W.I.C.K.E.D's Girl [Book One]

Chapter Five

Midday and my body aches from the constant crouching. Pulling weeds is easy but my back disagrees. Zart has been fairly easy on me, helping me out as much as possible. "Thanks." "For what?" He asks bemused. "For helping me out and putting up with me. I know I'm completely useless at this!" I explain as I put some tomatoes in a basket. "No need to thank me she-bean. And no, you're not useless, in fact you've done better than most greenies!" He praises me. "I'm guessing that you don't want to do this every day though. Any of the other jobs that catches your eye?" Do I tell him that I want to be a runner? "Med-Jack seems good. But I-" I cut myself off "-it doesn't matter." "No go on, what else?" Zart pushes me for an answer. "Iwantobearunner." I mumble quickly. "Sorry didn't quite catch that." "I said that I want to be a runner." I say slowly but quietly. He scoffs. "What's wrong with that?" Feeling quite hurt. "Nothing! It's just yeah your perfect for the job, being a really fast shank, but do you know what it's like in there?" "No but what makes me so different compared to the others?!" I raise my voice, he looks away. "It's because I'm a girl isn't it?" "No. I'm just saying that you've only been here a day and your wanting to go into there! The maze shucks with your mind Jo! It messes you up!" His face stern. "Again what makes me any different from the others?" He sighs. "Look if you want to you'll have to speak to Minho or Alby, but they'll tell you the exact same thing." We both fall into silence for the rest of the day.

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The runners got back before everyone else finished for the day. Now I was sat on my own eating. Newt and Minho are sat with Alby and the other keepers. All the other boys glance at me but don't sit with me. Why am I being isolated like this? Not being able to deal with the looks anymore, I stand and head off to the Deadheads. It's getting late and the doors have already closed meaning it will be dark soon. Twigs snap underneath my feet and leaves crunch as I walk around. Without a thought I climb a tree and sit in the canopy. Relaxing, listening to the drowning chatter of the Gladers, a flash of silver and red across the floor averts my attention. It scurries up the trunk and along the branch. It stops in front of me. I study it, a metallic insect of some sort with glowing red and W.I.C.K.E.d. written across it. As I study it, it appears to study me. Slowly, trying not to alarm it, I reach my hand out towards it. Before I touch it, it darts off the branch and away from me. Odd. I sit back against the trunk again and let my mind wonder. I don't realise it but I'm humming. Words fill my mind "Summertime. And the livin' is easy. Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high."

Snap. My head snaps up. Snap. I crouch on the branch and control my breathing. Adrenaline courses through my veins, my hearing heightens. Snap. A silhouette creeps through the trees. "Hey, any shank sneaking round here?" It's just Minho. I jump down and he jumps back, clutching his chest. "Shuck!" he exclaims. "Sorry, but to be fair you were sneaking as well." I retort whilst he catches his breath. "You-know-you-remind-me-of-some-kind-of-I-don't-know-chipmunk!" He says in between breaths. "Chipmunk?" "Yeah, chipmunk! That's what I'm gunna call you now!" Great. I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. "What are you doing out here anyway?" I shrug "Don't know. Wanted to think things over." Minho looks at me as if he wants me to elaborate. Now's your chance to ask. "I was thinking about what I wanted to do around the Glade." "And?" Go on Jo. "I want to be a runner." Minho just looks at me, studying me, he doesn't let any sign slip. "Well chipmunk, you're certainly fast enough but it's not just about speed." I nod to show I understand. "You've got to be able to remember every shucking detail of the maze as well as your way around. Be able to spot the slightest change all whilst sprinting and knowing when to head back. Oh and then there's the Grievers, but that's only if you get stuck in there over night." "So what you're saying is that you've got to be quick, observant and have a good memory." "Pretty much." It goes quiet for a beat. "I'll recommend you to Alby." Minho shrugs it off and walks away.