Fog In the Memory • TMR Book 1

Chapter 9

I walk with the boys over to the Box, and head towards the front of the crowd to get a decent view. I really hope it's a girl; it gets so lonely around here, being surrounded by boys all day every day. Two of the older boys in the Glade pry open the doors to the Box, and they lower the rope down.  Once the Greenie is pulled up, they're swarmed by at least half the Gladers until a whistle rings in the air, calming down the boys.

"Nice to meet ya, shank," Alby announces, stretching out his arms to clear the crowd. "Welcome to the Glade."

As the crowd backs up and disperses a little bit, I get a look at the Greenbean and my heart drops; it's another boy. He's got dark hair and forest green eyes, from what I can tell, and he appears to be about sixteen like me. The boy turns around, examining the Glade and to be honest, he looks dazed and drugged. His attention turns our way, examining us much like I remember myself doing when I first got here. The Greenie finally pipes up after a good couple minutes.

"Where am I?"

"Nowhere good," Alby tells him. "Just stay calm."

A familiar voice shouts asking about Keepers and chaos erupts within the other Gladers as they bicker. I turn to the newbie, who's watching Gally who just HAPPENS to be giving a look of hatred towards the boy. I think about talking to the Greenie, but Alby finally gets everyone to shut up.

"It's a long story shank. You'll learn eventually. Name's Alby," he states, similar to how Alby greeted me a month ago.

Similar to when I entered the Glade, Alby extends his hand for an unspoken handshake. Instead of even acknowledging Alby, the Greenbean starts spitting out questions a mile a minute. I know I've known this kid for less than ten minutes, but he's already getting on my nerves; I at least acknowledged that Alby was there. 

Thankfully, our leader finally says something to the Greenie after multiple (unsuccessful) attempts to answer the boy's questions, shouting, "No interruptions boy! If we told ya everything now, you'd be dead on the spot. I don't really have time to be nice shank. So learn the rules, listen, and keep your mouth shut."

As he walks away, Alby is practically fuming, which leaves Newt to pick up the pieces. Newt has me grab the Greenie and get him situated for the night while he goes to try and calm Alby down; I walk towards the newbie and send him a friendly wave.

"Hi, I'm Eliza, I'll be your 'guide' I guess you could say for the next day or two," I greet warmly, as much as I despise doing it, and motion for him to follow me.

"What'd we do to get here?"

"Greenie, everyone here has experienced what you're feeling; myself included. You'll feel like this for probably a week," I reply in attempt to comfort him, despite my opposing emotions. "You have a name?"

Before he can reply, a piercing scream rings through the Glade. I shudder, hoping the newbie won't ask questions. I'm really not in the mood right now to answer his questions about Ben.

"Thomas. My name is Thomas," the boy replies after the screaming dies down.

*****

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for taking so long to update, I haven't had time to type it up, but I do now, so I'm working on getting everything drafted so I can start updating more frequently.

Xx Blake