If There Is A Light

Chapter 4

Sleep was hard to come by in the Glade for a few of the Gladers. She twisted slightly in the hammock that some guy named George helped her set up. She was set off from the other boys that were sleeping outside under a shelter that was nothing more than a roof and a couple of poles.

She knew that their intentions were not to make her feel ostersized, but she did. She did not particularly mind privacy, but this was hardly privacy. She did not want to jump to any conclusions. They were probably being very accomodating in their own way. This was most likely as much privacy as you could expect in a place like this.

She sat up in the hanging fabric bed. It was a task which was much easier said than done. She wobbled a bit a few times before she was finally able to balance herself.

Absentmindedly her fingers found their way to her hair. The length was just an inch or two past her shoulders, but it was still proving to be quite the chore to rid herself of the tangles, especially since her only took to work with was her fingertips. Although the task was tedious and time consuming, it gave her something productive to do while she avoided resting.

She was ready for the sun to come back up. Although now that she thought about it, she remembered it being bright, but not ever seeing the sun. That was silly. She must be exhausted if she was doubting the existence of the sun. What else could possibly do it's job?

Alby had promised her a tour in the morning. She felt like it was about time she found out where she was and what exactly she was up against. She remembered being welcomed to the 'Glade' and she recalled the word "maze" being thrown around. Between being tossed into a hole in the ground and then drug into a hot, dirty room she was not exactly given the time to stop and sight see.

All of the thought of what was going on really made her wish she could remember her name. Newt told her she would get it back, but that was hard to believe since she could not remember anything... She had not even been able to recall what color her hair was until looking at it. She wanted to have answers to all of her questions like: Why her? Would she be there forever? How long had everyone else been there? And of course : Why was she the only girl? She really hoped that Alby's tour would help answer some of them.

Her fingertips slid through her hair with easy. Feeling accomplished she carefully leaned back and shut her eyes tightly. She prayed that she would be able to force herself to sleep.

On another side of the Glade Newt found himself staring up at the wooden cieling. The Greenie was not the only one who had difficulty nodding off.

Gally had been right. Something was different. Never before had a girl been sent up in the box. They did not know why and they probably would never know. But Newt had been right, the box did go back down and the maze opening screeched back closed. He did not know why it bothered him so much that he did not know why she had been sent. He did not even know why he was there, so it was stupid to think he would have an explanation for her involement.

Newt was also bothered by the fact that her presence was really starting to affect him. His whole being was not possessed by her, but at the moment his thoughts were. The number one thought was a personal goal: he would be the first one she spoke to. He would make sure of it.