Hey guys! I'm Kim! As you might have guessed already, this is a Maze Runner fanfic… and also my first attempt at a story. So I hope you guys will like my first chapter! I would be delighted to give me some feedback so I can know how I'm doing and how you think of this story! If you have any questions or some tips for how to continue this story, feel free to PM me! I'll be sure to reply you as soon as I can. Now, on to the first chapter!

Chapter One: Welcome to the Glade

Darkness. All she could feel was darkness. She could see nothing, all except the grinding and screeching echoing around the… thing she was in. Her heart hammered inside her, as fast as a Hummingbird flapping it's wings. Where am I? That was the first thing that crossed her mind as she opened her eyes. She could remember… nothing. All of her memories and her past was gone; all except her name. Phoenix. My name is Phoenix. No last name, no middle name; just Phoenix.

The girl checked her surroundings, her fingers clinging to the sturdy crisscrossing wires that formed the cage she was in for support. With squinting eyes, she could make out sacks and boxes and other supplies that were in the box with her. What are these? Are they meant for me, or… for someone else? Phoenix whipped her head around the cage, checking if anybody else was there. Good, she was alone. Why can't I remember anything? What about my past? My parents? Oh my god! What about my appearance?

With shaking yet frantic hands, she patted her head and her face. Phoenix let out a sigh of relief. Her hair was still long, although tangled; she wasn't sure what color it was. She could feel her small button nose and her soft cheeks, her thick long eyelashes brushing her fingers as she caressed her face. If only I had a mirror… Surely there would be one in one of these boxes? Still, she didn't dare try to look for one. Who knows what were in those boxes? And even more, she was in pitch blackness; even if she could find a mirror, she wouldn't be able to see her reflection.

Suddenly, a huge jolt made Phoenix stumble. The cage she was in, had stopped. All she could see outside were concrete walls and pulleys. I must be inside some sort of tube, she thought. A tube that runs from the underground to the upper world. She didn't dare to hope that she would be rescued. There must be a reason she was trapped in this cage and sent up here.

Clang! The ceiling of the tube-like passage slid open, groaning and squeaking as if it hadn't been used for a long time. Bright light - real sunlight - streaming in through the opening. The top of the cage was also pulled open. The girl shielded her eyes, pain erupting behind her closed eyelids, fading as quickly as it had surged up. From the gaps of her fingers, she could make out figures standing around the hole in the ground. Slowly but uncertainly, she removed her hand from her eyes.

Boys, the crowd were completely made up of boys. No girls. Her heart sank. Was this some kind of boy cult? Was she going to be locked up, tortured? But not one of the boys uttered a sound, only gaped at her, as if she as some kind of exotic creature. Then, the crowd erupted into ruckus.

"It's a shucking girl!"

"No way! There's never been a female Glader before!"

"Maybe it's a stupid shank with a klunk-load of girl-hair."

"You're the stupid shank, slinthead."

"She's quite a hot chick! I've got dibs."

"Mine! I want her!"

"No, she's mine!"

"SHUT IT YOU SLINTHEADS!"

A tall sturdy-built boy with dark skin stepped forward, glowering at the other boys.

He must be the leader, Phoenix mused.

A long rope was let down, a large loop tied at the end of it. "Get on," said the boy, his voice still hard. With trembling hands, the girl grabbed hold of the rope, fitting her feet into the loop. Feet by feet, she was pulled out of the cage, swaying quite dangerously. She dropped onto safe grassy ground at last, managing to clamber back onto her feet; she surveyed the group of boys warily.

A few boys dropped into the cage to retrieve the supplies, and a large blue bag was thrown up, landing on the ground at her feet. A lanky boy with a mop of blond hair climbed out of the box, grinning at her. "Those're your things, I think." He held out a rough calloused hand. "I'm Newt, second-in-command of the Gladers."

Hesitantly, Phoenix shook the hand with her tiny one. "Phoenix," she murmured shyly, fumbling at her hair awkwardly.

The boy - Newt - laughed. "Well, I guess this is the usual drill." He gestured at the large clearing they were in. "Welcome to the Glade."

Reviews are appreciated; Favorites are loved; and Follows are enjoyed!

Love you all!

XOXO

~Kim~