The boy with the accent

Chapter 3

TW: this chapter is long AF!!!!

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By the time we get back to the homestead a huge triangle shaped form made out of wooden planks and sticks stands a few hundred yards in front of the homestead. Newt makes a concerned face as he looks up at it. "It's gonna bloody tip before we can light it," I look at him wide eyed.

"Light it?" I repeat.

"Of course," he said through a light chuckle, "why'd you think we call it a bonfire love?"

'Love?' I repeat that word in my head effortlessly just the way it rolls off his tongue, sprinkled with his accent. His cheeks turn a light pink and he looks at the ground quick before saying, "I- uh, told Alby I was going to help him with something," he walks away, well more like staggers away to the other side of the huge 'bonfire' structure, to a tall, strong, dark stone faced boy. I'm guessing that was Alby. Alby looks at Newt's pink cheeks and lets out a laugh before Newt punches him in the arm and says something to him I can't hear. When Newts is done I watch Alby look at him, then across to me, then back to Newt and he starts to wiggle his eyebrows up and down. I couldn't hear a word either of them were saying but I know whatever Alby said flustered Newt, because he turned an even darker shade of pink and I watched him open his mouth a few times but I inferred that nothing came out. When Newt finally closed his mouth and crossed his arms and let his lips fall into a pout I watched Alby say,

"That's what I thought." I'm not very good at lip reading but I know for a fact that's what he said.

I watch Alby wait for a response. Nothing comes and he laughs and slaps Newt on the back. I watch another kid walk over to them and Albys' face of stone immediately returns. The boy speaks timidly to Alby. He is scared of him I could tell. The way his shoulders were hunched over, and how he fidgeted with his fingers and how between words he would look at his shoes trying to muster the confidence to look Alby in the face. When he is done Alby just nods, the kid runs off and whispers in the ear of a boy sitting on the ground next to two others sitting behind drums. The first one spreads the news to the other boys and they all smile at each other.

They start to beat the drums unanimously to form a ominous pattern that sends shivers up my spine. Every glader stands and brings their attention to Alby as he starts to walk around the wooden bonfire yet to be set ablaze followed by still slightly pink Newt. "Today," Albys voice thundered over the crowds silencing the few still talking, "we received a new Greenie," he says as he jesters to me. I feel all eyes on me and produce a weak grin. "And because she came today, we must make her one of us... we must make her bleed." I can feel my face drop.

"W-w-what?" I practically squeak.

"You heard me," he says as he starts to walk towards me. I let out a nervous laugh and try to clear my throat.

"Uhm, Newt didn't tell me I had to uhm..." I'm at a loss for words.

"Well he clearly didn't tell you everything," he shoots a glare in Newt's direction and Newt lowers his head. Alby looks to Winston and lifts his hand. Winston tosses a machete and Alby catches it making minimal effort. I swallow hard and try to keep my voice steady as I say,

"Uh, sorry I don't really uhm, like knives," I say as I try to push out another nervous laugh but all that comes out is a strangled breath of air. Alby starts to walk towards me again feeling the blade of the machete with his finger and pricking it at the top. I start to back up and feel myself bump into something big. I look up and I see Gally standing directly behind me. He looks down at me and smirks. My anxiety rushes to my ears as they start ringing. I feel my face drain of color as they gang up on me slowly. Suddenly, he wraps his arms around me, lifting me off the ground. I flail and kick with horror in my eyes trying to free myself from his strong grip. Gally curses under his breath at the fight I put up. Alby gets closer and closer with his machete. "No... please Alby! I hate knives. No please, please," I pleaded. Alby takes my arm and turns it so my wrist is facing the quickly darkening sky above. I feel my arms shake with fear as I begin to feel lightheaded. I dig my nails into his forearm and pierce his skin harder until he lets go of my arm, just to grab it faster and he holds my wrist with an iron grip and he brings the machete closer to my skin. Inch, by inch. I can see the hairs on my arm sticking straight up in the reflection of the shiny machete. I squeeze my eyes shut as my whole body starts shaking. I try to turn my head away preparing for the blade to slice my skin. To feel my own warm blood run from the agonizing wound, only to be stolen and be used for god knows what by Alby and the rest of these sociopaths. But nothing comes. Suddenly I hear Albys barking laughter. Quickly followed by the rest of the boys. I open one of my eyes to see everyone laughing. A few boys on the ground or with their hands on their knees cracking up. I feel Gally's chest shake with laughter as he still restrains me. I let out a sigh of relief. It was all a joke. Not a very good one in my opinion, but the rest of them thought it was. Gally drops me but my knees were so weak from all the fear I fell straight to the ground. My body was still shaking against my will. Alby, while wiping the tears from his eyes, lowers a hand to help me up.