˚ ༘✶₊˚. ⊹ ˚ . FIRST ACT
❪ EIGHTEEN ♥︎ ₊˚༢࿐
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    MAE WOKE UP TO A ROUGH shake of her shoulder, her eyes snapping open in a panic to see Minho standing over her with a deep frown. Still, in a dazed state, Mae reached up to rub her eye with a soft yawn, unaware of the tension in the room until she realized that Gally wasn't there and it was mid-day.

She frowned, why didn't he wake her up?

"We have a problem," Minho announced, gripping the sheets and pulling them off of her. She yelped, narrowing her eyes at him. He clenched his jaw in frustration, and Mae could sense that it wasn't toward her, "Get dressed."

Mae didn't waste time to questioning him, sliding off of the bed and not bothering to grab her shoes in the corner. She didn't stop to tie her hair back, and almost tripped behind Minho when she tried tightening the strings of her cargo pants while following out of her room.

"Is Thomas awake?" She asked him. Her eyes squinted at the sun, brushing a strain of hair behind her ear, "Had he gone through the Changing?"

"Thomas is in the Slammer," He informed.

Her face slowly falls, her steps increasing to keep up. "The Slammer? Wha?— why? What did he do?" She could hear Minho scoff a little at the question, and Mae raised an eyebrow, grabbing his shoulder and making him stop, "Minho, what's happened?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair to relieve some stress. "Gally's taken over. Shank's got everyone on his side, against Thomas and Teresa. He threw both of them in the Slammer, and by sundown, he's banishing both of them. And anyone who takes their side."

Mae felt lightheaded at his words. Taken over? Banishment? It's been less than ten hours, and now everyone was divided, "Why would he do that? I-I should talk to him—"

Minho shook his head and tugged her toward the Slammer, "We need to figure out a plan to save Thomas and Teresa. Hopefully, when that idiot wakes up, we'll have some real answers."

She bit softly into her tongue, forcing herself not to ask any more questions. She wanted to talk to Gally, sort this out and help him. But it was most likely why Gally let her sleep in, he knew that she would change his mind. He was feeding into everyone's fear, even his own just to keep her safe but at what cost?

But, instead of acting on her instinct to find Gally, Mae gave a firm nod and followed Minho toward the Slammer — where Newt and Chuck stood over, talking with Teresa.

"Teresa!" The blonde shouts, peering through the gaps of the Slammer with worried eyes, "Are you alright?"

She gave a soft nod, "I'm okay."

     Thomas' eyes snap open with a loud gasp, tilting his head at Teresa who stared down at him. She tried to give him a comforting smile, the boy not registering yet where he was or why. The memories that came back from the Changing were faded far too quickly, and his first thought was of Mae. He had seen her in his memories.

     "Are you okay?" She asked him.

     "What the hell were you thinking?" Chuck snapped. Thomas instantly sat up at his voice, and the younger boy shot him a soft glare. On a different circumstance, Mae would've found Chuck scolding someone older than him funny.

     "What happened?" He looked around the Slammer.

     "Gally's taken control." Newt explains, "He said we had a choice. Either join him or get banished at sundown with you." His eyes shift toward Mae to see her reaction, but the girl kept her gaze forward, trying not to appear too heartbroken over the situation — even though she was.

     "And the others agreed to that?" Thomas asked.

     "Gally has everyone convinced that you're the reason all this has happened," Teresa tells him.

     Thomas sighed, "Well, he's been right so far."

     "What're you talking about?" Minho frowned.

     "Thomas this isn't your fault," Mae adds.

     He shook his head, "This place it's not what we thought it was. It's not a prison, it's a test. It all started when we were kids. They would give us these challenges, they were experimenting on us," His eyes fleet to Mae, "Most of us. ." He adds, "And then people started disappearing. Every month, one after the other like clockwork."

     "They were sending them up into the Maze," Newt connects.

     "Yeah, but not all of us." Thomas trailed.

     Mae leans against the wooden cage with a set frown. "What do you mean, Thomas?" She was hoping that he wasn't going to say what she thought he would — hoping that he wouldn't confirm what had been swirling in her mind since Nick died.

     "I'm one of them. ." He said in guilt. "The people who put you here, I worked with them. I watched you guys for years. The entire time you've been here, I was on the other side of it," He looks to Teresa, "So were you," Then, his eyes slowly lift to Mae, "And you, too."

     Her eyes began to water, "No...I wouldn't, I-I couldn't've—"

     "We did this to them," His voice wavered. And as everyone stared at him, his eyes were solemnly on Mae. He watched as her lips quivered, trying to hold back the tears that he could so clearly see in her eyes.

     Without words, they were both sharing the guilt that WICKED had burned into them. He wanted to tell her more about it, to tell her the little details that flashed in his mind about her. They had known each other a lot better than he thought before the Maze. And although he didn't remember much the feelings he didn't know why he felt toward her made sense.

     "No," Teresa shook her head, unable to wrap her head around it. If WICKED was such a big part of her life wouldn't she have remembered something about it? "That can't be true."

     "It is," Thomas insisted. "I saw it."

     "Why would they send us up if we were with them?" She asked.

     He shook his head, "It doesn't matter."

     "He's right," Newt finally spoke up, rubbing his bottom lip with his thumb in thought, "It doesn't matter. Any of it. Because the people we were before the Maze, they don't even exist anymore. These 'Creators' took care of that. But what does matter is who we are now, and what we do right now."

     Mae frowned at his words. Nick had said something similar to her in the Maze. It was true advice and she knew that but something about who she was before made her heart shatter. She wanted to remember that part of her.

     "You went into the Maze and you found a way out!"

     Thomas looked down in guilt. "Yeah, but if I hadn't, Alby would still be alive."

     Newt pauses, his face going firm at the mention of his friend. "Maybe," He admits, "But I know that if he were here, he would be telling you the exact same thing. Pick your ass up and finish what you started. Because if we do nothing, then that means Alby died for nothing and I can't have that."

     "Newt's right." Mae hummed, "We've come too far just to give up. We've started this together, and we'll finish it that way, too."

     Thomas gave a firm nod. "Okay...but we've got to get through Gally first." His eyes shift to Mae, expecting her to react to that, but the girl just gave a soft nod.

     "I have a plan," She says lightly, "It might not work, but it's worth a try."

     Everyone's eyes shift to Mae. The girl took a deep inhale. At that moment, Mae had excepted that — in this exact moment — things were going to change. They had a chance to finally get out of the Maze, and she was going to take it.

     No matter what.

-

     MAE DUG THROUGH THE WRECKAGE of her old Hut, fishing for a fresh spare of clothes to put in her bag. She had realized — after spending almost three years in the Glade — that she didn't have much to take with her. So, she had decided to pack things she thought would be necessary: two jars of her punch included.

     Mae was trying to ignore the horrible feeling she felt in her stomach as she swiftly made her trek back to Homestead ( where the rest of her things lay around Gally's room.)

     She opens his bedroom door and winces at the creak, placing the bag on the floor and grabbing her pair of shoes in the corner, and hoping to slip them on as fast as possible.

     "Mae?" Gally's voice echoed down the corner. With panicked eyes, Mae kicked the backpack under the bed, grimacing at the pain in her ankle just as Gally opened his bedroom door. His eyes scanned the room before landing on her with a soft frown, "Are you okay?" He asked.

     She gives a quick nod. Mae didn't trust herself to speak. She wondered if he could tell that there was something different between them. A tension. But, then the boy smiled, closing the distance between them with a quick kiss.

     "I have something for you," He muttered. His face goes red for a moment, rubbing at the back of his neck before digging into his left pocket. "It's nothing big, but. ." He trailed, holding out a ring. It was small and made from strong braided rope, and in the center was a white pebble shaved into a smooth circle, which was braided into the rope and glued just in case.

     Mae's heart sunk at the ring and reached forward to take it from his hand. Her eyes began to water. She had never felt so guilty. Here was Gally, giving her a gift that he obviously made himself, showing her how much he loved her and, here she was, planning to leave.

     She hated herself for it. She knew it would going to happen but she selfishly told him she loved him anyway. She shouldn't have listened to Newt and Teresa. It hurt too much.

     "It's a promise ring," He tells her, clearing his throat. "I guess this is me asking. .in some way that. ." He rubbed his face, trying to piece together the words he wanted to say, "Shuck it. Mae, one day I'm gonna marry you. When this is all over, and things are back to normal, and we're safe. I'll marry you. But until then, I guess I'm just promising you I will."

     Mae's lips began to quiver, the ring shaking in her hand.

     His face fell, "This was too much, wasn't it. . .shit, I'm sorry—"

     She needed to act normal.

     "I love it." She chokes out, slipping the ring on her shaky finger and smiling at him in a way that — if he wasn't so mentally clouded at the moment he would've seen through. "It's beautiful, Gally, thank you."

     Gally nods, only to grimace a second later. "There's something I should tell you. I've decided that—"

     "I know." She nods, "Minho told me."

     He frowned, "And you're. . .okay with this?"

     Not in a million years. "Of course," She said softly.

His eyebrows furrowed, not believing it for a second. "You don't have to act brave about it, Mae, I know they were your friends."

"Yes, but we've hardly known them a week," She dismissed, "We should focus more on protecting what's left of the Gladers."

     "This isn't just about protecting the Gladers," He reaches up and rubbed at her arm, "I'm doing this to protect you too. Thomas and Teresa have ruined everything we've built here, and if I have to be the one to take the initiative to get it back, then I will. . .for us."

     "Even if they die. .?" She couldn't help but ask him. "You'd kill them?"

     Gally clenched his jaw, and his hesitance was enough for Mae to take an unnoticeable step back. Mae had always known Gally was willing to sacrifice for what he believed, but she never thought it would come to people. Kids. Just like they were, "Let's hope it doesn't have to come to that."

     Mae gives a dismissive nod, "Right. Let's hope not."

     He goes to leave, "Come on, it's time."

     Instantly, she grabs his hand, pulling him back with a soft tug, "I love you, Gally." She said firmly, her eyes burning with fresh tears, "I love you."

     Gally lifts her hand to his lips, and kisses her knuckles with a soft smile, "I love you, too. Don't worry, all right? This will all be over soon."

-

     MAE STOOD SILENTLY BESIDE FRYPAN as she watched Gally carve the last name off the Wall. She said nothing when Dan, Alec, and Frankie dragged out Thomas and Teresa from the Slammer.

     She made sure not to make eye contact with the girl so that the others wouldn't think anything of it. Yet, it seemed like for once, the other Gladers had found something to say.

     "Gally," Winston spoke up, shaking his head, "This doesn't feel right, man."

     "Yeah, what if Thomas is right?" Jeff spoke up, the absence of Clint beside him seemed unnatural. "Maybe he could lead us home."

     "We are home." Gally insists. "Okay? I don't wanna have to cross any more names off that Wall."

     "You really think banishing us is going to solve anything?" Teresa spoke.

     "No." He says, "This isn't a banishment. . .it's an offering."

     Mae closes her eyes at his words. It sounded so sinister. Why wasn't anyone doing anything? The plan was in motion but didn't the others care?

     "Gally, what are you doing?" Teresa snapped, fighting against Dan who was tying her to a pole in front of the Maze doors.

     "You really think I'm gonna let Thomas back into the Maze after what he's done?!" He bellowed, "Look around you! Look at our Glade! This is our only way."

     Mae looked up just in time to see Newt scratch his chin, a warning to get ready. She and Minho gave a short, unnoticeable nod. Her job was to stand there and wait for her cue.

     Once Thomas asks the others to join him, it was her job to be the one to step forward first, hoping to trigger a chain reaction and cause the others to follow.

     "And when the Grievers get what they came here for, everything goes back to the way it was." He finished.

     "Are you listening to this?" Teresa questioned. "Why are you all just standing there? He's crazy."

     "Will you shut up?" He asked her.

     Teresa ignores him, "There Grievers are going to come back. They're gonna come back and they're gonna keep coming back until you're all dead!"

     "Shut up!" Gally bellowed. He points at Thomas' body, "Tie him up!" He ordered. They both hesitated for a second, and it only seemed to anger Gally more, "Did you hear me? I said tie him up!"

The second Alec and Frankie grabbed Thomas from the ground, his eyes snapped open and he elbowed Alec in the stomach and took the wood spear from his hands, slamming it against his face and knocking him unconscious.

     Newt stepped forward and slammed the end of his machete into the back of Frankie's neck just as Teresa kicked Dan between the legs.

Nervously, Mae stood planted beside Jeff, waiting for her cue. Gally hadn't noticed her yet, stepping forward toward Thomas only to feel the sharp point of a machete against the back of his neck by Minho.

Frypan cuts the ropes on Teresa's wrist, and without a single word the group of Gladers formed a semi-circle beside Thomas, standing in front of the Maze doors.

"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" Gally said bitterly.

"You don't have to come with us but we are leaving," said Thomas, "Anyone else who wants to come, now is your last chance." His eyes fleet to Mae. Now.

Gally scoffed, "We aren't going anywhere. Don't listen to him, he's just trying to scare you!"

Mae closed her eyes. The word 'We' ripped her heart in two pieces.

"No. I'm not trying to scare you. You're already scared, I'm scared." Thomas tells them, "But I'd rather risk my life out there than spend the rest of it in here."

Mae let's out a shaky breath and stepped forward. A calloused hand grabs her wrist softly, and the girl gathered all her courage to look Gally in the eyes.

     In that moment he didn't bother to hide his emotions, his lips tugged down into a confused frown and his eyes scanning hers with a mixture of disbelief and pain.

"What are you doing?" He whispered. Her lips began to quiver at the vulnerability in his voice, his jaw clenching with betrayal as he waited for her to say something.

"We don't belong here," She tells him, her voice cracking. "This was never our home, Gally."

"You promised me you'd stay." His tone wavered, not caring about the eyes on him. He had never looked so young, so visibly hurt at her words, "Stay. . .please."

"You once told me that when it comes down to me or them, that I'm supposed to always choose me." She cried, and pulled her hand out of his own, holding it to her chest. "You said one day I'll snap into survival, and you were right. I have." Don't be stupid, fight back. Survive. "It's time to grow up, Gally. Come with us."

She held out her hand for him, "Come with me," She rephrased, her tone over the edge of desperation. "I don't want to do this without you. Please. Gally."

     He clenched his jaw, and said nothing, turning his head away. So, Mae dropped her hand and gave an accepting nod, turning back around. Anger formed in her chest as his choice. It was always a one or the other with Gally. Love or fear. And even after all this time, he would always choose to act on his fear.

     In a panic, Gally grabs her hand again. "Mae, don't—" I love you.

     But Mae wouldn't allow him to change her mind so she ripped her hand out of his, "No! Don't touch me!" She sobbed, and took her place beside Thomas. Let me go.

     He reeled back, his eyes burning with hurt that he instantly covered with controlled anger. He said nothing as Winston stepped forward, then Jeff, then multiple others after him. It seemed the only people who stayed behind Gally was his Builders, and with a clenched jaw he accepted the odds.

     "Gally, it's over. Just come with us." Thomas wouldn't have offered a second time if it wasn't for Mae, who was shaking in tears beside him.

     Then, without a second of hesitation, Gally's eyes burn into Maze's, address them all but only look at her as he said, "Good luck against the Grievers."

She gave a low, shocked gasp at his response, noticing the way his eyes burned with hatred toward them. And, with a quick tug from Teresa, the group had set off into the Maze.

     Mae looked back one last time, hoping that in a split second Gally would change his mind. But, the boy stood planted in place, looking away from her.

[ oh no, our relationship, it's broken. ]

11.11.21