Losing Hope

Nineteen

I went back to wandering around the Glade, helping whoever needed a hand and bandaging up the dumb Shanks who hurt themselves. I kept a look on Alby and the new boy, wondering why what I thought was his name had come up in my mind. I didn't know him. I didn't know where I had seen him, or when. I felt like something was wrong, as if I wasn't suppose to remember him, in the same way I felt like I wasn't supposed to have those dreams where I'd catch glimpses of who I thought was my dad.

I was helping Chuck find a few things he wanted to get for the Greenie, and he was very excited. He kept telling me that he wasn't the Greenie anymore, and that maybe now the boys would like him a bit more. I laughed at his happiness, remembering the feeling I had the day he came. I was happy that I wasn't the Greenie anymore, too.

Newt came to get Chuck, telling him that Alby needed him with the Greenie. Chuck excitedly grabbed his stuff and jogged over to the Tower, that had been built not so long ago. Newt looked at him leave, a bright smile on his face.

"Guess Chuckee is happy to not be the Greenie anymore," he laughed, and I agreed.

"Well, it is quite great to know that people won't give you that awful nickname anymore," I said, and Newt looked at me hurt.

"You weren't even called by that nickname!"

"I was! By everybody but you. And before you mention it, no, Beanie was not better," I argued, crossing my arms on my chest. He was about to answer when someone shouted for us.

"You two stop flirting and get over here, we need a hand with those boxes!" We looked at each other and laughed, before walking towards the Box. I liked how the others just sort of assumed that Newt and I were together, only because I was closer to him. I mean, I could've dated Minho, for that matter.

We went to help empty the Box, Newt and I grabbing the boxes as people inside lifted them up to us. I noticed the Greenie walking over to one of the Maze's doors, Chuck running after him, and I straightened up.

"Hey, Newt. Look," I said, and pointed towards the door. Newt looked at me, then straightened up too. He mumbled something, then told the boys to continue without him. He was walking over to them when I heard Gally shout. I turned around just in time to see the Greenie being pushed to the ground, then he got up, shouting. The boys and I exchanged a look and we all ran over to the door.

"Hey what the Hell is wrong with you guys?" the new boy shouted, totally pissed off for some reason.

"Just calm down all right," Newt said, Alby hot on his trails.

"No! Okay? Why won't you tell me what's out there?" the boy argued, losing his temper.

"We're just trying to protect you," Alby explained in a warning voice.

"It's for your own good," Newt added, and I stood there helpless, just like the other boys around.

"You guys can't just keep me here!"

"I can't let you leave!" Alby retorted, also losing his calm.

"Why not?" As if on cue, the doors' mechanics started growling, like they did every evening, and the doors slowly closed on the Maze.The boys stood there in awe, clearly  confused about what the hell was going on. Once the doors were fully closed, Gally walked over to the boy.

"Next time, I'm gonna let you leave," he said, walking away. His eyes met mine and I sent him a disapproving look, but he shook his head, looking away from me. The other boys followed, going back to what they were doing to make sure they finished before the night's celebrations. I stood back, as Alby told something to the boy and walked away. The boy stood in front of the doors for a few minutes and I waited behind him, arms crossed on my chest. He seemed to feel that I was there though, because he turned around and stared right at me.

"It's something huh? I had a hard time too on my first week," I said in the friendliest way possible. He scoffed, looking around him.

"What is this place? Why are we here?" he asked, and I shrugged.

"I don't know. No one knows. Not even Alby," I sighed, looking at the boys closing up the doors to the Box.

"Where are the others?" he asked, and I looked at him, frowning. He was nervously fidgeting with his hands, still not looking at me.

"What do you mean?"

"Girls. Aren't there other girls?" he asked, and I smirked, shaking my head.

"No, Shank, there are no other girls. And by the way, don't try anything on me. Okay?" I joked, and he had a small smile.

"Alright," he mumbled, and I shook my head, walking over him. I wrapped my arm around his shoulders, dragging him towards the hammock section.

"Now go see little Chuck. He seems quite sad that you aren't listening to him. He's supposed to be the boss of you for your first days, and you almost already broke one of our rules. Not nice, if you ask me."

"The boss of me? He's like twelve," the boy said, dumbfounded, and I nodded.

"Yup. But that's how it works here. The latest Greenie takes care of the new Greenie. I took care of Chuck, he takes care of you," I explained.

"So how long have you been here?" he asked, and I stopped, pulling away from him.

"You didn't listen to anything Alby told you, did you? I've been here two months. A Greenie a month, I took care of Chuck, he was the Greenie before you came, make the count," I observed, and he looked up at me. His expression was a mix of confusion and uneasiness, as if he wasn't sure if I was serious or not.

"Dude, I'm just joking. Relax, take it easy okay? Everything will be fine," I tried to calm him down, and he nodded. "Good that. Now go see little Chuckee and apologise to him. I'll see you at the bonfire tonight."