I do not own The Maze Runner or any of its characters

Gally: I'm gonna say it.
Peter: Say it.
Gally: I'm gonna say it!
Lauren: Say it!!
Gally: I don't care you broke your elbow.
Lauren & Peter: *gasps*

Peter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(very, very long. there's 2,000 words even before i get to the gathering, and we all know how long that is even without Lauren in it. sorry not sorry.)

Lauren clenched her fists. "Don't you ever talk to me like that again." She turned around, and went down the stairs.

"What the hell were you thinking?" I whirled around to face Gally.

I don't normally use actual curse words; for some reason, our Glader ones worked just fine, but this was an exception.

His face shifted in regret. "I-, I don't know." He looked down at the ground, then to where we last saw Lauren.

Of all my time in the Glade, I never had seen Gally like this. So vulnerable, so sad, so . . . broken. For a second, I almost felt bad.

For only a second. "You know how much she hated that. She didn't even want us to know. Bringing it up like that was a new low. Even for you."

He opened his mouth as if to say something.

"And don't even try to go apologize. The best thing you can do right now is leave. Lauren's forgiving, but I don't think even her kindness can extend that far." Shooting him a dirty look, I followed in Lauren's footsteps.

Lauren
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not many things can break you. It has to be something severe. Sure, they can hurt you, and yes, they can sting, but break you? That takes a different kind of pain. It takes the type of pain where you feel like you can't even breathe. You're so hurt. You feel like you can't take another step, you can't live any longer because it hurts so much. It's not physical.

It's mental, and that's a different hurt.

Sitting down on my bed, I was sure that I had that different kind of pain—that different type of hurt.

"Not everyone's as stupid as you, running to a Griever on purpose to get Stung."

The tears came. And I let them. I was so tired of being strong. So tired.

There was a knock on my door.

"Gally, if it's you, I don't want to hear it."

The door opened. "It's me."

"I thought you were gonna side with Gally." I sniffled.

"How can someone side with something they don't even have all the facts of?" Peter sat down beside me on the bed.

"I just don't understand it. Understand him."

"There are some things you can't understand, like how we manage to have both running water and electricity here. But that's okay because we still live on. We use what we have, be grateful for it, and live."

Peter had a point. "But what happens when it's gone? Or in danger?"

He thought for a second. "We change our ways. Find something new."

"Are you saying I shouldn't forgive him?"

"I'm saying that you have to think about if you really need him to survive. Or live. If we lost our electricity, we'd turn back to fire and just not have leftovers. Or if we lost our running water, we'd have to either leave this place or see if the Creators would supply us with it. You get it?"

It was silent as I mulled on his words. "Was he sorry?"

"I'd never seen him look so regretful." He confessed.

"Hmm."

"It's still up to you." Peter put his arm around me, and I leaned into it. Even if Gally and I were fighting, I'd still always have Peter.

The day ended, and I stayed in my room like I said I would. Peter brought me food, and all wasn't well in the world, but I got through it.

Tossing and turning in my bed that night, I couldn't go to sleep. It felt wrong. Being here in my safe bed, warm and cozy, while Minho and Thomas were out there struggling for their lives. Is this survivor's guilt?

I found myself thinking about Newt and starting to hate myself for putting Thomas in that situation. He was right. I shouldn't have done it, even if the Greenbean was special. Screw me and my stupid memories. They've only brought me and the Glade pain and heartache.

I needed a walk.

The Glade was so silent. Well, not really, the animals in the Barn were still living their lives, but it just felt quiet without all of the boy chatter.

For some reason, my legs took me to the Doors. Specifically, the ones I had just escaped from.

I wasn't shocked to see Newt there.mBut I was to see that he had been crying.

"Didn't expect to see you here." He tried to wipe his eyes.

"Can't say the same." I plopped down next to him. "It's okay. You don't have to act strong in front of me."

The wind rustled the trees, and I listened to the quietness of the night.

"Can I confess somethin'?"

"Go ahead." I repositioned myself to where I felt more comfortable sitting on the concrete.

"I'm scared. I'm so shucking scared for Tommy and them."

I noticed how he didn't say the other names. I didn't bring it up.

"It's okay to be scared. Especially for people we care about. But they'll be okay." I reached down and grabbed his hand. It was shaking.

"Can you really promise that?"

"I swear it on my life."

They had to be okay, right? If I kept telling myself that, it would come true.

Right?

|~^-^~|

I stood ready at the Doors the next morning with Clint next to me, while Jeff got ready at the Homestead.  A couple of Baggers were told to stay close if worse came to worst, and I hated every second they were there.

Thomas would pull through. He had to.

It would be a couple of minutes before the Doors opened, and my mind wandered for a bit.

Opening the door, I was and wasn't surprised to see Gally about to knock on it. I sighed and folded my arms.

"I'm sorry."

"You're going to have to do a little bit better than that, chief."

"I shouldn't have said that, and I'm really sorry. My anger got the best of me, and I just said what I knew would hurt you the most." His blue eyes pleaded with mine.

I'll admit, it wasn't the best of apologies, but the meaning was there.

I sighed yet again and held my arms out. "With everything going on, it's unnecessary  to be fighting with you."

He returned the hug. "Thank you."

Gally still abstained from waiting by the Doors, and for some reason, Peter did too, but I didn't put too much thought into it. I had a job to do, and I wasn't going to fail.

The Doors opened. A collective inhale went through the group.

They weren't there.

A couple of people turned and looked at me, and I kept a blank look on my face.

Newt clenched his fist, and I heard him mutter some profanities, among other things.

Come on, guys.

I saw a shadow by the corner, and lo and behold, Thomas and Minho emerged. Apart from being tattered and torn, they looked okay.

"I told you they'd be alright," I said to Newt.

"Do not give me an 'I told you so' speech."

"As you wish."

Newt started walking towards the two guys, and I stayed back, wanting to give them some space.

Clint appeared next to me. "They seem better off than you do, even after being in the Maze longer."

My hand went to my stomach, where it still hurt. "Shucking sticks," I grumbled.

He just laughed, and I noticed that Thomas was gesturing to something above him. I followed his pointing and,

Oh no.

I slapped Clint on the arm, probably way too hard, but I couldn't do anything else. "It's Alby."

"What? Where?"

I pointed. "In the vines."

"How the hell did they get him up there?"

"I don't know."

"Well, you wanna help get him down, or do you wanna take care of Thomas and Minho?" The two were walking toward us.

"I'll take care of Minho and Thomas."

"Okay." Clint went to Newt.

Folding my arms, I started walking with Thomas and Minho towards the Homestead.

"I'm glad to see you two aren't dead."

"Sounds like you had some doubts."

"I wouldn't have shoved Thomas into the Maze if I had doubts, Minho."

"I dunno, you're kind of weird like that."  

I sighed. "In all seriousness, are you guys okay? You're not gonna drop dead on me?" I gave them both a look.

"I'm more tired than anything," Thomas confessed.

"Just a couple bumps and bruises." Minho stretched his arms.

"Jeff and I are still going to go through the whole process of checking you guys out."

Thomas was lost in thought and missed what I said. But Minho didn't.

"Didn't peg you as the type to check people out. Thought you just punched guys."

I was getting very good at sighing.

Noticing that Thomas was looking very intensely somewhere, I followed his line of sight. He was looking at Gally. I tensed up, waiting to see what would happen.

Peter was next to Gally, and I saw he had the same thoughts as I did. We locked eyes and had a silent conversation.

-They can't be doing this again.

They're guys, Peter.

-Do you wanna switch people?

It'll take too long.

After a couple of beats, Gally looked down at the ground, breaking the eye contact. Peter and I were both shocked.

I shook my head. I had more important things to worry about.

For the next hour or so, I was on autopilot. Jeff took Minho while I took Thomas, and I went through the motions of cleaning and bandaging his wounds. It was mostly quiet, as I didn't want to pressure him into talking about last night, and he was just tired, so I started singing under my breath.

I was left to my own devices
Many days fell away with nothing to showAnd the walls kept tumbling down
In the city that we love
Grey clouds roll over the hills
Bringing darkness from above

"That sounds nice."

"Thanks."

After putting on the last bandage, I stood back and tried to see any more wounds.

"Is there anything I missed?"

He patted himself down. "No."

I grabbed some pills and a bottle of water. "Take these, then take a nap. I highly doubt anyone's gonna tell you to go to work."

"Thanks."

"Well, it's my job."

I popped in on Jeff to see if he needed any help and then started prepping another room for Alby's Sting. It was very much a bittersweet moment to realize how well I was getting at preparing these rooms.

And it also made me wonder why so many people were getting Stung. In the two years that the Gladers had been here, less than ten people got Stung from what I remember. And now we were up to three in a month.

Something was going to happen soon. Things were changing far too fast.

|~^-^~|

A Gathering was called the next day.

When Newt told me about it, I asked him if he even wanted to call it. He gave me a small smile that had multiple meanings laced within it. It's my job, he said. Everything told me to hug him, but before I could, he was already limping away.

I don't think I'd ever learn the meaning behind his limp. I didn't want to ask.

Gally wasn't in rare form at the Gathering. He had settled in his default: glare set, bursting with opinions, and a frown etched so deep on his face it made me forget that he even smiled. I hadn't realized how deep his hatred ran for the Greenbean.

"Minho," I said softly.

He turned to face me.

"Trade me seats."

"Why?"

"Just do it. I doubt we'll get thrown in the Slammer."

Sighing dramatically, he stood up and took my chair. I rolled my eyes.

"I should thank you. Sitting next to him," He jerked his head towards Gally, "made me want to punch a wall."

"You're welcome?" What does one say to that? "I just wanna make sure nothing bad happens."

Minho nodded.

The boys were settling in, and Alby's seat was left empty. Looking at it, multiple feelings crossed through me.

Newt started. "In place of our leader, sick in bed, I declare this Gathering begun."

I wanted to laugh. Alby said it so formally as if it was the most important thing, but Newt rolled his eyes.

"As you all know, the last few days have been bloody crazy, and quite a bit seems centered around our Greenbean, Tommy, seated before us."

The Greenbean in question looked like he'd rather be back out in the Maze than be seated before us.

"He's not the Greenie anymore. He's just a rule-breaker now." Gally commented.

A couple of people glared at him, including Newt.

"Gally, try to keep some buggin' order, here. If you're gonna blabber your shuck mouth every time I say something, you can go ahead and bloody leave because I'm not in a very cheerful mood."

I gave a quiet giggle. This was nothing like Alby's meetings.

Newt turned to me. Was the giggle that quiet? "That goes for you, too."

Resisting the urge to throw my hands up in the air, I scoffed. "I interrupt one time-"

"You didn't 'interrupt,' Lauren; you tipped over your chair, yelled at all of us, and then stormed out." Freckles corrected condescendingly. I still hadn't learned his name.

"I'm sorry, but when you're all making decisions on false information, I'm going to correct you! Also, I did good in Chuck's meeting!"

Freckles opened his mouth to respond, but Newt cut him off.

"Alright! Are we done?" He glared at both of us. We nodded reluctantly. "Glad we got that out of the way. Reason we're here is because almost every lovin' kid has come up to me in the last day or two boohooin' about Thomas or beggin' to take his bloody hand in marriage. We need to decide what we're gonna to with him."

Stifling another giggle, I remembered talking to Peter about Abra and I getting married. Would Thomas be up to a double wedding? I'd have ask him later.

Pulling myself back to reality, I caught Thomas giving a nod to Newt. The Gathering had begun.

Newt motioned to Zart to start talking.

Zart looked so uncomfortable. He looked around at all of us, as if we had the answer plastered on our forehead, but no one was going to answer for him. "Well, I don't know. He broke one of our most important rules. We can't just let people think that's okay. But then again, he's . . . changed things. Now we know we can survive out there, and that we can beat the Grievers."

Thomas looked relieved.

"Oh, give me a break. I bet Minho's the one who actually got rid of the stupid things." Gally scoffed.

My head fell in my hands.

"Gally, shut your hole!" Newt yelled. I heard a chair scrape. "I'm the bloody Chair right now, and if I hear one more buggin' word out of you, I'll be arrangin' another Banishing for your sorry butt."

"Please."

I waited until Newt was talking to Zart again to face Gally.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I whisper yelled.

"Talkin' some sense into these shanks!" He responded. "They're all worshipin' a kid who broke our rules!"

"All you're doing is digging yourself a deeper hole in the Deadheads! You need to shut up and wait!"

He huffed and turned back around.

Newt gave me a look of warning, but let it slide. "So what're ya recommendin'?"

Finch. I had missed Frypan's speech. Looking over at Thomas's face told me that he had said something good.

"Put him on the freaking Council and have him train us on everything he did out there."

Oh Frypan, you were doing so well.

Everyone had something to say about that. Newt looked close to throwing the notepad down and walking out.

"This is a shucking nightmare." Minho commented.

"You wanna leave with me?" I was watching Newt try to calm everyone down.

"Sure. We'll go have a picnic with the Grievers."

"I'll get the food, you get the blankets."

"Good that."

Freckles was up, and I was shocked to learn that he wasn't sentencing Thomas to the Slammer. He was for Frypan's idea, which was letting him go free. Although Winston wanted to give the Greenie a week in the Slammer, and wanted to lock me in there for a day too, since I 'pushed' him.

I rolled my eyes.

Jonathan was with Frypan and Freckles, and I was glad to hear it. Lee was with Winston, although he wasn't for putting me in there too. Billy was for Winston's idea as well. It didn't shock me.

Newt withheld his opinion, and at long last, Gally was up.

"I think I've made my opinions pretty clear already." Once again, ever the drama queen.

"Good that. Minho, go ahead." Newt rolled his eyes again.

"No!" Me and a couple of other Keepers jumped. "I still wanna say something."

"Then bloody say it."

"Just think about it," He started. "This slinthead comes up in the Box, acting all confused and scared. A few days later, he's running around the Maze with Grievers, acting like he owns the place."

Gally did have a point. Thomas thought so too, as he shrunk into his chair.

"I think it was all an act. How could he have done what his did out there after just a few days? I ain't buyin' it."

"What're you tryin' to say, Gally?" Our temporary leader asked. "How 'bout having a bloody point?"

"I think he's a spy from the people who put us here."

Once again, the room went crazy. Newt calmed it down.

"Forgive me Newt," I put my hands up. "But honestly Gally, people thought I was a spy too. Don't you think there's kind of a running theme of convicting people as spies because they did or were something different?"

Ticking them off on my fingers, I gave some examples. "I'm a girl, I redid the Homestead, Thomas goes out into the Maze, aren't you seeing a pattern? Forgive us for shaking things up a bit." I nodded at Thomas. He relaxed a little.

"It's different for you." Was Gally's response.

My head snapped back in confusion. "How's it different for me? If anything, I'm more of a spy than he is."

Gally huffed. "It just is. But still, we can't trust this shank. Day after he shows up, a psycho girl come, spoutin' off that things are gonna change, clutching that freaky note. We find a dead Griever. Thomas conveniently finds himself in the Maze for the night, then tries to convince everyone he's a hero. Well, neither Minho nor anyone else actually saw him do anything in the vines. How do we know it was the Greenie who tied Alby up there?"

There was a pregnant pause. I looked around, trying to see if anyone believed Gally, and it shocked me how many people looked thoughtful. Thomas was about to say something, but Gally started back up again.

"There's too many weird things going on, and it all started when this shuck-face Greenie showed up. And he just happens to be the first person to survive a night out in the Maze. Something ain't right, and until we figure it out, I officially recommend that we lock his butt in the Slammer—for a month, and then have another review."

Some guys started talking, and Newt wrote down Gally's opinion on his notepad.

"Finished, Captain Gally?" He asked.

"Quit being such a smart-aleck, Newt." Gally's face was heating up. "I'm dead serious. How can we trust this shank after less than a week? Quit voting me down before you even think about what I'm saying."

"Fine, Gally. I'm sorry. We heard you, and we'll all consider your bloody opinion. Do you have anything to say about Lauren?"

This Gathering was about Thomas, not me 'pushing' him into the Maze. Despite the fact that I did push him, I wanted nothing to do with being punished. Although I wondered if Gally would sentence me along with the Greenie.

He looked at me, and I looked back. "No. She just reached out for someone to catch her."

Winston mumbled something about being biased, and Frypan chuckled. The rest of the guys looked shocked, and I sat there with a small smile on my face.

"Alright. Are you done?" Newt asked.

"Yes, I'm done. But I'm right." The sweet moment had ended.

"Lauren, you're up."

"Finally." I cracked my knuckles. "This meeting needs to be over, so here goes. The Greenbean doesn't need to be punished, he saved Alby's life, and killed a couple Grievers in the process. You all can't sit around in your comfortable spots in the Glade and punish the kid who did something you can't and won't do. While Alby may not be everyone's favorite guy, this meeting goes to show we need him."

Silence followed my statement. I chuckled and settled back into my chair.

"Thank you, Lauren." Newt scribbled down something, and motioned for Minho. "Go ahead, last but not least."

Thomas looked delighted.

Minho stood up quickly, and I wondered if he was going to sentence Thomas to a Banishment or wanted to do something crazy, like make him Keeper of the Runners.

It worried me that I had no clue.

"I was out there; I saw what this guy did—he stayed strong while I turned into a panty-wearin' chicken. No blabbin' on and on like Gally. I want to say my recommendation and be done with it."

"Good that." Newt said, a couple of guys echoed it. "Tell us, then."

Minho looked straight at Thomas. Thomas looked back. "I nominate this shank to replace me as Keeper of the Runners."

I audibly gasped. Did I actually call it?

Gally was outraged. He stood up, and broke the silence. "That's ridiculous! He should be kicked off the Council for saying something so stupid."

"Gally, calm down! Everyone can have an opinion, even as crazy as Minho's." I tried to calm him down from my seat.

The Council was in total uproar, some people clapping, like Frypan, some people yelling, like Gally, and some who were in total shock, like Thomas. Newt stood off to the side, screaming for everyone calm down.

Minho sat back down in his seat, staying quiet.

"Bet that picnic with the Grievers sounds better and better."

"Why would you do that, Minho?" What good could possibly come from saying that?

He only grinned. "You'll see."

We finally calmed down, but Gally sat fuming. Frypan had a huge grin on his face, while others mirrored Gally.

"Shuck it. I've never seen so many shanks acting like teat-suckin' babies. We may not look it, but around these parts we're adults. Act like it, or we'll disband this bloody Council and start from scratch." Newt looked at all of us in turn. "Are we clear?"

It was silent as we all nodded.

"Good that." Newt sat back down and made some changes to his notes. "That's some pretty serious klunk, brother." He looked at Minho. "Sorry, but you'll need to talk it up to move it forward."

"It's sure easy for you shanks to sit here and talk about something you're stupid on. Lauren and I are the only Runners in this group, and the only other one who's even been out in the Maze is Newt."

I was glad Minho didn't leave me out, as I had the same level of experience as him.

Gally was upset he was left out, though. "Not if you count the time I—"

"I don't! And believe me, you or nobody else has the slightest clue what it's like to be out there. The only reason you were Stung is because you broke the same rule you're blaming Thomas for. That's called hypocrisy, you shuck-faced piece of—"

My eyes went wide. That's how Gally was Stung? He went out into the Maze?

Newt called for Minho to finish, and I stopped listening.

My eyes found Frypan, and he just gave me a tired smile. I returned it with one of my own. This was taking forever, and my pain meds were wearing off. (I never do this but y'all best be imagining their smiles like jimothy halpert looking at the camera)

Minho kept going on and on, and I focused more on Gally. He was about to snap at any moment.

And snap he did. "We get the point. Tommy here is a lucky shank."

Newt looked angry when Gally used his nickname for Thomas.

"No, you worthless shuck," Minho started. "You don't get it! I've been here two years, and I've never seen anything like it. For you to say anything . . ." He rubbed his face, and groaned. "Gally, you're nothing but a sissy who has never, not once, asked to be a Runner or tried out for it. You don't have the right to talk about things you don't understand. So shut your mouth."

That was the last straw. Gally stood up again, and crossed past me to get to Minho. I scooted my chair back, out of fear or to not be involved.

"Say one more thing like that and I'll break your neck, right here in front of everybody." He practically spat in Minho's face.

The Runner just laughed, and shoved Gally backwards with the palm of his hand. I jumped out of the way as I watched him crash into his chair, breaking it in half. Thomas was half out of his chair, and the rest of the guys watched the scene unfold. Gally scrambled to get himself back upright, but Minho pinned him down, just like I had done to Thomas that day he came up.

It seemed so long ago.

"I swear, Gally," Minho looked sinister. "Don't ever threaten me again. Don't ever speak to me again. Ever. If you do, I'll break your shuck neck, right after I'm done with your arms and legs."

Newt and Winston rushed to bring Minho backwards, and I went to go help Gally. Someone was going to die today, and I wasn't sure if it was going to be Gally, Minho, or Thomas.

Someone pulled me away before I could get to him, and I learned that it was Frypan.

"This might be the time where you can't calm him down." He whispered.

Gally jumped up, and for a sickening moment, he reminded me of Ben. He had the same facial expressions of someone that was about to murder someone, or a lot of people. My heart started racing, and I moved to grab Frypan's hand. Although the Builder made no move, he just stood there taking deep, heaving breaths, he still scared me. Gally moved towards the Door, and Frypan and I moved out of the way quickly.

"Things are different now." He looked directly in Minho's eyes, and I saw the hatred burning in them. "You shouldn't have done that, Minho. You should not have done that." He moved to look at Newt. "I know you hate me, that you've always hated me. You should be Banished for your embarrassing inability to lead this group."

I winced. I knew he hit Newt directly where it would hurt.

"You're shameful, and any one of you who stays here is no better. Things are going to change. This, I promise."He opened the door and stepped out, but popped back in.

"And you," He glared at Thomas. The Greenie shrunk backwards. "The Greenbean who thinks he's friggin' God. Don't forget I've seen you before—I've been through the Changing. What these guys decide doesn't mean jack."

Gally went and looked at everyone in turn, and when he looked at me, he faltered a little bit, seeing the utter fear in my eyes. But he looked back at Thomas, effectively forgetting anything he saw before.

"Whatever you came here for—I swear on my life I'm gonna stop it. Kill you if I have to." Before any of us knew it, he was back out the door, slamming it shut behind him.

The absolute silence that followed didn't surprise me. Newt and Winston let go of Minho, and they all walked back to their chairs. I let go of Frypan, and he left to sit down.

Was I supposed to sit back down too? Just forget about it all?

The Council settled back in their seats, to where I was the only one left standing.

Newt turned around to look at me. "You gonna sit?"

I was torn. "You got my recommendation?" I asked.

He looked confused. "Yeah? What're you-"

The door was shut behind me before anyone knew what happened.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have NEWS!!!

I am happy to report that once this book is finished, I plan on opening a Meet My OC's book!! (on top of doing Too Many Cooks, whenever that happens) I already have some things in the works, (Including Tumblr posts and My OC's as Micheal Scott quotes <33) and I'm actually really excited about it.
You get Lauren and Peter's birthday/zodiac signs, favorite colors, etc, and you'll meet the EARLY drafts of them!! It'll be amusing.

So, um, *awkward chuckle* This chapter was 5,000 words.
Just the sheer capacity astounds me.
And when I was researching, and hating the fact that I had to actually take quotes from the book and type them, I realized that I had over half of The Maze Runner to fit into 5 chapters.

*me on my way to slap younger dashing because she got me into this mess*

But yeah, expect more chapters like this in the future bc I'm NOT extending the 40 chapter mark. (that doesn't include the prologue and the epilogue tho!)

-Comment your thoughts about this chapter here...