It was morning. Still dark, but the sun would be rising soon. I awoke to a loud thud, and a voice saying my name. My eyes opened, and I saw no other than Gally.
"The doors open soon. Get up."
I sighed at Gallys annoyance with me. I could tell in the tone of his voice he was upset, or something. Really, though, what have I done to deserve this from him? Does he not know what kindness is?... maybe he really doesn't. I guess no one showed any type of compassion to him so why should he return it? Anyway, I'm gonna be extra nice to this shank... I've started using their vocabulary already and it's only day two. Great.
I got up quickly, realizing that I could possibly see Thomas again. Gally said he wouldn't make it... but Gally isn't such a positive guy. I've got my hopes up and I'm keeping them up. I need to get Thomas back.
I ran to the west entrance, and when I got there, Newt, Gally, and some other people I don't know the names of were standing there. A boy who looked about 12 was shouting and pacing uncontrollably. I guess he and Thomas were close too. "No, he's coming back. They're gonna be back, okay. It's gonna be fine, it's gonna be fine..." The boy was going crazy. He suddenly stopped mid sentence. The doors were opening.
I made my way to the doors, right in front. I had to see him. It seems as though it was taking ages for those doors to open even a crack, but I couldn't wait any longer.
"THOMAS!" I shouted, really close to the door. "Thomas! Are you out there! Please..."
The doors opened. No Thomas. The other two guys weren't there either.
"Thomas..." I dropped to my knees and buried my face in my hands. I was upset, but I wasn't gonna cry... I wasn't that weak. I'm fine.
I felt the same large hand on my shoulder from before. "Come on, Shelby. He's not coming back. I'm sorry." Gally? Being nice? This is good. I stand up quickly brushing the dirt off of myself. Gally nods at me and then walks away.
"Guys... come back! You won't believe this, come back!" The 12 year old boy was shouting. I turned around and I saw Thomas... slowly dragging himself to the maze entrance. "THOMAS! THOMAS!!!" I shouted and almost ran into the maze. Thomas saw me, and the rest of the boys, and his face lit up. I'm sure he was glad to be out of there. They all made it... all three of them. At least, I hope. Thomas and another boy were dragging someone out. They brought him out of the maze and two other boys were checking him out.
"You made it." Newt said proudly. "You survived the grievers."
"He didn't just survive them." The other boy said with a serious expression on his face. "He killed one of em."
The whole crowd gasps, and Gally steps forward. "Thomas, you killed a griever?"
"Y-yeah, I uh-"
"Meeting in the conference room. Now." Gally announced, matching away from the group. "You too, greenie." He said, making eye contact with me for a few seconds before leaving. Me...?
I followed right behind Gally into the conference room. The way he marched when he was angry made me laugh to myself.
"Problem, green bean?" He said, stopping in his tracks and looking me up and down.
"Not at all, captain." Me saying this made him slightly blush for some reason. Guess he isn't used to his own nickname. We entered the conference room and everyone took a seat. I stood next to Gally... for an unknown reason. He was intimidating, obviously. I guess I felt he'd protect me at all costs. What can I say, he's a tough dude!
"This dumb shank has violated our number one rule." Gally was fuming and I could tell by one glance. "What do we do about it?"
"Gally, calm down. This "dumb shank" may not be a runner, but he killed a shucking griever. I saw it. He's brave. Or just stupid. Whatever it is, we need more of it." The other runner boy spoke up.
"Minho, what're you getting at?" Gally questioned, seeming to calm a bit.
"I say we make him a runner."
Everyone gasps, even Thomas. Not one person expected this, not even the person who said it. Gallys blood was boiling now.
"A runner? You want to make this shuck face a damn runner? If you wanna throw the greenie a parade, that's fine!" His voice raised and he stood up really tall. "But I won't sit here knowing this shank broke our number one rule. I've been here three yers, he's been here three days! I overrule him. He needs to be punished." The whole group of boys sigh, and I just look at Gally. He looks at me and notices my staring. He raises an eyebrow and then focuses back on what's important.
"You're right." A familiar British accent spoke. "We can't have non runners just running in and out of the maze as they please. He deserves punishment. But he saved Albys life. One day in the slammer, no food. Starting tomorrow, you're a runner." He says, nodding to Thomas.
"One day? That's all you're gonna do about this? We have no order in this shuck place! What's wrong with all of you? Why don't you have any common sense!" Gally was getting angrier than before.
"Gally, please-"
"Out of my way shank." He shoved me into a wall and I immediately clutched my chest. Damn, he was strong.
"You okay, love?" Newt rushed over to where I was leaning against the wall.
"I'm fine. I'm just dandy." I started to get pissed. Who did Gally think he was to just push me out of the way like that? All I wanted to do was help.
"Where did Gally go?"
Everyone stayed silent.
"WHERE DID HE GO?!"
"Shelby, it's best if you leave him alone. He's already pushed you, you don't need-"
"Minho, I'm going to find him. Tell me now."
"You're one tough chick. I'm sure he went to the deadheads. He always-"
"Thanks." I left without another word. This kid was getting on my nerves and it had to be stopped. I marched my way into the forest and instantly found no other than a tall lanky boy leaning against a tree. I stood in front of him, looking down and he lifted his head.
"Leave."
"Talk to me, please."
"I said leave. If you don't-"
"What, you gonna shove me into a tree?"
"Look greenie," he said, standing up and looking me in the eye. "I don't have time for you." He pinned me to the nearest tree. I'll admit, I was a bit nervous. "You don't care about me. You don't need to be here. Leave me alone and I won't rip your skull out through your nose. Got it?"
"Gally, I know you aren't okay..." I'm taking a huge risk here. Still trying to be nice to him... maybe I'll get something out of it.
"Maybe I'm not. None of us are. If you ain't scared, you ain't human."
"Yeah, and we're all a little scared. I get it, you-"
"No, you don't get it!" He removed his hands from pinning me to the tree and moved back to where he was sitting before. He plopped back down. "You don't understand what it's like to be me, okay? I try so hard to be a good leader, unlike that shank Newt, and I get called a heartless shank. No one appreciates what I do for the Glade. If it wasn't for me, Im sure each and every one of these shuck faces would be dead!"
"Im sorry Gally, and I do care about you. You've taken the time to talk to me when I was worried about Thomas. A heartless shank wouldnt do that. I know we arent close at all... but I get a strange feeling when Im around you. I feel like you would protect me if I were in trouble."
"Yeah, of course. Id do that for any of these klunkheads..." He says, staring where the remaining Gladers stood. "Oh man," he says, noticing the red hand mark on my chest where he shoved me. Without thinking, (clearly), he stuck his hand out and touched the red spot. "Are you alright?"
"Um," I noticed Gally blush even more than last time when he realized what he was doing. "Im fine. Just a red mark. Doesnt hurt at all."
"Im really sorry... that shank Thomas just gets to me. Theres something about him... its off." he starts to trail off, looks up, and Im final seeing the good in him. "Why am I sharing this with you?" Quickly, he stood up and looked down at me. "Get to work. We dont tolerate slackers in the Glade." Ah, good ol' Gally is back.
Im gonna find him out. Ill find his good side someday. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but Ive now made it my goal here in this Glade to figure out Gally. And hey, Im starting to get feelings for this... shank. He honestly seems like he has potential to be a great friend.
