"Jesus Christ, Joannah," Adam said, looking at me in shock. "What did they do for you to come up with this?"

I realized that instead of watching, I was now in the view of younger me. From my height, and Adams, I can deduct this was shortly after I had made the Grievers. My hand shot up, wiping tears I hadn't known had fallen. "I didn't know what they were going to use them for. I swear. I thought it was another test," I sobbed. "Adam, do you think I would've made that knowing both of my brothers were being sent in there? Would I have made them knowing you were being sent!"

His arms wrapped around me, and I welcomed his hug. The scent from his everyday shampoo enveloped me. WICKED at least let us choose shampoo smells.

Watching from first person was worse. I was unable to focus on my surrounding, since the girl was obviously more interested in the boy in front of her. From my peripheral vision, the room surprisingly seemed vibrant, consisting of a couch, bed in the corner, a screen which might be a tv, and a small table with 2 chairs.

"Lanai Janson has already come up with a name for them," Adam said, shaking his head. "You mean the witch?"

"Joannah!" He whispered, and I rolled my eyes, the tears gone. "It's what I call her in my head," I mumbled. He chuckled sarcastically, "I know, I hear you sometimes,"

We smirked at eachother before returning to the grim subject. "What'd she call 'em?" I asked, picturing them in my head. "Grievers,"

My eyes shot into his blue-green ones. "You know what she said when she first saw them? Good grief. Grief. Griever. I don't know who's worst her or her brother," I mumbled, shocked at what I had done.

"That's not all," Adam said, his hands taking mine. "What?" I whispered, my gaze returning to the floor. "They don't only kill. They inject you with something, a poison, and it gives you some memories. So you don't die, they have this thing called the grief serum," he explained.

"Please no more..." I whispered, just a hush of breath. "They're taking away who I am. They're molding me into-into a monster," my eyes bore into his, "just like my creations,"

His hands cupped my face. "No, they're not taking away who you are. Because there is one part of you that will never change. That they'll never know about, and that they'll never break," he said, inching closer.

"What?"

"Us," he said, before meeting his lips to mine.

*****

"Bloody hell Joanie, you've gotta stop this,"

I jolted awake, the gleaming light blinding my vision. Squinting into the harsh glow, a figure hovered above me. "Newt?"

My vision adjusted, and I could make out his features. "Can you bloody please stop sleeping in the buggin forest?" He asked, a bit of impatience interspersed in his voice. "Why?" I innocently questioned. "Everyone waiting. The buggin gatherings' today,"

I leaped to my feet, before almost collapsing using the cane to help. The pain had drastically decreased, but I was still wobbly. "What gathering?" I gasped, in between deep breaths. "About you and Thomas," he said, eyeing me over, "let me carry you,"

He reached forward, but I pushed his hand away. "No," I said, straightening up. "No. I've been nothing but a burden. Time I start standing on my own two feet,"

Before he could argue, I threw the cane aside, and braced myself. My legs stayed planted to the ground, swaying slightly, like the trees surrounding me. Shaky steps started, and in a span of a few seconds, were replaced by courageous strides. I didn't look back at Newt, I just lumbered on. No one knew of my plan, and I'm not sure I entirely did either. The deadheads were an eerie chill, different from the torrent sun above. It's looming trees threatened to engulf me. Before I exited the deadheads, I paused, brushed the dirt off, and strides into the open glade.

By now, Gladers had ceased looking at me in astonishment. Barely any of them tried for friendly conversation anymore. But I didn't care. If anything, it would help. I was guilty and they knew that, so perhaps we were all on the same page.

Newt led me inside the homestead, and then into the gathering room. Thomas anxiously sat in the middle, a look of worry across his face. The semicircle was completely filled, except for Alby, Newt, and I. As Newt began to sit down, I looked at him questionably. "Joanie, sit in your keeper spot. We're going to talk about you after," he said, and I silently nodded.

Before sitting down, Gally stood up, have Thomas a glare, then sauntered towards me. "Where the shuck were you?" He whispered, making sure I was okay. "Doesn't matter now," I muttered, taking my seat.

"In place of our leader, sick in bed, I declare this Gathering begun," Newt said, and I could here eminent sarcasm. "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."

Thomas seemed to blush, his nervousness obvious.

"He's not the Greenie anymore," Gally said, "He's just a rule breaker now. And he's corrupting my sister,"

"Gally," Newt started, "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."

Gally sat back, and I relished in the thought that at least he currently doesn't know about me and Newt.

But depending on how guilty I am will decide that future.

Newt gave Gally a hard stare, then continued. "Glad we got that out of the way." He rolled his eyes. "Reason we're "here is because almost every lovin' kid in the Glade has come up to me in the last day or two either boohooing about Thomas or beggin' to take his bloody hand in marriage. We need to decide what we're gonna do with him."

Gally leaned forward, but Newt cut him off before he could say anything.

"You'll have your chance, Gally. One at a time. And Tommy, you're not allowed to say a buggin' thing until we ask you to. Good that?" He waited for a nod of consent from Thomas, then pointed to the kid in the chair on the far right. "Zart the Fart, you start."

A few snickers broke out as Zart shuffled. "Well," Zart began, his eyes darting around almost like he was waiting for someone else to tell him what to say. "I don't know. He broke one of our most important rules. We can't just let people think that's okay." He paused and looked down at his hands, rubbing them together. "But then again, he's ... changed things. Now we know we can survive out there, and that we can beat the Grievers."

I held up my head as a few keepers glanced at me when he said Grievers. I was sure that rumors were probably going around. I could guess what they were saying. That the only reason I survived in the maze, was because I made the Grievers, or, it was the boys that had helped me survive, and I was hiding how to destroy the Grievers.

But neither was true. Maybe.

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

And there is part of that second rumor.

"Gally, shut your hole!" Newt yelled, standing for effect this time, "I'm the bloody Chair right now, and if I hear one more buggin' word out of turn from you, I'll be arrangin' another Banishing for your sorry butt."

"Please," Gally whispered sarcastically. I really hope Gally doesn't push it, because people might turn on him, for being my brother, of they're turning on me.

Newt sat down, and waved a hand to zart. "Is that it? Any official recommendations?" Zart shook his head.

"Okay. You're next, Frypan."

The cook smiled through his beard and sat up straighter. "Shank's got more guts than I've fried up from every pig and cow in the last year." He paused, as if expecting a laugh, but none came. "How stupid is this-he saves Alby's life, kills a couple of Grievers, and we're sitting here yappin' about what to do with him. As Chuck would say, this is a pile of klunk."

I smiled, give it to ol' frypan to be the honest one here. The musty room seemed to clear slightly at his positivity.

"So what're ya recommendin'?" Newt asked.

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

Voices erupted from every direction, and it took Newt half a minute to calm everyone down. The entire time; I was silent. "All right, writin' her down," Newt said as he did just that, scribbling on a notepad. "Now everyone keep their bloody mouths shut, I mean it. You know the rules-no idea's unacceptable -and you'll all have your say when we vote on it." He finished writing and pointed to Linny.

"I don't really have an opinion," he said.

"What?" Newt asked angrily. "Lot of good it did to choose you for the Council, then."

"Sorry, I honestly don't." He shrugged. "If anything, I agree with Frypan, I guess. Why punish a guy for saving someone's life?"

"So you do have an opinion-is that it?" Newt insisted, pencil in hand. The kid nodded and Newt scribbled a note. Winston went next, and I wasn't surprised to hear what he said. "I think he should be punished. No offense, Greenie, but Newt, you're the one always harping about order. If we don't punish him, we'll set a bad example. He broke our Number One Rule."

"Okay," Newt said, writing on his pad. "So you're recommendin' punishment. What kind?"

"I think he should be put in the Slammer for a week with only bread and water-and we need to make sure everyone knows about it so they don't get any ideas."

Gally clapped, earning a scowl from Newt. I felt like walking over there and dragging my brother away.

Two more Keepers spoke, one for Frypan's idea, one for Winston's. Then it was Newt's turn.

"I agree with the lot of ya. He should be punished, but then we need to figure out a way to use him. I'm reservin' my recommendation until I hear everyone out. Next."

I nodded with newts rational conclusion, and I hope he'll be the same with me.

We kept going, and it seemed to drag on. Some thought he should be punished, whilst others believed he should be praised. The last keepers were Gally, Minho, then me. Minho hadn't said a single word, and to be honest he looked half dead. I gathered that I probably looked the same.

Gally went first. "I think I've made my opinions pretty clear already."

"Good that," Newt said with yet another roll of the eyes. "Go on, then, Minho."

"No!" Gally yelled, making a couple of Keepers jump in their seats, including me "I still wanna say something."

"Then bloody say it," Newt replied. "Just think about it," Gally began. "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."

I began to ponder his words. I had seen what Thomas did in the maze, and it was new, if anything, but not suspicious.

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

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

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

Was gally out of his mind? Accusing Thomas of being a spy was far enough, but with me in the room. I was much more eligible to be a spy than him. Thomas had paled, and was watching me with pleading eyes. But I knew, if the keepers would have it, no one was as extreme as Gally, he was ok. Newt calmed everyone down, but since gally was Gally, he continued.

"We can't trust this shank," he continued. "Day after he shows up, a psycho girl comes, 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?"

He paused, the dramatic shank. Well two can play at that game. "You're wrong,"

All eyes turned to me. I hadn't spoken, so it was like a mute saying a speech. "I was there. Thomas was amazing. He saved Alby's life, and no matter how much you hate him, he's a hero," I said, astonishingly calm. "What are you in love with the shuck greenie?" Gally taunted.

I just hollowly laughed, "actually, I'm currently in a relationship with Newt,"

The entire gathering got more awkward, if that's possible. The tension was as thick as Gallys hate for Thomas. "What?"

"Let's keep bloody personal matters outside. Anything else?" Newts growled. "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."

More rumblings broke out, and Newt wrote something on his pad, shaking his head the whole time.

"Finished, Captain Gally?" Newt asked.
"Quit being such a smart aleck, Newt," he spat, his face flushing red. "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."

I had to hand it to gally, and it was obvious I was one of the reasons they were feuding. "Fine, Gally," Newt said. "I'm sorry. We heard you, and we'll all consider your bloody recommendation. Are you done?"

"Yes, I'm done. And I'm right."
With no more words for Gally, Newt pointed at Minho. "Go ahead,"

The entire gathering turned to the ever silent keeper. Minho stood quickly, taking everyone off guard. "I was out there; I saw what this guy did-he stayed strong with Joanie 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. "Tell us, then."
Minho looked at Thomas. "I nominate this shank to replace me as Keeper of the Runners."

I expected the gathering to erupt in chaos. The clamor that should've been there, was a dead silence. "Gally finally broke the spell, standing up. "That's ridiculous!" He faced Newt and pointed back at Minho, who had taken his seat again. "He should be "kicked off the Council for saying something so stupid."

"Gally shut your hole!" I yelled, signaling for everyone to begin their bickering.

Frypan was trying to drown Gally out with intense clapping, while people like Winston was shaking his head, muttering indecipherable words. I had become silent again, I decided to watch this play out.

I had they unbearable urge to jump up, defend Thomas, and put all those shanks in their places; but I had a greater plan at play. Finally, Newt put his notepad down and stepped out from the semicircle, screaming at people to shut up. I watched on as at first no one seemed to hear or notice Newt at all. Gradually, though, order was restored and everyone sat down.

"Shuck it," Newt said. "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."

He walked from end to end of the curved row of sitting Keepers, looking each of them in the eye as he spoke. "Are we clear?"

Quiet once more came, and it was a strange back and forth between talking and silence. "Good that." Newt walked back to his chair and sat down, putting the pad in his lap. He scratched out a few lines on the paper, then looked up at Minho. "That's some pretty serious klunk, brother. Sorry, but you need to talk it up to move it forward."

"Minho looked exhausted, but he started defending his proposal. "It's sure easy for you shanks to sit here and talk about something you're stupid on. I'm the only Runner in this group, and the only other one here who's even been out in the Maze is Newt."

Gally interjected: "Not if you count the time I-"

"I don't!" Minho shouted. "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-"

"Enough," Newt said. "Defend your proposal and be done with it."

Both Minho and Gally were red, and I felt that at one delicate touch, it could all go down. "Anyway, listen to me," Minho continued as he took his seat. "I've never seen anything like it. He didn't panic. He didn't whine and cry, never seemed scared. Dude, he'd been here for just a few days. Think about what we were all like in the beginning. Huddling in corners, disoriented, crying every hour, not trusting anybody, refusing to do anything. We were all like that, for weeks or months, till we had no choice but to shuck it and live. You know who was also like that? Joanie. And she's probably been through some pretty shucked up stuff in only two months. But we'll get to her soon,"

"Minho stood back up, pointed at Thomas. "Just a few days after this guy shows up, he steps out in the Maze to save two shanks he hardly knows. And what about Joanie? She knows what the maze is like. All this klunk about him breaking a rule is just beyond stupid. He didn't get the rules yet. But plenty of people had told him what it's like in the Maze, especially at night. And he still stepped out there, just as the Door was closing, only caring that two people needed help."

He took a deep breath, and continued. "But that was just the beginning. After that, he saw me give up on Alby, leave him for dead. And I was the veteran-the one with all the experience and knowledge. So when Thomas and joannah saw me give up, they shouldn't have questioned it. But they did. Think about the willpower and strength it took him to push Alby up that wall, inch by inch. It's psycho. It's freaking crazy. But that wasn't it. Then came the Grievers. I told Them we had to split up and I started the practiced evasive maneuvers, running in the patterns. Thomas, when he should've been wettin' his pants, took control, defied all laws of physics and gravity to get Alby up onto that wall, diverted the Grievers away from him, beat one off, found-"

"We get the point," Gally snapped. "Tommy here is a lucky shank."
Minho rounded on him. "No, you worthless shuck, 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 groaned in frustration, and rubbed his eyes. "Gally," Minho said in a calmer voice, "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."

Gally stood up again, fuming. "Say one more thing like that and I'll break your neck, right here in front of everybody." Spit flew from his mouth as he spoke.
Minho laughed, then raised the palm of his hand and shoved Gally in the face.

Gally tumbled backwards, breaking his chair in two. But if that wasn't enough, Minho put his foot on Gally, pushing him down. "I swear, Gally," Minho said with a sneer, "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."

I stared in awe as my brother and my best friend were being pit against eachother. I shoved Minho away, with the help of some gladers. "Things are different now," Gally spat, no heading for the doors, "You shouldn't have done that, Minho. You should not have done that." His maniacal gaze shifted to Newt. "I know you hate me, that you've always hated me. You should be Banished for your embarrassing inability to lead this group. You do not deserve my sister. Ever.You're shameful, and any one of you who stays here is no better. Joanie, you don't pet any of these shanks tell you what to do. Don't trust them. Things are going to change. This, I promise."

Then he ran out the door, before popping his head back in, "And you," he said, glaring at Thomas, "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."

He paused, looking at each person in the room. When his malicious stare fell back on Thomas, he had one last thing to say. "Whatever you came here for-I swear on my life I'm gonna stop it. Kill you if I have to."

He turned, and slammed the door. All eyes seemed to fall on me, and I had already seated back down.

Standing up once more I gave a mocking smile, "well, that could've gone better. But you'll have another go at it. Come on you shanks, let's talk about me,"

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