Boxes [The Maze Runner ~ Newt] [BOOK 1]

Eyes

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The blaring alarm didn't frighten all the other Gladers like it did with Marie. It was a loud, unsettling noise that set Marie's teeth on edge every time it rang in the air. Just after everyone had finished breakfast, the Box was slowly getting closer to the surface of the Glade. The new Greenbean had finally arrived.

Thirty days, Marie thought, thirty days I've been here and it feels as if I showed up just yesterday. For a moment Marie hoped the Greenie would be a girl so she wouldn't be so alone in this place, but she knew she'd have to wait and find out what the Creators had in store for them.

Everyone hurried to the center of the Glade. All the Gladers eagerly surrounded the Box and murmured excitedly as the lift slowly came to a halt. Marie had made her way to the front of the crowd throughout all the subtle chaos. She felt a light tap on her right shoulder once the Box finally stopped. She spun around on her heel to see Ty looking at her with a crooked grin on his face.

"I guess it's time to let go of your Greenbean status," the boy chuckled.

"It's like I've been looking forward to this moment my entire life."

Everyone turned their heads back to the Box as its doors shifted open. The Gladers were keen to poke their heads in to see the Newbie but stepped aside to make room for Nick and Newt who were carrying a long rope. Marie rolled her eyes when spotted Alby behind Newt eagerly waiting for him to ask for help.

"Is it another girl?" a random Glader asked.

"Don't get your hopes up, ya shuck," Nick remarked. "It's a boy."

There was a collected sigh amongst the Gladers and Marie found it impossible to not roll her eyes at the boys.

Newt handed Nick the rope as he reached the edge of the pit. The Greenbean was already frantically shaking by the time Nick landed his eyes on him.

"It's smooth sailing from here, Greenie," Nick assured the boy as he lowered the rope into the Box. "C'mon, you gotta get outta that box some time."

There was a moment of dead silence before all the Gladers saw the rope being tugged on by the Greenbean. Newt and Alby immediately helped Nick pull back the rope as the boy rose out of the Box. It wasn't long until everyone could see the Newbie standing before them. He had pale freckled skin and red hair with bright blue eyes to match. The boy looked around 17 years old with a somewhat toned and muscular body. Even with his vaguely intimidating structure, he looked mortified. His eyes had a look of absolute terror lurking within them as he turned his head in all directions, all the Gladers giving their silent judgments.

"He looks like a lost puppy," Marie whispered.

"You're one to judge," Ty responded. "You looked just the same."

The red-haired boy turned to Nick and Newt with tears glistening in his eyes. "W-where am I?"

"Slim it, Greenie," Nick said calmly. "I'll explain everything in a bit."

"Can you tell us your name?" Newt spoke up.

The boy hastily nodded. "Joe," he muttered. "My name's Joe."

Nick smiled at the Greenie. "Welcome to the Glade, Joe."

He definitely didn't feel welcomed. Marie was in his shoes not even thirty days ago. Everyone there had been in his shoes. And to watch someone go through something you had experienced was like looking at a mirror. Marie wanted to help the boy, but there wasn't much she could do. It's all about perspective, Marie thought. She knew that if she went back thirty days ago and someone tried assuring her that coming to the Glade was something she'd have to accept and get used to, she'd scream. She'd yell and shout and cry for help so someone could get her out of there. Helping Joe was out of Marie's hands.