Defying the Glade.

✨ Safe... For Now

Chapter 2 – Safe for Now

It felt like I was out for hours. My body was heavy, my head pounding, but slowly I managed to wiggle my fingers against something soft. Warm. A blanket. For a moment, I let myself sink into it, but then panic stirred.

"Ughhh... where am I? What the shuck happened?" My voice cracked as I tried to sit up.

"You passed out," came a familiar voice. Calm. British.

I froze, recognition hitting me. Newt.

Bolting upright, I found him kneeling in front of the bed. My cheeks burned. "Oh god—were you here the whole time? How long was I out? My head's killing me!"

He gave me a reassuring smile. "No, love. Don't worry. I only came in a few minutes ago. You've been out about twenty minutes. We wanted to give you privacy, since... well, you're the only girl."

I pressed my palms against my temples, groaning. "I don't remember anything. It's driving me crazy."

"I know." He lowered his voice. "Every one of us went through the same thing when we came up in that Box. You're not alone."

I looked at him sharply. "Wait... all of you?"

Newt sat beside me on the bed, drawing a deep breath before answering. "Yeah. We all arrived the same way you did. No memories. No clue why we were here. We still don't know." He held my gaze, serious now. "We might act tough, but the truth is we're all just as scared and frustrated as you are."

His honesty made something in my chest unclench. But another question bubbled out anyway. "Why me, though? Why am I the only girl? Doesn't that seem... wrong? There has to be a reason."

He looked away, thinking hard. Finally, he gave a small, helpless shrug. "I don't know. None of us do. But you're here for a reason, Amelia. We just don't know what it is yet."

I tried to search my memory—anything, a family, a friend, a single moment from before—but it was all blank. White noise. Tears blurred my eyes before I could stop them. "Newt, what am I supposed to do? I don't remember anything. Not who I was, not why I'm here. Nothing."

Newt didn't hesitate. He pulled me into a firm hug, warm and grounding. "You're safe here. We'll figure it out together. That's what we do—we look out for each other."

I sniffled, managing a weak smile. "Thanks, Newt. That means a lot."

When I pulled back, he gave me his familiar smirk. "Alright, come on. Alby wants to meet you, give you the rules, and show you around. Strict rules, mind you. Very thrilling."

I laughed nervously, but followed him toward the door. "Wait—who's Alby?"

"The big man," Newt said simply. "Leader of the Glade. One of the first here. You'll see why he's in charge soon enough."

Outside, the Glade buzzed with life—boys working, talking, eating, the smell of dirt and woodsmoke in the air. It looked different from when I first stumbled out of the Box. Livelier. Almost... homey. I took a deep breath, trying to settle my nerves.

Walking beside Newt, I asked quietly, "So... that elevator. How often does it bring people up? Once a day? A week? A year?"

"Supplies come once a week," he explained. "Food, clothes, tools. And once a month, we get a Greenie. A new boy. Until you." His expression darkened slightly. "You being a girl... well, that's new. Could mean things are changing. We'll see soon enough."

Ahead, a tall, broad-shouldered boy turned to face us. He looked strong, commanding—someone you wouldn't want to cross.

"Amelia," Newt murmured, "meet Alby."

Alby sized me up, his expression unreadable, then suddenly broke into a smile. "Glad to see you up and walking. Sorry I couldn't greet you yesterday—Glade business. How are you feeling?"

I swallowed hard under his gaze. "Better. Still confused, but... better."

"That's normal." His tone grew harder. "Listen close, Amelia, because this matters." He gripped my shoulders firmly, and I froze until I saw Newt give me a quick nod—don't worry, he does this to everyone.

Alby's voice boomed across the Glade: "Listen up! Nobody touches or messes with Amelia. She's under my protection. Break that rule, and I'll haul your sorry shuck up the Maze wall myself and throw you off. Got it?"

A chorus of "Got it!" rang out. My cheeks burned hot with embarrassment.

When the crowd quieted, Alby focused back on me, his eyes intense. "There are three rules, Amelia. Break any of them, and you're banished. Straight into the Maze. And you don't want that."

My stomach dropped.

"Rule One: No fighting. Ever.
Rule Two: No going into the Maze unless you're a Runner.
Rule Three: Obey the rules. Always."

I nodded quickly, my throat dry. "Understood. I'll follow them, I promise."

Alby studied me, then gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Newt will take you back. Tomorrow, you'll get the full tour, meet the rest of the Gladers."

Back in the small room, I collapsed onto the bed with a heavy sigh. "What a day," I muttered. "I just wish I could remember something. Anything."

Newt crouched beside me again, his hand brushing my cheek. Butterflies. "Don't worry. Memories will come. They always do, bit by bit. You're not alone in this."

I gave a shaky laugh. "You must think I'm such a baby."

"Not at all," he said firmly. "You're reacting exactly how anyone would. I'd be worried if you weren't."

Without thinking, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug. "Thank you, Newt. For everything. You've made this... bearable."

He hugged me back, voice low against my hair. "Of course. I'm glad I met you, Amelia Jones. You're one of a kind."

I smiled, my cheeks burning again, and finally laid back against the soft blankets. Just before sleep pulled me under, I felt Newt press a quick kiss to my cheek and whisper, "You're safe here. I'll make sure of it."

And for the first time since the Box, I believed him.