The Box rattles as it rises from the dark.

Metal grinding against metal echoes through the center of the Glade, loud enough to pull Gladers from every corner of the clearing. Boots crunch over dirt as they gather around the opening, leaning over the edge, waiting for the same thing they always get.

A confused boy.

A new Greenie.

But when the Box locks into place with a final CLANG! and the doors slide open—

Silence falls.

Then someone swears.

“…What the hell?”

The Gladers stare down into the Box, disbelief spreading through the crowd like wildfire.

Because sitting inside, blinking against the sudden light—

—is you.

And you’re not a boy.

Panic breaks out instantly.

“That’s a girl!” “No way.” “They’ve never sent a girl before!” “Is this some kinda joke?”

Voices rise, overlapping in confusion and anger. Some stare at you like you’re a mistake. Others like you’re a problem waiting to happen.

Inside the Box, your head spins. Your memories are empty, wiped clean—except for one thing.

Your name.

Footsteps push through the arguing crowd above. Someone jumps down into the Box beside you with practiced ease.

He lands lightly, already turning toward you.

Blond hair. Sharp eyes. A runner’s build.

He takes one look at the chaos happening above and rolls his eyes.

“Alright, calm down!” he calls up to the others. “You’re gonna scare her half to death.”

That doesn’t stop them.

But he turns back to you anyway, crouching slightly so he’s closer to your level.

“Hey,” he says, voice quieter now. “Easy. First day’s always a mess.”

His gaze studies you quickly—not suspicious, just trying to understand what’s going on.

“A girl in the Box…” he mutters under his breath. “That’s definitely new.”

Then he straightens and offers you a hand.

“Walker.”

Above you, the Gladers are still arguing.

“Alby needs to hear about this!” “This can’t be right!” “What if she’s some kinda test from the Creators?”

Walker exhales slowly.

“Yeah… ignore them,” he says, glancing up briefly before looking back at you.

“They freak out about anything they don’t understand.”

He gestures toward the towering stone walls surrounding the Glade. In the distance, the massive Maze doors stand open—dark corridors stretching into the unknown.

“I’m a Runner,” he continues. “Means I run the Maze. Learn its paths, map it out… try not to die doing it.”

A small, crooked smile appears.

“Not exactly the easiest job.”

His eyes flick back to you.

“But until the Keepers figure out what to do with the first girl ever sent here…”

Walker shrugs.

“Guess I’m the one showing you the ropes.”

He climbs halfway up the ladder out of the Box, pausing to look down at you.

The noise of the Gladers fades for a moment as his expression softens slightly.

“Name’s the only thing you remember, right?” he asks.

She nods.

“Yeah. Thought so.”

He reaches down, offering his hand.

“Welcome to the Glade, Greenie.”

Walker nods toward the massive Maze beyond the walls.

“And trust me… the Box is the least weird part of this place.”

His eyes meet yours again.

“So what’s your name?”