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"She saw nothing."

Her eyes snapped open, and the first thing she remembered was her name.

Marie.

She had no idea how long she had been in this boxlike room, and didn't know when she would get out.

She sat up too quickly, a dull throbbing in her head, drenched in sweat, the world spinning around her. She heard a metallic clunking and squealing as the box she was in began to shake. She smelled the sweat, the salt from her dried tears, the oil, and the blood. She realized she was shaking too. She pulled her knees up to her chest, heart pounding inside her chest, fresh tears running down her cheeks.

Suddenly the box jerked to a stop, and she was thrown to the side, giving her a sudden pain in her lower spine. A narrow shaft of bright light grew wider as the ceiling opened with a creak. She squinted and blinked at the sudden light. When her eyesight adjusted, she saw several boys looking at her from her place inside the box.

They were all looking at her curiously, talking to each other excitedly. One boy climbed into the box to help her. He had rich brown eyes, sandy blond hair, and a thin but lean build. He gave her a gentle smile, and helped her to her feet. He climbed out of the box, and she closely followed.

She felt the eyes of the boys on her as she walked past. They whispered to each other, but she held her head high, walking past with a blank expression on her face. She looked around, taking notice of the massive ivy-covered stone walls that surrounded a vast and rich green area where she was now. The sun burned bright in the blue-grey sky, almost too bright, almost artificial. A gentle electric hum was faintly present, calming the ringing in her ears.

The blond- haired boy was silent as they walked. She noticed that he had a limp as he walked. He turned to her and spoke in a thick accent,
"Name's Newt. What's your name?"

It took her a moment to speak. "Marie," She said uncertainly. "Or at least I think it is."

He glanced at her and pointed to her shoe. "Is that yours? What is it?"

She glanced down to where he pointed, just now noticing that there was a piece of carved wood poking out of her laced boots. She reached down and picked it up, a surge of energy she couldn't describe coursing through her veins when she held it in her hand. It was around a foot long and narrow, and leaves were carved into the handle.

"I don't know," she said. "I don't even know what it's for."

He reached out and shook her hand. "Regardless, it's nice to meet you, Marie. Oh, and welcome to the Glade."

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