Maze Runner: The Subject Experiment

8 ❀ The Greenie Bonfire

The greenie watched in anticipation as the keepers held their torches together. Alby placed his lit torch into the others, setting each one alight.  Then they circled a huge gathering of logs and sticks. She watched as they waited loyally for Alby's command. A few gladers began to bang drums. Suspense was building.

"Light it up!" Alby shouted.

They each fired their torch like a javelin into the centre and the tall wooden structure erupted into high, roaring flames. A loud cheer boomed from the crowd of boys. Newt smiled with delight at the burning spectacle. The cheering evolved into a chant.

"GLADERS! GLADERS! GLADERS!"

A few began dancing around the bonfire. Frypan raised a jar high in the air and Newt handed her a jar of her own.

"Here's to the new greenie everyone!" yelled Fry.

Everyone was now holding their jars of drink in the air. The girl had no idea what was going on. Luckily Newt noticed and, with a smile, grabbed her hand and raised it high with the others. She gave him a grateful smirk in return.

"Before you all get jacked, listen up," Alby commanded. "As you all know, we've never had a female in our company before. So, just a few rules before the partying really starts.

Rule number 1: No relationships with the greenie, as far as you're all concerned, she is your sister now."

A few groans and moans came from the crowd.

"Two:-" continued Ably, "-No one enters her own private tent.

Three: No one goes anywhere alone with her. Newt must be around at all times and if anyone sees her alone they report to me.

Understood?"

The crowd agreed. The last rule made the girl roll her eyes. She didn't realise Newt was looking and immediately felt guilty when she saw his offended expression.

The drumming started again and Newt turned and walked off to sit next to Mihno and the runners.

The girl sat alone.

A disorganised queue began to form around Frypan as he dished out stew. She stared into the brown liquid in her hand. She felt too sick to think about drinking it. She didn't feel like eating either. She didn't even want to be here. She just wanted to go to sleep and pray she'd wake up realising this was all just some ridiculous nightmare. And most of all, she felt awkward. She didn't even really know any of these people, how was she meant to talk to them? She felt anxious even thinking about social interaction. Even if she did muster the courage to talk to them, what would she talk about? She had no memories, no stories to tell. Not even a name for an introduction. Not to mention the only two people she had talked to, Newt and Minho, seemed to want nothing to do with her. She glanced over at them, sitting together. They hadn't even invited her to come sit with them.

They must hate me. Bet they couldn't wait to get away from me. Nobody even wants me here.

She shut her eyes tightly, hoping when she opened them again she'd wake up in her own bed, knowing her own name, with her own family. When she finally opened again she was still there, sitting alone, unwanted, unwelcome. Her eyes began to well up with tears and she tried blinking them away so no one could see.

"Enjoying your party, greenie?" said a voice at her side.

She looked up to see Newt smiling at her, holding two bowls and spoons.

"You don't want to miss out on Frypan's stew do you? You are the guest of honour after all."

She was instantly relieved that her awkward loneliness was over. She hid her panic with thankful smile. She reached up and took a bowl and set it to the side. Newt sat down next to her and looked at her, his expression suddenly shifting to worry.