The doors are holding back the answers, locked in tight as stone. The vines wrapped around like chains. I stand close by, watching the doors, waiting for them to open. Waiting for answers.

While the dawn breaks through I focus on the doors, examining every crack and crevice. I want to memorize every inch of this maze. For now I have to be content with this side of the doors.

Behind me I can hear movement. Everyone is waking up. Since Alby has taken over, these past two days have been orderly. Somewhat over orderly. Every second we are kept busy. Both physically and mentally. Sure there are a few complaints of too much work but attitudes have improved immensely. For one there is hardly any crying heard in the dead of night. Almost everyone is too tired to cry.

"You remember our deal runner?"

I jump at the sudden hand on my shoulder and look over to see Alby. His eyes are dark and I can tell he is tired.

"Yeah I remember." I answer back.

"Good, now go to the kitchen, you can help Frypan with breakfast."

I don't bother trying to get out of it, Alby has been surprisingly nicer to me and I want to keep it that way. I reluctantly leave my beloved mystery behind and walk toward the kitchen. On the way I notice others are walking around, beginning their chores. You can definitely see an improvement in the Glade. The farm area is free from trash and seeds have been planted. The fencing for the animals has been gathered and a couple of buildings are in the works.

Frypan is already up and about his kitchen, shuffling  from counter to pantry, in a mad rush to please the breakfast crowd; everyone.

He sees me and frowns.

"I could use some help over here. The Gladers don't feed themselves."

I give a smile. "They used too."

Frypan walks over and hands me a large stack of bowls.

"That was then. This is now." He says seriously.

I walk to the counters and lay out the bowls. While Frypan goes behind me and pours in something gray and lumpy. It plops as it hits the bowl.

"What is that?" I ask as I don't even try to mask the disgust in my voice.

"Glade Glush." He says keeping his attention on serving the unattractive meal.

"Do I even want to know what is in that?"

He looks up and huffs. I notice frustration in his demeanor.

"It's the best I have to work with until more supplies come."

As I set down another bowl I ask,

"Is that what they expect us to eat?"

"They don't send up a menu you know. " He replies sarcastically.

I shrug and finish my job without remark. Before long breakfast is being served and appetites are lost at sight of the gray glob. Many a complaint is made but one look from Frypan is enough to quiet everyone, especially the younger kids. It's not wise to criticize the person who is in charge of the food.

Minho is the exception. He bluntly pushes his bowl aside and stands.

"I don't mind the work. I tolerate waking up at the crack of dawn. But I refuse to eat this garbage."

Frypan glares and I notice he tightens the grip on his serving spoon. Newt must notice the tension as he stands in front of Minho, purposely between he and hard metal spoon.

"It's edible. No one has gotten sick." Newt tries to reason.

"Oh yeah?" Minho asks sarcastically.

He then picks up the bowl and lets out a long shrill whistle.

"What is he doing?" I hear Frypan ask angrily.

Although I have an idea of what is to come I remain silent as I don't think Frypan will appreciate it.

Sure enough Bark runs up to Minho. Minho sets the bowl down in front of Bark. He takes one sniff of the stuff and runs off, rather quickly.

Minho looks up, pleased with what he did and says,

"If a dog won't eat it, then I won't either."

I notice the boys around me are silently laying their spoons down and grimacing at the questionable mush.

Frypan's face is red with anger.

"There is nothing wrong with the food!" He shouts.

"What's going on?" Alby exclaims as he hurries over.

"He is insulting my cooking!" Frypan accuses as he points at Minho with the metal spoon. "I know it's not the best but it's all I've got till more  supplies arrive!"

At that moment there is a familiar sound. The sound of the box.

"Supplies shouldn't come until tomorrow." I hear Alby mumble to himself.

He and Newt walk over to the box and peer inside. They exchange glances and Newt kneels down, and slides into the box to retrieve whatever is inside.

We all hear an excited shout and hurry over to see what has happened. Newt is now passing up items. As I get closer I can see it is cans and boxs.

"Peaches?"
"Granola bars!"

Excited shouts are heard as food is passed around, each boy eager to see the next treat.

Lastly Newt climbs out of the box. He holds up a slip of paper and motions for silence. Then he speaks.

"Just say please."

Newt looks up from the paper and over at Alby, then at the expecting faces.

"We can ask for stuff!" He announces.

The rest of today is a holiday. A list making holiday. Food, clothing, games and bath items are shouted out as Alby adds each item to a long list while Frypan and I serve a redo breakfast of pancakes and orange slices.

I smile as I watch the happy faces and smiles. It is then I'm called back to the present, to the reason why we shouldn't get too comfortable around here. The doors are opening. The Maze stands before, beckoning me to run it. But I can't.

I made a deal not to go inside until all the major building and work is completed.

A/N
Hope you all like this story. It will speed up and get more intresting.