I'll be here

Chapter 3-He's gone

The Glade is a strange place. There are only two girls, Teresa and I. The rest are boys and it isn't nice at all. As soon as I step out of the med-jack hut all eyes are on me, so I feel for Newts' hand for comfort. "Newt, why are they all staring at me?" I ask, my voice hoarse and barely audible.

At my unexpected movement, I feel Newt stiffen up, so I pull away, embarrassed. Then, he reaches for my hand and smiles at me reassuringly."Well, you were unexpected, because we were told that Teresa over there," he points to Teresa with his free hand, the only other girl in the glade, who has chocolatey brown hair that has a faint wave running through it, " was the last person EVER. So basically, we thought the box wasn't going down again, but we're guessing that it did last night, and whoever put us here sent you up to...The Glade." He emphasised the last two words while waving his hands around signalling that this entire place was The Glade.

"Anyway, enough of that.Come with me, I'll show you to your hammock." He takes me to a small woodland area that has hammocks tied lazily to every tree that can be found. " Here we are, your very own bed; make yourself at home." It is amazing. Instead of being slung lazily around the tree trunks,it is knotted neatly around the branches so that it is as comfy as comfy can be. Some vines are intertwined within the loose bark of the trunks and the dainty petals of primrose flowers are strewn around the roots of the large oaks.

"Wow, this is..." I gasp.

Newt finishes my sentence for me, "beautiful, I know. It was nothing really."

He is smiling slightly.

"You did this? That's so sweet." I coo, my hand sits firmly above my heart.

"We're having a special celebration tonight because a new glader has arrived."

"Who is it?" I ask. Newt chuckles and I mentally slap myself, realising my mistake. "Hehehe very funny. It's me, isn't it?" Newt nods.

That night I learn that your first evening in the glade, will probably always be your best. Everything is merry. There is dancing, singing, chatting and it turns out that dancing is my favourite. As I dance happily around the camp fire with Teresa, Chuck and Frypan, I can't help but notice Newt watching me as he chats to Thomas at the edge of the woods. He has a joyful smile as he does so. I don't know why. Maybe he wants to join in. I think to myself. I wait till the current song finishes and Thomas has left, then go over to the log he is propped up against and sit down next to him. "Hi Newt!"I say with an innocent tone to my voice.

"Hi." He replies.

"Would you like to come and dance?" I question.

"No thanks.Go continue your dancing, as long as your happy, I'm happy." His concern for my well-being adds to my never-ending suspicion.

"You sure? Cause if you want me to I can stay here."

He hesitates then says,"no, I'm fine, really."

I smile weakly. "Bye then."

'Screams echo around the Glade. Newt and I hurry out of the med-jack hut and ask what is going on. The doors haven't closed. I see Minho standing in front of the maze entrance ordering everyone to take cover as a Griever approaches him from behind. "MINHO, LOOK OUT!" I scream as I grab a spear that is laying discarded on the floor. I haul it at the Griever and it topples over. Gally and a few others hide in the box while many others are thrown about like rag dolls, their bodies laying lifeless on the scarlet, blood-stained grass. Minho, Alby, Teresa, Chuck, Newt, Thomas, some other Gladers and I hide in a small hut. We hear a Griever outside, waiting to pounce at the right moment. All of a sudden, it reaches in with it's tail and grabs Chuck. We pull with all our might but it is no use, the Griever is winning in this life or death tug of war. Then, Alby starts bashing the Grievers' tail. Chuck is safe. We all breathe a sigh of relief. "Alby!" I scream. The Griever reaches in again hoping to get something good in it's lucky dip game. It grabs hold of Alby's body, immediately pulling him out this time. He's gone.'