Lost

The Job

The next job I tried was the Track-hoe. We spent the whole day in the Gardens to pick up tomatoes and planet corns. It was better than the Slicers, but I knew this's not what I want. Sure I can work with Newt and spent more time with him, but it's hard work. I was beaten up when it's time for lunch and Newt asked me about the job. I told him that I want to be a Med-Jack or a Cook. He seemed surprised.
" So ya don't want to spend more time with me in the Gardens, love?" he looked at me with sad puppy eyes.
" Newt, we can still hang out after work." I rolled my eyes, pretended to be annoyed by him.
Then Thomas, Minho and Chuck came over.
" Yeah listen to your girlfriend, Newtie. Stop being such a protective shank! " Minho smirked and winked at me.
" He's not my bloody boyfriend, Minho! "
" Bloody is my word, love." Newt complained.
" You don't mind, do you?"
" As long as you're the only one to use it, I wouldn't bloody mind. " he smiled.
" Thomas, don't you think they are soooooo in love with each other? " Minho looked at Thomas and laughed.
" Indeed. I think we will have Glader babies running around the Glade in no time! " they laughed louder, Chuck even fell onto the ground from all the laughter. All of us laughed, including the two of us.
" Hey love, let's get outta here. Away from these slintheads. " the blonde reached out his hand and I gladly took it.
" Running away from us huh, love birds? Don't forget to get a room!" Minho and the other two continued to laugh after we ignored them and walked away. We enjoyed the rest of the break in our tree.
" Why do you care about me so much?" I asked out of curiosity.
" Because I like you, Nikie. Ever since you came out of the Box you make me feel like the happiest shank in the world! You are one of my best friends now."
I guess that's better than friends. I thought.
" Yeah, you are my best friend, too." we finished lunch and went back to work.
For the next couple of days, I tried out all the jobs and told Newt which one I want. I wanted to be a Med-Jack.
On the same day, the Keepers, Alby and Newt had a Gathering about my job. I had to wait outside until they made their decision. After around half an hour, Frypan opened the door to let me in the hut. I sat down between Frypan and Minho, curiously looked over to the Second in Command, who was sitting on the opposite side of me. He gave me a smile and stood up.
" So after a long bloody discussion, we decided to make you a Med-Jack." Newt told Clint, the Keeper of the Med-Jacks to continue.
" Congratulation, Greenie. You're with me."
" Nikie." I corrected.
" Well Nikie, guess we will see each other more often." he smiled.
" Yeah, we will. " I smiled back.
" Alright you shanks, get out of here!" Alby ordered so the Keepers all walked out only Newt stayed behind.
" Hey Newt. " I walked up to him.
" Hey love, congrats. You got a job. "
" And it's the one I want!" I added. Both of us smiled.
" Ya need to go or the others will think we're making out." I giggled.
" See you later, Newtie." with the biggest smile I ever had since I arrived, I walked out of the hut. Clint came to me, told me to follow him. We arrived in front of the Homestead. The wooden house looks like it could fall down at any minute. Jeff, another Med-Jack showed me how to clean up the wounds and bandage it when the first client arrived. The Glader said his thanks then went back to his job.
" So Clint, do you usually have a lot of Gladers that come here?"
" No, we just wait until someone comes with injuries or been stung."
Stung? I thought.
" What do you mean 'stung'?"
" The Grievers normally come out at night, but sometimes in daytime they attack our runners. " he takes a deep breath." We bring them here and give them the Serum. "
" And what happen to them? "
" We called it 'The Changing', it's what happens when someone's stung and they remember... things. " he looked away.
" Wait... so they remember what happened before the Maze, like... memories? "
" Yes, only a few have been through it and they kept their distances from the others. Gally's one of them. "
No wonder he hates me. Maybe something happened before the Maze and I was in the memories.
" Alright. " Clint snapped me out of my thoughts." That's enough questions for today. You can try to ask Newt but I doubt that he would tell you anything before the time's right."
Why are they all being so protective? It's driving me nuts! I signed. Sooner or later they will tell me. It's just a matter of time.
With that thought, I continued to help the injured boys that came later. When it was dinner time, I spent time with my 'squad' : Thomas, Chuck, Minho, Teresa and Newt. We joked around most of the time and Minho kept making jokes about Newt and me. How we flirted with each other during the day. I blushed and so did Newt, the rest laughed their heads off until Alby ordered us to quiet down.