Survival of the Heart

Chapter Two: A New Reality

Morning came abruptly in the Glade. The harsh clang of a metal bell startled Ava awake, and she sat up, momentarily disoriented. She rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath, reminding herself that this strange new place was now her reality.

The other boys were already up, moving with practiced efficiency. She followed their lead, pulling on the simple clothes she had been given. As she stepped out into the bright morning light, she was met with the buzz of activity.

"Greenie! Over here!" Alby called out, waving her over. "Time for you to meet the Keepers. They're the ones in charge of the different areas of the Glade."

Ava nodded, joining him. A group of boys stood waiting, each one giving her a quick once-over.

"Alright," Alby began, "these are the Keepers. You'll be working with them until we figure out where you fit best. That's Newt, our second-in-command," he said, gesturing to a tall, blond boy who offered her a kind smile.

"I'm Gally," said a boy with a stern face, his muscles rippling under his shirt. "I'm the Keeper of the Builders. We keep this place standing."

"And I'm Frypan," another boy chimed in, wiping his hands on a stained apron. "I run the kitchen. Hope you can cook, Greenie."

Ava smiled nervously, her eyes darting to the boy who stood a little apart from the group, leaning casually against a wall. Thomas.

"And that's Minho," Alby continued, pointing to a boy with a confident stance. "He's the Keeper of the Runners. They're the ones who go out into the Maze every day."

Minho gave her a nod. "Welcome to the Glade, Greenie."

The introductions continued, and Ava tried to absorb as much information as possible. Her gaze kept drifting back to Thomas, who watched her with an unreadable expression.

Once the introductions were over, Alby clapped his hands together. "Alright, let's get to work. Ava, you'll be helping out in the gardens today. Zart will show you the ropes."

Zart, a quiet boy with a serious demeanor, led her to the garden area. They spent the morning weeding, planting, and harvesting vegetables. The work was hard, but it gave Ava a sense of purpose. The repetitive motions and the feel of the earth under her fingers were oddly soothing.

During a break, Zart handed her a canteen of water. "So, how are you holding up?"

Ava took a sip and nodded. "It's a lot to take in, but I'm managing."

"You'll get used to it," Zart said. "We all did."

As the day wore on, Ava found herself falling into a rhythm. The initial shock of her arrival was fading, replaced by a determination to adapt and survive. She still had no memories of her past, but she was slowly beginning to understand the dynamics of the Glade.

In the evening, after a hearty dinner prepared by Frypan, Ava wandered over to the Deadheads, a wooded area where the boys often went to relax. She found a quiet spot and sat down, gazing at the sunset. The sky was a canvas of oranges and pinks, a stark contrast to the looming walls of the Maze.

"Mind if I join you?" a voice asked.

She turned to see Thomas standing there, his hands in his pockets.

"Sure," she said, scooting over to make room.

Thomas sat down beside her, silence stretching between them. Finally, he spoke. "First day's always the hardest. You did good, Greenie."

"Thanks," Ava replied, glancing at him. "It's... a lot to process."

Thomas nodded, his eyes reflecting the fading light. "I know. I felt the same way when I got here. But you'll find your place."

Ava studied him for a moment. "You seem different from the others. Like you understand more than you let on."

Thomas chuckled softly. "Maybe. Or maybe I just hide it better."

They sat in companionable silence, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Ava felt a strange sense of comfort being near him, as if they were connected in some inexplicable way.

"Why do you think we're here?" she asked suddenly.

Thomas sighed, his expression serious. "I don't know. But I do know that we have to stick together if we want to survive."

Ava nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. She didn't have all the answers, but she was starting to understand that in the Glade, survival was a team effort. And maybe, just maybe, Thomas was the key to unlocking the secrets of her past and the mysteries of the Maze.

As night fell, Ava made her way back to the sleeping quarters, a new resolve settling over her. She didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but she was ready to face it head-on. After all, in this strange new world, every day was a fight for survival, and she was determined to win.