The First Runner

Fear and Control

Minho's POV

Things were slipping out of control, fast. Ever since Jess and Thomas got stung, Gally's been acting like he's the only one who knows what's going on. And the worst part? He's using that to rile everyone up, playing on their fears, twisting the situation to suit himself.

"They're hiding something!" Gally shouted, his voice cutting through the buzz of whispers among the Gladers. "I saw it in the Changing—so did Alby! They know more than they're letting on. You all saw what Thomas did in the Maze, and now Jess too. They're a threat to everything!"

The Gladers, already tense, looked between Jess and Thomas, who were barely conscious on the ground. Fear flickered in their eyes, and that's all Gally needed to push them over the edge.

"They're the reason we're here!" Gally continued, pacing in front of everyone, his eyes wild. "They've been in on it from the start! The Changing doesn't lie. You all know what happens when you go through it—you see things, truths about this place. And I saw them. They don't belong here!"

I felt anger bubbling up in my chest. Jess, Thomas—whatever they'd been through—it wasn't their fault. Gally was twisting things, using the bits of truth he saw in the Changing to stir up fear. And it was working.

"Gally, you're out of your bloody mind," I said, stepping forward. "We don't know what any of that means. Jess and Thomas are on our side. They've done nothing but try to help!"

Gally shot me a sharp look, his face twisted in frustration. "Help? You call breaking the rules and endangering everyone help? They've been messing with things none of us understand. I saw it, Newt. Alby saw it. They've been hiding things from us—things that could destroy the Glade."

"That's enough!" I snapped, standing my ground. "You're not gonna turn this place into a witch hunt just because you're scared."

Minho stepped up beside me, his voice low but steady. "We've all seen the Changing mess with people's heads. You can't just decide they're guilty because of some visions. You don't get to act like you're above us, Gally."

Gally's eyes burned with anger as he took a step closer. "I don't need to act like I'm above you. I am. You all saw what Thomas did—he broke the rules, and now Jess is following right behind him. I'm keeping this place safe from whatever they're planning."

"And you're doing that by turning us against each other?" Minho shot back, his fists clenched at his sides. "You think that's how we survive?"

"I'm doing what needs to be done!" Gally roared, turning to the crowd. "You think they're just normal? Alby and I saw what's really going on. They know things about this place—about the Maze—things we don't. And if we don't lock them up, we'll never know what they're hiding."

The Gladers were quiet, their fear palpable. Some were nodding, buying into Gally's twisted narrative. Others, like Frypan and Winston, looked uncertain but too afraid to speak up.

"You're scared, Gally," I said, my voice hard. "And you're letting that fear control you. Jess and Thomas—they're not the enemy."

"Maybe not to you," Gally said, sneering. "But I'm not taking any chances. You all saw what happens when you go through the Changing. You remember things. And what I remember is that they don't belong with us."

I could see it in the Gladers' faces—the uncertainty, the doubt. Gally was using the truth just enough to make them second-guess everything they thought they knew.

"Gally, enough," Minho growled, stepping up to him, practically chest to chest. "You don't get to decide who's a threat based on some memories that might not even be real. We're all in this together."