WILL HE ➳ THE MAZE RUNNER

NINE

WILL HE
CHAPTER NINE

"I SAY WE BANISH HIM," the statement ran heavy - a few builders were quick to agree with the freckled boy who stood tall glaring at Alby who seemed distressed, "if it was any one of us we would've been banished already!" He argues causing an uproar of an agreement.

Alby's voice cuts through the sound of teenage boys his voice overtaking every single voice leaving the room silent. The sound of his shoes hitting the wooden floor filled the room as he stepped towards the boy who was oozing with confidence but seemed to want nothing more but to cower into the background.

He nods approvingly and motions for him to stand away from him which the boy complied to; Chuck stood next to Winston his thumb in his mouth as he tore away at the skin, Ernest had been a dear friend to the both of them, the idea or even the proposal of banishing Ernest seemed barbaric.

It seemed comical to the other gladers who stared at the fair skinned boy - Ernest had a way with words that made him popular with the gladers - he was cut throat, quick and to the point he did not like hovering around the truth and whilst that angered the other boys at times after they let the truth register it turned to be more comforting than a lie.

He was not a violent person did not have a violent bone in his body. He was gentle and soft with everyone despite his strong build; he did not push his weight around to get what he wanted, everybody knew he cared for every single person in this glade and to hurt Gally out of all people was the biggest shock of all.

Gally was one of Ernest's closets friends along with Winston, they argued a lot - yes. But it never turned physical between the two, Gally respected Ernest whilst he would never say that to his face and would deny it if even mentioned he did, he would turn to the tanned boy for advice or even comfort at times, he was the closest thing to a brother Gally had.

They admired eachother but both were too stubborn, too young to admit it. "He broke one of the rules." Alby voices turning his back to Newt who stood quietly for once he had nothing to say. "We banish him, tomorrow at sundown."

The air became thick and Newt felt at a loss; he stumbles back his breath coming in deep and harsh gulps as he tries to desperately drink the air back to his lungs. Pushing past the crowd of gladers his eyes scan widely across the glade trying to find a sense of reality but was left empty handed.

His legs shook as he walked over to where Ernest was being held, unlatching the gate to the pit he drops down, none of the gladers had the heart to stop him. Pulling on Ernest's brown shirt slamming his body against his, pushing his entire body until he could not no more.

A trembling hand met the back of his head, as the person scuffled until they hit a wall where they fell into each other. They did not need words to understand what the other meant, after what felt like a life time of silence, Ernest spoke.

"When?" He asked his voice coming out rough there was no emotion behind it no lingering sadness or fear. Newt replies quietly his voice cracking he wipes at his face leaning back from Ernest's touch but was quickly pulled back into his embrace.

The younger boy let out shuddering breaths as he tried to come to terms with what was happening. Ernest's fingers weaved through the blondes hair - Newt felt ridiculous and selfish he was the one being comforted when the boy who was being sentenced to death sat and provided comfort.

"Is Gally okay?" He muses letting his hand drop from the blondes hair but it fell onto his back where he gripped the material of the shirt pushing it up to reveal the skin of newt's back, letting his hand fall there the shirt falls over his hand like a glove. The younger boy nods, letting out a breath of relief, he brings himself to smile at Newt.

He hums a soft tune to avoid silence filling the air letting Newt cling onto him. Everything that remained unsaid was left that way, the partial silence spoke louder to their hearts more so than any word they could utter.

Newt clung to Ernest with a ferocity unbeknownst to most. He clung to the boy he loved like his own life depended on it. silent tears ran down his face and fell onto the both of them as Ernest hid his face in Newts hair - rocking the sobbing boy in his arms.

They stayed that way as the world around them continued to move, the sun slowly creeping into the sky, so slow it was as if it was mocking them. Neither of them could sleep so when Alby found them both of the boys were wide awake, wrapped in each other's arms.

Alby sighed as he observed the two, noticing the pair's bloodshot eyes and tear streaked faces - his heart called for him to let them be. He didn't want to banish Ernest but he knew he must, aseader he couldn't go back on his word now even if his heart and head were otherwise conflicted.

"Alright boys it's time"