Thomas's POV:

Today's my second day in the glade. I'm still really confused as no one wants to answer my questions. Everything just seems so surreal. I wonder what this day will be like. What can I expect from a place like this? There must be some way out, right?

"Morning greenie!", a boy around four years old said.

"Morning", I replied a bit grumpily. I don't like being called 'greenie' by a four year old.

"We're having breakfast in five minutes, so you better get dressed", he told me.

Why are they in such a hurry? It's not like there's much to do in a place like this. You've got all the time in the world.

I asked an old woman the same question at breakfast.

"Are you crazy?", she replied. She honestly looked in shock. Almost as if she couldn't understand why someone would ask such a stupid question.

"I'm just asking!"

"You seriously think there's not much to do in a place like this?"

"Yeah..."

"Not much? There's loads to do! We have to manage this whole place ourselves. There's no one to help us. Everyone's got their own job in our little society. There are around seventy people here: men, women and children and everyone's got a special task. We don't know much about this place but we do know how to survive. Of course people die every now and then but we're managing pretty well..."

"People die every now and then!? This place is sick, you know!"

She replied with a short "I know".

Newt came walking up to me a few moments after the conversation I just had with the woman.

"Hey Tommy. How are ya? Still confused?"

"I'm fine... This whole place is confusing."

"I know. It really is, though you'll get used to it."

"I don't wanna get used to it. I wanna go home, whatever home is."

"We'd all like to go home but we don't have a choice."

"There must be some way out Newt. I don't like being trapped. I don't wanna believe there's no way out."

"No one likes being trapped, though I do admire your stubborness and hope."

"Is that a compliment!?"

"It is."

Newt smiled. His smile is so cute.

"We need to find you a task. Is there anything you're particularly good at?", Newt asked.

"I don't know. I can't remember anything, remember?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry for asking. I shouldn't have asked."

"It's okay."

"Let's just try some different tasks then."

---

That day Newt showed me around and let me try loads of different things: cooking, building new things, being a farmer and the thing which appealed to me most: running.

I wanna be a runner. Just like those others boys. I wanna be able to contribute to finding a way out of this 'maze'.

I already told Newt about my wishes but unfortunately, he didn't take me very seriously. Apparently, you need to train a lot to be a runner. I'm already quite in shape though. It shouldn't be that much of a problem.

He said he'd talk to the other runners. I hope they'll agree.

---

I sat next to Newt again during dinner. I really like sitting next to him. He's nice and cute. Nicer than the other people anyway. Most of them just ignore me all day. Well except Chuck of course, Chuck is nice too. He's my little buddy.

I give him a quick wave and smile to him. He smiles back.

"You like Chuck, don't you?", Newt asks me.

"Yeah, I do. He's nice. It's a bit like having a little brother."

"I get what you mean. He always cheers me up."

"Do you need cheering up often then?"

Newt looks away.

"Do you like the food here?"

"Newt, you're ignoring my question. What do people have against answering questions here?"

"I don't know."

"Well can you please answer this one? Do you need cheering up often?"

"Why would I tell you?"

"I assume that's a yes."

He suddenly looks so sad, I want to hug him.

"You can always talk to me, I just want you to know that."

"Thanks Tommy."

Newt smiles a grateful smile.

I hope he will talk to me the next time he's sad. I hate it when people are sad. I just wish everyone could be happy. That's why I'm always offering people my help.

---

Newt's POV:

I wish he hadn't asked that question. It immediately made everything so awkward. I don't wanna lie to him but I don't wanna tell him the truth either. I do get sad a lot but I don't wanna come across as weak. I'm second in command. I should be an example, not some stupid mess. I don't want anyone to see through my mask. Especially not Tommy. I want us to become friends but I'm sure he'll leave me as soon as he gets to know what I'm really like. There's not a particular reason I'm sad. I just get sad and hopeless all the time without knowing why. I'm not complaining though. I'm thankful for my life here. I'd like some answer to all my own questions but it's not that bad. I've gotten used to this life. Some of the people here are truly amazing. I couldn't wish for better friends but I just wish I had someone to talk to. Someone who wouldn't leave me if they knew about me. Tommy seems like the person who sees right through your mask and that kinda scares me. Oh well... I'll just see how our friendship turns out.

"Newt, are you still there?", Thomas asked.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I got zoned out."

"No problem! I think I'm gonna go to bed. I'm really tired."

"That's okay. Good night Tommy!"

"Night Newt."

And with that, he walked away. The first few days here are always tiring. I understand why he wants to sleep. I think I will go to bed on time as well today.

Tomorrow's another day I'll get to talk to him. I suddenly look forward to the next day. What's happening to me?