Left Behind -Gally-

Chapter 34

Gally was crossing names off the wall when Emma arrived. A group was already gathered around the doors, and a few Gladers had gone to retrieve Teresa and Thomas.

Emma was shaking. It wasn't obvious unless someone was really looking, which Newt was. He knew what she was thinking, and it worried him. "It's going to be okay. The plan's going to work."

"I know." That wasn't what she was worried about.

Soon, Thomas and Teresa would arrive. Their plan would be put in motion. Emma didn't doubt the plan. She knew it would work. It was everything else that worried her.

Gally wouldn't leave with them, that much Emma was certain of. He was too stubborn and too afraid. She hated how much she cared about him. The thought of leaving him was almost unfathomable. She's never felt this way about anyone before. At least, not that she remembers.

How could she willingly give up a potential shot at freedom to stay in a place she knows will crumble with someone who thinks so little of her?

But what if Gally was right? What if it isn't better? Would she be able to survive? Gally certainly didn't think so, and he had no problem telling her.

"You tried, Emma," Newt spoke to her, head lowered so that nobody would hear them. "You did what you could." Gally was too stubborn to listen, and Emma knew she was paying the price. "We can't stay here."

"I know," she responded, tears already forming in her eyes. She quickly blinked them away. "I'm just scared. What if he asks me to stay?" Would she be able to say no to him?

"I won't let you," Newt responded. "We can't stay here anymore. There's nothing for us."

"I know."

"It'll be okay."

"Will it?"

A few of the Gladers approached, preventing Newt from responding. They dragged Thomas, who was pretending to be unconscious and escorted Teresa roughly. They dropped Thomas on the ground.

"This is such a waste," Gally spoke, putting the knife in his pocket. Newt placed a hand on top of Emma's, squeezing reassuringly. It was a reminder that he was right by her side and that he wasn't going anywhere.

"Gally," Winston spoke up. "This doesn't feel right."

"What if Thomas is right?" Jeff spoke next. "What if he can lead us home?"

"We are home." Emma closed her eyes, a sigh passing through her lips. She knew Gally wouldn't change his mind. "Okay? I don't want to cross any more names off that wall." He pointed at the wall of names. Emma refused to look at it, knowing a lot would be crossed off.

"You think Banishing us will solve that?" Jeremey held onto Teresa tightly. There was a post beside her.

"No," Gally said. "But this isn't a Banishing. It's an offering." Emma's head turned in his direction quickly. That wasn't what she expected to hear.

"What?" Teresa was shoved against the pole, hands tied above her head. "Wait! Gally, what are you doing?"

"Did you really think I'd let Thomas back into the Maze after what he did?! Look around you. Look at the Glade." Gally motioned toward the Glade behind them. It was destroyed, but not because of Thomas. "This is the only way." Gally was wrong. He had lost his way, and Emma knew she couldn't save him. "When the Grievers get what they came here for, everything will go back to normal." To her left, Emma noticed Chuck approaching. He was holding all of their supplies.

"Are you hearing this," Teresa asked the others around them. The ones who didn't know about their plan. "Why is everyone just standing there? He's crazy."