The monster charges toward me. My brain screams, RUN! I can't. I can only watch helplessly as the knife pierces my flesh.

In a cold sweat I bolt up and fearfully glance around. The sun shines brightly through the window, mocking my sorrow.

'It was a dream. A nightmare.'

A dream prehaps but a reality for George. For Morris. For Bobby. For Kevin. A nightmare they could not escape. Could not save themselves by simply opening their eyes.

'I should have died. By every right I should have been killed. Why did I live? What good is my life? Plagued with guilt, deemed as a liar, a traitor. Death might be too good for me.'

Suddenly the door to my cell opens. Before me stands Alby. His glare toward me is full force, full of hate and contempt. He probably wishes I were dead too.

"The keepers have come to a decision. We can not let you go unpunished for your actions and it is not safe to keep you around. We see fit to have you banished tonight at dusk."

I hear the words but I can't comprehend them.

"Banished?" I ask.

"Into the Maze. To let the Grievers have their way." He says evenly.

"Grievers?"

"That's what we call your monster. After all the grief they brought we thought the name was only fair."

"It's not my monster," I say as my voice shakes.

"Then why did you give those boys to them?" He says angrily.

"I didn't do it on purpose! I swear!"

"But you knew about them!"

As those words spew out I know I can't deny them. That shadow was a warning. A warning I didn't heed. He takes my silence as a forfeit to defend myself.

I keep my head down and when I look up again, my accuser is gone. I bury my head in my hands.

'As much as I deserve to be banished I can't. I can't go back in that horrible maze. Anything but that.'

》》》》》》[]《《《《《《

"You sure sleep alot."

I look up from my huddled postion to see John standing at the door. His words make me want to cry. That is something he would have said to the old Graham.

"I wasn't asleep." I say quietly.

"Umm- I'm probably not supposed to do this, Frypan already yelled at me twice for trying to sneak into his kitchen but, here,"

Through the bars he pushes something inside. My fingers brush against the gift and I can't believe what he risked bringing to me. I pull in my old bag from my Running days and stare at it, not sure if it is friend or foe.

"I knew you'd be hungry and you always packed food and water in there. After-" he pauses and quietly wipes away a tear that threatens to run down his check.

"After that day, the bag was just left over in the woods where you left it."

I set the bag behind me and force a smile.

"Thank you John."

"Did Alby talk to you?"

"Yes."

The lingering silence fills the gap.

"John, I know I don't deserve your kindness and deep down you probably hate me but try not to- to remember me this way."

"I don't hate you. I should but I don't."

His soft spoken words give me a second of peace.

'If I die tonight, I'll go knowing I have one friend in the world.'

"I need to get back to work, the animals need fed."

As soon as I am alone I put my back to the window and dig through my bag. My stomach growls horrendously at the prospect of food and I'm thrilled when I pull out an apple, a cereal bar and a half empty water bottle.

The apple is brown and bruised, the cereal bar is old and the water is warm but it is a glorious feast. As I munch, I examine the contents of my bag, which isn't much besides my running book and some vines.

I hold the vines up and my hands tremble. I had stuffed these in my bag the day-

I set the vines down and the dry cereal bar sticks in my throat.

'I can't go back in that maze. I won't go back inside.'

I pick up the vines and hold them close as if doing so would bring those kids back. Without a second thought I stuff a vine in my pocket. Keeping it and their memory close.

A/N
So that is how (in my book) Grievers got their name. And this is to be our first banishment..... please please comment your thoughts and your feels.

2 chapters and an author's note left!!!!!