‧₊˚✧ ⁝ 𝑪4 ❪ 忘却 ❫ ‧₊˚✧

the 𝒏𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔 ...

     RIA WAS INSTRUCTED by Alby to work in the Gardens with the Track-Hoes for the remainder of the current day.

     The gentle crash of spades making contact with stone and the soft rustle of leaves filled the atmosphere as Ria neared the Gardens in the north-east area of the Glade. Vegetable patches vibrant with fresh crops bloomed from the ground and twisted vines of tomatoes and grapes climbed determinedly up their wooden trellises. Ria couldn't help but be impressed by the way the Gladers had created such a space, each boy working hard to provide fresh food to eat.

     A blonde boy approached her after placing down his dirt and grime covered spade. He wiped his sweat glistened forehead and smiled crookedly. "You here to work?"

     Ria nodded timidly. "Yeah ... Alby said I should talk to someone named Zart?"

     "That's me, Greenie. Umm ... you can go help Jem. He's digging up dirt so we can make a new patch, over there you see." Zart suggested, extending a finger to point in the direction a little to his left. Ria's stomach dropped once she saw where she'd be working.

     The boy who had deliberately barged past her with such hatred was busy at work. He looked up as if he'd somehow sensed her, locking eyes with Ria. Unsurprisingly, he shot her a hard glare then began digging up the dirt once more.

     "You don't have any other jobs, do you?" Ria started, registering the way her heart seemed to rattle against her ribcage in unease. Zart looked at her sympathetically.

     "Jem may not be the sweetest shank, but he's the best we've got at the moment. Go on, Greenie."

     Ria swallowed, her throat tight and each step considerably slow made her way towards him. He was hunched over his patch, limbs smeared with grime. As much as she wanted to turn in the other direction, she willed herself forwards. The ground below her was uneven, dirt slipping over her boots and clouding the air.

     "What do you want?" Jem snapped, not meeting her gaze.

     She took a deep breath before replying, mustering any sentiment of confidence she had. "I need to help dig up a patch of dirt with you."

     He paused, watching her carefully. Jem's lips were twisted into a frown. "There's a shovel down there," he jabbed his thumb downwards. "Just get on with it, there's no time for complaining here. That all clear?"

     "Crystal." Ria mumbled. She stooped down and picked up a spade, gripping it tight. The cool metal pressed into her palm, her hands already clammy with sweat. Ria shadowed the actions of Jem as she started to dig, tossing dry earth from her spade like rain. Silence hung between them like a wall of glass, fracturing at each grunt or sigh Jem would scoff. Ria wanted to know why this boy was so cold towards her but a feeling of anxiety sat unmoving in the bottom of her stomach.

     Minutes soon turned to hours and the agonising feeling of exhaustion stiffened her bones. Ria's actions became half—hearted as she dug patch after patch, but she kept on working, teeth gritted in determination. She found herself wanting to prove herself to the other Gladers that she was just as hardworking as the rest of them. A longing to settle into her new world veiled her negative thoughts momentarily.

     Whatever Jem was feeling, however, he didn't show. His face was painted with concentration, blue eyes squinting in the sunlight and hair cascading over his forehead. After a few further minutes of digging dragged by, he finally shattered the quietude.

     "Go get me a pair of gloves from the floor over there," he commanded, extending his arm in the direction where the pair of tattered gloves lay abandoned on the grass.

     Ria grew exasperated, heat flooding to her cheeks. Her spade hovered in midair, grains of dirt cascading to the floor. "Are you being serious?"

     Jem crossed his arms, lips pressed into a firm line. "Look, Greenie. You're new here and I've been here for a whole year. So, that makes me in charge, okay?" an eerie calm laced his tone. "So, I'll say it one more time. Get me the gloves."

     The situation was hopeless. Jem was hopeless. After flinging her spade incandescently onto the earth, she turned on her heel and paced angrily towards the gloves. But, it was too late before she noticed the tree root breaking through the earth and arcing upwards a few metres. Ria fell with a heavy thud, palm slashing across a shard of pottery from a broken pot.

     The pain was hot. Blood instantly slipped between the crevices in her fingers and she whimpered in pain, pulling herself from the ground. Dirt freckled her hair as she pushed it from her face. Zart was by her side in seconds, gently taking her arm and heaving her up.

     "I tripped," Ria's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she cradled her palms.

     "It's fine, it's fine. I should've warned you about those shuck roots. You're not the first shank to have tripped. Get to the Med-Jack hut, now." he enjoined, pointing to the direction of Homestead. Ria didn't hesitate and paced towards towards the wooden hut, cupping her hand to her chest as crimson stained her shirt.

     Shortly after asking a boy who happened to be around Homestead for directions, she pushed past blackberry bush and reached a large hut. The door was engraved with a splintering cross symbol. Ria knocked briskly, wincing at the sting of her cut.

     "Come in! I've said a thousand times, you don't have to knock!" someone called from inside.

     Ria clambered through the doorframe and almost collided with another body. The boy jumped back in surprise, mouth agape once he registered her cut. A strong surge of herbal essence and antiseptic pervaded her senses as she blinked away the dim lighting.

     "Come with me." the boy instructed firmly, walking off briskly across the room.

     As Ria followed, she examined the infirmary. Seven cots were lined up against one wall, thin blankets strewn across the mattresses. Lanterns cast amber light across the room, creating a calm and orderly aura. She observed that two boys were occupying cots. The first was lying on his back, leg wrapped securely in a makeshift cast. His red hair was beaded with sweat and his eyes fluttered closed. He was still but grimaced in pain each time his leg twitched.

     Her eyes moved to the next. He was sat on the cot, holding a bundle of ice wrapped in a thin cloth against his forehead. A few gems of water slipped down his cheeks like teardrops and he wiped them away with his free hand. His skin was olive, tawny brown hair unkempt. As soon as he caught Ria's gaze, he smiled warmly which surprised her.

     "Sit on that cot beside Vince, here. I'll be right back. Take this cloth to stop the bleeding in the meantime." the Med-Jack instructed with a brisk nod. Tentatively, she obeyed and pressed the cloth to her palm. Although it burned, it eased Ria's mind in the knowledge that the Med-Jack seemed confident in what he was doing.

     The boy beside shifted, deep green eyes shining. "Hey, you alright? I'm Vince."

     "I'm Ria, but most people call me Greenie." she smiled which caused Vince to chuckle.

     "Why you here then, huh?" he asked. Vince gestured towards her hand, his ice pack slipping a little. He winced in discomfort at the coldness.

     Ria sighed. "I tripped and cut my hand. You?"

     Vince raised an eyebrow. "A wooden plank collapsed on me whilst I was workin'. But, Clint's ice is workin' wonders. Well ... the world's stopped spinning at least."

     "Oh, so you're a builder?" Ria asked, recalling her conversation with Alby.

     "Yep. It's hard work bein' a builder, no frolicking around Homestead like a Slopper." Vince shrugged.

     Ria nodded thoughtfully. Clint returned and began to dab a wad of antiseptic onto her cut. It throbbed with pain and Ria had to bite down on her lip to stop herself from crying out. She stared at the cut along her palm, knitting her brows together.

     "Luckily for you Greenie, it's not very deep and'll be healed good as new in a couple of days." Clint explained, bandaging her hand methodically. Once he'd finished, Ria stood and stretched her legs. They were rigid with fatigue.

     "If it begins to sting again or the bandage comes off, come back here okay?" Clint directed whilst riffling through a black notebook to scribble down a few notes.

     "Got it, thanks." Ria inclined, then she turned to Vince over her shoulder. "See you, Vince. I hope your head heals soon."

     He grinned. "G'bye, Ria."

     She followed Clint to the door, trying her hardest to minimise any sound as she passed the red haired boy's bed. He was stirring, face contorted in silent pain. Ria turned away quickly, sliding through the doorway and back into the Glade.

━━━━━

     "Bloody hell, Greenbean. How'd you do that?" Newt asked, gesturing towards her hand. They were walking across the Glade to the Kitchens for dinner, Minho jogging alongside them. The sun had dropped behind the Maze walls, a cool breeze sweeping away the dry heat of the day. Animals grazed quietly in their pens, leaves rustling along with the distant chatter of the Gladers.

     Once Ria retold the story, Minho sniggered.

     "I didn't know you were blind, blondie." the Runner joked, laughing when Newt elbowed him in the stomach.

     "Give it a rest," Ria snapped, snatching her hand away from his observance. "But can I ask a question?"

     Newt nodded. "'Course, ask away."

     "There's this boy ... Jem. He seems to, I don't know, just despise me. Do you have any idea why?" Ria trained her focus on the ground, cautiously selecting her words.

     "That shuckface." Minho cursed, slowing to a walk. Sweat glowed against his skin, coating it in a sheen.

     "What Minho means is that Jem's always been a little off. When he first came up from the box, he kept saying that he wasn't supposed to be here, like you did. He didn't talk to anyone for weeks." Newt was frowning, as if troubled by something.

     "Oh, I'm sure it's nothing then." Ria dismissed quickly. Her stomach churned, why had she said the same thing?

     "If you're unsure—"

     "No, it's probably me being paranoid. Don't worry about it."

     Minho and Newt shared a look but didn't pry any further. Later that night, Ria forced her concerns down as she curled under her blanket. But, no matter how hard she tried, the darkness of her room seemed to elevate the intensity of her thoughts. For the second time, her dream from the previous night resurfaced from the depths of her mind. She couldn't explain how real it felt, as if she could've turned to the window behind her and shattered it with her bare fists. Ria had felt the desperation she'd harboured like a knife to the chest. It was not a dream at all.

     She needed to experience it again.

‧₊˚✧ ⁝ 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒂'𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 ❪ 忘却 ❫

oo. a much shorter chapter but even so i hope that you enjoyed it. these first chapters are boring as there isn't any action but it'll all come very very soon! also, don't be a silent reader! it makes my day to see the feedback you're all giving. <3