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~ DAY ONE ~

Zelia woke up early on Alby's bed to watch for the opening of the Maze door. She knew his life was uncertain, but it wasn't bad to hope. Maybe he was just waiting for the door to open. The girl was thankful that they weren't many Gladers that are on sight that awake this early morning. She didn't know what to say when they saw her here at the entrance of the Maze.

"Why did you wake me up so early? My bed still calling me."

"Don't complain; I know you will complain if we just let you sleep."

Zelia raised an eyebrow when she heard a familiar voice approaching where she is. She didn't need to look who they were. It's too early for the two of them to fight.

"Are you really sure about your plan?" The girl looked at Newt, who was already beside her.

"I don't just say something if I know I'm not sure." Newt smiled before looking at Zelia.

"He would be proud of you." Because of what he said, the girl's eyes rolled, and she looked back at the front.

"He came back here first, so I can believe what you said." Newt laughed softly.

Little by little, they could hear from the door of the Maze, a sign that it was about to open. Zelia suddenly felt nervous; she was afraid that she might just fail herself. She wanted to look away but she couldn't. She could feel how fast her heart was beating right now as she waited for the door to open completely.

But the four really felt disappointment. Except for the wall, they saw nothing else, not even a sign of a man. Zelia just took a deep breath and turned around to do her own routine. The girl almost frowned when she saw Alby, who was quietly behind them.

"If I were you, I would probably think his last words. It's hard, I know, think properly about his role in this Glade," Alby said while looking one by one at the four of them and seeing that their reactions were the same, those who were confused by what the leader said. Alby just smiled at them before he spoke again.

"You're not the one who loses. Remember, there's a time that you thought it was doing well your days are, but you were just being played with." Alby left the four friends to eat his breakfast.

They were even more confused by what he said. They stared at each other, not knowing what to say. It's still too early in the day for them to understand anything.

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The three—Zelia, Newt, and Kendrix—were quietly eating lunch when Ben started running inside the Maze after they ate breakfast. What Alby told them is still on their minds.

"I'm still overthinking what Alby said. I feel like there's something he wants to tell us but he can't say it," Kendrix said while looking at Alby, who was also eating not far from their table.

"Maybe he's still believing that Minho is alive or he knows something. I don't know; I guess we just have to wait for a week to know what he really meant," Newt said and finished his own food. Kendrix suddenly looked at Zelia, who was just listening to the two of them while eating.

"How about you, Zel? Do you think that Alby is hiding something from us? Or maybe he also knows that Minho is innocent?" Newt looked up at the girl and waited for her answer. Zelia looked at her friends before speaking.

"Who knows? Alby is a mysterious guy, but still he's finding a solution to our problems at the Glade. But all I know is I need to talk to him about my plan," Zelia said, and she didn't wait for her friends to speak and went to the sink to wash the plates and utensils she used.

When she finished what she was doing, she started looking for Alby. Zelia didn't have a hard time finding a man, so she immediately approached him.

"Alby, wait. Can I talk to you for a minute?" Zelia stopped the man when she saw that he was going to his own room. He immediately nodded, and they walked towards the Homestead.

Zelia's eyes wandered, and she saw Newt and Kendrix looking at her; they gave her smiles to make her feel that no matter what happens, they are right next to the girl.

"What is it?" The girl took a deep breath when they reached the Homestead before looking the leader in the eyes.

"I suggest if you can add another job, the one who can protect themselves." Alby frowned but did not speak. He wanted to hear what was on Zelia's mind right now.

"You know, someone could teach them how to use knives or daggers, spears, and crossbows properly, or even how to punch and kick. I mean, we don't know what the Creators are thinking. They might suddenly send something we didn't expect," Zelia added, even though she was feeling nervous. She knew it was difficult to read Alby's mind, but there was nothing wrong with trying.

"It's not because I'm being negative, but because we can't just rely on the Runners, the strongest in the Glade. I know it doesn't make sense but—"

"I approved your suggestion."

"Wait what?" Zelia couldn't believe what she heard. She just wanted to make sure.

"I never thought of that in two years. Just like you said, we don't know how the Creators brains work. Maybe you're right, they can release the Grievers inside the Maze to attack the Glade. I don't want to get to the point where everyone is just looking and running and just letting the Runners do their job," Alby said and smiled at the girl who now had a wide smile.

"So what's your plan? I mean, I know you can punch so you can be a Keeper in the new job." Alby added that Zelia agreed.

"Before that, I have to teach myself how to use a weapon first. On my first day here, I saw the Slicers using crossbows to catch animals that got loose on the Bloody House." The man nodded slowly. He was just thinking; he knew the girl's idea would be great for them.

"Looking forward to that, Zelia. Tell me once you already learn how to use a weapon to officially have a new job and new Keeper inside the Glade," Alby said while smiling at the girl. Zelia immediately nodded and thanked the leader.

"Thank you so much, Alby. I promise, I won't let you down," Zelia said, obviously too happy.

"I know, Zelia. That's why he has so much trust in you. I'll go first; I have to go back to work." Zelia frowned. She was about to ask what he meant when Alby left. She didn't understand what the man said.

Me? Who will have a lot of trust in me? Newt? Kendrix? Ben? I don't know.

She just shook her head to get rid of her thoughts before walking out and immediately looking for Newt and Kendrix to tell them what happened. Zelia didn't expect the two of them to be waiting outside the Homestead.

"So? What happened? Is Alby angry? Does he have a lot of questions?" Kendrix asked as the girl got out.

"You have more questions than Alby." Suddenly, Newt laughed softly at what Zelia said, which made the man's pout his lips.

"I'm just curious, and I'm just thinking that if Alby agrees, I'll be the only one who doesn't have such a high role in my life here in the Glade." Because of what her friend said, Zelia rolled her eyes, and they started to walk.

"We're all here have a bigger part in the Glade. Besides, we didn't become friends because of our work roles."

"Zelia is right. Our jobs are very important at the Glade. It's not noticed too much, but builders are the reason why we use a lot here, why we have a roof, a kitchen and a bathroom," Newt said, and the girl agreed.

"If you say so," Kendrix said while slowly nodding. "So what happened? It's like you changed the topic." He added that made Zelia just shake her head.

"He approves the idea. I'll just talk to Alby again once I know how to use a weapon," the girl said, making the two men smile.

"I told you, that's a good idea. For sure, there are many people to ask you how to defend themselves because we know that we will find a way to get out of here." Kendrix agreed with what Newt said. Zelia felt even more happy. She was so happy to the point that she didn't know how to explain it.

"But before that happens, I really need to teach myself how to defend properly with weapons. I don't think it's easy, but I know I can do it."

It's not just for herself why she came up with this plan. The girl doesn't want to lose someone, and someone will added at the Deadheads. She will do everything for all her friends to fight against any problem that will meet them all.

I hope this really works.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I reach 50 readers! Thank you so much for reading the story guys! Don't be silent reader, by just clicking the star button means a lot to me ^^

Well let's just focus for Zelia and his trio guy friend (am I only one that their interaction is so cute??? like I want to belong with their circle of friend T_T)

Happy reading guys!!!