Chapter Text
This place is starting to take a toll on me. Every day is hot and sunny except the occasional rainy days. If they weren't so humid they would be my favorite. At least I'm lucky enough to have a job that lets me stay inside out of the direct sunlight.
A sudden and loud blaring of alarms rips me out of my thoughts. The box. I make my way out of the med hut and set my steps towards the middle of the glade. It's time for some new supplies and a new Greenie.
Everyone is gathering around where the box will be.
''Hey Alby!'' I greet the boy who's ineffectively trying to keep everyone away from where the hole will open since we have had a few incidents of boys falling onto the cold metal gate covering the box and I've no interest in treating those unfortunate nosebleeds again.
''Still hopeful?'' He asks me, finally giving up on managing the rowdy teenagers and taking a stance next to me.
''One of those days it will be a girl again, even if it takes a year.'' I sigh hopefully. ''There were seven boys before me so logically there would be five more boys before the next girl if they really wanted to torture me.''
''I'm sure you'll have someone soon.'' Alby gave me a warm smile and nodded to the box as the alarms went silent and the ground opened up.
I let the boys open the roof gate of the box before stepping closer to take a look.
And god has disappointed me again.
It's a slender blonde boy in a white linen shirt laying on the cages floor, passed out. One of the guys jumps in to check on him.
''Is he alive?'' ask Alby from next to me. He crosses his arms over his chest as he assesses the boy.
Out of the corner of my eye I can see Minho and Ben running in through the opening in the wall, they must have heard the sirens.
''He's breathing'' Brandon offers from the box standing up from next to the boy before letting out the loudest scream I've heard from any of them so far. He takes a deep breath in to calm his heart as everyone starts laughing. From the shadows steps out a sheep.
''Minho, Ben, can you help carry him to the med hut?'' Alby requested from the runners that had made it to us and are now also snickering over the sheep.
The amount of supplies is huge this time and I can't wait for tonight's bonfire. I watch as Minho and Ben heave out the Greenie as the other boys start to lift out the supplies.
I follow the two runners to the med-hut to take care of yet another unfortunate soul to be stuck here.
Around midday Frypan takes in two bowls of food. I grab mine and start eating it.
''He doing any better yet?'' Frypan's voice shows slight concern. They always feel sorry for greenies that they're sent to live such a life. In truth it gets easier with every new one that comes in. More people to do the jobs leaves everyone with easier parts. Altho as the number of people grows we have to start providing more.
''He's just passed out. He'll wake up eventually.'' I answer while devouring my food. The food isn't much but at least we have found ways to give it some flavor.
He nods and makes a noise of agreement while still scanning the boy.
''We can't change them being here but I sure as hell can do my best to keep them well looked after and healthy.'' I assure him. Frypan has a great big heart but he needs to learn to take it easy and trust others.
''Wanna guess what his name is?'' I grin at him, giving my best to lighten up his mood.
''Not today doc. I'll have to go start preparing dinner for the bonfire."
"Right."
I turn back to my notes as Frypan places the second bowl next to my notebook. I try to keep a record of what plants we have and different ways I've learned to use them for medicinal purposes. I lose myself in my thoughts once again, helps to cope with a lack of meat in most of our foods so far.
"Where am I?"
I startle awake from my thoughts.
"Mmm, you're awake"
I turn around to look at him.
"You remember anything about yourself?"
"No."
The boy frowns at me. He's squinting his eyes and blinking slowly.
"Right."
I put down my spoon and go to examine him.
"It's totally normal. Most of us remembered our name in a couple days, most likely it will be the same to you."
I wave a finger around in front of his face and he looks at it confused.
"Why can't I remember anything?" He catches my finger in air, anger starting to slowly take place of confusion as he starts panicking.
"You're in the Glade, it's an oasis surrounded by huge walls and unbearable hotness with occasional rain showers. No one remembers anything at first, you'll get used to it, not being certain that is."
He lets go of my finger as I give an answer to his questions and hand him his bowl of food.
"Eat up, you'll need the energy. The others want to meet you and we have a bonfire tonight. I'll be right back, you'll have some time to process."
I walk out to go find Alby by the cooks den, chatting up a few other boys while gulping down their lunches.
"Don't inhale it. It's bad for your stomach." I scolded one of them who had been by the med shack a couple times already this week.
"Hey y/n! Is the Greenie awake?" Alby is already standing up from his seat while finishing his bowl.
We make our way back to the med shack to find the door wide open and the newbie gone.
"Shunk." I grumble seeing the empty room when we hurry inside. "I'll go tell the others to help look for him."
Alby makes a long sighing sound as he takes off in a jog. "I'll go keep an eye on the maze door. Send someone to take my place."