Fervency

CHAPTER: F O U R T E E N

"Things are changing, there's no denying that" Gally announced. Thomas and Elodie stood in the middle of the homestead, while all of the keepers encircled them.

"First, Ben gets stung in broad daylight and then Alby. Now our Greenie here- wait did I say one? I meant two of them-have taken it upon themselves to go in the maze- which is a clear violation of our rules here."

"Yeah but he saved Alby's life" Frypan pointed to Thomas, sticking up for him.

"Did he? For three years, we have coexisted with these things. Now, you've killed one of them" he turned to look Thomas in the eyes and then back to the group.

"Who knows what that could mean for us"

"Well, what do you suggest we do?" Newt asked.

"They have to be punished." A din of voices erupted, and arguments incurred.

"Minho, you were there with them. What do you think?" Newt asked, placing the attention on him. Minho folded his arms and sighed, "I think... in all the time we been here, no one's EVER killed a griever before. When I turned tail and ran, this dumb shank stood behind to help Alby."

"Look" he paused, turning to the crowd. "I don't know if he's brave or stupid. Whatever it is, we need more of it."

"I say we make him a runner." This united an uproar within the group.

"A runner?" Frypan repeated, "let's not jump the gun here, alright?"

Chuck started cheering for Thomas in the midst of it all, causing Elodie to release a laugh.

"Calm down, alright?" Newt turned to the others.

"If you wanna throw the newbie a parade, that's fine go ahead. But if there's one thing that I know about the maze, it's that you should not mess around." he advised.

"I didn't do anything wrong. All I know is I saw two people struggling to get inside these walls and they couldn't make it. To ignore that because of some stupid rule seemed selfish, cowardly, and... well, stupid. If you want to throw me in jail for trying to save someone's life, then go ahead. Next time I promise I'll point at them and laugh, then go eat some of Frypan's dinner."

"What about you, huh? What's your excuse?" Gally panned over to Elodie, completely ignoring Thomas's speech.

"Hey wait! Before you go bashing Elly, maybe we should get our facts straight. We don't even know how she ended up there." Frypan defended.

Instantaneously, both Newt and Elodie exchanged glances. All heads turned her way, as they eagerly awaited her answer.

"Let me go back to my-"

"Here" Newt tossed Gally the beetle.

"When did you...?" Elodie furrowed her brows. Newt flashed her a small grin and then shrugged in response.

"What the..." Frypan leaned in closer to Gally so he could study the beetle.

"I was chasing after that thing and it led me into the maze. Whoever put us here baited me in there. Before I knew it, I was cornered by a griever and the gates closed behind me."

"Why would you do that?! What were you thinking? You know why Alby and Minho went in the maze, don't you? To find YOUR body!"

"I was drunk! I wasn't thinking clearly. It's not my fault you gave me that weird apple juice"

"Oh, now it's my fault" he raised his hands in the air, "Way to take accountability!"

"Regardless-Thomas and I found clues! What did you do?"

"Plus, if Tommy hadn't gone in there, Alby, Minho and I would have been goners for sure!"

"All at the cost of Alby getting stung." Gally patronized her, "Don't you even have any remorse?"

"Of course, I do!" she snapped, "Don't you dare say that or I'll-"

"Okay!" Newt tried to interfere but Gally proceeded.

"I don't care what you shanks did or what you found. What you two did, Elodie, was not okay."

"Well if he gets to be a runner, I want to be one too." Laughter erupted from all corners of the room.

"I'm not sure if you idiots have noticed, but I don't care what you think." She glared at the crowd, "Don't you think it's time we all become more concerned about escaping? You've been here complacent for years! Did you forget that we're trapped here?"

"He spent a night in the maze." She pointed to Thomas, "I spent three whole days!"

Newt turned to her, "Elle, I dunno if-"

"You can't be a runner. End of discussion." Gally interrupted him.

"And what happened to equal treatment, huh? If I have to start out a slicer like every one of you shanks, I should have equal opportunity to become a runner." She reasoned, "Besides, what happens if another girl comes up and wants to become a runner and you don't let her? You gonna turn her away just because she's a girl? Do you even hear how that sounds?"

"The girl to guy ratio isn't even. We can't risk losing you if you're the only one we got." Gally responded.

"For what? Re-population purposes?" she called him out.

"What?! That is not what I meant at all!" he hurried frantically to defend himself. Thomas snickered at her comment and she burst into laughter beside him.

"Will someone shut them up?" Gally hissed. "You better lock them up tonight." he approached Newt, before turning the other way and stomping out of the homestead.

"C'mon' is that really necessary?" Thomas asked. "Sorry," Newt apologized. "Don't think you're off the hook either. You both broke the rules, you both have to be locked up"

"I was just in there yesterday" Elodie scoffed.

"You were in the maze" Minho joined them, with a smile of amusement.

"Same difference"

"Do you really want to be a runner?" Minho wondered.

"You'll have to run with him ya know." Newt pointed to Minho.

"Good point, I'll pass."

"WHAT?"