The sounds of chains and grinds of metal was the first thing I heard. I took a sharp intake of air, gasping and coughing. I looked around and saw I was in a box, that seemed to be moving upwards at a quick speed. The smell of metal and unpleasant stenches filled my nose, before I looked up to see an ending was coming to the box. A rooftop.

“HEY! SOMEBODY HELP ME!”, I yelled, hoping for an answer.

The box came to a stop, making me fall back onto my butt. I jerked my head around, scared and confused about where I am. I can’t remember anything. My head aches to try and recall any memories about myself or my life. Nothing. Who the hell did this to me? Where am I?

The rooftop opened and sunlight streamed in, making me squint and shrink back to a corner. Once my eyes adjusted, I looked up and saw that blue sky and clouds were above me. I soon heard voices, many of them. Heads started to pop into view, blocking rays of the sunlight.

“Wonder if we’ll get another Runner for this Greenie”.

“Pfft, probably another Slopper if ya’ ask me”.

I didn’t bother to take notice of the language these people were using. I didn’t what was going on. I wanted to know, but I didn’t want to get harmed in the process.

“I can’t even see the Greenie”, an accented voice said.

I curled myself up into a ball, hoping to disappear so I’m not seen from my kidnappers. But unfortunately, I was spotted by a young voice with a pointing finger.

“Wait! I see him! In the corner over there!”.

I dared to look up, and I saw more heads were looking into the box, blocking out more sunlight. They squinted before gasps and whispers were heard.

“It’s a girl!”.

“Holy shuck!”.

“I call dibs!”.

“Shut your holes you bloody shanks!”.

The voices halted and went back down to light whispers. The person who shouted must have some sort of leader or figurehead. I whimpered as I couldn’t control the fear that was slower creeping up into my chest. The box shook and rumbled, as someone jumped down into it. I looked up and saw a tall blonde boy, with a dirty face was now standing above me. I tried to back myself up more, trying to sink into the walls of the metal box.

“Hey, don’t be afraid”, he said, the accent recurring into his voice. He bent down so he was eye level with me, and put on a gentle smile. “My name’s Newt and I won’t hurt you”.

My gut told me to be cautious, but to trust Newt. I slowly nodded, easing my shoulders the tiniest bit. I knew that I was completely safe, but around him I felt a small bit of ease. My name also suddenly came to me, before I let it roll off my tongue.

“I-I’m Floral”, I stated, my voice shuttering at the slightest.

“Nice to meet you Floral. Now I’m goin’ to get you out of here okay?”, Newt said and I nodded, before he stuck out his hand to help me stand. I gratefully took it and stood up, only making it to his nose. Well now I know that I’m short.

“Throw down the rope!”, Newt yelled out to the people above, before a worn out rope appeared in front of us. Newt then turned to me, one hand gripping the rope. “Hold on to me”.

I did I was told, by wrapping my arms around his waist, and we were both lifted out the box and placed onto solid grassy ground. We were immediately surrounded by people, in fact teenage people. But only one gender, they were all boys. They all started talking as once, making me whip my head around.

“Oh she’s pretty cute”.

“A little whimpy though, probably a cooker”.

“Alright guys be nice. She’s still a Greenie and very much the same as us”, Newt said while stepping out in front, removing me from the sight of the boys.

“What’s goin’ on around here?!”, a voice boomed, making the crowd separate and a dark-skinned boy came into view, a permanent scowl on his face.

“New Greenie arrived”, Newt stated, before I peeked out from behind him. I met eyes with the dark-skinned boy and his scowl turned into a look of surprise. He soon regained his serious look and walked forward, and Newt moved aside so that I was now facing the boy completely.

“I’m Alby and welcome to the Glade”, he stated.

I looked around once more and saw that we were surrounded in a perfect square, by grey walls that blocked out the view of the Sun. A small house was made in the corner of the square, while barn animals and trees made the other corners. Gardens were also around, making the glade look like a whole world in a small patch of green.

“Newt’ll give you the tour Greenie”, Alby said, before he turned around and walked away from the crowd. “Back to work slintheads!”.

The crowd slowly disburses, leaving only a few boys left surrounding. Newt soon took my arm, and pulled me away from the still staring eyes. He brought me over to the start of the small forest, and started to talk to me.

“W-Why am I here?”, I asked.

“We don’t know, we all woke up like you did. Not knowin’ anythin’ like you, only our names”, Newt explained. “We call the people who sent us the Creators”.

“Have you tried getting out of here?”, I asked and it made Newt laugh, as if what I said was the stupidest thing ever.

“What do you think we’ve been doin’ for the past two years?”, he asked with a smirk. My eyes widened. “Two years?”.

“That’s right Greenie, we’ve been tryin’ to get out through that Maze”, Newt said while pointing out beyond the grey walls.

“A Maze?”, I questioned and Newt nodded.

“We’ve tried ever other way to get out this bloody place, but it all just leads to someone gettin’ hurt or even death. The only way out is through the Maze”, Newt said before he started to walk. “Come on, I’ll show you around”.

I followed after Newt, and he started to point out the areas of the Glade. There was the Homestead, where the Keepers of the jobs slept. There was the Gardens where they grew most of their food. The Bloodhouse, where they slaughter to get their meat. There was the Deadheads, where they buried the dead. And of course, the Box hole where they get ‘Greenies’ every month and supplies every week.

“We believe the Creators watch us through the Beetle Blades, which are little bugs that scurry around everywhere”, Newt stated.

“Why do you keep calling me a Greenie?”, I asked.

“It’s Glader slang, meanin’ your the newbie around here. You get used to the way we talk”, Newt said and I nodded in understandment.

“By the way, we have three rules here”, Newt stated, gaining my attention. “Rule number 1, Do you part. Nothin’ gets done if we don’t work together. Rule number 2, Never harm another Glader. Rule number 3, Never go out the Maze unless you’re a Runner. It’s too dangerous for all of us to be runnin’ round and causin’ trouble”.

“Runners?”, I questioned.

“They’re the people who try to find a way out of here through the Maze. They map it out, but it changes every night so it’s difficult”, Newt explained and I nodded again.

“NEWT!”.

We both looked and saw a small ,chubby kid was running towards us. He looked no older than 12, and had curly brown hair that framed his red face.

“Hey Chuck, what’s wrong?”, Newt asked.

“Alby’s callin’ a Gatherin’. He wants to talk to the Keepers about the Greenie”, he said while gesturing to me.

“Okay. Take care of Floral while I’m gone”, Newt then turned to me with a smile. “Chuck here will help you in gettin’ to know the place. I’ll see you later”.

Newt then walked off, a limp in his step before he disappeared into the Homestead. I turned to Chuck who was staring at me. They even put young kids in here? What kind of sick Creators did this to us?

“I’m Chuck”, he said while sticking his hand out for a shake.

“So I’ve heard”, I said before shaking his hand. “Floral”.

“That’s a real pretty name”, he stated, making me smile.

“Thanks.... I guess”, I said, making Chuck grin.

He turned his head and I saw that a new batch of boys ran out from the entrance of the Maze, all puffing and sweating. They must be the Runner right?

“Runners are back”, Chuck said.

My eyes lingered on them, before they met with someone else’s, making me freeze. A tall Asian boy was standing there, staring at me with an odd look. His jet black hair was spiked up and his arms were muscular and slick with sweat. He soon broke eye contact and ran off, entering the Homestead.

“Who was that?”, I asked, still looking at where he disappeared to .

“The main guy? He’s the Keeper of the Runners, Minho”.