Not Your Average Glader (Completed)

Chapter 15: The New Boy

I wake up the following morning to a throbbing pain in my hand. It goes away as quickly as it came. That's when I notice most of the boys are already up and walking around.

The pain was someone stepping on my hand.

'How long did I sleep in?'

I make myself sit up and the second I'm up I regret it. My head is pounding from sleeping too much. I hold my aching head in my hands and wince, willing the pain to leave.

It doesn't.

'Maybe some breakfast will help.'

I stand and stumble over toward the crowded kitchen. Plopping down at the bench I am greeted by a bowl of fruit. Though it sounds sweet and refreshing, the colors swim in my vision.

A hand pats me on the shoulder. A cheerful voice speaks,

"I'm glad you stayed in today! Wow, you look tired!"

I can't help but smile at John's unhidden excitement and innocence.

"I slept too late, I'm used to being up hours earlier than this."

The boy sits beside me and before long he is talking up a storm,

"Everyone is real exited for the party! George says there will be cake. He is only 12 though so I wouldn't take his word for it. Do you think there will be games? Yesterday Sam and I snuck into the kitchen to see if Frypan had any special food ready, you won't believe what we found!-"

I close my eyes and try to block out my young friend. I'm happy for him but I'm no shape to share in his enthusiasm. As I try to drown him out I take in more conversations. Behind me, across for me, everyone is talking. I catch bits and pieces of the chattering.

"Party"
"Feast"
"Celebration"

'Definitely preferring the silent Maze right now.'

I stop suddenly, trying to discern my final thoughts about what I saw or what I think I saw. Too many maybes to think about. As I look around at the happy Gladers, the progress we've made, how far we have come; I come to a decision.

'It was my imagination. No one in their right mind would terrify these kids with monsters.'

Within a voice speaks out, loud and clear, "No one in their right mind would leave kids here in the first place."

I viciously push the thought away and turn my attention back to John who is finishing his thought.

"I'm telling you! The stick was this long and it was covered in something green! I hope Frypan doesn't notice the dog drool, Bark ran off with it."

I have no idea what I just heard but now my bowl of fruit is definitely not appealing.

"Is it usually this loud at breakfast?"

John gives a shrug. "Not usually. But-"

Our world suddenly freezes when a loud ringing erupts. It seems to be coming from the box. The boys look around fearfully. John grabs my arm and with a death grip, his nails dig into my skin.

Immediately, Newt attempts to diminish the fear that has spread like wildfire.

"No need to panic! Relax everyone! Alby and I will check it out."

With that he and the leader rush off across the grass and watch as the box arrives.

"Do you think we are being rescued?" John whispers.

"I have no idea." I reply. No sense getting the kid's hopes up.

We all watch intently as the older boys peer inside. It seems like minutes pass by before Newt is hollaring for us to come over. His voice holds confusion and amazement. As we all gather around we see a sight that takes our breath away.

After a long, hard month we are rewarded with a new boy. A new Glader.

"What's this mean?" One boy calls out.

The boy in the cold gray box is probably thinking the same thing. One look at his face and it brings me back to our first days here. A wild fear flashes in his eyes. Curled up in a tight ball, he looks like he is about to cry.

Newt is the first to act, taking the new boy's fears into consideration. He hops down inside the box and holds up his hands, palms out, to show that he's no threat.

"I'm Newt, what's your name?"

The boy's mouth is open but no words escape.

"Look I know exactly how you feel. We all do."

Finally the boy's lip quivers.

"W-where..."

Newt smiles and answers to the best of anyone's ability.

"None of us know where we are or why we are here. But we are a family, and you're part of our family now."

Tears roll down his face as he begins to unroll himself from his tense position.

"Come on with me and I'll show you around."

To our amazement the boy complies. He and Newt exit the box and leave us.

"Alby, what's going on?" One boy toward the front asks.

Alby, who took in the scene without even blinking once, turns toward us and says,

"Call a gathering!"

"Are we still having the party?" George asks timidly.

Alby frowns but says, "Yes. Let's get back to breakfast. Keepers, gathering in ten minutes!"

A/N
comment who you think the new guy is!!!!! Thank you to all of my readers, I appreciate everyone taking the time to read my story! :)