Song of a Glader

Chapter Three

"Well nice to meet you, Keller. Finally. I was starting to think you were making it up, you remembering things," Newt said with a smile.

"Why were you and Alby so shocked when I told you I remember my past. Are you guys brainwashed or something?" I meant it as a joke, but my smile immediately vanished when I saw the depressed look on the British boy's face.

"Oh my gosh. You don't remember anything, do you?"

"Our memories only go the distance of when we first entered the maze. The only thing the creators let us keep are our names," Newt sadly explained.

"That's horrible," I whispered. "I wonder why I remember. I at least remember my childhood; don't know how I got here."

Newt shook his head sadly as he stared off in the distance, took another sip of that awful drink.

A few moments of silence passed before the boy spoke again.

"So, your buggin' memories. Tell me what you remember," Newt said. "Where did you learn to do that to Gally?" He leaned closer to me, curiosity covering his face.

"Well, I have seven brothers. Or, I did. I don't even know at this point."

"Seven bloody brothers? Wow." Newt's eyebrows were raised.

"Yeah. Loved them all. Well, some of the time," I chuckled slightly and Newt held a smile across his face.

"We used to wrestle all the time. When I was little, I actually used to jump off the bed, onto my dad with my knees first. He would yell 'I don't wanna die today'." I could feel a tear form in my eye. It popped out and slid down my cheek. I smiled as I remembered my family. I missed them desperately.

"Sounds like you had a lovely family," Newt said with a small smile.

"Yeah. I'm sorry you don't get to remember yours." I wipe the tear off my cheek.

"Ahh, well, it's probably for the best. Maybe I had an awful childhood, I'm sure the creators erased it for a certain reason," Newt said. I nodded my head slowly, my heart not only hurting from missing my family, but now I felt sorry for this boy; for all the boys, actually. Even Gally.

Something suddenly caught my attention. It was an object sitting against another log only a few feet from Newt and I. I quickly walked over and snatched the object up, bringing it back to my original seat.

"Yeah, the creators sent it up in the Box with our supplies. We can't figure the bloody thing out, though," Newt said in frustration.

"It's beautiful. They probably sent it up for entertainment." I sat back down with it and held it across my lap.

"D'you remember it? What is it?" Newt asked, he was very interested.

"It's a guitar. My older brother taught me how to play. I used to sing my littlest brother to sleep every night," I explained. It was a truly beautiful, light wood, acoustic guitar.

"Can you play for us?" A boy said. I realized I had just gathered a crowd after grabbing the instrument.

"Oh... I don't know... I—"

"Please?" Newt asked beside me.

"Ahh, fine," I finally say. The boys cheered and took a seat on the ground.

I adjusted the dials to tune it.

"Well that's bloody lame," Newt stated.

"Patience, child. It is out of tune." I glare, playfully at him, then turn back to my guitar.

I called upon my memories and thought of one of my favorite songs, a song I would often sing to my brothers. Then, I began to play. I strummed a few chords as an intro before I began to sing.

"There was a time when I was alone,

With nowhere to go and no place to call home.

My only friend was the man in the moon,

And even sometimes he would go away too.

Then one night as I closed my eyes

I saw a shadow flying high.

He came to me with the sweetest smile

And told me he wanted to talk for awhile

He said, 'Peter Pan, that's what they call me. I promise that you'll never be lonely.'

And ever since that day...

I am a lost boy from Neverland

Usually hangin' out with Peter Pan.

And when we're bored we play in the woods.

Always on the run from Captain Hook.

'Run, run, lost boy', they say to me.

Away from all of reality."

I continued through the song, singing every word that was very close to my heart. I felt tears fall down my cheeks as I sang, my heart burning with pain.

"Neverland is home to lost boys like me

And lost boys like me are free."

I slowly finished the song and wiped tears off my face.

There was a moment of silence, then the crowd of boys cheered and clapped.

"That was amazing!"

"Do it again!"

"Sing us another!"

I laughed at the boys, glad they enjoyed it so much.

"Just one for tonight, ya shanks. Thank the lovely lady and go back to your roughhousen'," Newt spoke. The boys obeyed him and I smiled as each one thanked me or complemented me.

When the Gladers went back to their original activities, I set the guitar aside.

"That was bloody amazing, Keller. You've got a lovely voice," Newt said.

"Thanks." I smiled at him, he smiled back. "I only wish I knew why I'm here. Why we're all here."

"Wouldn't that be nice to know," Newt said sadly.

After awhile, the enthusiasm died down as boys became more and more tired. The fire was put out and the Gladers dispersed, dropping onto random places on the grassy ground with their sleeping bags.

I followed Newt to the Homestead where we each grabbed a sleeping bag.

"Pick any spot you wish." Newt told me, motioning to the whole of the Glade. "Just let me know if any of these shank-heads give you a hard time."

"Oh don't worry. If someone messes with me in a way I don't like, they'll know." I held up my fist as I said this. Newt laughed.

"Atta girl. You tell those shuck-faces." We both laughed.

"Thanks, Newt, for making me feel welcome in such an unusual place," I whispered; all the boys were sleeping now.

"My pleasure, Keller." Newt smiled softly. "Good night."

"Goodnight." And we parted ways.

I decided to sleep against the ivy filled wall, a lot of yards away from everything and everyone. I rolled my sleeping bag up and snuggled up inside it.

I didn't think I would be able to sleep, but I was surprised to find that I was absolutely exhausted. Almost immediately after I closed my eyes, I drifted off.