‧₊˚✧ ⁝ 𝑪7  ❪ 忘却 ❫ ‧₊˚✧

the 𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒔 ...

     THE NIGHT TIME in the Glade was Ria's preferred time of day.

     She didn't care much for the work and clamour that settled upon the Glade during the day. Rather, Ria enjoyed when all those chaotic things slipped into the peaceful mist of night where the world was still, only being guided by the moon showering its milky pathways of light.

She'd endured another night in the Med-jack hut after a day of broken slumber, her pain slowly dissipating as each hour passed. Ria had eventually woken up from her dark, dreamless sleep due to the noises of the Glade outside. The faint murmur of distant voices and the gentle hum of the animals stirred her and she opened her eyes. It was the morning — she could tell because steady beams of sunlight would hit objects in the Infirmary and resile off them, setting the room in an imperceptible glow.

     Yawning, Ria sat up and stretched. Despite having rested for what seemed like eternity, she felt the heavy burden of fatigue slow her every movement. The air was cool, lifting the ragged cotton curtain from its casement with a calm ease. As she turned her neck to the side, Ria could feel the small tinge of pain that was left surface to the front of her head. However, the pills Clint had given her had clearly worked wonders, so much so that she'd forgotten that she was in the Infirmary at all for a few seconds.

     The dreams Ria previously slept through still trickled into the front of her mind like water and she felt as though they were desperately signalling her to feel something, perhaps spark the embers of a distinct memory. But, they simply didn't. All Ria was left with was a veil of confusion that shattered her thoughts and the ability to recollect. It was strange, the flashes of life beyond the Glade. She'd seen flowers, trees, mountains. She'd witnessed natural beauty that had been swept away, leaving fragments of earth slipping between the crevices in her recollections. The colours seem to fade the more Ria tried to grasp onto them, like chasing a butterfly that continued to flutter out of arm's reach. The feeling consumed her.

     A creak of the door to the Infirmary opening distracted Ria from her thoughts and she hastily brushed them aside. A boy who which she didn't recognise entered the room, gripping a tattered notebook and splintered pencil in his hand. He was an image of dark skin and curly hair cropped short, carrying a slight hunch to his shoulders. His eyes scanned the room until his gaze landed on Ria. A quick smile tugged at his lips as he made his way over to her, tapping his pencil rhythmically against the book.

     "Mornin' Greenie. Name's Jeff, I work with Clint 'ere in the Infirmary. I guess you could say we're a team." he introduced himself, pulling a stall next to her cot and taking a seat.

     "Morning," Ria responded, sweeping a handful of her hair off her face.

     "How are ya feeling today? More pain, less?" Jeff opened his notebook, flittering through a few pages.

     "Much better, thanks. Definitely less pain."

     "That good news, eh. Clint was worried sick — we all were." Jeff chirped, motioning to the door as if Clint was standing there, nodding his head in agreement.

     Ria dropped her gaze to her hands. She'd worried everyone and she had no idea what had happened. "I know," she sighed. "I wish I could tell you what happened."

     "That's okay, Greenie. I'm sure there's some sorta rational explanation." the Med-jack didn't expand on his statement. Instead, he studied her face carefully, brows creased in silent confusion.

     A few moments of silence passed between them as Jeff pulled himself up off the stall, then made a few scribbled notes. Ria desperately wanted to look, but she knew it would be invasive to ask what he was writing. She was curious all the same, wanting to know if these boys thought she was positively mad. If only she could remember anything of relevance.

     Then, Ria had a sudden idea. She asked Jeff for a piece of paper and a pencil.

     "Sure, whatever ya need Greenie. Newt'll be 'ere soon with your breakfast though," he said whilst tearing a couple of sheets of the cream paper from his notebook. Ria waited as he retrieved her a pencil and thanked him once he handed it to her.

     Jeff informed her that she would be able to get back into the Glade by the time lunch rolled around. This lifted Ria's spirits considerably as she was starting to get tired of having her own wearisome thoughts as her only company, stringing webs of confusion around everything she seemed to do. She envisioned the greenery, trees and fruit bathing in the fresh air outside and she suddenly grew fidgety. She needed something to pass the time and she now had it resting against her lap.

     Ria's attention snapped back to her idea. She'd decided to put every memory her mind could collect onto paper before they faded. The sea of flowers seemed like the easiest place to start, though Ria couldn't decipher they had been real or just shards of her imagination. Either way, she wouldn't let the go.

     Her hand hovered in the air, the pencil swinging to and fro indecisively in her firm grip before she began to press the sharp point of lead against the blank sheet of paper. Ria's hands moved surprisingly fluently, her steady fingers guiding the pencil around each curve. Occasionally, her index finger would slip and one of the smooth lines would jump out of place and she would frown in disapproval.

     Strangely, Ria wasn't sure how she had remembered the action of drawing so easily but she treated it almost like a gift. She was pleased that something would put her mind at ease as she crafted petal after petal stretching towards a pencilled hazy sun. The peaceful catharsis enthralled her and she felt completely alone in a void of tranquility.

     Ria was almost finished with her first memory when someone interrupted her.

     "Mornin' Greenbean,"

     She tore her gaze from her drawing to her distraction. Newt held a tray in his hand and wisps of hot steam rose into the air, drifting through the room. The delectable smell of her breakfast lingered invitingly and Ria hadn't noticed how hungry she was until now. She could almost taste the freshly cooked bacon on the tip of her tongue.

     "Morning, Newt. That smells great," Ria responded, eyes flickering from the boy back down to the paper which sat on her lap. He made his way over to her, placing the tray of breakfast on a small cabinet close to the cot. Ria still gripped her pencil but let her hand rest as an ache began to work its way into her fingers. Newt sat on one of the stalls and his kind smile set Ria at a comfortable ease.

     "What's that?" he mused, gesturing with a finger towards her paper.

     She picked it up, making sure not to crumple the thin sheet of paper and handed it to Newt who followed her actions. Ria watched as his eyes followed each and every even line in focus. He seemed to be caught in a trance as wonder glinted in his warm brown eyes.

     "This is really beautiful, Ria." he murmured, his gaze finally meeting her expectant one after he'd finished his observance.

     "You think so?" she felt a pleased smile creep its way onto her lips.

     Newt nodded earnestly. "I don't get how you did that, I can barely draw a bloody stick figure," he chuckled as he said the last words.

     Ria laughed, the sound a light melody. "I don't know, either." she admitted, taking her illustration back from Newt and placing it to one side carefully.

     "Where'd ya get the idea from?"

     She paused, unsure whether to lie or tell the truth. Her memories and dreams seemed far too personal, too unusual to share. Deep down, Ria felt a chill of uneasiness. She couldn't tell Newt — not yet anyway. "I, um, I don't know. Just thought of something simple to pass the time."

     Newt didn't seem to notice her tentativeness. "Well, I like it. How are you feeling today, any better?"

     "Much better, just tired I guess. These Med-jacks are geniuses."

     "That's great news, eh? Chuck'll be happy to have you back in the Glade. It's been practically a day and he already looks like a lost puppy." Newt shook his head, leaning back to rest against the cabinet.

     Ria pulled her knees to her chest, hugging them tightly. "That's sweet. I never thought I'd be so keen to get back out there."

     "Yeah It's weird isn't it ..." a look of thoughtfulness eclipsed Newt's features, amplified by the mellow light setting the mahogany hues in his eyes ablaze. "Anyway, I came with your breakfast. Hungry?"

     Ria nodded, watching as Newt retrived the steaming dish and handed it to her. She placed the tray on her lap, muttering a quick thanks before tucking into the food ravenously. He watched quietly as she ate, his gaze swinging from his hands to Ria. Once she finished ever last mouthful, Ria let out a content sigh and collapsed back onto her mattress.

     "Bored?" Newt commented, standing up form his previously seated position. He picked up her tray carefully.

     "No. I've just been lying here for what seems like years all by myself, alone with my depressing thoughts." Ria murmured, flicking at her bedsheets moodily.

     Newt raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "It could be much worse, ya know, Greenbean."

     The girl scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Right. All I need is a prince charming to rescue me from my boredom."

     Newt chuckled. "Well, your prince charming has to go back to work now." he shrugged, the smirk never leaving his face.

     "I'll guess have to find a new one," Ria smiled, crossing her arms across her chest.

     "Good luck with that." Newt laughed, cheeks flushed red. "I'll see ya later, I promise." He nearly dropped the tray as he stumbled through the doorframe. Ria noticed his limp was a lot heavier today and a mixture of curiosity and sadness stirred in her stomach, her smile quickly fading.

     She took a steady sip of the water, closing her eyes and letting the cool water slowly travel down her throat. After Jeff had checked up on her again with some more ointment and pills, Ria picked up her illustration. She studied each elegant curve, smooth line and solid edge.

     Each singular petal seemed to evanesce as her eyes skimmed over them.

━━━━━

     The Glade was bustling with it's familiar liveliness. Jeff had released Ria from the Infirmary after her lunch with the instruction that she was to return if she felt any possible signs of illness. The afternoon sun drew the warmest tones from the pale blue sky, the sun hanging watchfully above the cold walls of the Maze. Chuck ambled alongside Ria, swinging his arms in a carefree manner as he hummed.

Most of the boys were still on their lunch break, their hearty chatter coupled with the scraping of cutlery greeted Ria as she inhaled a steady breath. The air was so much purer than in the infirmary, where the smells of herbal ointment and antibacterial laced the sweetness. Now, all she could scent was fresh grass, apples and the perpetual earthy breeze that was so comfortingly constant.

"That bruise looks horrible. Does it still hurt?" Chuck commented, studying Ria's forehead.

Ria almost laughed. "Thanks Chuck, just what I want to hear. And not really, I can't feel it as much now."

Chuck's cheeks turned crimson and he stopped walking, his eyes full of regret. "No! I don't mean your face is horrible! Your face is nice, not horrible at all." he gabbled hurriedly.

Ria laughed and Chucks worried expression vanished. She noticed his smiled resembled the sun breaking through a cluster of gloomy clouds veiling it's brilliance.

"I was joking, Chuck." she smiled, nudging the younger boy in the ribs gently.

"Oh, um yes. I knew that." the young boy giggled nervously. "But ... we're still friends, right."

The leaves of a willow tree brushed against Ria's face daintily and she pushed them away, turning to Chuck. "Don't be silly, of course we are. Maybe even best friends if you keep up with the lovely compliments."

Chuck's grin was filled with a joy so profound it ignited a pang of warmth inside Ria's heart. He ran a hand through his unruly curls, pushing a tangled cluster from his forehead. "How did you get the bruise anyway? Fry told me that Newt told him that you couldn't remember."

A sigh escaped Ria's lips at his question."I don't know. I remember going into the Deadheads and then waking up in the Med-jack hut. Just those two things and nothing else at all."

"Oh, that sounds like a pile of klunk to deal with." Chuck shrugged, hiding any signs of concern beneath his sunny and blithe front. "Don't worry 'bout it, coming out of that Box makes you all kinds of crazy sometimes."

"I hope you're right," Ria's words came out heavy with gloom and she forced herself to try again, throwing as much optimism into her tone as she could muster. "No, you're definitely right, Chuck."

A collective shift in the atmosphere relocated Chuck's attention. The Gladers were trekking back to their areas of labour, still entangled in lighthearted conversations as they moved. Ria wondered if the boys ever grew bored of working though the day, limbs heavy and sweaty as their throats constantly begged for the icy touch of water to quench their thirsts. The routine of arising, toiling and sleeping again hadn't grew anywhere near tedious to Ria yet but she felt a burning inevitability that soon the endless cycle would drive her insane. It amazed her at how good the Gladers were, despite their circumstances, at keeping the morale buoyant.

Chuck groaned deeply as he squinted in the harsh sunlight. "Looks like I've gotta go. Homestead awaits."

"I'll walk with you. I feel like I'm about to collapse," Ria dragged a hand across her forehead, already glistening with gems of sweat. As always, it was a lusciously hot day. The heat licked at her skin, nimble as a flame, darkening it slightly with a sun—kissed glow. It seemed impossible to imagine rain gracing the soil of the Glade, spilling from the empty sky and replacing the sweltering humidity.

"Please tell me that was a joke," Chuck puffed, adjusting the buckles on his small shoulder bag impatiently.

Ria laughed, falling into step alongside Chuck as they journeyed the short distance towards Homestead. "I meant collapse of exhaustion, don't worry."

"Good." he paused, stopping to wave to a boy working in the Gardens. Ria immediately recognised him to be Zart, the tall blonde Keeper. She looked past him and spotted Jem, his back hunched as he dragged weeds from the dirt. Through the veil of dark hair, Ria could see the cold glint in his steel blue eyes. Instinctively, she quickened her pace and soon her and Chuck were at the familiarly splintered door of Homestead. Chuck dithered a little, as if suddenly troubled by something.

"So ... what job do you actually do here?" Ria pried, swinging the door open. It groaned as the wood cut through the dirt.

"It's embarrassing. I'm a Slopper which is basically the worst job in history." Chuck muttered, kicking a loose stone. Ria felt a wave of sympathy, so that's why he was reluctant to speak about it.

"Slopper, huh? Not the greatest name ever, is it?" Ria attempted to joke, but Chuck only managed the faintest of smiles. She tried again. "Hey, you never know, I could be joining you soon."

Chuck rolled his eyes again. "Trust me, you don't wanna be cleaning out the showers and toilets with me," he patted his bag. "Got my supplies though so I have to 'suck it up and deal with it', as Alby likes to say."

Ria envisioned his tasks and frowned. It did seem like the worst job in history. "Well I bet you're the best Slopper there is, right? It can't be that bad."

Chuck shook his head, his smile reaching his eyes. "You're exhausted and it's making you talk klunk. We have a surprise for you later, by the way."

"Surprise?" but Chuck was already gone, disappearing around the corner towards the shower shack and bathrooms. Surprise ...

Ria was too exhausted to think about the word right now. Her small room was bright as she entered, welcoming her with open arms of irradiance. Keeping the small casement open, Ria pulled the flimsy cotton curtain to filter the intensity of the light. It was good enough for her. With a shallow sigh, Ria crawled under the blankets and shut her eyes. From the depths of her memories, she attempted to recollect the most vivid images from the emptiness. The sea of flowers, boundless and infinite as they rolled into the distance.

No matter how hard she tried, the winsome picture seemed to drain like watercolour from a hollow canvas. She was too late.

‧₊˚✧ ⁝ 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒂'𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆  ❪ 忘却 ❫

          oo. OBLIVION HIT 2K READS! thank you all for your support &. votes, comments and reads. i wouldn't have been able to get this far without you angels! i acc feel like crying oml you guys are the best. ily all very much and i'm sosososo happy :))))) thank you 🌈 💖✨🦋