The Maze Runner

Chapter Seventeen

  We all gather at Homestead, as Gally insisted Thomas be punished. I stand next to Newt, my hand in his, and our shoulders lean against each other.

"Things are changing. There's no denying that," Gally says as everyone's voices become hushed whispers. "First Ben gets stung in broad daylight, and then Alby. And now our greenie here, has taken it upon himself, to go into the maze. Which is a clear violation of our rules here," Gally finishes. Frypan interjects.

"Yeah, but he saved Alby's life." Newt and I share a look, before Gally opens his mouth again.

"Did he? For three years, we have coexisted with these things, and now," he points at Thomas, "You've killed one of 'em. Who knows what that could mean for us-"
"Okay, how do you suppose that could be a bad thing, Gally?" I ask the boy. He scoffs and shakes his head.

"Beth, please-"

"Let her speak," Newt says. I look at him, smile, and squeeze his hand.

"These things have been our major threat in the maze. We've had this conversation before, maybe we could check out the anatomy, you know? Find a weakness-"

"Are you guys hearing this? She's crazy!" Gally says. I roll my eyes.

"Call her that one more time and you'll be the one going out into the maze." Newt sighs. "But then what do you suggest we do?" Newt asks him.

"He has to be punished," Gally says, as if it were obvious.

"Wait, punished for killing something that threatens our lives? How does that make sense?" I ask Gally.

"He went out into the maze, and he's not a runner, Beth. That's against the rules," He says. Everyone breaks out into discussing their own opinions, most people against Thomas being punished. Newt sighs again.

"Minho," He calls out to the Keeper of the runners. "You were there with him, what do you think?"

I look over at Minho. He stays silent for a beat before opening his mouth to answer. He sighs.

"I think, in all the time that we've been here, no one's ever killed a griever before. When I turned tail and ran, this dumb shank, stood behind to help Alby," Minho voices his opinion. "Look, I don't know if he's brave or stupid. But whatever it is, we need more of it. I say we make him a runner." Audible gasps are dropped throughout the room. Gally is dumbstruck. Thomas looks up as opposed to hanging his head as he had been before.

"A runner?" Frypan asks, extremely surprised at Minho's suggestion. The room erupts in conversation. Chuck tries to cheer for Thomas, but no one joins in. I smile to myself. Chuck is a much needed piece of light in a place of darkness. Finally, Gally speaks up over the crowd of gladers murmuring.

"If you want to throw the newbie a parade, that's fine. Go ahead. But if there is one thing that I know about the maze, it is that you do not-" Gally's interrupted by something. An alarm starts blaring. Newt and I share a look before rushing out of homestead, Gally by our side.

"Wait, I know that sound..." Thomas says.

"The box, it's coming back up," Chuck says. Minho starts running over to the box.

"It shouldn't be."