Dangerous: The Maze Runner ~Newt~

Tryouts

This week is tryouts week, which means I get to take turns doing each job until I find one that I was destined for. Note the sarcastic tone that's supposed to be implied with the words.

Newt filled me out on the names for everything, and I asked a few questions, as expected. I have to be picked or selected for the Runner team. Any other job is up for the taking. Slopper and Bagger are two things they can keep, though.

When I tried out for Builders, I just didn't cut it. (See what I did there?) I couldn't nail planks together without something slipping, and when I lifted a heavy plank of wood and turned to bring it to the building we were working on, it spun around and smacked two boys upside their head.

Long story short, there were a couple of Builders leaving the Med-jack's hut with an awful headache.

I did manage to make a decent soup and dessert for lunch, but I didn't feel like it was the thing for me. Cooking is fun, and I like to be alone with just me and the food... but working with the raw meat and nicking myself with my knife over and over while trying to skin apples isn't very appealing, and it can get very hot in the kitchen.

Track-hoe tryouts didn't go very well. My thumb most certainly is not green, both literally and figuratively. The methodical tediousness of sticking your finger into the dirt, planting exactly two seeds and then covering it up while your knees are pressing into the damp soil that somehow sticks to your skin... Poor Newt's patience was almost gone when he sent me to get some fertilizer.

Working in the Blood House was catastrophic. I thought feeding animals and shoveling what they call klunk and slaughtering the poor animals was bad. As soon as I entered the place where they prepared the meat for the kitchens, I gagged, ran outside and threw up all over the pigs in the pigsty.

I was excused for the rest of the day.

Working in the Med-jack's hut wasn't so bad. Clint and Jeff are friendly and funny, and I enjoyed taking care of the boys that smashed their thumbs or cut their finger with a knife. I found myself having fun, and I felt the most at home there.

Today is the day they decide what my job is. They won't let me in the building for the meeting, nor will they let me vote.

I pick at the long blades of grass that grow near the Homestead, listening to the voices rise and fall inside. I sigh, wishing I could have some say in what I get to do. I glance around, but everyone (except for the Keepers) are going about their business, not even aware of what's going on.

Finally, the doors open and the Keepers come out in twos and threes. I stand up, waiting for Newt to come out and tell me, but he doesn't come out.

I peer into the building curiously, taking a few steps forward into the big room. I spot Newt and Alby in one corner of the room, talking about what I assume is my assignment.

I look around again at the room, noticing that the hammocks have been taken down to make space for the meeting. I frown, wondering where Newt usually sleeps.

"Hey, Greenie. Who let you in?" Alby's voice startles me, and I spin around.

"Nobody." I sigh softly. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come in without knocking."

"Well, come on. We're leaving anyway." He walks out the door.

Newt stays behind. "Come on. I'll walk you to lunch."

I smile. "Ok."

Newt walks out of the building, and I follow him closely. "I still haven't gotten the hang of this place. All of the buildings look the same."

Newt chuckles. "It can be a bit confusing, but you'll get used to it." He sticks his hands in his pockets, his limp barely noticeable.

I sigh softly. "I hope I'm not here long enough to get used to it." I say quietly, averting my eyes to the ground.

Newt stays quiet for a few minutes. "The Runners are doing everything they can to find a way out, Greenie. We have to be patient." He glances at me sideways, his lips tilted in a slight frown.

I bite the inside of my cheek. "I know."

Newt glances at me. "You got Med-jack, by the way. You start working tomorrow."

I smile, letting out a breath of relief. "I'm glad I didn't get Slopper."

Newt chuckles. "I don't think anyone would want Slopper."

I side-step a boy sitting in the grass with his food. "Looks like we're late to the feast."

Newt grins. "Let's get in line before they snatch the good stuff."

I smile, hurrying to get in behind Frank. "Come on!"

We get our food and go sit down on an old, large tree stump. I breathe in the fumes from the food, wrinkling my eyebrows. "What did he cook this time?"

Newt shrugs. "He said it was squash soup." He scoops up a spoonful of the yellow puree, studying it. "Should I eat it?"

I grin. "I think you should try it first before I eat it, just to be sure that it's edible."

Newt narrows his eyes at me playfully. "Oh, I see. I'm a guinea pig now." He sticks the spoon into his mouth and swallows the soup thoughtfully. "It's edible, and actually quite delicious."

I nod, eating a spoonful. "Not bad. I half expected it to taste like snot." I chuckle.

Jeff walks up to us, a bowl in his hand. "Hey, do you guys mind if I sit here?"

I look up at him. "Yeah, sure." I scoot over closer to Newt to give him some room to sit.

Jeff smiles and sits down. "Thanks." He nods at my bowl. "Is it edible?"

I nod. "Yeah, it isn't bad." I take another bite, kicking my feet in the grass and watching the happy Gladers.

I spot Minho and the other Runners sitting on a log bench near the kitchen, laughing and talking with each other. I wave to him, and he waves back with a cheerful grin on his face.

Jeff glances at me. "So, Greenie, how do you feel about your new job?"

I look at him, pausing for a few seconds to form a reply. "Honestly, I was hoping to get Med-jack from the start. I'm glad that I got the job."

Jeff smiles widely. "Good! I think we made a good selection for the job. Welcome to the Med-jacks, Greenie."

I smile back, a wave of relief washing over me at being accepted. "Thanks."

A/N This chapter is so cringe... I'm sorry! I did my best. I had a wild birthday party two days ago and I'm so tired... but at least I got this out for y'all.