Glader Girl

It was time, another month, another new Greenie. The leader of the Gladers, Alby, along with his right hand, Newt, and Gally, Keeper of the Builders, stood at the Box, waiting for it to finish its journey to the Glade. All the other boys stood back, talking amongst themselves, wondering what the newbie would be like. A few moments went by until the large doors slid open, the box stopped with a loud clang. But Gally and Newt didn't open the grate, they didn't move; they just looked down into the Box, confused. The Gladers jostled about behind them, forming a circle, trying to see.

"What the bloody hell?" Newt whispered, leaning forward not believing what he was seeing. Alby kneeled, peering through the grate holes at what lay inside. "Open it," he said, his voice deep with worry. Gally and Newt flung the grate doors open. The other boys started panicking, backing away from the Box. "It's... it's a girl!" "Was she dead?" "Why was she tied up?"

The girl lay deathly still on the floor of the Box, her hands bound by thick rope. She had bright, blonde curls, which spilled all over. She wore all black with a gold dog-tag necklace that hung from her neck. She was breathing, but only just.

Alby and Newt looked at each other, worry plain on their faces. Alby sighed, deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose from stress. "Gally, go get her." Gally nodded at his leader, then jumped down, carefully approaching the girl. He smirked, slightly. She is beautiful, he thought. He took her hands and used his free hand to pull out a knife, cutting the ropes. Gally winced when he saw the injuries on her wrists. "We'll need the Med-jacks, she's hurt."

Suddenly, the girl stirred, her eyes struggling to open, but it was enough for Gally to see them. Deep pools of blue that made him catch his breath. She looked at him a moment, then fell asleep. "Gally," Alby addressed him, warning lacing his tone. Gally shook his head, lifted the girl into his arms, and held her high enough for Alby and Newt to grab her. The Med-jacks, Clint, and Jeff examined her for any other injuries. "Take her to the Med-Hut. Everyone else, Council Hall. Now!" The Gladers winced at the angry growl in their leader's voice but obeyed. Newt glanced at Alby nervously, then followed Gally and the other boys.

Once everyone had filed into the large hut, Alby closed the door with a loud bang, then turned to address everyone. He stood with sharp eyes, crossed arms, and spoke with venom in his voice, "If anyone, anyone, touches the girl, they'll be spending the night with the Grievers. Banishment immediately! Understood?" Everyone shuffled about, discomforted by this unknown anger from Alby, but they all nodded in answer. He turned to Gally and the other Builders, "I want you all to figure out a new hut for her. I'm not putting a sleeping girl around a bunch of boys." One builder snorted, but instantly hung his head when Alby looked at him like he'd kill him.

Gally nodded, then asked, "Where is she gonna sleep until then?" "Newt and I will figure it out." Newt looked over and nodded once. "One of us should guard her or something while she sleeps," he suggested. Alby pondered this a moment, then another boy spoke, "What are we gonna do about a Keeper?" "Do I look like I'm worried about that right now, shank?" "Now everyone shuck it and go back to work!" Alby snapped, causing the Gladers to run out the door.

Newt placed his hand on Alby's shoulder. "I know this is wacked, but you need to calm down a little." Alby nodded. Then Newt smirked and said, "I'm proud of you for worrying about the girl the way you did." The two boys chuckled and smirked at one another when the door flung open. Clint stood there and spoke quickly, "She's awake, but she's freaking out." Then a loud cry of pain sounded throughout the Glade, followed by Jeff yelling. The boys, as well as all the Keepers, bolted over to the Med-hut. Clint went to walk in first, but Jeff all but fell out, bumping into him. "She's tucked herself into a corner and won't move, and that was after she fell off the bed and dragged herself. Threw a container at my head."