Not Your Average Glader (Completed)

Chapter 25: Aftermath

*Narrative pov*

The Gladers watched and heard the agonizing screams coming from inside the box.

"Pull him up!" John frantically screamed, unable to bare the torturous pain his friend was enduring.

Nathaniel and James, two of the stronger builders, grabbed the vine and pulled. It was lighter than expected and it filled the builders with dread.

Gasps and screams sounded. Those with weak stomachs turned their back to puke. The stench of vomit was nothing compared to what lay before them.

Graham's body- cut in half at the waist.

Newt took charge and herded the boys away from the scene. It was of little use though, the image was already burned in.

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The emergency gathering was an uproar and they were not getting anywhere.

"He doesn't deserve a proper burial!"

"Throw what's left of him in the Maze!"

"Let the Grievers have him!"

Alby glanced over at John, who had insisted on being a part of this meeting. The young boy listened fearfully of what was to be done with his friend's remains.

"Quiet!" Alby shouted above the angry keepers.

"I know everyone has their own opinions but none of yours matter." He continued.

The keepers shoot glares at Alby and mumbled amongst themselves.

"John, you were his only real friend. What should be done with Graham?"

Had he heard him right? Gruff old Alby was asking his opinion about a traitorous body?

Still, he stood and spoke his peace.

"None of you really knew Graham. His last days? That wasn't him. That was the Maze. Don't put him back in there. I say we-"

He stopped. The words he had planned to say would not come. Instead foreign words came, words he didn't understand but all the same they sounded right. Graham had told him about having words speak through him. Was that what this was?

"He is to be buried in a glass coffin. He will be called the-"

Again he stopped, the name wanted to dive out into the room but he hesitated, the word made no sense.

"Called the what?" Newt encouraged.

"He is to be called the Half Shank. No one, other than those who were witnesses today, are to know his real name or why he died."

"What does shank mean?" Asked Frypan.

"Friend. Shank means friend." John said easily.

No one said a word, no arguments no comments. Finally Alby spoke.

"We will do that."

"What about the Maze?!" Ben asked angrily.

"Surly there will be no more Runners!" Zart says.

"No one is ever stepping foot in that Maze again!" Winston enforces.

"There will be Runners." Alby says quietly.

Everyone turns, and looks in suprise at the leader.

"But you said-" Ben began

"I know what I said. I was wrong. We need to fervently find a way out and the answer is in that Maze."

"Alby!" John says in suprise.

"Who's to say those Grievers won't come running in here and kill us all?!"

"The doors-" began Zart without much confidence in his words.

"Sure, we are safe at night but what about all day? There ain't nothing keeping those things from coming in here! We need to get out before they come in."

"Who in their right mind would be a Runner now?!"  One Keeper shouted.

"I know someone!" John blurted out before he could stop himself.

"Fine. You talk the guy into it and he starts tomorrow."

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John clutched Graham's old running bag. He had looked at the contents beforehand and knew exactly what to say. Gathering up his courage he walked over to Minho.

"Minho, I need to talk to you."

Minho looked expectantly at the young boy.

"This is yours." He said quickly and thrust out the bag.

"No it's not." Minho said firmly and turned to leave.

"Graham told me about you. You ran the maze in his vision." John called out after him.

Minho stopped suddenly.

"He told you that huh?"

"He told me a lot and what he didn't tell me is in this bag. "

As he had hoped, Minho's courisity was peeked and he walked over. Taking the bag he looked back at John.

"Does Alby know?"

"He told me to tell you." John replied.

"He wants me to run with Grievers?" Minho said harshly.

"No. He wants you to run and succeed where Graham failed."

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John watched as one Glader carefully wrote a short message over Graham's coffin. It had been decided that the message would be enough to answer  questions for any nosey newbies.
Graham's name had been soiled enough.

The scribe stepped back and made room for John to read it.

"Let this half-shank be a warning to all: you can't escape through the box hole."

John nodded and left, unable to stare at his friends remains any longer. As he left, through teary vision he whispered,

"Goodbye Shank."

THE END!!!!!
AUTHOUR'S NOTE TO FOLLOW!!!