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

Chapter Six

Time working with the med-jacks has flown by. Frypan has already served dinner and the doors are about to close for the night. I saw Minho run back in earlier and I guess he's still mapping. Riddled with nerves I just stare at my food, at least I know I'm good at something if this gathering goes out the window. "You know you're meant to eat the food not shucking watch it!" Zart... "Hey shank!" He just laughs at my use of glader slang. "You're picking this up quicker than most greenies! So you looking forward to the gathering?" "What do you think! You'll be there right, 'cause you're a keeper." "Yeah, so will Clint, Winston and Gally. But don't worry about it! Do you want to sit with us?" I look at him perplexed by his question. Us? Does he mean the keepers? "Uh-yeah sure." What are you doing?! My mind and body having a fight with each other, I follow Zart whilst questioning my actions. "Hey Jo!" Clint greets as we approach the keepers. "Hi." I meekly respond avoiding the glare Gally is giving me. "We should hurry up, the gathering will be starting soon." Winston states before standing and heading towards the homestead. Gally follows but keeps on turning back to glare. Zart notices "Ignore him, he's still a bit annoyed at how you beat the klunk out of him!" I can't help but chuckle at that. "You should come and sit with us more if it will keep Gally quiet!" Clint says. "I think I will!" The boys laugh at me. "Come on then let's go before Alby throws a fit." Zart says whilst offering me his hand which I gladly take. The three of us walk chatting away. Well this is it.

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Inside the homestead there are eleven seats set out in a semi circle and two chairs at the front. Alby is sat in one of them with Newt leaning on the chair next to him. At the side a box is set down. Alby motions for me to sit on it, for some odd reason I feel like I'm on trial for murder. I shuffle to the box and sit crossed legged. All the keepers mill in and take their seats. Alby calls for order and the boys' murmuring subsides. Butterflies fill my stomach and I bounce my leg. "Right so I called this gathering to discuss what we're going to do with the she-bean Jo." He's talking like I'm not even in the room! Keep calm Jo, just bite your tongue like Newt said. "Yes she has only done two trials but she's made it obvious that she wants to be a runner-" before Alby can continue the boys break out into conversation. Great now look what I've caused! "Shut it!" Newt yells over the top of them. "As I was saying she wants to be a runner, which she has shown she is more than capable of. However a few of us have expressed our concern for her safety." He takes a moment before continuing. "So I have come up with an alternative job for her. She will be classed as a runner-" again the boys shout out protests. Guess they disagree.

"Finished?! Right so she will be classed as a runner but she won't go out into the maze, but if she does she will be treated the same as any other glader that does." What?! "Well what's the point in her being a runner?" Frypan chips in. Yeah what's the point?! "She'll train the new runners and other runners." Alby says simply. Murmurs break out again among the boys. "From what we've seen of her she can teach us a few new things, right Jo!" Minho says and nods at me. "Wait she's only been here three days and you're already-" "Gally slim it! You'll get your say in the vote. But I think it's important to her what Jo has to say about it first." Alby turns his attention to me. "Go on Jo, what do you think?" "What do I think? Well I do like the compromise that you came up with but honestly I don't think I could train the runners, they have the experience of what is actually out in the maze I don't." "You make a fair point Jo. Minho, what do you think?" Alby turns his attention over to the keeper. "Before you knock this, hear me out." Alby nods. "Jo's right about her not having the experience, so maybe she could run the maze just once." That's all Minho needed to say when the room erupted into chatter again. "Minho have you lost your shuck mind?!" Newt yells over the top, thanks for the confidence boost Newt! I roll my eyes, standing up and onto the box, I whistle over them. The room falls silent again. "Thanks Jo." I nod and sit back down on my box. "No I haven't Newt, if she just runs with us for one day. She'll be fine, Grievers rarely come out during the day and we won't go far so we'll be back in time before the doors close." The room fell to an eerie silence. "Minho. Newt. If this passes then you'll take Jo for the day. If anything she'll be the one to save your sorry butts!" I chuckle but turn it to a cough.

"I know I'm going to regret this but any other recommendations?" Gally shoots up out of his chair. "How about she just sticks to what we normally do, why change it for her? She still needs to try out for the other keepers!" Gally's voice rises with every word. "Ok Gally we hear you. You done?" Alby looks frustrated. At this Gally sits back down "I'm done." "Let's put this to a vote then. All those in favour of Jo being a runner and the runners' trainer." Slowly hands start to rise which surprises me. I mentally count them. Eleven out of thirteen. I look to see that Newt hasn't raised his hand. That shuck face! "Well Jo, it's official! You're our first trainer! Gathering adjourned." The boys start to file out, congratulating me as they pass. I'm frozen to my spot. Did that really just happen? I snap out of it and see Newt arguing with Alby and Minho. "I'm all for her being the trainer but does she really have to go out into the maze!" "Newt I know you're worried but seriously I've got you two with me! I know for a fact that you won't let me out of your sight, both of you that is." They seem surprised by my comment, well apart from Minho who looks like a proud mother! "Too right we won't let you out of our sight! Give her a break Newt, let her prove us wrong." "I agree with Minho, Newt. Jo you'll go out with them both tomorrow morning so go and get some rest." Alby dismisses me and I walk out and up to my room. I open the door and stumble back with shock. What in the? The supplies have been moved and some crude furniture has been put in the boxes' place. "Sorry." I jump back holding my hand over my heart.

Newt comes into my line of vision and leans on the door frame. "Sorry?" I ask. "For going against Alby's recommendation. It's just that I know what it's like out there and I don't want you to realise the truth behind this damn place." His response only surprises me in one aspect. "The truth? What do you-" "You'll understand tomorrow. Anyway how do you like your room?" I turn round briefly and then back to Newt. "You did this for me didn't you?" "Don't mention it. You didn't answer my question." I laugh. "It's brilliant, thank you!" "Like I said don't mention it. By the way, I found this-" he puts his hand in his pocket "-on the floor. Why do you want to keep it?" He hands me the shard of mirror. Do I tell him? Shuck it! "I found it and looked at my reflection. Seems stupid I know but my first night here I had a dream or a memory. There was this woman and well looking in the mirror I kind of see her. I think this woman is my mother." I'm looking and the shard and studying my green orbs. Sighing I look back at Newt who has a puzzled expression on his face. "You think you had a memory?" "Yeah why? Isn't that normal?" "Well not that I know of, I mean yeah I've had odd dreams about the outside world. Funny enough I never considered them to be memories. If anyone has had them they've never mentioned it." I'm the only one to remember, that doesn't seem possible. "Anyway it's late. Got to get up early before the doors open. See you then Jo." Newt walks out closing the door behind him. Why am I the only one to remember something?