The Key to it All (Newt)

First Newbie

The boys began to settle into life at the Glade. The job system was working out well with a lot of people finding their niche. Another meeting was held to determine permanent jobs. Somehow Jackson remained on cleaning duty, and somehow, he always got the worst jobs. 

The only thing of concern was that supplies were no longer coming monthly. This worried Artemis a lot. Every week, the cage had come up with new supplies, but since the boys have come, that wasn't the case. The garden wasn't ready yet to sustain them forever, and the livestock would run out eventually. Artemis was in charge of the garden, and she was doing her best for someone who didn't know how to garden. 

"Harvesting stuff for our "Happy One Month of Knowing Newt!" Celebration tonight?" Newt asked as Artemis examined some new sprouts. 

She rolled her eyes at his antics. Newt had quickly become one of the few people here she could trust, but it didn't mean he couldn't be annoying at times. "As you can see, Newt, there is nothing here except some stems and leaves. And I'm not really sure a month of knowing you is something I'd like to celebrate."

"For sure it is, Artemis. After all, who requested they build a cage to keep all the chickens in, therefore keeping them out of your way." Newt smirked. Artemis' hatred of chickens was a well known fact. 

Artemis' hands clasped over her heart and she said in a sing-song voice, "My lord and savior. How could I ever repay you for the kindness you have shown me?" 

"Well, remember the pond? I was thinking that--" Newt was cut off by a loud alarm. "What is that?' He yelled. 

Artemis knew what it was. She had jumped to her feet and began running over to the cage, leaving Newt behind her. Supplies, hopefully, had come. If it was another group of boys, Artemis...well she didn't know what she would do. 

Newt had followed her, and all the other boys had been drawn to the source of the alarm. "This is what we came up in, right?" Alby shouted from beside Artemis. 

"yeah! hopefully it's some more food or something, and not another group of you." 

"I hope it's some girls. The one we have is broken" Jackson said. He hasn't tried anything since that first day--Newt and the other kept a close watch on him. Plus, Artemis had threatened and was pretty sure someone else had also threatened to kill Jackson if he tried anything. Jackson knew it wasn't an empty threat. So he resorted to making obnoxious comments and talking about his fantasies with some of the other boys. The ones Artemis stayed far away from. 

Newt patted Artemis on the back, as if his actions were to make up for what Jackson said. She knew he was trying to comfort her, but it didn't matter. She knew Jackson was out there, and that there was a group of boys behind him. Sure, she had a group of boys behind her, but they also yelled at her for cursing and for getting too violent. If Jackson and co. were to attack at night, Artemis shuddered. 

"You good?" Newt asked, feeling Artemis tense up a little. 

She smiled at him. "Yeah. Just nervous about what's in there" 

The doors began to open, revealing a cage filled with boxes. Artemis breathed a sigh of relief. Her shit gardening skills wouldn't be the death of them all. Also, they needed some more stuff for repairs to the various buildings. Nick had also requested some sort of jail cell be built after Jackson's and Artemis' little meeting. 

"Hey! There's someone in there" Minho shouted. Sure enough, in the back corner there was a boy with jet black hair. He was skinny, but he didn't look scared. Artemis has learned to be wary of the confident ones. 

"Don't just stand there, Minho! Help the boy out." Nick called. 

A group of boys grabbed a rope and helped pulled the boy up. "You look as skinny as a greenbean" Nick said to the boy. "You need to go grab some food. Siggy here is our best chef."