Feral → newt, tmr

Chapter 11: New Hopes

The remaining Gladers gather near one of the maze entrances, a heavy atmosphere hanging over them like a storm cloud. A boy drags Teresa forward, her face a mix of fear and defiance. Two others hoist Thomas, who lies limp and feigns unconsciousness, tossing him carelessly onto the dirt. The ground feels cold and unforgiving beneath him, just like the reality they face.

Gally stands tall by the wall marked with crossed-out names, his expression hard and unyielding. “This is such a waste,” he mutters, scanning the faces of his fellow Gladers, who wear a blend of uncertainty and fear.

Winston shakes his head, concern etched on his brow. “Gally… it doesn’t feel right, man,” he says, his voice low, almost pleading.

Jeff, glancing between Gally and the still form of Thomas, adds, “Yeah, what if Thomas is right? What if he can lead us home?”

Gally’s anger flares. “We are home,” he snaps, pointing a finger at the wall as if it can somehow solidify his claim. “I don’t wanna cross any more names off that wall.” His voice wavers slightly, revealing the fear that lurks beneath his bravado.

“You really think banishing us is gonna solve anything?” Teresa challenges, her tone defiant yet laced with desperation.

“No,” Gally replies, his voice steeling. “But this isn’t a banishing. It’s an offering.” He gestures toward the boys, who shove Teresa against a pole, tying her arms with rough precision.

“What? Wait! Gally, what are you doing?” Teresa’s voice rises in disbelief, panic creeping in as she struggles against her bonds.

Gally’s gaze hardens, his expression fierce. “You really think I’m gonna let Thomas back into the maze after what he’s done? Look around you! Look at our Glade! This is the only way.” He turns to the rest of the Gladers, his desperation turning to anger. “When the Grievers get what they came for… everything goes back to the way it was.”

“He's right.” Katherine steps forward, her heart pounding in her chest, fueled by a mix of fear and determination. Gally’s surprise is palpable, his eyes widening as if he didn’t expect her to stand by him. She can also see a twig on the side of his mouth. “This is the only way,” she asserts, her voice steady despite the dread swirling inside her.

"Are you listening to this? Why are you all just standing there? He’s crazy!" Teresa yells, her frustration evident.

"You shut up!" Katherine snaps back, a fierce glint in her eyes as she turns to Gally with a smile. “We can’t leave the Glade.”

“If you stay here, the Grievers will come back,” Teresa warns, desperation rising in her voice. “They’ll keep coming back… until you’re all dead!”

“Shut up! Tie him up!” Gally’s voice cuts through the tension like a knife, directing the boys who brought Thomas.

“Yeah. Tie him up…” Katherine echoes, her demeanor shifting in an instant. With a swift nod to her gang, she launches herself at Gally, landing a punch square on his nose. He stumbles back, shock and anger flaring in his eyes. “…or not.”

In the chaos, Thomas seizes the moment, elbowing one of the boys in the stomach before snatching a spear and knocking the other out cold. Newt, protective as ever, uses the handle of his machete to take down another boy while Teresa kicks the one who had bound her, determination flashing in her eyes.