Not Your Average Glader (Completed)

Chapter 4: What keeps us sane

Newt, Minho and I part ways. I need to be alone. To sort my thoughts. As I lean against the base of a tree my thoughts take off and I'm lost in them:

'What does my dream mean exactly? Why is Alby so angry with me? Why does he insist on not going into the maze? Where does the maze lead to?'

My thought are inturptted when Bark strolls over and lays down beside me.

As I pat his head I say, "You got me in this situation. I hope you're happy."

Bark looks up and tilts his head. Almost as if to say "Wasn't this what you wanted?"

I sigh and shake my head. No use arguing with a dog. He lays back down and I continue to pat his head. I suddenly notice a presence close by.

"I don't bite." I say bluntly to whoever is lurking nearby. I'm not in the mood to dance around questions. Bark perks up and patiently waits.

The figure walks around from behind a tree and keeping some distance, he says,

"Does the dog?"

I look at the boy. He is small, young and timid. I notice his eyes are red, most likely from overecessive crying.

"No, Bark doesn't bite."

The boy relaxes a little and I can tell he wants to pet the dog.

"Were you talking to the dog?"

I give a smile. "He's the most friendly person around here."

The boy nods and takes a step closer.

"You must have really long arms." I say in a serious tone.

"What do you mean?"

"If you can pet him standing all the way over there."

The kid smiles, gives in, and sits down, Bark sitting in between us. He pets him and Bark licks him in the face.

"So what's your name?" I ask.

"John." He says, concentrating on Bark.

"I'm Graham."

"I know, you started to give a speech earlier."

I nod, and say nothing as I wonder how I should respond if he asks about the maze. I'd prefer not having the company of a crying kid.

Instead he surprises me. "Do you cry yourself to sleep?"

"No I haven't, do you?"

He sighs and looks at me with his brown eyes that hold both fear and honesty.

"I'm trying not to anymore."

I smile and before I know what I'm doing, I awkwardly pat him on the shoulder.

"Never be ashamed to cry."

John looks back at Bark who has had an overdose of love and attention and has fallen asleep.

"Bark is friendly, isn't he?"

Before I can respond I hear the shouting before I see it. A large group is gathered around in a circle.

"What's going on?" Asks John with a hint of fear in his voice.

"I'll find out. You stay here with Bark, ok?"

John nods and scoots closer to the dog. I stand and jog over to the commotion. Weaving my way to the front I can see Alby and Newt are the cause of this.

"You stand over here." Newt commands as an older boy obeys.

"We didn't call you over here, runner."

I'm surprised when I realize the speaker is addressing me. But I'm a little annoyed to see Alby standing there, glaring at me.

"Runner?" Is all I ask.

"That's what you do isn't it? Unless you have come to your senses and decided to forgot the maze."

"I am a runner." I reply. My heart beat quickness at the name. It makes me want to run laps around this place and never stop until I find an exit.

"Fine, now go away." He turns his back on me.

"Graham! Glad you are here, this is progress in the making!" Newt says cheerfully as he stands beside me and gestures to the chaos.

"You call this progress?"

"In the making." He corrects. "Stand over here and take it all in."

He leads me off to the side and starts to walk away. I feel as if I'm an extra sock and am being discarded.

"So in a nicer way than Alby, your telling me to get lost?" I say angrily.

Newt stops and gives me a look. "We have you to thank for finally having some order around here. And don't mind Alby he's just cranky, can you blame him?"

Before I can answer he turns on his heel and rushes back to the 'progress in the making'. I try to understand why Alby is the way he is. Being dumped who knows where, for who knows how long with no answers. Aren't we all going through that? What makes him so different?

Before long, Alby quickly gets everyone's attention.

"We are going to have order around here. Jobs, chores and schedules." He begins firmly.

"No more moping about, wasting food and crying all night. We are going to grow up and show whoever put us here that we are stronger than they think!"

A few kids actully clap.

'Wow, he's good at this speaking stuff.'

Alby continues. "Starting today we are going to have work and order. Standing with me here are what I call the keepers. Zart is in charge of the gardens, Frypan is in charge of the food, Winston is over the animals and Ben is in charge of building. We are going to deal with the most important tasks first. Buildings, animals, food and the gardens."

"I'm going to call out a name and you go to which keeper I tell you. We can work out the details later but for now just do as I say."

I watch and listen as kid after kid is called up and they obediently go where they are told. Until all but one is left standing.

Minho frowns and puts his hands on his hips.

"What about me?"

Alby gives a wicked grin. "Who could ever forget you?"

Minho drops his hands and waits expediently.

Newt speaks up. "Your job is to help us with whatever we say."

"We?" He asks sarcastically.

"I'm second in command." Says Newt.

'That's news to me.' I think.

"All your fighting and trouble you've caused has earned you a bad reputation. The Glade is going to be peaceful and safe. So we are keeping a close eye on you."

"And when the jail is built you are sentenced to two days." Newt finishes almost with a little glee in his tone.

"WHAT?!" Minho exclaims.

Turning to all the kids Alby speaks,
"Let his punishment be a warning. No more fighting, arguing or trouble. Everyone understand?"

No one has much to say and everyone scatters to begin their work. Except Minho. I can hear him arguing with Alby to change his mind, which is useless.

A/N
What do you think of John? Hope you all are enjoying this!