Transparent ☆ [The Maze Runner] Gally

Meetings and the Glade

I didn't know how long I stood there staring at those four walls, but it felt like time was no longer a concept. The whispers of the boys behind me soon ceased allowing me to come back to my senses.

The rumble of a deep voice soon could be heard behind me, "Don't look so surprised Greenie, welcome to your new home". Before I could pin point who the voice was, a shoulder had collided with mine leaving me to stumble forward.

I gasped looking up at the culprit, only to see Gally turning his head to analyze me once more as he walked off into what looked like a little village. I stared at him in confusion, until a hand squeezed my shoulder.

"Don't worry about him, he's like that with everyone. I'm Newt by the way", he held out his hand for me to shake. I took his hand and smiled, "I'm-". I quickly tried to hide the panic that washed over me once more, but was sure Newt noticed it. Not only did I not know where I was, but I didn't know the one thing that encapsulated the entirety of my identity.

"Hey, hey, look at me, it's okay", Newt now placed both of his hands on my shoulders moving in front of me, so our eyes met. "No it's not okay, I don't know where I am, who sent me here. I don't even know my own name", I looked anywhere but Newt, afraid I would begin to cry again if I made eye contact.

"Look, you're not alone. Every Greenie goes through it when they come here. I went through it. Gally went through it. Your fate is just the same as ours," He paused thoughtfully and then continued, "In a day or two you'll remember your name, and soon enough you'll know this place like the back of your hand. I'll explain everything to you".

I finally looked into his eyes, but instead of crying the feeling of serenity took over my body. He seemed to be good at that, calming people down. Almost instantly, I knew we would be good friends. I finally nodded taking in everything he had just said, but before I could speak he cut me off.

"I can't give you the tour right now because I need to speak to Alby and the keepers. I promise I will though. Until then, Chuck will show you around", he confessed looking over my shoulder.

I turned around and as if on cue, a cute little boy with red cheeks and curly hair waddled over to us. A wide grin was displayed upon his face as he stared at me.

I looked back at Newt, only to receive a nod as if telling me everything was going to be okay. With that he turned around and walked to the center of the "village". "Hi Greenie, I'm Chuck. Welcome to the Glade", his words came out rapidly as he mumbled something under his breath incoherently. His cheeks only reddened as he looked back up at me.

I grinned at the joyous expression that kept resurfacing on his face. I had never seen someone so adorable, regardless of my lack of memories.

"Hi Chuck", I held out my hand waiting for him to shake it, "I guess I'm..um..Greenie?". He laughed at my confusion then took my hand dragging me along. He looked back at me as he pulled me toward the village, or the Glade, which he had previously called it.

"We call all newbies Greenie until they remember their name", he hummed releasing my hand and gesturing to follow. "Oh", I mumbled trailing behind him.

For the next thirty minutes, Chuck had introduced me to several of the gladers. I tried making a mental note that connected each name with a face, but as the list of names became longer their faces began to blur in my memory.

What made things worse was I couldn't focus. My mind was still processing every detail of my short time in this place. To add on to it, millions of questions began to surface in my brain.

"He can be a real pain in the-", I interrupted him before he could go on any further. "Chuck, what are behind those walls", my voice came out as almost a whisper. My curiosity had now gotten the best of me causing the legs beneath me to move toward the massive barrier keeping us confined.

I felt a hand quickly grasp mine, spinning me around before my wandering legs could take me past the opening of the wall. I looked down to see Chuck dragging me back towards the glade.

"Chuck wait, what are behind those walls. What are you not telling me", I stopped, waiting for a proper answer. "You'll meet more people at the bonfire", his words came out quickly as he avoided my question all together.

"Chuck I-", I sighed deciding not to push any further as I could feel his nervousness seeping out of him. Reluctantly, I redirected the conversation, "Bonfire?"

"C'mon, I thought we went over this", he placed his hands on his hips in exasperation. "It's a celebration for you, we have one whenever a new greenie comes up here. Try to keep up", he said in a matter of factly tone.

"So what exactly happens at a bonfire", I questioned. "Were you really not listening at all?" Frustration was written across his face causing me to smile in amusement then shake my head suggesting I hadn't.

"Well, bonfires are fun", he paused checking to see if I was still listening. A light pink color tinted his cheeks as he noticed me listening eagerly now, "There's food, drinks" he continued.

"There's lots of socializing and fighting but-", his voice halted once again, but this time more thoughtfully, "But I'm not sure you'll like the fighting too much".

"I mean I might. Who knows I might even join in", I said playfully receiving a giggle from Chuck. His cute little laugh was contagious and had caused me to join in.

Though our laughter soon died down as Chuck looked around quickly. "Hey, what's wrong", I tried following his glances but his head whipped around looking at me. "We have to get going", with that he linked his arm with mine once again yanking me somewhere, which seemed to be a common theme around him.

"Where are we going now", I asked already tired of being out of the loop. "The homestead, we need to go over there before the gathering finishes."

Chuck began to walk faster forgetting his arm was still linked to mine, only resulting in me stumbling over my own legs. It wasn't until he heard my bemused voice that had lead him to slow down, "Why?"

He huffed in annoyance, "Well considering you ask so many questions, don't you want to know what's going on? Don't you want answers?" With that I nodded trailing close behind him.