chapter sixteen:
House of Memories

"I'm afraid that Ben will scare off the new Greenie," Elizabeth told Jeff. The Med-jacks decided to stay in the Homestead to keep an eye on Ben while the rest of the Glade welcomed the new Greenie.

"He came at the worse time," Jeff commented before he left Elizabeth alone with Ben. She let out a sigh and wondered what the Glade did to her. What Minho did to her. It still made her wonder about a stupid label but she decided that she shouldn't worry about that until Ben was better. What broke Elizabeth from her thoughts was a scream that came from Ben. The blond immediately sprung to action already getting used to Ben's horrifying screams. It took about two minutes before Newt and Alby entered the room while Elizabeth did the routine. The leader and second in command took a look at Ben while exchanging words over the boy. Newt parted ways from Alby and went over to Elizabeth.

"How is he?" Newt asked.

"Alive. That's all that matters at this point." Elizabeth answered, taking a quick glance at Ben. "But the Greenie? Is he scared?"

"They are almost always are," Newt answered his twins questions. The blond female Glader wanted to argue that she wasn't scared when she first arrived but she would then be lying. Waking up in the Box wasn't exactly a happy place to be in. Especially when you don't have much of a memory. Newt then joined Alby on examining Ben before Elizabeth joined them. The sound of the door opening caught Elizabeth's attention before seeing a boy who she hasn't seen around the Glade before. It was the greenie and Elizabeth couldn't help but feel like she met him before. Either way, her eyes widen when she realized that he saw the state Ben was in. Alby quickly took action and jumped in front of Ben to block him from the greenie's view. But that didn't stop the moans and screams from being heard, which caused Elizabeth to winch, along with Alby slamming the door. What the greenie saw was something that no one should see on their first day in the Glade.

"Not bad for a first impress?" Elizabeth asked out loud while Alby's voice was muffled by the door. She continued to treat Ben while her brother answered.

"Could've gone better, if ya ask me." Elizabeth hummed a response before she finished and Alby entered the room. Again.

"I'm guessing you two are going to talk," Elizabeth stated, exiting the room and heading to her second job. Once she entered she witness Chuck trying to explain to Frypan why he needed food before supper.

"Chuck, I can't do that or else the rest of these shanks will try to do the same," Frypan spoke. The blond girl raised an eyebrow, secretly hoping this would take her mind off of Ben.

"What do ya want, Chuck?" Elizabeth asked. The young Glader then turned to face Elizabeth.

"I'm trying to get Thomas some food," Chuck replied, hoping Elizabeth could help him out. She let out a sigh before she looked Frypan in the eye, communicating without using her words. Frypan couldn't help but to give in, not because she was the only girl but Elizabeth has a way with her stares.

"This one time!" Frypan said before he turned around to start cooking again. Elizabeth smiled as she watched Chuck start making two sandwiches. She rubbed her eyes, her bags were noticeable from the lack of sleep she's been having. Something was trying to surface but no matter how hard Elizabeth tried to think of what it could be, it didn't work. So she would stay up with another sleepless night. Then something hit Elizabeth in the head.

"Thomas?" Elizabeth asked out loud. There was a tingle on her tongue like she used to say the name a lot. "Who's Thomas?"

"The Greenie," Chuck answered after he finished making the two sandwiches and got two cups of water. Elizabeth furrowed her eyebrows while she grabbed three apples and took the sandwiches from Chuck.

"Thomas." Her head felt a bit lightheaded but decided to ignore it while she processed the name through her head. "Not a bad name. Where is he at?"

"By a tree," Chuck answered, which made Elizabeth wonder if it was near the tree she always sat at. The two exited the Kitchens and the older girl followed the young boy to where the newbie was at. They soon saw Thomas standing by a tree, looking out of place and confused. But that's how all the Greenie's are on their first day, according to Newt.

"Frypan wasn't too happy about me invading his kitchen before suppertime," Chuck announced, sitting down and motioning for the new boy to do so too. Elizabeth immediately gave them their sandwiches, apples and kept one for herself before she sat next to Chuck. "But Lizzie here helped me out."

Thomas took a look at Elizabeth who was eating her apple while staring ahead. He couldn't help but feel like he knew her. Sadly nothing popped up in his mind, but he did grow curious why she was the only girl. But his hunger overtook so he ate.

The blond Glader, took a bite of her apple, wondering when they'll escape the Maze. But what bothered her more was what would happen if they never escape. She shivered a bit before she tuned in to Chuck and Thomas.

"Why is Lizzie the only girl in the Glade?" Thomas asked.

"My name isn't Lizzie. That's Chuck's nickname for me, it's Elizabeth. And your thoughts are as good as ours." Elizabeth immediately answered, before taking another bite of the apple and chewed. She savored the flavor before she swallowed.

"What's actually wrong with that Ben guy? He doesn't even look human anymore." Thomas asked changing the subject. Chuck glanced at the Homestead, then over at Elizabeth. She blinked a couple of times while images flashed in her head.

"Don't really know. I didn't see him." Chuck answered.

"Nor will you ever see him," Elizabeth added on. She didn't want her young friend to see anyone in that state.

"You were there." Thomas pointed out, remembering that he saw Elizabeth in the room with Newt, Alby, and Ben. Elizabeth's eyes shifted from straight ahead to Thomas.

"And it's something I don't want to talk about." Elizabeth retorted. She wasn't necessarily angry, but she just didn't want to talk about what she saw and of what she heard from Gally. "Look, I know you're confused with the new environment but you'll get used to it. Trust me, but right now I got to head back to the Kitchens."

She stood up and headed to the Kitchens, not wanting to talk something that can turn into an argument or more questions. Elizabeth opened the door to the Kitchens and immediately started to help Frypan before she heard the grinding sound of the Doors closing. She couldn't help but smile since they were safe for another night.

"Have you seen Minho all day?" Frypan asked Elizabeth. The Keeper of Runners had stayed in the Glade to work in the Map Room and check out the new greenie. It hurt Elizabeth a little that she didn't get to talk or see him that day but there are other things to worry about. For example; finding a way out of the Maze.

"No. We both have been busy." Elizabeth answered.

***

The door creaked, causing Minho to wake up from his slumber. He rubbed his eyes before he saw the shadow of a female. His mind immediately knew it was Elizabeth. The door shut behind her before she stopped in front of Minho's bed.

"Yes, Beth?" Minho asked with his raspy voice. Elizabeth's breaths were shallow and quick as if she was running around the Maze while being chased by a Griever.

"I couldn't sleep." Those three words were enough for Minho to move over and for Elizabeth to slide in. He immediately wrapped his arms around her before he closed his eyes for a second.

"Mhm, Beth." Minho broke the silence to see if Elizabeth was still awake.

"Yes?" Elizabeth whispered. Minho smiled trying to ignore the sleep for five minutes.

"Wanna date?" Minho asked. It was quiet for two minutes, which made Minho think that Elizabeth fell asleep.

"Yes," Elizabeth answered. Minho couldn't help but smile again before he was sure Elizabeth was asleep.

"Mmm, goodnight Elizabeth."