Yours Truly

Regulus spends the next few hours wandering around after having lunch with James and ends up sitting under the shade of the deadheads thinking.

He’s deep in thought staring at the open gaps in the walls when a loud obnoxious voice interrupts his peace.

“Hey Greenie!”

Regulus turns to the voice, finding the boy who Frank had called Barty walking towards him. Regulus rolls his eyes slightly but allows the boy the approach.

“Whatcha thinking about Greenie?” he asks loudly, taking his spot next to Regulus.

“Pondering what’s behind the walls,” Regulus answers. “What’s with everyone calling me Greenie? My name is Regulus.”

Barty snorts a laugh. “That’s what we call the new kids for their whole first month. Most greenies don’t remember their name for at least a few days so we give them one and it just sorta sticks.”

“Well I hate it,” Regulus retorts. “You’re Barty right?”

“Yep, the one and only,” Barty answers.

“James called you a sick bastard earlier,” Regulus mentions.

“Is it because I’m the keeper of the slicers?” Barty responds, humor glinting in his eyes.

Regulus nods.

“Well James is a total wimp. He walked in when I was killing a sheep once and the poor guy nearly passed out from the sight. He can’t stand being near the bloodhouse on slicing day.”

Regulus can’t help but laugh slightly at that.

“That seems on brand for him,” Regulus says.

“All sunshine and rainbows that one,” Barty responds. “Unlike you.”

“Ouch. I’ll have you know I just arrived in some sort of fucked up nightmare without any memories. I can’t much be expected to be smiling,” Regulus snaps back.

Barty laughs loudly.

“You’re funny Greenie. We are going to be good friends,” Barty says, swinging an arm over his shoulder.

“Only if you quit calling me Greenie,” Regulus responds as a joke, throwing Barty’s arm off him.

“Deal,” Barty says with a grin.

“Shouldn’t you be working?”

“I’m all finished for the day. Animals have all been fed and are just grazing now. It’ll be dinner in a little while, and then it’s time to party.”

“Party?”

“Every month when the new Greenie arrives we have a big bonfire and everyone just gets to let loose for a night. Fabian and Gideon’s famous mystery concoction will be in the hands of all.”

“I’m sure that's what makes everyone loosen up?”

“You got it. No one knows what goes in it but it works wonders. Those two are our Med-jacks and so they know all sorts of weird medicines and plants,” Barty explains.

“I still have lots of people to meet I suppose,” Regulus replies.

“Oh yeah. There’s around 50 boys here, but trust me you’ll learn all their names. You have got to meet Evan though. That’s a must.”

“Who’s Evan?”

“The love of my life,” Barty says whimsically.

Regulus laughs, thinking Barty is totally kidding, but his laugh is met with a death glare from Barty.

“You weren’t kidding?” Regulus asks, trying to contain his laughs.

“No!” Barty cries. “Evan really is the love of my life.”

“You two are dating then?” Regulus asks. No memories come along with the question. No memories of dating anyone or knowing people who dated. It’s so frustrating. How does he even know what dating is?

“Nah, we prefer not to label it, but we all know he’s mine and I’m his,” Barty says.

Regulus gives Barty a look that is a mix of confusion and support.

“Don’t look at me like that! Love is everywhere, even in the Hallows,” Barty tells Regulus genuinely.

“Whatever gets you through it,” Regulus says noncommittally. “Where’s Evan anyways?”

“Still out mapping the maze. He should be back in a little while,” Barty says, staring at the walls.

“Maze?” Regulus immediately questions. “Is that what is outside of the walls? A maze?”

“Uhh,” Barty stutters, looking at Regulus with wide eyes. “I never said anything about a maze. You’re hearing things.”

“Don’t play dumb Barty. You said Evan’s mapping the maze.”

“Frank is gonna chop my fucking head off with a slicer blade like one of my sheep,” Barry mutters. “Fuck. Yes I called it a maze. Please, please act surprised when Frank shows you the window tomorrow morning.”

“Window?” Regulus asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Goddammit Barty,” Barty swears at himself. “Pretend I haven’t told you anything, promise?”

“Only if you answer my questions about the maze,” Regulus challenges.

Barty glares at Regulus, but Regulus stares right back threateningly.

“Fine. Damn, you have a mean puppy face. More like a kitten begging for attention. What’s your questions?” Barty relents.

Regulus is too giddy about getting answers that he ignores the puppy comment.

“You called it a maze. How big is it? And why aren’t we allowed in there? How long have you all been here? Why hasn’t anyone found a way out? I mean all mazes have an end right?” Regulus says in one breath.

“Lord Reg. Take a breath. One question at a time. The maze is fucking massive. People have been searching for nearly three years. I’ve been here for two of those three. We haven’t found a way out because the maze is huge, and it changes every night. That’s why the runners map it everyday. Supposedly all mazes have an end, but this one is very hard to find.”

“People have been here for three years?” Regulus asks, shocked.

“Yeah, Frank, James, Sirius, and a few others have been here the longest. Everyone else came up alone, one every month, just like you. Oliver came up right before you. He’s a cute kid. The youngest one here by far. He looks 13. Breaks my heart.”

“How old do I look?” Regulus wonders.

“Hmm, probably 16,” Barty says, looking Regulus up and down.

“I feel like I’ve lived way longer than that.”

“Don’t we all,” Barty says dramatically.

“This is all so weird. I genuinely can’t even think of a proper word to describe it. I feel like I’ve lived four lifetimes but I can’t remember any of them. Nothing here makes any sense. What could the reason for any of this even be? I genuinely don’t get it. Everyone here is just going about their lives like it’s nothing. It doesn’t make any sense,” Regulus rants.

“Trust me I get it. It gets better, but I’m not going to lie to you and say that it goes away. You’ll figure it out,” Barry comforts him.

Regulus just shakes his head, like he’s trying to take himself out of this nightmare.

“Hey, let’s go find Oliver. He’s supposed to be in charge of your sleeping arrangements tonight,” Barty says.

“Isn’t it a little early for that?” Regulus asks.

“Nah. You’ll want somewhere ready to crash after the party. Come on,” Barty stands and offers his hand to Regulus.

Regulus takes his hand and allows himself to be pulled to his feet.

They walk away from the forest and head towards the homestead.

“Hey Gideon, do you know where Oliver is?” Barty asks a boy walking past them.

He has flaming red hair and a face filled with freckles.

“Yeah, he should be around the medjack area. He was helping us today. I’m on my way to check on Pax,” Gideon responds.

“He’s been quiet today,” Barty responds

“For the best I suppose,” Gideon says.

Barty sighs and then leads them to a small hut on the side of the homestead. He opens the door, walking in like he owns the place.

“Oliver!”

A boy, the same boy that was staring at him when he first left the box, looks up in shock at the two of them. His face quickly fades into recognition.

“Barty, hey!” he says excitedly.

“Oliver my man, have you met the greenie yet?” Barty asks him.

“No,” Oliver says.

“Well, Oliver, this is Regulus, Regulus…Oliver,” Barty introduces.

“Hi,” Oliver waves sheepishly.

“Hello,” Regulus says back.

“Oliver, would you help get Regulus a hammock set up?” Barty asks.

“Of course,” Oliver says, immediately dropping the arm full of bandages he has. He flushes in embarrassment. “Um, let me just,” he gestures to the bandages everywhere. “...yeah.”

“Let me help,” Regulus says, bending down to gather up the spilt materials. He feels his heart soften.

“Thanks,” Oliver says shyly.

“Well have fun you two,” Barty says and exits the med tent.

They get all of the stuff cleaned up and put away. Oliver literally shaking at being in the same room as Regulus. Regulus can’t tell if he’s embarrassed, scared, or in awe, but he assumes it's a mix of all three.

“Um hammocks are in the homestead,” Oliver tells Regulus.

“Lead the way,” Regulus says, giving him the best reassuring smile he can.

Oliver nods and rushes out of the tent. They enter the homestead and Regulus is shocked by the way the inside looks. It's honestly creepy in there. Rickety stairs lead up to what Regulus assumes are bedrooms. Oliver leads him down a hallway toward the back of the building.

He opens the door to a room filled with crates of all sorts of supplies. Oliver goes straight for a bright red crate and opens it to reveal what Regulus assumes are rolled up hammocks.

“In the yellow crate over there should be some rope. Grab two pieces,” Oliver gestures to the other side of the room.

Regulus moves over there ripping open the first yellow crate he sees. It is filled with rope of all widths and lengths, but he grabs a couple of medium sized pieces.

“This work?” He asks Oliver who is holding one of the hammocks.

“Perfect.”

Regulus is then led over to the canopy where there are a bunch of other hammocks hanging around.

“If you want you can sleep near me. There is an open spot,” Oliver says pointing to the corner furthest from the homestead.

“Sure, that sounds good,” Regulus says.

Oliver rushes to hang the hammock telling Regulus what to do.

“So Oliver, I heard you came up right before me, is that true?” Regulus asks while tying the rope around the wooden pole.

“Uh yeah. I’m honestly relieved to not be called ‘greenie’ anymore,” Olive says with a shy laugh.

“So what’s your job then?” Regulus asks.

“Slopper,” Oliver says with a grumble. “I’m not good at much so I got stuck with the cleaning job. Mostly I get to help with Fabian and Gideon which is nice. How’s the Hallow treating you?”

“It’s been confusing, but I suppose James and Barty have been nice,” Regulus says. “I-”

Regulus is cut off by the most horrendous scream he probably has ever heard. It's animalistic and Regulus can’t even begin to think of what could cause someone to scream like it. The sound is coming from the homestead.

Regulus looks at Oliver with wide eyes. Oliver looks scared and crushed but not confused.

“What is that?” Regulus asks.

“Pax, he probably woke up,” Oliver says.

“What the hell happened to him?” Regulus asks.

“Not really supposed to say. James will probably tell you,” Oliver says shortly. “Come on, let's get away from it.”

“Oliver, wait,” Regulus says, catching the kid by his arm. “You need to tell me.”

“I really can’t Regulus, I’m sorry,” and he looks truly sorry.

“Then I’ll just go see for myself,” Regulus says, completely overcome with curiosity and the need to solve the mystery of the Hallow.

“No you can’t!” Oliver says scrambling after Regulus’ long strides.

Regulus ignores him and he feels bad for it, but not bad enough to stop. He follows the shrieks into the homestead and up the stairs.

“Regulus you’re going to get me in trouble,” Oliver continues his pleas after Regulus.

Regulus bursts into the room. Multiple people turn to him, all with mirroring expressions of shock and horror.

Before Regulus has a chance to do anything he is being pushed out of the room with such force he doesn’t even have time to process what he had just seen and who was shoving him into a wall at that moment.

Regulus collides with the wall behind him, leaving him breathless, looking at the person before him.

James' face is filled with fury as he presses his arm into Regulus’ throat.

“Has no one told you not to dig in places you shouldn’t dig?!” James spits with fury. Regulus is stunned into silence, the wood behind him digging into his back. “Stay out of that room from here on out, ya hear? And stay out of keeper business. You're a greenie. No snooping. You’ll get your answers if you don’t go searching for them in bad places.”

“I-” Regulus attempts to speak but the arm on his throat makes his voice high and weak. He doesn’t know what he was going to say anyways. James' face is so close to his. Regulus can’t look at anything but it.

“You tell no one what you saw. Forget all about it okay?” James threatens.

“Okay,” Regulus responds. Too scared and too shocked to react any differently.

James releases him and takes a step back.

“I’m sorry for flipping on you, it’s just this rather secret situation,” James apologies.

“It’s fine,” Regulus responds robotically.

“Oliver, go take him to the deadheads or something. Just get him outta here,” James orders.

“You’re…You're not mad I didn’t stop him coming up here?” Oliver asks, staring up at James with such admiration.

“No kid. Greenies will be greenies, that's not on you,” James tells him.

A scream rips through the place.

“Shit,” James says, shaking his head. “I gotta get back in there. Look greenie I’ll see you at the party tonight? Introduce you to some people and all?”

“Sure,” Regulus says.

James turns with the second scream that pierces the air. Regulus follows Oliver out of the homestead and across the Hallow to the deadheads. They sit down under a tree and Regulus allows himself to process what he had seen in the room.

A boy was lying on the bed. Though he hardly looked human at that moment. He was writhing and trying to break from the restaurants that held him down in an almost animalistic way. Like a rabbit caught in a bear trap. Green and purple veins wrapped their way up his chest that looked incredibly painful. It reminded him of vines twisting around his body and slowly killing him. The group of people around him had been talking in somber voices, like the boy was going to die. God Regulus hopes he doesn’t die. Have people died here? He hopes not, but something tells him the answer to his question isn’t what he hoped.

“What the fuck is this place?” Regulus finds himself saying.

“I haven’t figured it out yet. No one has. Most gave up trying,” Oliver responds.

“You're a kid. Like 13 at most. What could possibly be the reason for any of this?”

“I don’t know,” Oliver says, and he looks very upset that he doesn’t know.

“I’m sorry Oliver. I should have listened to you,” Regulus says.

“It’s okay. I tried to run away outside of the walls when I first got here. James had to literally drag me back into the Hallow. I get it,” Oliver says.

You shouldn’t have to get it, Regulus thinks.

“This sucks,” Regulus says instead.

“At least you have me right?” Oliver says grinning up at Regulus.

Regulus gives him a small smile back. He likes this kid.