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That night was the first night Atlas had got any sleep in what felt like years. But unfortunately, with sleep, came dreams. but these dreams felt entirely too real.
It was him, he presumed, and another young boy. They were running down a white hallway together, before a distant hey could be heard, and the dream ended, like someone had sliced through it with a knife. He woke up trembling, just as day broke through the clouds. He remembered he had that meeting in the early morning, and decided it was best he got up for the day.
He glanced over to the runners preparing to go out, and walked over to them, putting a hand on Nicks back, watching him jerk. His head spun around to Atlas.
"Why?" he said, before Atlas smiled evilly.
"Payback."
The person behind them cleared their throat, drawing the two's attention back to them.
"Ah, right. Greenie, Minho and Newt." he said, Atlas nodded.
"It's Atlas, not greenie." he said, shaking Minhos hand while newt let a lilted smile. Atlas couldn't help but feel a bit on edge near him. He felt angry, hurt, but most of all, he felt this strange sort of connection with Newt, and that made him mad. Like he was grasping a memory otherwise forgotten.
"Well, we should let them get to their job, and for you, we're starting the meeting soon." Nick said, turning away from them.
"Good luck Greenie." Newt said, and he had one last look at him before Atlas turned and fell in step behind Nick.
The meeting room was a small, wooded area near the back left corner of the plain. all of the keepers of the jobs he tried were there. he was a little nervous, as this was a lot of pressure.
"So, let's try round 2. I'll go through every keeper and ask them their opinions on Atlas's performance during the trials. Winston?"
"I'd like to say it went well, but he almost threw up, like, many times." He said, while the tips of Atlas's ears turned a bright red.
"Kennedy?"
The tall, brooding male stood leaning off to the side. Kennedy, keeper of the bricknicks.
"He was fine, i liked his performance." He said simply, while Atlas was a little put off by him.
"Frypan?" Nick asked, directing his attention to the cook.
"The food was delicious, put up no fight when cleaning the dishes, and everyone loved the food." He said, while Atlas smiled proudly. Nick nodded. They went though the next few keepers, before Nick finally cleared his throat.
"Okay, all in favor of Atlas for breeder?" 3 hands went up. he nodded.
"All in favor for Cook?"
the remainder of hands went up, including Atlas's. (in which nick lightly smacked him on the chest, making him huff out.)
"Okay then, it's decided. Starting tomorrow, Atlas is a cook."
♕♕♕
The bonfire that night consisted of drums, laughing and shouting. Honestly, for the first time, Atlas felt genuinely accepted and safe. Even as the maze doors were screeching through the plain. He say with Nick off to the side, watching the crazy group shout and laugh.
"you ever like..thought of it? like how this whole area is like a glade, almost?" Atlas said, looking around. maybe he was a little bit delusional from being awake for so long. Nick glanced at him.
"What the hell is a glade?" he asked.
"like...an area, surrounded by trees. but in this case, i guess walls." Atlas muttered. Nick nodded.
"You're right." he said.
The amount of shouting died down the longer they stayed sitting there, and as more people collapsed onto the grass, the colder the earth became. Atlas unknowingly scooted closer to Nick, until his arm wrapped around his shoulders. He leaned in close to Nicks chest. He didn't realize how exhausted he was until he felt the sand-like sleep right on his eyelids.
Laid on his chest, snuggled into his side. Underneath the stars and the cool earth, Atlas fell into an easy, and peaceful sleep.
