Fog In the Memory • TMR Book 1

Chapter 5

"Nice to meet ya 'Liza," Chuck replies. "Don't you worry, I'll take care of you; or at least when Alby and Newt'll let me. Anyways, I've been here a whole month and I know this place inside and out. You can count on Chuck ok?"

I can't help but laugh and smile at his cute gesture, friendliness, and confidence. We eventually arrive to the Gardens, and it's pretty quiet in this part of the Glade. I let out a sigh of relief and slide down an apple tree, patting a spot next to me for Chuck to sit.

"So," I begin hesitantly, not having warmed up to him yet, "tell me a bit about yourself."

"Well, I've been here for a month and I'm about twelve to thirteen years old- or so I'm told. And I'm a Slopper."

"A what? " my voice squeaks.

"Never mind; you'll learn in the morning," he blows off my question.

I am about to say something when a sweaty boy runs by me, having just come through one of the large openings.

"How's it feel to be promoted Greenie?" the boy asks as he jogs by, hardly paying me any attention.

"Feels great Minho!" Chuck shouts at the boy, then turns to me informing, "You may want to cover your ears."

I hesitantly cover them and not a moment later, a loud boom explodes and I jump as my heart leaps out of my chest. I search for the source of the sound as a deep crunching noise starts, and I notice the gaps in the walls are closing- trapping me inside the Glade. My breathing becomes more frequent and Chuck must've noticed because his hand is now reassuringly resting on my shoulder. "Woah" is all that I can manage as I attempt to catch my breath for my mini panic attack.

"Ain't nothin' as Alby would say," Chuck murmurs, "Come on 'Liza. Trust me when I say you want to be in bed when night strikes."

Feeling a yawn coming on, I follow him, figuring it is the best idea.

*****

I'm shaken awake, and my eyes snap open to see a too-close face staring at me with all their features still shadowed. I open my mouth to ask who this person is, but a cold hand clamps down on it, gripping it shut. Panic stirs within myself until I realize who it is.

"Shh Greenie, don't wanna be wakin' anybody do we?" a British accent whispers.

It's Newt- the one who seems to be second in command and the boy who helped me out of the Box. I give a nod of approval and a silent yawn while I sit up in my hammock, which is in Alby's room.

"Come on Greenie," the tall boy whispers as he helps me to my feet. "Supposed to show you somethin' before the wake up."

"Okay," I mumble, having woken up not too long ago.

I lean over, slipping into a pair of shoes, then follow Newt out of the bedroom. I turn, looking down the hall and see an endless amount of sleeping teenage boys. Thank goodness I'm not sleeping over there. Once we reach the porch, Newt breaks out into a sprint heading towards the western wall. Why, oh why, do we have to run this early? The sun isn't even out yet! I eventually catch up to Newt after being several feet behind him the entire time, since running isn't exactly my forte, and stop in front of a massive wall. I notice small, scattered red lights flashing along the wall. Newt digs his hands into a thick patch of ivy covering the wall until he pulls some aside, revealing a small, dusty window.