Escape The Maze (A Maze Runner Story)

6. The Dead Griever

A dead...Griever? What on earth is a Griever?

" Minho this isn't time for jokes." Alby said. He had the face as if he had the chance to grow wings and fly out of here.

" Trust me Alby. I wouldn't have believed it either but you really have to trust me on this. It's a Griever and it's dead." Minho answered. By their reactions it must've never happened before. If so this has to be huge for them.

" A dead Griever." Alby pinched the bridge of his nose, " What did it look like? Were there any metal spikes? Did it move at all—was its skin still moist or dry?"

Metal spikes?!?! What is this thing. And was it's skin moist and dry. I didn't even want to know what the heck this thing looks like. Sounds like it came right out of a horror story. I looked at the corner of my eye at Thomas and he held a shocked face as well. Maybe he doesn't know what it is either...

" Man slim it. You have to see it for yourself. But if you want to get it, we could probably take a group and haul it out before the wall's doors close."

" No. It'd be best to go in the morning when the doors open. Plus you look like you're gonna fall over any second now."

" That's the smartest thing you've said so far," Minho hit Alby on the arm and started walking toward the Homestead.

I felt bad for Minho. He looked exhausted, hungry, and sun sick. He could barely even hold himself up. I would go and ask him some more questions but figured it was best for him to get an early rest. Alby turned to Thomasand asked, surprising me. "If you know something and ain't tellin' me Shank..."

He looked at the boy square in the face and asked, simply, "Why do you hate me so much?"

The look that came over Alby's face was purely indescribable. I couldn't tell if he was confused, upset, or shocked. Prehaps it was all three. "Hate you? Boy, you ain't learned nothing since you came up in that Box. Ain't got nothin' to do with no hate, like, love, or anything. We care about is surviving and that's all. Drop that sissy side of yours and start using that shuck brain you have."

Thomas looked hurt. They must keep blaming all these things on him. I can tell he doesn't even know anything about what is going on. Same for me. It's wrong for them to be accusing him...

"But ... why do you keep accusing—"

" It can't be a coincidence, Slinthead! You pop in here, then we get us two girl Newbies the next day, a crazy note comes with one of em, Ben tryin' to bite ya, dead Grievers. Something is going on and I ain't restin' till I figure it out."

I had enough of this. " Stop it! This is pointless Alby. He's just as clueless as me. You can blame him because Minho found a dead Griever out there in the Maze. Do you even have any proof that this is his fault? And you can't say because he came up here in the Box. If you have nothing to prove then back off and leave the guy alone!"

Alby leaned back slightly and stared at me for several seconds. " Makena this ain't got nothin' to do with accusing nobody of nothing. But if you remember anything, even if it's something that seems familiar, you better start talking. Promise me and same goes to you too Thomas."

" I promise." I answered, giving him my word. He looked to Thomas and waited for his response.

" Yeah...I guess but only-."

"Just promise!" I demanded. I just saved his butt from getting more yelled at and accused and he he is not even going to promise Alby something so simple.
Thomas paused before finally saying, "I promise."
At that Alby turned and walked away, not saying another word.

" Thanks..." Thomas quietly said. I faced him and smiled.

" No need for a thank you. Honestly I was getting tired of them accusing you and plus I knew it was wrong."

After that me and Thomas found a few trees in the Deadheads that weren't so sickly looking. It was on the edge of the forest with plenty of shade for us. I leaned back against a thick trunk across from Thomas as he did the same. We sat in silence but it was a good silence. That was until a chubby young boy ruined the peace.

Thomas groaned as he heard the boy's voice calling his name in excitement. Me confused on who it was I asked, " Who is that?"

" That'd be Chuck." He simply replied. The boy came up to us, huffing and puffing. " What is it Chuck?"

Slowly gaining his breath, Chuck replied, " It's Ben....h-he...."

Suddenly Thomas's face became grim. He jumped up and was face to face with the boy. Holding onto his shoulders he asked in panic, " Ben? What about him Chuck? What happened?"

"He...he...isn't dead. Baggers went to get him...the arrow missed his brain... Med-jacks had to patched him up."

By the look on Thomas's face, this was something he really didn't want to hear. " Who's Ben and what happened?"

Thomas explained to me what had happened the night before, late at night. " So this Ben guy attacked you and wanted you dead and Alby shot an arrow at him and everyone thought he was dead and really wasn't and now is locked into the Slammer?"

"Yup. Pretty much." Chuck concluded.

Thomas faced was filled with relief about Ben being held in the Slammer but he still had dread in his eyes. Rubbing his eyes he asked, " So what are they gonna do to him?"

" The Keepers had a Gathering this morning. Made a decision by the sounds of it. Ben will be wishing that arrow had went through his shuck brain."

Me and Thomas was confused by what Chuck had said. "What are you talking about?" we both asked at the same time.

"He's being Banished. Tonight, for trying to kill you Thomas."

"Banished? What does that mean Chuck?" I asked. Banishment? Banishment to where? The Maze? The way he made it sound, death was way better than what was gonna happen to Ben.

Chuck only smiled. He literally smiled and then ran off. It had to be one of the creepiest thing I've seen so far in the Glade. The kid didn't even act shocked or sad but excited. Excited that this Ben guy was going to be banished and then ran off to tell the other boys the news.

I turned my head back to Thomas. " Thomas....do you know why banishment is so bad?"

Thomas frowned. " I have a pretty good idea."