The Runners: A Maze Runner AU Story - Book 1

1.7: The Gathering & Secrets

As Morning came Thomas was awoken by Newt who told him that the gathering was beginning. At the Gathering, all the Keepers, debate what should happen to Thomas. Some think he should be punished for breaking the Glade's most important rule: never enter the Maze. Others think he should be rewarded for saving Alby's life. Through all the chaos gally finally spoke up. "Since the day Greenie showed up in the box the glade has slowly fallen into chaos," He said to the group. "When I went through my changing I remembered seeing greenies face and a bunch of screens" He added but the other boys looked at him like he was crazy. "How do we know he isn't just a spy sent here to destroy us," Gally said with an undeniable psychotic tone. "Enough Gally" Newt said moving to speak to the group. "We got Gally's take what about you Minho," Newt asked Minho who was sitting in the back quietly. "You were in the maze with him. You saw what he did. What do you think should be his punishment" He asked Minho. "Make him keeper" Minho blurted out which sent outrage to the entire group. "Enough" Newt yelled out and looked at both Thomas and Minho. "When the grievers were coming for us I ran but Thomas stayed to protect Alby. If that's not a keeper of the runners then I don't know what is" Minho said before returning to his discretions. "What the hell" Gally yelled out at Minho. "Are you going insane cause if so we need to banish you" Gally said to Minho who snapped around and barrelled down to Gally punching him. "What. You've never even had the balls to enter the maze" Minho spat out at Gally. "Thomas has been here for a few days and has been the first person in glade history to survive not only a night in the maze but the grievers AND kill one in the matter" Minho yelled at Gally who tackled him to the ground before Newt broke it up. "Enough Gally" Newt said infuriating Gally. "Mark my words. I'll prove that Thomas is dangerous and end this for us" Gally said as he stormed out of the building. 

As The Gathering continues, the boys all begin chattering again before Newt once again silences them. "Here's the decision," Newt said. "All in favor of making Thomas a runner, not a keeper," he asked, and to Thomas's surprise, everyone except Winston agreed. "But nothing can change the fact that Thomas still disobeyed and disregarded the most important glade rule of never entering the maze unless you are a runner and for that he will go one night without dinner and spend that night in the slammer which starts tonight" He said. Thomas was expecting worse and smiled at Newt which got him an astounding smile back. As the boys began to pile out of the gathering building a distressed chuck came barrelling in. "What is it Chuckie," Newt asked seeing the concerned look on his face. "Alby"  Chuck said trying to catch his breath. "He's awake and wants to talk to Thomas," He said which got a confused look from both Minho and Newt directed towards Thomas.  "Okay well you heard him Thomas.. Go see Alby," He told Thomas who nodded and followed Chuck. "So Alby survived his changing?" Thomas asked as they walked to the homestead where Alby was being kept alongside the mystery girl. "Yes. But he woke up asking for you specifically Thomas.. and even for me that's weird" Chuck said making Thomas feel uneasy. Once the two boys made it to the homestead and went inside, Winston grabbed Thomas's arm and dragged him into Alby's room. Alby instantly looked at Thomas as if his presence sent off silent alarms all over the glade and alerted Alby. "Everyone out now," Alby said demandingly as all the boys except Newt and Thomas left. "You too Newt" Alby said and before Newt could argue Alby glared at him and Newt left the room standing near the door.

"Thomas.. Sit" Ably said and Thomas pulled a chair next to Alby's bed. "I Know who you are Thomas. You and The Girl" Alby said stunning Thomas. "What Do you mean you know who I am" Thomas asked worried. "During the changing, I saw you and the girl working together in some room. It's not good Thomas.. something bad is coming.. something really bad" Alby said. "What do you mean Alby your confusing me," Thomas said as Alby grabbed his hand. "The Flare Thomas," He said. "You have to remember the flare," He told Thomas who pulled his hand away in fear. "I don't know about any flares Alby I promise," He told the boy but Alby refused to drop the subject. "No. Thomas, you don't understand. YOU have to remember. The Flare. Everything" Alby said and Thomas stood up stepping away from Alby. "Alby you're sweating bullets,"  Thomas said but the sudden attack from Alby to himself startled Thomas. "ALBY.. Stop that" Thomas said trying to pry Alby's hands from his throat. "NEWT" Thomas screamed out and watched as Newt came into the room. "What the hell happened," Newt asked as he helped Thomas pry Alby's hands off before he killed himself. Once they were able to free his hands they sat down exhausted from trying to pry his strong grip from his throat. "Dammnit alby what were you thinking" Newt scolded as he stood up next to Alby. "Something out of my control," He said. "Like something outside of me.. a force of some sort was controlling my hands," He said worried about what was going on with him. "Newt.." Alby said softly. "Listen to me. I have two instructions I need you to follow" He said to Newt. "First, Be careful with the girl, and second, protect the maps," He said to Newt before passing out but only from exhaustion. 

"Come with me now Thomas," Newt said grabbing Thomas's wrist and dragging him out of the room. "I'm taking you to see that girl and you're gonna get her to wake up. there is no coincidence anymore that both Gally and now alby have seen you during their changings" he said with a very obvious hateful tone. Thomas had believed that he and Newt were becoming friends but the hateful words and tone being thrown at Thomas from Newt made him doubt it now. Upon entering the room where Teresa was newt pushed Thomas towards the bed. "What do you expect me to do" He asked until he began hearing a voice in his head. "Teresa" played over and over in his head until he realized that's who the girl on the bed was. Not knowing how he could hear her he spoke. "Who's talking to me" Thomas said out loud getting a weird look from Newt. "We did this to them.. to us," She said in his mind. "We were sent her to pass the trials and bring this story to an end" She added. "Everything is going to change," The female voice said over and over before fading away. 

//NOTE//

I know this is a smaller chapter but as of right now this is as much as I could mentally do. hopefully, the next chapter will come soon but please enjoy this one and look forward to hearing Newt call Thomas "Tommy" in chapter 8 or 9.