How I survived in an all boys glade

Chapter Seventy-eight

- What if they come back? -

"Hey, Lizard," I say as I step up beside Newt. Two Gladers haul an 'unconscious' Thomas forward and throw him roughly to the ground. Newt gives me a small smile, his hand instinctively finding mine as he draws slow circles on the back of it—a quiet reassurance in the middle of the chaos.

"This is such a waste," Gally mutters, his voice carrying over the tense silence. I glance over at him, standing with his arms crossed near Thomas, and then shift my gaze around the Glade. It's in ruins—smoke rises from charred huts, and the atmosphere feels heavier than ever. I spot Minho making his way toward us, and I return his brief smile before focusing back on Gally.

"Gally," Winston speaks up from nearby. He sounds hesitant, his voice a mixture of fear and doubt. "It doesn't feel right, man."

"Yeah," Jeff adds, stepping up beside Winston. "What if Thomas is right? Maybe he can lead us home."

"We are home!" Gally snaps, stepping forward to glare at them. "Okay?" He gestures to the surrounding Glade, his voice rising with frustration. "I don't want to cross any more names off that wall." He points to the somber reminder of loss etched into the Glade's walls—names of the dead, so many of them crossed out.

"You really think banishing us is gonna solve anything?" Teresa's voice cuts through the tension, drawing Gally's attention. Everyone turns toward her as she stands tall, defiance in her eyes.

"No," Gally says sharply, turning to face her fully. "But this isn't a banishing—it's an offering." The words hang in the air like a death sentence. My heart drops as I register what he means. 

Newt lets go of my hand, and I feel a wave of unease as Teresa's defiance falters.

"What? Wait!" Teresa yells as the Gladers holding her shove her toward a pole, tying her hands above her head.

"You really think I'm gonna let Thomas back into the Maze after everything he's done?" Gally shouts, his voice full of anger and conviction. He gestures wildly around him. "Look around you! Look at our Glade! This is what he brought us to."

"This is the only way," he continues, desperation laced in his words as he looks at the group. "And what if it isn't?" I shout, stepping forward before Newt grabs my wrist to stop me. Gally turns his glare on me, but I don't back down. "What if they come back again? What if they keep coming back until there's nothing left?" My voice rises with each word. "Are you just gonna keep sacrificing people until it stops? Because if that's your plan, I won't stay here to watch!"

Gally's eyes narrow, his rage barely contained. "Are you done?" he asks coldly.

"No, I'm not!" I yell back, taking another step forward despite Newt's restraining hand. "How can you even be sure this will work? What if you're wrong?"

Gally doesn't answer me. Instead, he snaps at the Gladers, "Tie her up already!"

My heart pounds in my chest as the words sink in. "What...?" I whisper, frozen in disbelief. Newt immediately pushes me behind him, shielding me.

"Whoa, hey!" Theo interjects, stepping forward to block the Gladers moving toward me. "What has she ever done to you? Yeah, she speaks her mind, but that's not a reason to sacrifice her too!"

Gally waves him off with a frustrated growl. "Fine! Just make her shut up!"

I step out from behind Newt and Theo, my resolve hardening. "Are you listening to yourself?" I say, my voice steady but sharp.

Teresa's voice cuts through again. "If you stay here, the Grievers are going to come back," she warns, her voice full of urgency. "They're going to keep coming back until you're all dead!"

"Shut up!" Gally roars, his anger reaching its peak. "Tie him up!" he yells, gesturing to Thomas.

The Gladers hesitate, exchanging uncertain glances. Gally's authority is wavering.

"Do you hear me? I said tie him up!" he shouts again.

As they move to grab Thomas, he springs into action. Elbowing one of them in the stomach, he grabs a discarded spear and knocks the other out cold. Chaos erupts.

Newt unsheathes his knife, striking another Glader with the handle, while Teresa breaks free, hitting her captor squarely in the stomach.

"Nice hit!" I yell to her, earning a brief, determined smile.

Within moments, the tide has turned. Thomas stands at the center, spear in hand, flanked by Newt, Minho, and the others.

"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" Gally says, his voice dripping with disdain.

"You don't have to come with us," Thomas replies, his voice calm but firm. "But we're leaving." He looks out at the group. "Anyone else who wants to come, now's your chance."

The Gladers exchange uncertain glances. Slowly, Winston steps forward, followed by Tyrell, Jason, and a handful of others.

Gally glares at them but says nothing.

"It's over," Thomas says firmly. "Just come with us."

Gally hesitates, his jaw tightening. Finally, he steps back, his voice cold and final. "Good luck against the Grievers."

With that, the group turns toward the Maze. Minho throws an arm around my shoulders, guiding me forward. I glance back at Gally one last time before stepping into the Maze, determined to find our way out—together.