If There Is A Light

Chapter 34

He didn't know what was worse: not really knowing where you were or not knowing your own name. Alby seemed proud of the place and no one seemed to be distraught in being there (besides him). He could not really understand why they seemed to be content in their situation. Alby had told them he would get back his name... that's the one thing they let them keep. If that was true... if they really had no clue who put them there and took their memories he had to question why no one was trying to get out.

"We eat here. We sleep here. We grow our own food. We build our own shelter. Whatever we need, the box provides. The rest is up to us." Alby walked in front of him, but walked backwards so he could still look at him. Alby had to make sure he was understanding and becoming more comfortable with the place. He also had to make sure that he would not run again.

"The Box?" The 'greenie's attention was drawn to a concrete platform where several of the boys were gathering supplies (at least he assumed based on what Alby had just said).

"Yeah. It's sent up once a month with fresh supplies and a new greenie. This month that's you. Congratulations."

He ignored the congratulations. "Sent up? By who, though? Who put us here?"

"That we don't know." Despite what the new kid might have thought Alby would have very much liked to know. The Glade was his home. It would be their home, but he knew it was not where they belonged. He also knew how bad it could be without their set up. He watched too many boys die scared and without any comfort. He would do everything in his power to make sure no one went out like that.

"Hey, are you all right, Alby?"

"A-ha! Green bean, meet Newt. When I'm not around, he's in charge."

Green bean or Greenie, he was not sure he would be able to keep up with all of these nick names. Either way he shook the boy's hand. He did draw a slight bit of hope from their friendship, it was a tiny comfort in the situation.

"Well, it's a good thing you're always around then." Newt 'teased' Alby, but in all reality he was pretty sure he was in no state to be in a real leadership position. Newt turned his gaze to the fresh meat. There was something about him... not many people lately made a break for it. It seemed as if they immediately lost their will to escape this place. "Listen, that was some dash you made earlier. For a second, I thought you had the chops to be a runner...til you face-planted. That's great." Newt encouraged Alby's laughter, but the other boy did not seemed to be interested in the jesting.

"Wait, a 'runner'?"

"Newt, do me a favor? Go find Chuck."

"Alright." Newt took his leave and nodded in acknowledgement of Alby's thanks. Newt knew that hope was a dangerous thing to have (well it could be in a place like this), but he had been there a while and Thomas was different. He would bet money (if they used currency in the Glade) that Thomas would be the one to find a way out or he would kill himself trying. There was the chance Newt was wrong, that had been the case a time or two. He supposed only time would tell.