You and Me (BOOK ONE)

3. Runner

"Mom," I asked. I was looking into a mirror and I was younger. Like 14 years old or something. "Yes, darling?" Mom asked. I was right. The woman from my other dream was my mother. "Why do I have to do these tests again?"

"So the right arm can figure out what WICKED's up to," she answered. "Then why are we at WICKED?" I asked. "So we can get a closer look. But don't worry, we'll get you and all your friends out before anything happens.."

Must be too late for that if these are actually memories. "Everyone? But what if WICKED's just trying to stop the Flare and isn't doing anything wrong?" I asked. "Because we know they are, Y/N. I'm just a doctor in control of the labs and a spy, they don't tell me much. But with this test... It can actually set the terms high," she said.

"Just.. Remember who you are, and who you came from. Remember all the pictures on this wall," she commanded. I looked at them intencefully and it came rushing back. Many memories.

Green grass. Young children laughing. But things weren't clear. What was the Flare? And what were these supposed 'tests' I had to do. I don't know.

I opened my eyes and woke up. I wanted to stay and think so bad but it was time to get to work and Newt was still sleeping. "Figures," I answered. I took a stick and hit him in the head. His eyes opened and he didn't show any side of pain. "You could've said 'wake up, shuckface,'" he said and I laughed.

"Get another dream?" he asked, straightening himself back up. "Yes. Another one, but more complicated," I said. "I'll save it for later. We have work to do and since then shuckfaces shucking ditched me, looks like I'm gardening with you.. And get ready for getting manure shoved into your face," I warned, poking his bridge in between his eyes.

He closed his eyes and smiled then sat up. "C'mon mate, it's time to get to work," he said, giving me his hand. I stood up with him climbed down the ladder and began walking over to the Gardens.

"Mornin', Newt. Y/N," Frypan said. "Morning, Fry," I answered.

Next, I saw a chubby boy running towards me. "Chuckles!" I yelled at him. Chuckles was and has been my nickname for Chuck for about a month now, since he was our new greenie last month. He hugged me and I hugged back.

He hugged Newt, with a wide grin on his face. He looked back at me and squinted. "Did Minho leave without you again?"

"Yeah. Turns out my second-in-command is trying to actually become second-in-command," I said. "But, who am I to whine? I've ran for 3 years straight. Yes, he's been here longer then me but yesterday was my first break," I rambled.

"Mm-hm," Newt sarcastically said. "It's true!" I yelled and we broke out laughing.

For the next few hours, we worked at the gardens, untying the knots in the plants. I eventually took off my jacket and tied it around my waist. I pulled up my sleeves and got back to work but through the corned of my eye, I could see Newt looking at me.

I began placing the fertilizer on the plants but my focus was shattered when I heard a familiar sound.

BUMMMMM! BUMMMM!

I took off towards the box, awaiting our new Greenie. I opened the gates, beside Gally and Newt. I could see a boy.. No, a man, that was scared about where he was. We've all been there. I reached down to him, but he scooted away.

"Gally.." I asked. "Uh-huh," he hopped down to the Greenie. "Day One, Greenie. Rise and Shine," he said, then he picked him up, and threw him on top of the grass. Everyone circled the boy, including me. He looked at us in fear. Without hesitation, he took off in a sprint.

"Oi!! We got a runner!" Zart yelled. I just stood there, watching his pace. It was steady and constant, until he fell, face planting to the floor. I began jogging over to him, but I could see him, facing the stone concrete wall that separated us from the outside world.