The First Glader

25

He skidded to a stop beside her, breathing a little harder than necessary. "I didn't miss anything, right? Like... the important stuff?"

"The important stuff?" she echoed.

"Yeah, like, I dunno. A meeting. A Maze thing. Somebody new coming up. I don't wanna be the last to know."

Ada dipped the ladle and handed it to him. "We've been awake for fifteen minutes. The only thing you missed was Frypan swearing at the stove."

"That's important," Chuck said gravely, taking a drink.

Ada's lips twitched. "Sure. Next time I'll wake you personally."

He lowered the dipping cup, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Really?"

"If you start doing your chores without disappearing halfway through."

"I don't disappear," he protested.

"You wander," she corrected. "Which is like disappearing, but slower."

He made a face, then nudged her elbow with the ladle. "What're you doing today?"

"Same as always," she said. "Gardens, maps, listening to Nick complain."

"I heard that," came Nick's voice from behind them.

Ada didn't turn. "Good."

Nick stepped into view, hands in his pockets, hair still damp from a quick wash. He glanced between them—Ada steady by the barrel, Chuck hovering close enough their shoulders nearly brushed.

"Frypan wants him after breakfast," Nick said, chin tilting toward Chuck. "Says the kid's gonna learn how not to burn water."

Chuck brightened. "I'm helping in the kitchen?"

"That's the plan," Nick said. He looked at Ada again. "You ready for your run?"

Chuck whipped his head around. "You're running the Maze today?"

Ada nodded. "Once a week, remember?"

His eyes went huge. "With the monsters?"

"Not during the day," she said. "Daytime's safe. Mostly."

"Don't say mostly," he squeaked.

Ada huffed. "It's fine, Chuck. I've been doing this for years."

He swallowed. "Can I... can I come watch the doors?"

"You have kitchen duty," Nick reminded him.

Chuck deflated.

Ada studied him for a moment. "Tell you what. You help Frypan and you don't set anything on fire, and you can stand by the gates before I go in. Deal?"

His whole face lit up. "Deal."

He darted off toward the cooking hut, nearly tripping over his own feet. Nick watched him go, a small smile tugging at his mouth.

"He's attached," he said.

"He's adapting," Ada replied.

Nick glanced sideways at her. "And you?"

"What about me?"

"You're adapting too?"

Ada shrugged. "I'm doing my job."

Nick studied her for a moment, like he was trying to read between the words. "You slept?"

"Enough."

"So no," he translated.

She rolled her eyes. "Stop mothering me."

"I'm co-leading you," he said. "There's a difference."

"There really isn't."