Not Your Average Glader (Completed)

Chapter 21: The Arrival

I'm roughly shaken awake.

"Get up! Something is going on outside!"

I sit up tiredly and try to focus my thoughts and give myself simple commands.

'Stand up, walk outside, find out what's going on.'

After several minutes it seems, I'm up and outside. The sunlight blinds my tired eyes. My vision comes back and I can vaguely make out a crowd gathering at the box. My heart sinks and I want to die.

'Are we getting another kid for me to send to his death?'

I painfully watch from where I stand. Alby calls down from inside the box and a few other boys jump inside.

My curiosity gets the better of me and I slowly end up in the crowd, inching my way toward the front. I hear whispers as I pass and eyes flicker their way toward me. I have no idea if the news from yesterday has erupted yet. Frankly, I don't care.

Suddenly from inside the box a large black box emerges. Heavy and awkward to carry by the grunting and clumsy movements of the carriers. It is placed down with a thud and we all gather closer for a look.

Before the uproar of questions can fly Alby holds up a hand and pulls a slip of paper off the corner of the box.

"Place the box in an out of the way place and have Graham pull the latch," he reads.

Doom hits me hard and I want to run, to hide, as every single Glader turns to me.

"Graham?" Newt says, his voice ozzing with suspicion.

I do nothing. I can not move. I wish I could not breath.

Alby takes control just then, saving me from all those eyes.

"Let's move the box."

With grunts and groans the box is lifted and moved. The crowd follows and like it or not I'm trapped inside.

John comes up and grabs my arm. He looks into my face and I know he knows. I can't give lies of false hope.

'The terrible truth will be out all too soon. What else could be in that box besides the four lifeless Gladers?'

The box has been set down and I am subtlety pushed to the very front. The black latch is inches away.

'I cannot bear to see the bodies. I refuse!'

Alby clears his throat loudly beside me and I take the hint. Carefully I grab the cold latch and with eyes shut tight I pull.

I listen for the sounds of screams, shouts and accusations from the Gladers. When none come I open my eyes to see for myself.

Before me stands a metal crate, polished glass windows shine brightly in the morning sun.

"What is it?"
"What's inside?"

The questions echo inside me. Alby moves next to me and peers through the glass. The silence cuts the air as we wait anxiously for an answer.

Suddenly at the window is a horrible black shape!

Alby jumps back and a small sound of fear escapes his lips.

We watch in horror as the inside of the crate fills with lights and eyes peer back at us, landing squarely at me. I know this creature. It knows me.

A knife suddenly appears and glides slowly across the window for all to see. My knife.

'It's taunting me.' I think fearfully.

Frypan lays at hand on my shoulder.

"Graham, isn't that your knife?"

My silence is the only answer I can give and it is enough.

"Did you know about this thing!?" Alby says darkly, daring me to lie.

The answer is complicated but I know it is useless to explain.

"Yes." I say meekly, not daring to met his eyes.

"Why didn't you tell us the Maze is full of monsters?!" He screams in my face.

The crowd gives way as John walks up to me, tears streaming and a knowing fear is stained on his young face.

"Graham, no. You didn't. You couldn't have-"

My heart crumbles as John's eyes bore into mine.

"What's going on?" Newt says angrily as he looks from John to me.

"I- I took others with me." I say quietly.

"WHAT?!" Alby screams and he grabs me by my shirt.

"I'm- I'm sorry, I-"

"WHO DID YOU TAKE?" He screams and shakes me.

"Morris, Kevin, Bobby and George." My voices catches as it's the first time I've said their names since-

"I SAID YOU GO ALONE! WHERE ARE THEY?!"

My eyes dart over to the crate and Alby follows. He loses his grip on my collar and I stumble to the ground. Alby walks to the window and stares inside. The crowd around me are murmuring.

Without turning around, Alby speaks coldly,

"Take him to the Slammer now. I don't want to see his ugly face."

Arms grab me and I'm being dragged toward the Slammer. Shoved inside the dark hole, the door slams and clicks.

'Finally alone. I hope I rot in here.'

A\N
Things are really getting hairy and it's not over yet!!

*evil author cackle*

Did you all remember that Griever box thing in the book?