I'm a Keeper (Gally and Thomas Fanfic) [#Wattys2016]

Chapter 2

"Greenie."
Manon woke with a start, and saw Newt standing a couple of feet from her, waiting patiently.
"What is it?" she asked wearily. "And I have a name by the way," she added.
"You ready for the Tour?" Newt asked, ignoring Manon's sneer.
"Sure, whatever." Manon rubbed her eyes, shaking off the morning grogginess. She climbed out of her hammock, and followed Newt into the cold morning air.
As they walked, Manon suddenly noticed the boy in front of her walked with a limp in his leg. She couldn't help but feel sorry for him, but also wondered what had happened.
The Glade looked peaceful, without any boys milling about. For the first time since her arrival she actually felt peaceful. I could get used to this, she thought. She looked around, and realized this was the first time she paid attention to her surroundings. Everyone was trapped inside a big square, surrounded by enormous walls. The doors in the walls were closed, cutting off their, supposedly, only way out. The terrain consisted mainly of grass, with a small forest in the southwest corner. It was called the Glade, Manon recalled.
"We call this the Glade," said Newt, mirroring Manon's thoughts. "But you already knew that."
Manon nodded.
"We call ourselves Gladers, and since you're one of us now, you're one too." Newt paused for second. "The Glade is cut into four sections. We have the Gardens, where we grow our own crops. The Bloodhouse, where we raise and slaughter animals. The Homestead, where we basically live, and the Deadheads, where the graveyard is located." Then he pointed to the cage Manon arrived in just yesterday. "That is the Box. It brings us a new Greenie every month, and it provides us with new supplies every week."
Manon cast a quick glance at the Box, but immediately felt an eerie chill down her spine as the memories from the day before flooded her mind. She quickly turned to look at Newt. "And what's out there?" she asked, nodding at the massive walls behind him.
Newt frowned, as if unsure about the answer. "Shall I show you the different jobs we have?" he then asked, ignoring Manon's question.
Just then Manon noticed that the Glade had come to life. Gladers were walking around, talking to each other. Some were shouting. But most of the boys stared at Manon, making her feel uncomfortable.
Newt noticed this. "Listen Greenie," he said, ignoring Manon's dirty look, "you're the only girl in this bloody place, and I bet you can have any guy you want. But if you're feeling uncomfortable or anything, just come to me, okay? With me you'll be safe."
Manon was surprised by Newt's sudden act of friendliness, but decided that it would be better to just accept the offer. Plus, she did feel safe with Newt.
"Good that," she said, while she put on a shy smile. Newt smiled back, it was good to hear her getting accustomed to the slang of the Glade.
Her smile disappeared instantly as a loud boom exploded through the air, followed by a horrible crunching, grinding sound. She looked up, panicking, but only saw the massive doors opening. She hesitated for a split second, but as curiosity got the better of her, she ran towards the entrance of whatever was out there.
"You again?" Manon suddenly heard behind her. Her heart leaped as she recognized the cold voice. She didn't need to turn around to know that it was Gally.
He grabbed her wrist and forced her to look at him. She let out a small cry as she felt his strong grip.
"What'd I tell you about leaving the Glade?" Gally sneered. Then he turned to Newt, who had just arrived at the scene. "This girl is useless. She's constantly breaking our rules, and if we don't put an end to it now, who knows what she'll do? This Greenie could be a danger to us all!"
"And what's your use, huh? Making people feel welcome at the Glade?" Manon spat back, desperately trying to hold back the upcoming tears.
Gally returned his gaze to Manon, and for a moment Manon thought she saw something flicker in his eyes.
Then he turned back to Newt. "I vote a night in the Slammer."
Newt looked confused. "Why? She didn't break a single rule."
"Maybe not yet, but it's not going to take long before she does. And what was that word again that you so shuckin' loved?" asked Gally, immediately answering the question himself. "Right. Order." Gally tightened his grip on Manon's wrist even more, causing Manon to let out a small yelp again. "Slim it," he said to her, without looking her in the eye.
Manon looked helplessly to Newt, but she saw immediately that he was going to give in.
"Fine," Newt said. "But you'll have to bloody feed her."
Gally's expression was furious. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again after a moment. He shot Newt an infuriated look, before he dragged Manon along to the Slammer, putting her in one of the small areas.
"And don't you dare make a sound, Greenie," he said loathingly, before slamming the door shut and walking away.

Night had fallen in the Glade and gradually the voices of the Gladers died down, as they were going to bed. Every time someone passed by, Manon looked up, hoping it would be Newt or someone else, but no one stopped.
She didn't know how long she'd been sitting there in the Slammer all alone when she heard footsteps coming her way once again. She didn't bother looking up, but did when the footsteps stopped in front of her.
"Feeding time," she heard Gally say. Manon sighed, ignoring him. Gally was the last person on earth she wanted to see now.
When Manon didn't respond, Gally crouched down, peering through the bars. When his gaze met Manon's, he gestured at the food. "Aren't you hungry?"
As an answer, Manon's stomach began to growl. Gally let out a small laugh. "Enjoy your meal." He stood up and started to walk away.
"Gally." Manon walked to the wooden bars.
"Yeah?" He immediately came back at the mention of his name.
"What is wrong with you?" Manon was surprised by how neutral her voice sounded. She studied Gally's reaction, and saw that he was taken aback by her question. It lasted only for a second, then his gaze hardened.
"Wrong with me?" he scowled. "There's nothing wrong with me, Greenie. Besides, I'm not the one sitting all by myself in the Slammer, now am I?"
Manon sighed. "But why do you hate me so much?" she tried again, in an attempt to get some answers.
"Hate you?" Gally leaned in closer, until their lips were almost touching.
Manon didn't move, she just stared into his eyes, wondering what he was about to do.
"I don't hate you, slintheaded Greenie. I'm just playing by the rules. Which I suggest you should do as well."
Then he stood up, and walked away briskly, leaving Manon astounded.