Fervency

CHAPTER: F O U R

The sun was fading behind the horizon as the sky melted from golden to azure. Hints of lavender scattered throughout the clouds and crickets sang ever so often. It would be peaceful in the glade, if it wasn't for the commotion that was happening.

The dancing flame of a lantern could be seen through the window of a small hut. It flickered and changed its direction ever so often. Murmurs of a heated argument muffled from outside.

"You know what this means right...? If we ever escape this place, we have to be prepared for the next threat."

"And do what exactly? Go out there with a bloody pitchfork?" Newt casted their leader a glance of cynicism.

"I don't know, Newt but we have to do something..." Alby contended.

"Whatever's outside is clearly worse than what's in here. Maybe we're better off staying..." Gally suggested. His brows were furrowed as he held his chin in thought.

"You're kidding me." Minho, who was stood against the far wall, flashed them an eye roll. "Do you even hear what you shanks sound like?"

***

Meanwhile, Elodie had been outside getting acquainted with Chuck. So far he was a pleasant kid, so humorous that she forgot completely about all her worries.

"Looks like you have a challenge, now that there's a woman in the glade" he joked to Frypan. Currently Chuck was introducing her to the cook, as well as any of the other Gladers that were in sight. Elodie rolled her eyes and then gave him a small push on the shoulder.

"You're lucky you're smaller than me, kid." he opened his mouth to talk, but she held out a hand. "But...you make a great point."

"If there's one thing I'm great at, it's making a meal. I hope you feel threatened."

"And here I thought you had my side, Greenie." Frypan feigned sadness. "From here on out-only vegetables for you."

"You're killing me..." Elodie pursed her lips in a pout.

"Pout alllll ya want...but I'm doin' you a favor! We gotta keep our only woman healthy, ain't that right boys?" he turned to the others, who in turn laughed and nodded.

"So, what we havin' tonight?" She leaned up against a wooden pillar.

"You're havin' carrots"

"Aww, c'mon Fry. How am I supposed to see if your foods better?"

"That's it, out of my kitchen!" he swatted at her playfully with his spatula.

"So scary" Chuck remarked.

"You too!" he went for the boy next. "I'm goin'!"

"The next time you point a spatula at me, better be when you're giving me some food!" Elodie cupped a hand to her mouth and shouted.

"More like an ass-whooping!" he laughed to himself and then continued working.

"Hey, where did Alby and the others go off to?"

"Probably to discuss some "official business"." Chuck made air quotations. Elodie giggled, "why did you put up quotations?"

"Because obviously: none of us are adults here."

"Sorry I asked" she rolled her eyes with a laugh.

"Hey, by the way" Chuck chimed in, "What job are you gonna chose?"

"I think I'm gonna chose to be a builder."

"Really?"

"What?"