Gall leaned forward, his hands curling into fists.

"I'm not gonna leave her alone,"

Newt stepped back from Gally. He wasn't intimidated by the giant blonde, but he sure didn't like being that close to him.

"I'll go after her, make sure she's okay. You have responsibilities here,"

Gally fumed for a moment, flexing his hands slowly. He looked over to where Ham and Dan were standing, watching the argument unfold. He scowled and turned back to Newt. Straightening, he folded his arms over his chest and took a step back toward his Builders.

"Fine,"

Newt could tell that he wanted to say more. He wanted assurance that Eve would be alright, that she wouldn't feel alone. But Gally wouldn't say more in front of his Builders. Newt gave him a nod, hoping that Gally understood that he would take care of Eve.

Turning back to the Glader's, Newt spoke sternly.

"I'm sure you all have jobs to get back to. You shanks have seen enough, get on with your bloody day!"

The boys shrugged and shuffled, as if bored, and broke away. Without another word, Gally strode across the Glade, back to the plot of dirt. Dan and Ham followed, at a reasonably safe distance. Newt watched them go before starting toward the garden. He would check in with Zart before he went after Eve.

She still needed a minute or two.

Newt was not very familiar with the Deadheads, he had only really been among them in the early months of the Glade. The stretch of trees almost seemed endless, but fortunately, it was open enough that Newt knew he would not miss Eve. He simply continued walking until he began to recognize his surroundings. The dip in the ground and the twisted trees. He would hit the back of the Wall soon.

Hank's burial ground, the end of the Deadheads.

Eve had come this far?

Newt walked over the ridge, looking down toward the sacred place. Sure enough, Eve was sitting up against the Wall, her face hidden in her arms, wrapped around her knees. Newt could not tell if she had heard him coming, but he continued down the slope until he stood directly in front of Hank's memorial. Four small flowers lay before it, seemingly fresh. He glanced up, looking over his eyebrows at Eve.

She hadn't moved, so he decided he would have to make the first move.

"You came pretty shucking far to get away,"

Eve lifted her head, looking up at Newt passively. She seemed calm, almost peaceful.

"No one's come to visit him since he was buried," Her voice was quiet, laden with tears. Her cheeks were stained, but the emotions had passed. "It seemed right,"

Newt nodded slowly, stepping around the little marker to stand in front of Eve. She looked at the ground at his feet. Silence passed between them and surprisingly, Eve was the first to break it.

"You didn't have to come,"

Newt grunted, turning around to look into the trees, running a hand through his tousled hair.

"Gally didn't want you left alone,"

Eve looked up at him, confused. Newt smiled sympathetically.

"Poor shank wanted to come after you himself. Figured you wouldn't want him smothering you right now,"

Eve smirked softly and looked back down.

"I know what he thinks. I know he thinks it doesn't matter, but...," Eve's voice trailed off and Newt picked it up for her.

"But he doesn't understand?"

Eve shook her head, looking back up at Newt.

"He doesn't really see the problem. If he were the only guy in a Glade full of girls, maybe it would be different,"

Newt frowned.

"So you still think you're some kind of mistake?"

Eve flinched but didn't look away.

"The Greenie was a boy. The sixteenth member. There's no pattern. I suppose it could be every year... that would be a pattern. Or every other year...,"

Newt shook his head, frankly disappointed. He took a step closer and sat down next to Eve, leaning his back against the stone; it felt warm despite the lack of sunlight back here.

"You can't keep doing this, Eve,"

Eve didn't respond, so Newt kept going.

"Maybe there isn't a pattern, maybe it was a one-time thing. That doesn't necessarily mean it was a mistake,"

"But we can't know for certain,"

"I know that. We can't know anything for certain, except for one thing,"

Eve tilted her head to the side to look at Newt. He did the same and met her gaze, a friendly, yet stern look on his face.

"None of us should be here. It's not bloody natural,"

Eve frowned and looked away.

"But why all boys and one girl?"

Newt shook his head, becoming tired of the same old conversation.

"We can't know. I think it's time you accept that. No matter what you think, mistake or not, you've been as much help as the next shank around here. You have to decide if you're going to hinder us by chalking yourself up to a mistake or buck up and move on. There's no shucking point in wallowing over it, you'll only make yourself sick. You've done that already; it's not what the Glade needs,"

Eve didn't look up. Her eyes were closed and she sat very still. Newt sighed through his nose, staring at her face. He couldn't tell if she was thinking or worrying again. Rolling his eyes, Newt reached an arm around her shoulders and scouted a little closer to her.

"I'm not saying all this to make you feel bad. But don't you think it's time you move on? Own your place here?"

Eve opened her eyes, sighing quietly.

"It really doesn't matter that much, does it?"

Newt smiled, shaking her shoulder comfortingly.

"Not at all. You've got better things to do, the Glade has better uses for you. Besides, maybe this mistake will be in our favour. Maybe you're the only one who can get us out of here," She smiled at the thought.

For a few moments, they sat together in silence. Both of them with their own thoughts, until finally, Eve spoke up.

"Do you think we're going to lose anyone else?"

Newt, his head resting on the stone, opened an eye to look down at her.

"Lose them?" Her words had come out of the blue.

Eve gestured toward the memorial.

"Do you think anyone else will die?"

Newt swallowed quietly before replying, his voice heavy.

"Hank didn't die,"

"I know... but still, he's gone. The Runners risk his fate every day and there are several things in the Glade that could kill someone,"

"Why so bloody morbid all of a sudden?" Newt was shocked Eve even had to ask. Of course, there was always a risk in an accident being dangerous enough. A fever getting worse instead of better.

Eve shifted upward and Newt brought his arm back. She leaned forward, her brow furrowed in thought.

"I don't know. Being here, around his grave. I can't help wondering if we'll have to do this often. I don't want to, losing Hank was hard enough," Eve's eyes became misted. "I guess I just wonder what would happen if we lost Minho or you or Alby. Alby's like a father to everyone here, I can't imagine what it would be like if he weren't around,"

"So don't imagine it. He's still here, I'm still here. We do what we can to be safe, despite the risk. You're at risk too, you know,"

Eve nodded, seeming to take in his words slowly.

"I wouldn't want to lose any of you,"

Newt nudged her elbow lightly.

"We wouldn't want to lose you either, Eve,"

Eve smiled gently and looked at the ground. She was quiet again, seeming to be out of words. Newt leaned his head back against the stone. The afternoon was coming to a close, the sun was beginning its downward journey.

The evening meal would be getting underway soon.

"We'd best be heading back, you know," Newt spoke with his eyes closed, not at all in a hurry. "There's still a lot to be done today, plus it's the Greenie's celebration dinner tonight,"

Eve leaned back against the stone, copying Newt's position.

"I suppose you couldn't let me stay here until it's all finished? I'm not exactly in the mood to celebrate,"

Newt shook his head, understanding but firm.

"We should be there. Every Greenie needs the support of the Glade. It's only a meal; besides Fry Pan always makes something good for the greenshanks. It's not worth missing,"

With that, he heaved himself up and turned to help Eve. She brushed the dirt off her shorts before she began following him out of the valley.

"I don't think I minded missing my own celebration dinner. Eating was the last thing on my mind,"

Newt smirked.

"Your loss, it was delicious,"

Eve rolled her eyes as she followed him through the trees. After a moment, she turned back as she walked, catching one last glance of Hank's grave. She decided that she would come back, visit more often.

Hank would like that.

The sun had set and work was set aside for the day. The Runners had returned just before the last of the light had disappeared. Minho disappeared into the Deadheads with Alby and the two did not come back until the evening meal started. Ben and James didn't say much when questions were put to them, merely that Minho had to discuss something with Alby. The mood among the boys was tainted by the lack of hope the Runners brought back. But they soon set it aside as the feast of the new Greenie began.

Fry Pan had cooked up a hearty meal of roasted goat, fried chicken and a myriad of fresh, steamed vegetables. The food was incredible and the laughter and conversation around the fire soon returned to its normal lighthearted banter. The new Greenie, his eyes still wide and his demeanour still quiet, sat between Winston and Dan, inspecting a jar of moonshine carefully. Despite the encouragement for him to drink it, the Greenie declined, wise to the smell of alcohol. Disappointed, the boys tried instead to get the newcomer up and into the Fight Ring. It took some doing, but he finally agreed and tested his strength against Ben.

The Fight Ring champion, Gally, was sitting this night out, his mind too cloudy to think about fighting. He sat close to the fire, Eve by his side. He kept a hand on her knee, almost clamping it, keeping a jar close to his lips as he watched the fight proceed. He had attached himself to her soon after the day had been called, hardly letting her out of his sight.

Eve could sense he was upset. He had not been able to be there for her today and it killed him. But she understood, she knew his efforts had been put in elsewhere. She leaned her head on his shoulder, her nose to his muscle as the fight progressed.

"Gally," Her voice was soft.

Gally didn't turn, taking another sip of his moonshine and grasping tighter to her leg; maybe he thought she meant to leave. Eve almost smiled, sensing his frustration a mile away.

"Gally, I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me anymore. Newt told me why he came, why you stayed away. I think he was right, I needed to hear what he had to say,"

Gally frowned, still looking straight ahead. He took another drink before responding.

"You needed him,"

Eve shook her head.

"No, I didn't need him. I needed him to talk some sense into me. That's what he did,"

Gally nodded his head, still distant.

"So?"

"So what?"

"Did it work?"

Eve smiled and lifted her head.

"I know it did. I was letting the idea consume me. I've been worried for months and for what? It didn't get me anywhere. Even if I did learn the truth, if I was a mistake or not, would it change anything?"

Gally's hold on the glass tightened.

"That's what I told you,"

Eve nodded, suddenly feeling guilty. Gally was feeling replaced. He had told her time and time again that it wouldn't matter. But she had needed something firmer.

"I know you did. I'm sorry I didn't believe you," She smiled, wrapping her hand around Gally's bicep. "I think I needed Newt's unbiased opinion, to hear it from someone who doesn't really know me,"

Gally didn't move, his hold on the glass remained the same and his gaze did not waver. Eve looked up at him.

"I think your problem is that you care too much for me. I can't take everything you say at face value. You love me too much,"

Gally's face flushed, looking around the fire to see if anyone had heard.

"Sure, let all these shanks know," His voice had deepened.

Eve smiled again, knowing that she had irked him, but also that he had forgiven the incident. She leaned over to kiss his cheek. He scowled, pushing her face away.

"The slintheads can see us, you know,"

Eve laughed gently, shaking her head as she settled back to sitting close, but not too close. Gally was still scowling, but his hand never left her knee. Eve was content, closing her eyes as she breathed in the scent of the good food and firewood. She was feeling better than she had in months. The worry and fear were gone, replaced by determination and a sense of pride. She was part of this Glade, there was no denying that. Maybe she wasn't supposed to have been, but she was and there was nothing that could change that now.

The night seemed to last for hours, the food making its rounds again and again. More and more of the boys challenged each other and Gally was finally persuaded to make an entrance. He fought Winston, Dan, Ham, Newt and even the new Greenie, but his title remained undefeated. The scuffles continued and soon all the boys had a scratch or bruise somewhere. Only when the cold began to get to them did they pack it up. Tomorrow was a new day and a good night's sleep was in order.

Gally let Eve go down to the pond by herself but met her on the way back. It felt more like being cornered as he bore down on her.

"Stay with me tonight," His request seemed simple, his eyes full of earnestness. Eve didn't quite understand him though as she pulled him along back toward the hammocks.

"I'm not going anywhere, I'll be right beside you,"

Gally caught up to her and took hold of her arms.

"No, I mean stay with me, stay close. In my hammock tonight,"

Eve looked up into his eyes. They were pleading.

"What about Newt?" She bit her lip, surely he would find the closeness awkward.

Gally dismissed the thought.

"That shank is asleep already, he won't care,"

"He can't have an opinion on something he doesn't know about,"

Gally rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he looked over his shoulder. Without warning, he turned back, picking Eve up into his arms.

"I'll carry you in with me if I have to,"

Eve stifled a gasp and pushed against his shoulder.

"Alright, alright, put me down,"

Gally smiled, although only partially. Eve set down her towel and soap under her own hammock as Gally sat down to take off his boats. He reached out to Eve once he was finished. Pulling her close, he let her stand between his legs.

"Thank you," His voice was a whisper and Eve lay her head on his, her eyes closed. Gally kissed her nose and laid back into his hammock. Eve slid in beside him, trying not to make too much noise. Gally threw his blanket over the both of them, wrapped his arms around Eve, burying his head in her hair. Eve wriggled down until her head lay on Gally's chest, his hand coming crossed over her chest. Eve let out a long breath as she began to relax, her eyes closing. The rhythmic rise and fall of Gally's chest calmed her. Soon enough, they were both asleep.