𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝚁𝚄𝙽𝙽𝙴𝚁 (𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊z𝚎 𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚛; 𝙼𝚒𝚗𝚑𝚘)

Chapter II

XxXxXxXx

AIlie was just going over some supplies in the Homestead, making sure everything was at its place, when she heard commotion outside.

The Greenie arrived.

As she neared the box the voices, got clearer, and she stopped.

"Look at that shank."

"How old, is he?"

"Looks like a Stunt in a T-shirt"

"You are the Slunk, shuck-face."

"Dude, it smells like feet down there!"

"Hope you enjoyed the one-way trip, Greenie."

"Ain't no ticket back bro."

One of the boys lowered a rope down the box for the Greenie to latch on as he did. As he was yanked up with the help of the boys, everyone got quite to take a good look at him. He was taller than Allie, but then again most of the boys were. He had a long sleeve T-shirt and brown pants. Nothing special when it comes to fashion in the Glade. His hair was dark and his nose had the button' thing going on. His bright blue eyes staired wide as he tried to make sense of his surroundings.

"Nice to meet ye shank. Welcome to the Glade."

And with that the silent spell was broken. Now everyone was talking, overlapping each other, wanting to speak to the Grennie.

"Look at the Greenbean." said Gally "Gonna break his shuck neck checking out the new digs." causing sever of the boys to laugh.

I was already preparing to come closer and say something, but Newt seemed to have it handled. "Shut you hole Gally." Now Newt was a sweetheart, but he wasn't second in command for nothing.

"Where am I?" asked the boy.

Nowhere good Allie thought at the same time Alby said the exact sentence out loud. Allie knew Alby was taking over so she turned around and walked right back in the Homestead to continue her work.

XxXxXxXx

It was sometime later. Allie finished her rounds and went to the hut with map, already waiting for the runners to come back. Suddenly Alby came rushing through the door; Newt right behind him,

"That kid will be trouble." Alby said with scowl.

"He is a curious one." Newt added when he saw the confused expression on Allies face.

"He has no respect." continued Alby.

"He is not scared to ask." depanded the sandy blond boy.

Allie couldn't help but chuckle. "He will be fun, won't he."

"Where's he now." the smile still visible on her lips.

"I sended Thomas with Chuck." answered Newt. And Allie just nodded. It was standard for Newbies to stay with each other at least for first few days. Made it easier for them to adapt.

The only girl in Glade turned to her oldest friend and her smile softened. "Alby, just breath. It'll be fine."

But Alby's mind did not ease up "We'll see, I have a bad feelin' 'bout him."

That made Allie scrunch her eyebrows in wory. She didn't believe that the Greenie would hurt somebody, but she also knew Alby for longer than anybody else, and if he truly felt like the new boy is bad news, she wouldn't discard his instinctual feelings. But before she could ask Alby what exactly he meant by that, the Runners came in with Minho upfront, scared look on his face.

"Ben had been stung."

XxXxXxXx

It has been few days.

During this time, she observed a pattern: different parts of the wall opened each day. Having set up a small camp by one of the trees, Allie contemplated the possibilities that lay beyond the walls. A longing for connection and a desire to find answers fueled her decision to explore the unknown space. Maybe the hall leaded to another courtyard like hers, and there she would find more people. Or maybe she would find a way out. Maybe out there would be someone waiting for her.

The night before, she made up her mind. With a mix of anticipation and trepidation, Allie stood near the gate that had opened just minutes ago, but Allie was yet to move.

You won't figure out anything if you give into fear. Allie thought before stepping out of the courtyard with a deep breath as if she was expecting for something to happen. But as she breathed out nothing did.

Allie cast one final glance over her shoulder, taking in the familiar sight of the glade with its towering walls and the tree by which her camp was nestled. It was a moment of uncertainty, a farewell to the known, and a step into the enigmatic maze that lay ahead.

In that moment, she couldn't fathom the twists and turns, the challenges and revelations waiting for her beyond those stone walls. With determination etched on her face, she began to march forward.