Gally...

Deal or No Deal

2 Years 9 Months- In The Glade

I'm looking over the request for the box when the alarm goes off. I'm on my feet within seconds and jog toward the box with all the other gladers. I push past them so that I can peer inside the grate obscures most of the view, but once it's pulled up I see another boy. I don't know why, but my stomach churns even though I know better than to get my hopes up for another girl. "Minho, get him," I order the boy who jumps down into the box without question. The boy that comes tumbling out onto the ground looks strong. 

He has brown shoulder-length hair and matching brown eyes, he looks frantic, like he's a caged animal. I don't have to give an order for the boys to go through their usual steps. Grab the greenie, toss him in the pits, and then you'll see 'em during the bonfire. We found out early on greenies were not comfortable with just jumping into the tour. With the muscles on that one, he might've knocked a few guys out if given the chance. As the greenie is carried off I return to the homestead.

I'm reading a request list from the cooks when I'm pulled out of my thoughts. "When's the fighting pit start?" Gally asks from the doorway, I don't bother to look up at him as I speak "Right after the bonfire starts, so you should start resting up Gal," I tell him as I mark off one of the requests from the cooks, and write the others down on a note pad. "Do I get to make any deals on the fights?" He continues pestering "Didn't you already?" I ask and his brows furrow "One deal a night?" he asks and I finally look up at him.

"One deal ever. You are barking up the wrong tree, Gally," I tell him and he narrows his eyes "Then maybe I just lose every fight, let the gladers take you for all you've got," he attempts to threaten and I glare back at him "Not a good idea, Keeper," I tell him using the title to remind him of his position. "Reputation goes a long way in here. If you lose they'll remember if you let someone slide on their duties because it's hot or cold, or they have a headache, they'll remember. The gladers are good workers because they have to be there's no room for anything else here, but you give them an inch and they'll take you for all you've got," I tell him and Gally's jaw clenches knowing I'm right. 

"I won't do this if there's nothing else in it for me," Gally says firmly and I lean slightly against the table. "Fine, one deal per bonfire, but you lose one fight and the deal is off," I tell him and he nods finally leaving me to get some work done. I have to fight groaning in frustration, if only I didn't need him to fight and everything would be so much simpler.  I finally finish going over the request and head to the box with the list where Alby stands inside waiting to let the box go back down. "Put this in there," I tell him handing him the list and he nods grabbing it and setting it in the middle of the box. Without a word, he raises his hand out for me to grab hold of it and I do helping to pull him out.

Once he's out the box begins its descent back down to wherever the hell it came from.