Complicated

Chapter 26: Greenie Day

The loud blaring alarm went off making me jump and slap my hands over my ears. The Shuck? I looked over at Vinny, Tim and Frypan.

"Greenie Alarm." Vinny yelled over the noise.

I nodded my head in understanding and followed the boys out. I wasn't sure how I felt. I had heard the guys beating if another girl was coming. I hoped so. It would be nice to not be the lone girl. But I didn't want to subject another girl to this hell.

I followed at the back of the crowd, trailing behind. They all surrounded the box hole. A few minutes later there was a loud grinding sound, meaning the box brought its next victim closer. With a loud clang, and another loud siren the box arrived. It made me flinch and shudder. The loud yells and last minute bets died into a tense excited silence. Only the muffled sounds of the kid in the box yelling for help were heard.

There was a collective groan. From the deep voice yelling and banging around everyone knew it was a guy. I watched as Alby ran a hand down his face, he looked around and found me standing in the very back. He gave me an apologetic look, like it was his fault. I gave him a shrug and a half sad smile. He looked back at the box.

"Newt? Gally? Would you do the shuck honour?" He indicated to the box.

The boys slid open the metal grate and then pulled the heavy metal doors wide open. As soon as the doors were open, the cursing and yelling could be heard clearly. This was one angry kid. Great I thought crossing my arms and grinding my teeth. Another hot head, like this place needed another one.

"Gally, I think this kid needs your welcoming. Minho? Be ready if we need." Alby instructed.

It happened to be Minho's running day off, he usually tried to schedule his days to avoid being around on Greenie day. He hated being in the glade when they arrived, and now I understand why. Watching from the other side, it was awful.

All the trauma of that day came flooding back. I closed my eyes and let myself take two deep breaths and then I shoved all the feelings back inside and locked them away for now. I turned my attention back to the box.

Gally had jumped down onto the box, and I could hear yelling and scuffling. With a dramatic sigh, Minho jumped into the box. A few more scuffling and thumping noises. The new kid was thrown up onto the grass. He scrambled to his feet, spinning in a circle a few times while the Gladers laughed and made fun of the poor kid. Even from the back of the crowd I could see this guy was tall, he had long greasy shaggy black hair.

I guess he found an opening in the Gladers and went for it, trying to make a run for it. Which unfortunately was straight at me.

I could see him double take and he slid to a stop. His eyes wide, and his mouth dropped open. All of a sudden his fear was replaced by a smirk.

"Why, hello gorgeous." He said.

His voice was horse from yelling. He smelled strongly of body odor and ammonia. I wrinkled my nose. Another shucked sleeze bag.

"Will you help me out? Those other guys are a lil' aggressive. I'm sure you have a gentler touch!"

"Doubt it." I snapped

"Aww come on gorgeous!" He reached out a hand.

"I'd stop while you're ahead." I snarled and smacked his hand away.

"Or what?" He asked me, with a cocky smirk.

"Or this."

With a drawn out sigh and shake of my head I slammed my fist into his jaw, sending him to the ground. The Gladers gathered around forming a tight circle. I shook my fist out.