Newtmas

chapter 2

Alby leads me around the Glade, pointing out anything of interest: The Homestead, the deadheads, the farm, and all of the other work stations. As we go around he introduces people and their professions. I have to say I am amazed as to how organised this place is. Alby starts to conclude the tour, and he hasn’t yet mentioned the one place that I am extremely interested in.

“What’s out there?” I ask, as he is about to leave. He turns back to me, slightly puzzled. “Outside the walls I mean, what’s out there?” I repeat myself, slightly more clearly.

“We only have three rules here in the Glade” Alby begins, much more serious. “Rule one: Everyone does their part, no slackers. We have worked hard to get the Glade how it is, and no lazy butt I going to ruin that. Rule 2: Never harm another Glader. At the beginning we lost too many boys through fear and anger, we don’t need to suffer more unnecessary losses. Rule 3 is the most important and you will abide by it. Never, ever, go beyond those walls.” He is about to leave again so I grab his arm.

“But what’s out there?” I ask, infuriated.

“You are never to leave the Glade, so why should it matter?” Alby snaps, not facing me. He shakes his arm free and storms off, leaving me standing by the box, angry, confused, and dissatisfied with every answer given to me since I entered the Glade. I hear Alby shout in the distance “NEWT! GO GET CHUCK, SEND HIM TO GREENIE OVER THERE.” I turn my head instantly at the name ‘Newt’ He is standing about twenty metres away from me, facing Alby. I find myself weirdly attracted to the muscular boy. I don’t remember anything from before waking up in the box, so I wonder, was I gay? I guess I’ll never know, but I know that I am fascinated by Newt. I know I’m staring so I awkwardly turn away and slump against an empty crate. I sit for a few minutes, trying to take everything in, until I am interrupted by a younger boy sitting down opposite me.

“Hi, I’m Chuck, Alby sent me over to help you around for your first couple of days, of course when you’re not working.” He smiles a brilliant smile. He can’t be much older than thirteen, and has a big build with slightly ridiculous curly hair. I can’t help but smile back slightly. “I was the Greenie before you showed up, arrived just a month ago, in the box, same as you” I feel so sorry for this kid, being so young and having that happen to him. I suddenly realise I have no idea how old I am myself, or what I look like. That’s weird.

“I’m Thomas, good to meet you. Just wondering, how old do you reckon I am?” he is surprisingly unstartled by the question. “I’d say fifteen or sixteen, fairly tall and not much muscle but your face suggests you are older than your body makes you look.” Not too bad.

“It’s so weird, I don’t even remember what I look like, how old I am, my last name, anything!” I say frustrated. Chuck just nods knowingly.

“Good that.” He says simply, before glancing off toward an opening in the wall of the Glade.

“what’s out there?” I ask, hoping to get a better answer than the one I received from Alby.

 “Dunno, but we can’t go out there.” He replies, shrugging. I’m fed up with that answer so I get up and start walking towards the wall. I get about halfway there when Chuck comes up behind me. “hey! Thomas did you not hear what I just said, we can’t go out there!” he exclaims. I brush him off and keep walking. When I get to the wall all I can see is a long passage leading off in different directions. I am about to step out when a group of boys come running towards me. They just run straight past and into a building on the other side of the Glade.

“I thought you said no one could go out there” I say, confused, turning back to Chuck. He shakes his head.

“I said we’re not allowed, their different. They’re… runners.”

comment what you think

stay awesome bros

-Cat