Sacrifice

Chapter Six

One Year Ago

Newt decided to have Claire work with Frypan and the Cooks that morning. They were a small, tight-nit group that Newt knew would look after her. Newt also trusted Frypan completely, and knew Claire would be safe with him. 

They did let Claire sleep in a little that morning. By the time she got up most of the boys had already finished breakfast. Frypan gave her a plate of food and then set her to work. He was excited to show her the techniques he used in order to prepare food and share his plan for what they were making for lunch. While Claire hadn't reacted well to seeing slaughtered animals when she worked with the Slicers, she found that preparing the food was a bit easier. 

When lunchtime came around, Claire helped serve the food. Once everyone was set, she and the other Cooks helped themselves and sat together to eat. Newt and some of the other Fielders, including Zart, Jack and James. 

"You know what, Claire," James said about halfway through the meal. "We're gonna find this stupid bastard, and then launch him over the bloody wall." 

Claire cracked a smile. She knew that James was just trying to cheer her up, but it didn't make her feel much better. 

"I hope you socked him hard," James continued. "At least as hard as Gally did when he wrestled me last night." 

"I told you, you're too impulsive," Newt said. "You're so thick in the head I'm surprised you're not a Builder." 

"Oh bugger off," James said, tossing a piece of chicken at Newt. 

Just then Alby called Newt over. Even though Claire couldn't hear what they were saying, just based on their body language and worried expressions, she could tell it was something serious. She even caught Newt glancing at her a few times. 

"Alright guys," Zart said, trying to distract everyone else before they realized something was up. "We should finish up and get back to work." 

As everyone started to disperse, Newt approached Claire and talked to her in a low voice. "Go with Frypan to the Council Hall in fifteen minutes, and be as discreet as you can." 

"What's going on?" she asked. 

"You said you punched your attacker last night, right?" 

"Yes." 

"Gally has a black eye, and he didn't have one when we all went to bed last night." 

*************** 

Present Day

Thomas was sent to get his arm checked out by Jeff. Alby and Chuck joined him.  

"So what happened to Ben?" Thomas asked Alby. 

"It's called the Changing," Alby explained. "It's what happens when someone gets stung. We haven't been able to get a clear word out of Ben since it happened. Guy's not making any sense, and it's only gonna get worse. The infection's spreading, he's dangerous." 

Thomas looked down. 

"What did he say to you?" Alby asked. 

"He...he said he saw me," Thomas said. "That this is all my fault. How could this be my fault?" 

Alby paused before speaking again. 

"Why don't you get some rest," he finally said, avoiding the question. 

"Alby...what's gonna happen to Ben?" 

Alby walked away. 

*************** 

Thomas learned of Ben's fate at sundown. All the Gladers had gathered around the open Doors, spears in hand, expect for the Keepers, who held poles. Thomas and Chuck stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold. 

Minho them came into view, dragging Ben over to the crowd. Once they got into the middle of the circle, Minho threw Ben onto the ground. 

"Minho, please listen to me," Ben begged his running partner. "Someone, please." 

Ben frantically looked around the circle, desperately trying to find a friendly face, anyone who would show him mercy. 

All the Keepers wore stone cold expressions. Even Frypan didn't look like he was hesitating to do what needed to be done. All the leaders were set on their decision, Minho had turned his back on him. Ben looked at the other Gladers. A handful of them had never even seen a Banishment, the last one was about a year ago. Surely they wouldn't stand for this. 

"Claire," he pleaded, crawling toward the lone girl of the Glade. 

Claire responded by pointing her spear at him. The other boys standing next to her also pushed him back with their weapons. Now Ben was sobbing. Even Claire had given up on him. 

Then the Doors began to close. 

"Poles," Alby ordered. 

The Keepers lowered their poles and began pushing Ben toward the closing Doors. Meanwhile, the others kept their spears fixed on Ben. 

"No! No please! Listen to me!" Ben screamed. 

"Push him in," Alby said. 

Ben tried to push the poles aside and find an opening to escape, but the Gladers never gave him the chance to. Soon he was pushed through the Doors, and he had no choice but to go through into the Maze, otherwise he would be crushed to death by the closing Doors. 

The last anyone saw of Ben was him standing in the Maze, screaming. 

What followed was absolute silence, no one really knew what to say. Some were horrified that they had participated in such an act. They had gone so long since they last one, they had forgotten how horrible Banishing someone was. 

"I know what you're all thinking," Alby said, addressing the crowd. "You're thinking that what we did was wrong, that Ben was your friend. Well he was my friend too, and that wasn't Ben. The Ben we knew was lost the moment he was Stung. He belongs to the Maze now." 

The Gladers all somberly walked away. Some gathered weapons, others went straight back to the Homestead. 

Thomas couldn't move, all he could think about was Ben all alone on the other side of the Doors. Put there by his friends. Left to suffer a terrible fate. 

Suddenly Thomas felt a hand resting gently on his shoulder. He turned and saw Claire was now standing next to him; he hadn't even noticed her approaching. 

"Are you okay?" she asked. 

"I don't think so," Thomas answered honestly. 

Claire reached out and gave him a hug. Poor guy had to put up with more than what most greenies went through on their first few days. Claire knew better than anyone how something like that could make you feel. 

She also knew what it was like a Banishing was your fault.