➊ 𝐑𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 - 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐨, ᵗᵐʳ

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐: 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

I was lying beside Chuck on a quiet side of the Glade he'd shown me earlier. I didn't really care that my clothes were still in Newt's hut, this place felt like the best option. The stars shone brightly above, completely unaware of the mess we were in. They couldn't answer any of our questions.

The only other light came from the moon, casting a soft glow on Chuck's face. To me, he was like a little brother—way more than Ben ever was.

"You and Minho remind me of Li Shang and Mulan," Chuck mumbled sleepily.

I turned to him, eyebrows raised.

"You're the only girl in the Glade, and you're way stronger than half of us. Minho's Asian and... well, I think he's got a thing for you."

His reference made me realize that even though most of our memories were gone, some things—like childhood movies—remained. The Creators chose what we forgot, but maybe those tiny pop culture references were our only loophole.

"I don't think so," I chuckled, smiling. "How come we remember that, but not our real lives?"

"Creator stuff," he sighed, then yawned. "Tell me you remember Ratatouille."

I gave him a teasing look. "Who do you think I am? Best movie."

"We should ask Frypan to make some."

I laughed. "Yeah, we'll do that. 'Night, Chuck."

"Goodnight, Eve."

He fell asleep before I did, of course he did. Poor kid was probably used to sleeping on the grass. I lay awake a bit longer, staring at the stars until their numbers blurred and Chuck's steady breathing lulled me to sleep.

༄༄༄

Alby warned me about the Builders, but I still wasn't prepared for how they looked at me, like I was some useless piece of klunk. Their gazes were sharp and judging, and I tried not to let it get to me.

Gally looked especially pissed when I arrived. He stepped toward me with a sour expression.

"Save me the 'I hate you' speech," I said before he could open his mouth. "I don't wanna be here either, Gally."

"I don't hate you, Greenie," he grunted. "I just wanted to initiate you, but your little buddy wouldn't let me."

Chuck. Of course.

"What did you have in mind anyway?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe showing you around instead of getting my balls kicked? With most Greenies, we have a little scrap by the bonfire, it helps jog their memory. That was the whole point. But with you?" He shrugged with his usual grumpy face. "I wouldn't have done that."

"Why? 'Cause you were scared I'd humiliate you and kick your ass again?"

He stepped closer, his fists tightening. I was definitely pushing his buttons. Maybe he thought punching people would help them remember who they were. Personally, I thought time was better than violence.

"Quite the opposite," he muttered.

"Don't wanna get your balls kicked again, do you?"

A snort came from behind him. One of the Builders had laughed, bad move. Gally turned and nearly slapped him on the spot, storming away instead.

He's mad, that's one thing, but he is the Keeper which means he was supposed to be showing me how to do the job. Now I don't think he would. Soon the others got back to work and I was still standing here waiting for instructions.

"Just grab this and follow me."

Before I could react, a box of tools was shoved into my hands. I looked up to see a Builder already walking off.