Touch Of Memory

Chapter VII

I went for a walk through the forest. I looked at the trees. They were different from the ones we had. Their leaves seemed wider, and the wood was thicker. I felt restless, I wasn't able to relax. I heard some noises behind me.

I was about to start to run, like my instincts told me to, when someone grabbed me from behind. I tried to break free and ended up falling to the ground. I quickly turned around and saw the face of the attacker. It was a guy I didn't recognize. I punched him in the face but he managed to push me against a tree. His eyes seemed disturbed, crazy. They were what scared me. Almost inhuman. He began to talk.

'I know what you're planning. You're one of the Creators. I bet you work with them and came here to kill us.'

'What the hell are you saying? You're nuts!'

He definitely was. Talking wouldn't get me out of the situation. So I twisted his arm and pushed him to the ground. Then I did what I know best. I ran. I didn't even know if he was behind me. I may know how to fight, but there was no way I could defeat him without weapons. As soon as the Homestead was in my sight I began to scream for Newt. The main doors flung open and I saw him. Relief flooded me. I sprinted towards him and hugged him tight. Don't ask me why I did it.

'Are you okay? What happened?'

'I-I... This guy, he attacked me and accused me of working for the Creators. He's nuts.'

I didn't realize that everyone gathered around us and were listening to what I was saying. They looked genuinely concerned. I appreciated that, even though I didn't know them, and they didn't know me.

'Must've been Gally, he's the only one missing' said Alby. 'I'm sorry this happened. He will be banished tomorrow night. Someone go find him and lock him in the Slammer immediately.'

I grabbed Newt's hand tightly, and he squeezed back.

'I think we should anticipate the Gathering.' Newt said.

'In ten minutes I want all of the Keepers to present themselves in the Map Room.' Alby said loudly.

Slowly, everyone got back to the Homestead except for me and Newt.

'I'm going to kill that guy,' I said.

'Not before I do.'

'Has he ever done something like this? He looked different, like a lunatic.'

'No, he hasn't. But he isn't a friendly guy, either. Let's make sure he's already in the Slammer.'
I looked at him, quizzically.

'It's our prison.'

'Oh. We didn't have one. I guess we didn't need to. He'll be banished?'

'Yeah. Tomorrow, before the doors close, he'll stay in the maze for the night. I guess you know what that means.'

We headed to the Slammer, were two guys were dragging Gally. He locked his eyes on me and started to scream.