Ky's POV:

I am awoken by the screechy sound of metal against metal. I shoot up into a sitting position, trying to get my bearings.

Where the hell.....

Suddenly everything, all my memories from the Glade before, come flying back into my head. I remember Newt, Alby, Thomas, Minho, Chuck, Madison, Gally....

Gally...

I remember him getting banished, but I can't remember how I felt or what happened after that. It's all just numb acknowledgment. I remember Dr. Helen and Dr. Jacob talking to me - telling me they removed my feelings or something. That I can't love Newt anymore. I know I should feel sad, devastated, and lost; but I don't. I can't.

I sit there in the box, awaiting my arrival to the Glade and deadly Maze beyond. My back leans up against the cold cage wall and my feet are propped up against an empty crate. I close my eyes and take deep breaths, feeling my steady heartbeat and the beads of sweat settled on my forehead. My long hair sticks to my neck and my clothes cling to my sticky body.

It's hot in this box, I think.

But it doesn't really bother me. That would be too close to an emotion. I sigh, wanting to stand and walk around.

Suddenly, I hear a beeping sound and the heavy top of the Box is opened.

Boys' faces peer down at me in wonder.

"Ky's back!"

"Oh my god, it's Ky!"

"Where were you?!"

"We were worried sick about you, Ky!"

A chorus of voices shout down at me, demanding attention and answers. Only one voice stands out. One word, whispered echoes down to my ears.

"Ky...." the voice sighs.

I lift my eyes up and they travel around, looking for the source of the melodic sound.

When my eyes meet his dark brown ones, I expect my heart to flutter like it used to. I expect my stomach to fill with butterflies or for my heart to ache for his touch. But nothing happens. There is no spark or anything. Though his eyes are full of joy and longing and love, mine stare blankly back. I recognize the hurt and confusion that pools into his beautiful eyes, but do not feel it myself.

I move my eyes on to the others.

"Don't you remember us?" Minho asks.

I nod my head, "Of course."

"Then why don't you seem happy to see us?" Thomas pipes in.

"Happy? Why should I be? This hell hole is the last place I want to be."

Gasps fill the air.

"Well damn. It's good to see you too", Zart snorts, stomping away.

A few others follow him. I shrug my shoulders and yawn, standing up and stretching my arms and legs.

"So, got any food? I'm starved", I say.

Everyone just stares at me. I climb the crates and stand on the parched ground.

"How long have I been gone?" I ask.

"Two days", someone replies.

"M'kay. So about that food?" I turn back to the crowd of irritated boys.

"First, where were you? Why are you acting so different?" Chuck questions.

I shrug.

"I have no clue where I was. And it doesn't matter why I'm different. If you don't like it, get over it."

"Actually, it do-"

I cut him off. "I'll just get my own food then."

The smells of the kitchen invade my senses as I near it. I raid through the fridge and settle on a pear and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The food in my arms, I walk through the Glade and find my hammock. I dump the food there and snuggle in, ignoring the stares of my friends behind me.

Word count: 620