𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍 & 𝐄𝐂𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘-𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮

TEN

-Gally-
I should have left it alone. Let it be like she requested. But I couldn't. Not when I had to see her so unlike herself. I had seen her before as the sun, bright and warm. Now she was like a rainy day, overcast and gloomy. I knew she took the things that Jackson said to heart. I knew that she was able to hear him in her head. Anything I say wouldn't deter her from what Jackson made her believe.

And what he's said to her about being here only for our pleasure. He ought to be banished from that one sentence alone. I knew the boys would have their fantasies about Florence-hell I will admit I've had a couple-but to outright say them to her, especially after belittling her. He's lucky I don't kill him where he stands.

I watch him as he waits for his turn for food, talking to another Glader. He's smiling. I cut a look to Florence as she picked at her food, our friends worried, wondering what's wrong with her. But she won't speak with them. She's back to silent treatment.

I looked back at Jackson, as he walked to his table, still carefree as if nothing happened. I felt my face twitch before I stood up, marching to his table. I heard his laughter and I imagine that's what it sounded like as he mocked Florence, breaking her. I grabbed him by his collar and threw him to the ground.

The Kitchens broke out into noise, but I blocked it out as I slammed my fist into his face repeatedly. He fought back and got a couple hits, but I blocked that out too. All I could think about was Florence's whole demeanor as she told me what he said.

"Don't tell anyone."

My hands slowed to a stop and I looked up. I didn't care about anyone else or how they felt about this situation, I only looked for Florence. Her eyes met mine with anger and fear. With tears in her eyes, she turned and ran away from the Kitchens.

I stood up, breathing hard. Alby and Newt were quick to order me to the Slammers, boys bigger than I was grabbing my arms and dragging me away. I watched as Florence disappeared into our hut.

"What the hell is your problem?" Alby asked after he came back from checking on Jackson. "Beating him half to death. You better have a good reason."

"How bad is it?" I ground out.

"Well his whole face is broken, but Clint said he'll be fine. Just will be an ugly shank now."

"Not that he was much to look at before." I muttered.

"Gally, you better tell me what the shuck is going on now, before I agree with the rest of the Keepers with banishing your shank ass."
I scoffed. "Jackson should be the one that's banished."

"What happened?" Alby's voice hardened, but I wasn't scared of him. I was more scared of Florence. So I stayed quiet. I've already done too much. Alby sighed. "I know you Gally. You wouldn't do something like this for no reason. So whatever it is, I hope it was worth it."

Worth it? I've ruined everything.

-Florence-
Newt found me an hour later, crying into my pillow like I was some little girl. He didn't say anything at first, just sat beside me rubbing my back. He let me cry it out and when I went silent, sucked in a breath. "Do you have a clue on why Gally would do that?" I didn't want to answer, Jackson's voice in the back of my mind. "Florence. Gally's not speaking either, but if neither of you say anything, he's going to be banished."

I sat up, eyes wild. "What do you mean banished?"

Newt looked away. "He's going to be sent out into the Maze before they close. No one survives a night in the Maze."

I felt my breath hitch. "You can't do that. He can't punish him for trying to protect me!" I covered my mouth. I said too much.

"What do you mean protect you? What happened?" Despite the fear I told Newt. I was more scared of Gally getting banished than I was of Jackson. I watched as Newt progressively got angrier. He didn't say anything afterwards and I couldn't say why that scared me even more. "You have to tell the Keepers. They're the ones deciding if Gally gets banished or not."

I groaned. I didn't want to tell this story again, but I also didn't want Gally to die, so Newt and I headed to the council hut.

They were in the middle of arguing when I busted in and fell silent as I stood in the middle of the hut. "You guys can't banish him. He had a reason to beat up Jackson-not saying he should have done it-but he had a reason."

"What reason could there be to beat someone half to death?" Winston asked.

I clenched my jaw and looked at Newt. He gave me a reassuring nod and I closed my eyes taking a deep breath. "Jackson cornered me when I was alone. He told me that I was just a weak little girl. That I would bring nothing but pleasure for you guys-which by the way, I still have no idea what it means!" In unison all of their eyebrows pulled together, a look of disgust on all their faces. "What? What does it mean?"

"Florence you're too innocent." Alby's voice was soft. He sighed and addressed the Keepers. "Okay, so we can't banish him. But he has to stay in the Slammers for a bit. All who agree raise your hands." It was a unanimous vote and I almost jumped with relief. Gally would not die today.

It was later in the day, close to dinner when I went to visit Gally after my shift with the bricknicks-they were similar to Builders but they were the ones who repaired things. Alby thought it was still best to have me continue trying out and the Keeper of the Bricknicks decided to let me out early.

I ran to the Slammers, which were located against one of the walls. It was getting dark so I grabbed a torch that was hung up on a post and took it with me.

Gally was sitting in the cell, knees tucked to his chest and head against the wall. When he heard me, he picked his head up. I felt the smile as it split across my cheeks and I was panting from my run. "I saved you."

He smiled back at me. "I can see that. How long do I have in here?"

"Alby said a week. But it's better than being banished."

He stood up, his face reaching well over the ground and looked at me through the bars. "Flor, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to start anything and force you to talk, but just seeing him-I couldn't control myself."

"It's okay Gally. I'm just glad you're alright."

He reached his hand out, palm up. I frowned before realizing he wanted my hand. I rested it in his, they were rough and warm-suited for his job. The touch brought a spark up my arm and I stared at him wide eyed. "I care so much for you Florence. You know that right? I would do anything to protect you."

"Well, seeing as you risked banishment, I believe you." I chuckled but he stayed serious.

"I will risk banishment a thousand times if it meant you were okay."

I felt the tears bubble at my eyes and Gally went blurry for a second before they fell down my cheeks. "Thank you Gally."

He nodded. "You should get to bed."

"Okay." He let go of my hand and I wanted nothing more than to hold his again. Instead I just wiped my face and stood up. "I'll miss you for a week."

"I'll miss you for longer."