Chapter Five: Keepers' Vote
As Irelyn walked to the common area where the Gladers ate their meals, she hardly noticed the cool, damp grass beneath her feet or the gentle warmth of the morning sun as it slowly filled the Glade with light. She felt hollow, her mind replaying the same terrifying thoughts over and over, the words "death trap" echoing in her head. Alby's explanation, Minho's sketch of the Griever—she couldn't get any of it out of her mind.
By the time she reached the long picnic-style table, the scent of freshly baked bread and ripe fruit drifted to her, but her stomach churned, leaving her with no desire to eat. She pushed a piece of bread around her bowl absently, unable to shake the thoughts that had plagued her since Alby had led her to the Maze doors that morning.
Lost in thought, she didn't notice when Newt, Gally, Winston, and Ben sat down around her. Their quiet glances passed over her, their expressions softening as they exchanged a look.
After a few moments, Newt nudged her gently with his elbow. "You alright, Sunshine?"
Irelyn blinked, looking up at him, then glanced around at the others. Gally sat on her other side, arms crossed and watching her with his usual gruff expression, but his eyes held an unspoken concern. Across the table, Winston and Ben—now dressed casually instead of in Runner gear—watched her with quiet understanding.
She sighed, her voice barely a murmur. "You all knew, didn't you?" Her gaze fell back to her bowl. "You knew I'd find out about the Maze today."
Winston nodded, his tone gentle. "Yeah. Everyone has to learn about it before they're assigned a job." He gave her a small, sympathetic smile. "You're not the first Greenie to struggle with it, trust me."
Irelyn managed a tiny nod, though the reassurance didn't bring the comfort she'd hoped. She stared down at the bread in her hand, trying to force herself to take a bite, but her appetite was gone.
With a sigh, Gally shifted beside her, his arms tightening across his chest. "I don't know why you're so upset," he said bluntly, though his voice held a faint edge of worry. "Knowing all of this doesn't change anything here in the Glade."
She looked up at him, her throat tightening as her vision blurred slightly. "I thought we were safe here."
Newt reached out, his hand resting gently on her leg under the table. "In the Glade, we *are* safe," he said, his voice calm and steady.
At the same moment, Gally's hand came to rest on her back, rubbing a small, comforting circle between her shoulders. Irelyn tensed at first, startled by their simultaneous gestures, but the warmth of their support melted some of the tension in her chest. She'd spent so much time with Newt that his presence felt like an anchor, and Gally, after yesterday, was no longer the aloof, grumpy Builder she'd first thought him to be. The two of them, along with Winston and Ben, grounded her in this moment.
She glanced up at Winston and Ben, who both offered quiet smiles of reassurance, and the steady calm in their faces chipped away at her fear.
Ben leaned forward, his tone soft but confident. "A Griever has never come into the Glade, Irelyn. Never. We don't think they even *can.*"
Irelyn looked at him, searching his face, the tiniest glimmer of hope flickering inside her. "You really believe that?"
Ben nodded. "Yeah. We think the Creators control the Grievers—they've got machines attached to them, after all. It's like they're designed to keep us from getting out, not to get in. They want us alive, or they wouldn't be sending supplies every month. They're just… keeping us in place."
Winston chimed in, his voice soothing. "That's what the walls are for, Irelyn. They close every night so we're safe. We've got nothing to worry about in here."
As Irelyn looked around the table, taking in each of their faces, it hit her—the reason they were all working so hard to convince her, the reason they were talking about the Glade's safety with such certainty. They were worried about her. Not just about her reaction to the Maze, but about whether or not she'd survive this new knowledge. Whether she'd be strong enough to live with it, like they had to every single day.
She swallowed, the realization sinking in with a strange mixture of sadness and resolve. They had seen other Greenies crumble under the weight of what they'd learned, some unable to face the endless days of uncertainty and fear. She didn't want to be one of those who couldn't handle it. She didn't want to become another name carved in the Deadheads, another memory left behind.
She took a deep breath, her voice coming out steadier this time. "Okay," she whispered. "I'll try to remember that."
Newt gave her leg a gentle squeeze, his eyes warm and reassuring. "That's the spirit, Sunshine. Just take it one day at a time."
Gally pulled his hand back, crossing his arms again but giving her a small nod of approval. "Good. No point in sitting around sulking about it."
Irelyn rolled her eyes at him, though the faint smile tugging at her lips softened the gesture. "I wasn't sulking," she muttered, grateful for his bluntness, which somehow steadied her nerves.
"Sure you weren't," Gally replied, his mouth twitching with the hint of a grin.
As the tension lifted, Irelyn shifted in her seat, feeling the cool grass against her feet and realizing, for the first time, that she hadn't even thought to put on shoes. She glanced down, blinking at her bare toes in mild disbelief.
"Wait—shuck," she muttered, laughing despite herself. "Where are my shoes?"
Gally raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "How do you forget shoes? Aren't yours like half your height?"
Her laughter surprised her, breaking through the heaviness that had been weighing her down since dawn. "Guess I was a little… distracted," she admitted, grinning.
Newt chuckled, shaking his head. "You've been wandering around barefoot all morning?"
She wiped her eyes, still laughing. "Apparently, yeah. Didn't even notice."
The boys joined in her laughter, the sound light and easy, breaking through the shadows lingering in her mind. Surrounded by them, with their teasing and their gentle reassurances, she felt herself relaxing, the fear loosening its grip, even if only for now.
"I'll grab my boots after breakfast," she said, smiling.
Ben smirked. "Or just go barefoot all day. I think you've earned it."
Winston chuckled, shaking his head. "Just don't let Gally catch you without shoes on-site. He'll be on your case about it all day."
Gally feigned a shrug, an amused glint in his eye. "Hey, I've been nice so far. Don't push your luck, Red."
She rolled her eyes, but the nickname made her smile widen. "Who says I'm gonna work with you today, Gally? It's voting day—I might just take the day off."
The boys laughed, and Newt nudged her gently, his smile softening. "Just wait. You're gonna find your place here, Sunshine. We all do eventually."
Irelyn met his gaze, feeling the depth of his words and the warmth of his smile settle over her like a blanket. In that moment, the Glade didn't feel quite as cold, quite as empty. She knew the Maze was still out there, lurking with its threats, but inside the walls, she had friends—friends who cared, who looked out for each other, who had already shown her more kindness than she'd expected to find in a place like this.
The danger outside hadn't changed, but as she sat at that table, laughing and joking with the people around her, she felt a spark of determination flare up inside her. No matter how terrifying the Maze was, no matter how much darkness lay outside these walls, she was going to get through it. She was going to find a way to live here, to be there for them, just as they'd been there for her.
The Maze might be a nightmare, but the Glade… the Glade was hers now. And she wasn't going to let fear take that away.
After breakfast, Irelyn found herself wandering back toward Newt, who gave her a knowing smile as she approached.
"You don't have to work today, Sunshine," he said, glancing at her with a small grin. "You've got the Keepers' vote this afternoon. Alby'll come find you when it's time."
Irelyn nodded, both relieved and slightly anxious about the upcoming vote. Her future in the Glade depended on it, and she knew it would shape her life here in ways she couldn't yet imagine. But for now, the day was hers.
"Guess I'll just hang out with Ben, then," she said with a shrug. "See what a Runner does on his day off."
Newt chuckled. "Just don't let him talk your ear off. That shank's got stories for days."
Ben, overhearing the exchange, grinned as he strolled up beside them. "Did I hear that Greenie Girl wants to spend the day with me?" he teased, flashing an easygoing smile. "I don't have anything better to do, so if you want the grand tour of the Glade from a seasoned Runner, I'm at your service."
"Only if you promise to answer all my questions," Irelyn said, a glint of determination in her eyes. She was done letting fear control her—she wanted answers.
"Deal," Ben said with a chuckle. "Let's go, then."
As they started walking, Alby appeared from across the Glade, waving them over. He shot Irelyn a friendly nod, his expression more relaxed than usual.
"Good to see you, Greenie," Alby said, joining them. "I've got some time before the vote, so I figured I'd tag along. Besides, didn't I promise you yesterday that you could shadow me for a bit?"
Irelyn's heart lifted a little, grateful for the chance to spend time with both Ben and Alby. With Alby's steady authority and Ben's Runner insight, she'd be able to dig into everything that had been eating at her since dawn.
The three of them found a quiet spot near the edge of the Gardens, away from the busier areas where Gladers were hauling supplies or setting up tools for the day. Ben and Alby leaned back on the grass, stretching out their legs, while Irelyn sat cross-legged in front of them, her expression determined.
"Alright, Greenie Girl," Ben said, grinning. "We're here. Ask away."
Irelyn hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I just… I don't want this to control me. I've seen how strong you all are, how you live with all of this every day. I need to figure out how to do the same. The only way I know how to handle fear is to face it with questions—so I'm going to ask a lot of them."
Alby's expression softened, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "Good," he said, nodding. "It takes guts to face things head-on. You ask whatever you need to, and we'll answer."
Irelyn's shoulders relaxed a little, and she allowed herself a small smile. "Thank you," she murmured. "I guess my first question is… why do you all do it? Knowing how dangerous the Maze is—how do you find the courage to face it every day?"
Ben leaned back on his elbows, his gaze drifting to the towering walls in the distance. "For me, it's about finding answers," he said thoughtfully. "I used to be a Builder, like Gally. The work was solid, reliable, but… something about the Maze called to me. It's like this challenge, this riddle that needs solving. If we can understand it, maybe—just maybe—we'll find a way out."
Irelyn listened, nodding as his words settled over her. She could understand that drive—the desire to face something terrifying because it held the key to escape.
Alby chimed in, his tone softer than usual. "For me, it's about keeping everyone safe. The Glade is our home. We may not know why we're here, but while we're here, it's my job to make sure everyone has a chance to survive. The Runners are out there every day so the rest of us can live with a little less fear."
His words struck a chord in Irelyn's heart, and she felt a swell of admiration for both of them. The boys in the Glade weren't just surviving—they were building lives, finding purpose, and protecting each other, despite the danger that surrounded them.
The conversation moved from serious topics to lighter ones as the hours passed. Irelyn continued asking questions, her curiosity driving her to know more about the Glade's history and the boys who had come before her.
"Were things always this organized?" she asked as Ben and Alby shared stories of the early days.
Ben chuckled. "Oh, not even close. In the beginning, it was chaos. There were no assigned jobs, no Keepers, nothing. We were all just stumbling around, trying to make sense of it."
Alby grinned, a rare look of amusement crossing his usually stern face. "We had supplies everywhere—crates of food, random tools. It was a mess. And the Creators didn't make it easy on us, either. Sometimes they'd send multiple Greenies up at once. We had months where we'd get two or three new kids, all just as confused and scared as you were."
Irelyn's eyes widened, and she could hardly imagine the chaos of those early days. "All at once?" she repeated, her mind spinning. "That must have been overwhelming."
Alby nodded, a flicker of memory passing through his eyes. "It was. There were times when we didn't know if we'd have enough supplies to go around, especially with everyone trying to make sense of things. We didn't have our system in place back then, either, so it was just… chaos."
Ben added with a rueful grin, "Half of us were working double just to keep things under control. There was a month when Frypan nearly poisoned half of us by accident, he was so overwhelmed."
Irelyn laughed, the tension in her chest easing with each story they told. Hearing about the Gladers' struggles and victories made her feel closer to them, like she was part of their journey.
Ben, leaning back and gesturing to the Glade around them, said, "Eventually, we all fell into roles that made sense. The strongest became Builders, the ones who were quick on their feet became Runners, and so on. It was survival, but it became home."
They continued trading stories, and Irelyn learned about Greenies who had come and gone—some who had adjusted quickly, others who had struggled. Alby spoke of a boy named Nick, who had arrived only a month after him and had been one of the first to work on the original walls of the Homestead. Ben told a story about a Runner named Theo, who had once tried to prank Gally by rigging a fake snake to his tool bag—only for it to backfire spectacularly.
"I thought Gally was going to throttle him right then and there," Ben said, laughing. "Theo was fast, but Gally was faster that day."
The laughter shared between them was a welcome distraction, but it also made Irelyn realize how much history these boys had built together. They weren't just surviving—they were forming bonds, finding humor, and building a strange, resilient kind of family.
As the afternoon wore on, Irelyn's questions took a more serious turn. "Do you think we'll ever get out?" she asked quietly, her gaze shifting from Alby to Ben.
Alby's expression turned thoughtful, his gaze settling on the towering walls of the Maze in the distance. "I don't know," he admitted. "We've been here for over two years, and we've seen everything the Maze has to offer. But that doesn't mean we're giving up. As long as there's a chance, we'll keep trying."
Ben nodded in agreement. "We have to keep hope alive, Irelyn. The Maze may seem impossible, but the alternative is giving in to despair. None of us are willing to do that."
Irelyn looked down, feeling the weight of their words. She had asked so many questions, and they had given her answers with a patience and openness she hadn't expected. Despite the fears that had gripped her that morning, she felt a newfound strength—a quiet resolve to keep pushing forward, to find her place in the Glade.
Finally, Alby rose, stretching his arms. "It's almost time for the vote," he said, glancing down at Irelyn. "Ready?"
Ben gave her an encouraging nod, his expression warm. "You've got this. Whatever job you get, you'll do just fine."
Irelyn smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude for both of them. The fear she'd felt that morning hadn't disappeared entirely, but it was tempered by the knowledge they'd shared, and by the sense of purpose she'd found in her time with them.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "Both of you. For answering my questions, and for… everything else."
Alby gave her a nod of approval, his usual sternness softened by a flicker of pride. "Anytime, Greenie Girl. Now let's go see where you belong."
As they made their way toward the meeting hut for the Keepers' vote, Irelyn walked with her head held high, her mind buzzing with everything she'd learned. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew she'd face it with the courage and determination that had been growing inside her all afternoon. For the first time, she felt like she truly belonged in the Glade.
Inside the meeting hut, the Keepers were already gathered, forming a semicircle with Alby and Newt at the center. The atmosphere was tense, though not unfriendly. Irelyn scanned the faces around her—Newt, Gally, Winston, Frypan, Clint, Zart, Peter, Ben, and finally Alby, who motioned for her to sit down in the middle of the circle. Ben was taking Minho's place in the vote as Minho was running the Maze today.
Alby leaned forward, his expression calm but focused. "Alright, Irelyn. Here's how this goes," he began. "Each Keeper is going to give feedback on how you did in their area. After that, you'll get a chance to share your own thoughts about where you felt you fit best. Then we'll vote." He paused, glancing around the room. "Everyone in this room, including Newt and me, will vote on where you should go. The job with the most votes wins, simple as that."
Irelyn nodded, her heart hammering as she tried to keep her nerves in check. She straightened in her seat, bracing herself for the reviews.
Frypan, Keeper of the Cooks, was the first to speak. He scratched the back of his neck and shrugged. "She's got the basics down. Decent baker, but keeping up with the pace of a full kitchen was a struggle. We need someone who can handle big batches without getting overwhelmed. Could she help us? Sure. But it's not her best fit."
Clint, Keeper of the Med-jacks, gave her a small, encouraging smile. "Irelyn's a fast learner. No problem with blood, picked up herbal remedies quick, and has a steady hand with first aid. She'd be an asset to the Med-jacks. No question about it."
Zart, Keeper of the Track-hoes, nodded in agreement. "Handled the hard labor without complaint, and asked smart questions. She'd be useful to the Track-hoes. We could always use someone with her grit."
Gally, Keeper of the Builders, crossed his arms, leaning back in his seat with a faint smirk. "She was alright," he said, with a teasing glint in his eye. "Knocked over my ladder once," he added, earning a few chuckles around the room, "but that was more clumsiness than lack of strength. She could make a decent Builder, but we're not in urgent need of another."
Peter, the Keeper of the Sloppers, gave a casual shrug. "She did the job fine, didn't complain too much, but it didn't seem like her thing. We've got enough hands for Slopper duty right now."
Finally, Winston, Keeper of the Slicers, cleared his throat. "She didn't work with me, so I've got no input."
Alby nodded as the Keepers finished their reviews, then turned to Irelyn. "Alright, Irelyn. You've heard their thoughts. Now it's your turn. Where did you feel like you fit in best?"
Taking a deep breath, Irelyn spoke clearly. "I felt the most comfortable with the Med-jacks. I liked helping people—it felt… meaningful. The rest of the jobs were fine, but nothing stood out the way the Med-jacks did. Track-hoes and Builders were interesting, but I didn't pick things up quite as quickly as I did in the Med-jack tent."
Alby gave her a thoughtful nod, then glanced around at the other Keepers. "Alright, you heard her feedback. Let's vote. Write down your choice—Track-hoes, Med-jacks, or Builders—and we'll see where the majority lands."
One by one, the Keepers, Newt, and Alby scribbled their votes with charcoal on scraps of paper and dropped them into a bowl in the middle of the circle. Alby picked up the bowl, giving it a quick shake before he started pulling out slips.
He read each vote aloud, his voice steady. "Track-hoes… Med-jacks… Builders… Med-jacks… Track-hoes… Track-hoes… Med-jacks…"
As the votes came in, Irelyn's heart pounded louder. Alby paused, glancing down at the last vote, his brow furrowing. "That's four votes for Track-hoes, four for Med-jacks, and one for Builders. We've got a tie."
A murmur went through the room, and Irelyn held her breath as Alby spoke up. "Alright, we'll revote between Track-hoes and Med-jacks. Keepers, write down your final vote."
The tension in the room rose as the Keepers quickly scribbled down their second round of votes. This time, Alby took a little longer, reading each slip before counting.
He lifted his gaze with a small smile. "Med-jacks," he declared. "Welcome to the Med-jacks, Irelyn. You're an official Glader now."
A wave of relief washed over Irelyn as she looked around, meeting the approving nods and small smiles of the Keepers. Clint grinned at her, giving her a nod of welcome, and Newt winked, clearly pleased with the decision.
Alby stood, extending a hand toward her. "You've done well, Irelyn. From now on, you're not just the Greenie. You're one of us."
The evening was calm, with no big bonfire, but a celebratory mood lingered in the air. Irelyn found herself seated with a lively group of Gladers—Newt, Gally, Frypan, Winston, Ben, and a few others she hadn't learned the names of yet. They sat scattered around the common area, laughing and sharing stories, the relaxed atmosphere helping her feel truly at home for the first time.
"Can't believe no one wanted you to be a cook," Frypan teased, taking a bite of his dinner and giving her a playful grin. "Not even me!"
Irelyn rolled her eyes, laughing as she held up her hands in mock surrender. "Hey, apparently I'm better with bandages than bread. Besides, don't want to step on your turf, Frypan."
"True, true," he said, nodding with mock seriousness. "Wouldn't want any competition."
Another boy across the circle smirked. "Well, you did get a vote to be a Builder," he said, eyeing her with amusement. "That one's a real mystery."
Newt glanced over at Gally with a knowing smile, and Gally just leaned back, watching Irelyn with a faint smirk, as if he was perfectly content to keep that mystery to himself.
They continued to laugh and chat, swapping stories and jokes, each one seeming more ridiculous than the last. Eventually, Frypan leaned forward, setting his plate down with a gleam in his eye. "Alright, you want a story? Let me tell you about the time Sam—you remember when Sam was a Greenie, right?—he thought it'd be smart to sneak extra food back to the Homestead. Kid stuffed so much into his shirt he waddled like a goose. Got caught, of course, but the sight of him was worth it."
Newt snickered. "That kid was always getting into trouble. Remember when he tried to steal a Runner's gear, saying he was 'practicing' for the job?"
Ben shook his head, laughing. "Yeah, Minho nearly throttled him when he found him 'practicing' with a rock tied to his back to 'add weight.'"
The group burst into laughter, the image of Sam's antics bringing them all closer. Irelyn chuckled, enjoying how at ease everyone seemed, even with the weight of the Maze hanging in the background.
Winston grinned mischievously and pointed at Gally. "Then there was that time Gally over here thought he could wrestle a hog to the ground bare-handed. Ended up face-first in a pile of—"
"Alright, alright, that's enough of that," Gally cut in, trying to hold back a smirk but failing. The others broke into laughter, teasing him without mercy.
As the night wore on, one by one, the Gladers began to drift off, heading to bed. Soon, it was just Irelyn, Newt, and Gally left under the stars, the quiet settling around them in a way that felt intimate, almost sacred.
Irelyn leaned back, letting her gaze wander up to the sky. "It's strange," she murmured. "I feel like I've been here such a short time, but it already feels like… I don't know, home."
Newt's hand found hers almost absently, his fingers toying with hers as he smiled at her softly. "That's the Glade for you. We make it work, somehow."
They fell into a comfortable silence, watching the stars for a moment before Newt asked, "Alright, let's say we had unlimited supplies. What would you build, Sunshine?"
She thought for a second, grinning. "Easy. My own room. Somewhere I can escape all of you for a bit."
Newt laughed, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Not enjoying our company anymore, huh?"
"Hey, I like you guys," she replied, nudging him playfully, "but I wouldn't mind a little privacy now and then."
Gally, who had been sitting nearby, reached out to give a gentle tug on a stray piece of her hair, twirling it between his fingers with a lazy smile. "If I had unlimited supplies, I'd build a proper shed for all the building materials. Sick of tripping over crap everywhere we work."
Newt nodded thoughtfully. "I'd vote for that."
"And you?" Irelyn asked, turning to Newt. "What would you build?"
"A decent shower," Newt replied immediately, leaning back on his hands. "One that doesn't freeze my arse off every morning."
Irelyn laughed, shaking her head. "Most practical answer yet."
Newt shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. "Hey, I like my comforts. That shower we've got now? Not cutting it."
They continued chatting, swapping ideas for their hypothetical upgrades, and laughing over the absurd things they'd build if they could. Eventually, Newt stretched and stood up, giving Gally a fist bump before leaning down to hug Irelyn, his hand brushing against her cheek as he kissed her head.
"Night, Sunshine," he murmured, his tone warm, familiar. It felt natural now, something he'd been doing for days, and when she kissed his cheek in return, there was an unspoken understanding between them.
"Goodnight, Newt," she replied, watching him head toward the Homestead, a soft smile lingering on her face.
When she turned back, she found Gally watching her, his expression unreadable but warm. He gave her a slight nod, his usual guardedness softened in the dim light.
"Where do you sleep, anyway?" she asked, realizing she'd never actually seen him in the Homestead. "I never see you around in there."
Gally smirked, standing up and nodding for her to follow him. "I've got my own hut. I'll show you."
They walked together through the cool night air, a comfortable silence between them. Irelyn found herself chuckling softly, which caught Gally's attention.
"What's so funny?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She shrugged, still smiling. "I just can't believe someone actually voted for me to be a Builder. I thought it was Newt messing with me."
Gally hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck with a smirk. "Want to know a secret?"
She looked at him curiously. "Sure."
He glanced at her, a sheepish grin crossing his face. "I voted for you to be a Builder."
Irelyn's eyes widened, and she let out a surprised laugh. "You? Why?"
Gally shrugged, the smallest hint of a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. "I like having you around, Red. Figured you'd make a decent assistant."
Her smile softened as she looked at him. "Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, I guess. Even if it was a little misguided."
They stopped outside his hut, the air cool and quiet around them. Before Gally could head inside, Irelyn acted on impulse, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him in a hug. He stiffened for a split second, clearly not used to this kind of affection, but then his arms came around her, warm and solid, holding her close.
As they pulled apart, Gally surprised her by leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, his voice softer than she'd ever heard it. "Night, Red."
Irelyn looked up at him, feeling a flutter in her chest that made her heart race. "Goodnight, Gally."
With one last smile, Gally turned and disappeared into his hut, and Irelyn, still smiling to herself, headed back toward the Homestead, her heart lighter and her thoughts quieter than they had been in days. The Glade might be a place of danger and unknowns, but tonight, surrounded by people who cared, it felt like a place she could finally call home.