Different (The Maze Runner)

Chapter 4

The next morning I wake up to a horrible screeching sound. I fall out of my hammock, covering my ears. "AH!"

I hear people running towards me. I can smell them, too. I see Alby at the entrance to the Deadheads. Which is like, a quarter of a mile away. How can I see him?

A minute later the screeching stops. But I remain on the ground, covering my ears.

Alby gets to me and kneels next to me. "You okay?"

I nod slightly, my head pounding. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"What was that?"

"I don't know. I just heard this horrible sound, and it was the only thing i could hear, and it hurt like hell."

"The doors just opened. That might've been it. But we've never had that happen to someone before. You sure you're okay?"

I nod and say "I'm fine. Sorry to scare you." I slowly stand up, holding my head in agony.

"I'll bring you to the medjacks."

I nod and he leads me out of the Deadheads, over to the medjack station.

"Is she the one who screamed?" Jeff walks over to us. "You okay?"

I nod and say "I'm fine I've just got a headache."

"Just sit and relax for a while."

"I'm fine."

"A scream like that doesn't say fine to me. Sit."

I roll my eyes and sit in a chair. Alby leaves, and I'm stuck here for about ten minutes. I'm forced to take an aspirin for my headache, then I'm allowed to go to breakfast. While I was there I also met Clint.

I go to the Homestead, get my food, and sit at a table across from Newt.

"You okay?"

I sigh and say "I'm fine."

"What happened?"

"The walls opening just killed my head. Too loud for me."

"Is that gonna happen every day?" I can hear a small hint of concern in his voice. With his accent, it even sounds kind of cute.

"God, I hope not." I take a bite out of my sandwich. I suddenly smell something kind of... gross. I can't describe what it smells like, but it smells like... I don't know. Concern, maybe? It's coming from Newt, so for all I know he just stinks. I put my sandwich down, suddenly not hungry anymore.

"You okay?"

I nod. "Lost my appetite."

"How?"

"Something in here reeks."

He laughs and says "you'll get used to it. You're in a field in the hot sun with a bunch of sweaty teenage guys. Something's gonna reek."

I cover my nose and say "well I'm not eating until it doesn't smell anymore. God, those people need to send up some air freshener or something."

He laughs again. "You'll get used to it eventually."

I push my sandwich away and say "so where do I go for uh, whatever they're called. Gardeners?"

"Track-Hoes."

I nod and say "well where do I go for that?"

"I do that too, I'll show you."

I nod and wait as he finishes his breakfast then leads me out to the gardens.