Mae had sent Thomas up to the lookout, deflecting all the questions from the other boys, muttering something about "girl stuff". They were restlessly waiting for Teresa to come down, but Mae assured them that she needed a minute.
"How come Thomas gets to go up there? What's so special about him?" A random Glader called.
Newt silenced him with a harsh look, then turned to address the whole crowd.
"Just leave them alone. She'll come down when she's ready, and you all have jobs to do!" He ordered, sending the boys sauntering back to their respective duties. Minho, Newt and Mae were left standing below the look out, waiting.
"I think we should give them some space. Mae, do you want to come with me to grab some fertilizer? Zart's been buggin' me to get some more." Newt suggested, swinging his arm around her shoulder to distract her from the conversation taking place thirty above them. She nodded, her gaze still focused on the tower as Newt gently pulled her toward the forest.
"I'll walk with you guys. I gotta go to the Map room anyways," Minho caught up to them, falling into the same walking pace as the duo heading for the trees.
"Hey! Newt!" Thomas's voice stopped the group abruptly, and they all stopped to hear what he had to say. He was looking down from the top of the building structure, his hands cupped around his mouth in an attempt to make his voice louder. Teresa was standing shyly behind him, eyeing Mae, Minho and Newt.
"We have an idea!"
__
Mae sat next to Jeff, Clint standing right behind, her eyes glued to Alby's writhing figure. He was laying uncomfortably on a cot in the Med-Jack hut, occasionally grunting and screaming random phrases. His veins were bulging purple all over his skin, his eyes squeezed shut. He had been like this ever since he was stung, all though it was much worse the first day.
Newt, Thomas and Teresa stood near by, discussing Thomas's suggestion. When Teresa had come up in the box, she had two vials of an unidentified serum in her pocket. When they were talking, they had come to a conclusion that the serum could be used to help Alby.
"We don't know who sent it- or why it came up in the box with you," Newt gestured to Teresa, holding the vial firmly in his hand. "I mean, for all we know, this thing could kill him." He continued. He was clearly close with his leader, and didn't want to try anything that would put in him any more pain than he was already in.
Thomas glanced at Alby, taking in his fragile state, then back at Newt. "He's already dying," He explained, defending his case. Teresa stayed quiet, catching Mae's eye with a nervous expression. "How could this possibly make it any worse? It's worth a try." Thomas coaxed, trying his best to convince Newt to trust him.
Newt shifted his gaze to Alby, his friend, who was suffering so much. He stared intensely at him for a moment, trying not to flinch at each grunt and unsettling sound he made, then glanced at Mae, who had an emotionless, bare expression on her face as she peered at the dirty floor.
"Mae, what do you think?" He asked, his voice slightly cracking as emotion spilled through his tone.
The girls head jerked up at his question, and it took her a second to collect her thoughts. Her lips parted slightly and her forehead creased as she made up her mind.
"I think we should try it." She finally stated. "He can't get much worse than this. And there's no way we can banish him. We need to do something," Newt nodded along with her answer, taking one last brainstorm before he came up with the verdict.
"Alright." He stepped back, away from the cot, allowing Teresa and Thomas to come forward. Mae watched, her head resting in her palms as Thomas approached Alby, gripping the serum in his right hand, standing over him like he was about to preform a life saving surgery. He took in one last gulp of air, before holding Alby down firmly and preparing to plunge the serum into his left shoulder.
The rest of the Gladers had gathered behind him, waiting in anticipation.
Just as he was about to, Alby's eyes shot open, and he grabbed Thomas by the collar of his shirt forcefully, shaking him like a baby rattle.
"You shouldn't be here!" He growled threateningly, his eyes wide and crazed.
Newt reacted the quickest, springing to Thomas's side and trying desperately to pry him away from Alby's death grip. Jeff was instantly next to him, aiding Newt and trying to reason with Alby (which was of no use).
"Let go of him!" Newt pleaded.
Alby's breaths came out in ragged puffs of air, his hands still glued to Thomas. Mae wanted to get in and help, but Newt and Jeff seemed to have it handled as Alby finally realized the shaken brunette.
"There you go. Just calm down Alby," Newt said breathlessly, holding his arm firmly to the mattress of the cot. Teresa had made her way to stand next to her sister, with the other vial of serum still in her hand.
Alby swiveled his head to the pair of girls, his eyes shooting daggers at them.
"And you. IT'S YOUR FAULT!" He bellowed, shaking with rage.
Thomas, this time with no hesitation, stabbed Alby with the syringe, the liquid releasing itself into his bloodstream. Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief as he slowly relaxed, his veins gradually sinking back into his skin normally.
"From now on, we need someone watching him around the clock." Newt shook, speaking directly to Clint and Jeff. The group stood in silence for a moment, just taking the series of events and soaking up the moment of silence they shared.
"Hey," Everyone turned to see Gally standing behind them taking in the scene with a startled expression. He cleared his throat, his eyes darting from Mae to Teresa and finally Thomas. "Sun down Greenie. Time to go." He was referencing Thomas's punishment for going into the maze, a day in the Slammer. Personally, Mae thought it was kind of him to let up his harsh beliefs due to the others pleas. Thomas looked around at everyone and then Alby before nodding and following Gally out of the hut.
Trembling, Mae took one last look at Alby before hurrying outside herself, leaving Newt, Teresa, Clint and Jeff perplexed.
She saw Gally striding away from the Slammer, and glanced around before she approached the make-shift jail cell, leaning down to see Thomas sitting in the corner, deep in thought.
"Thomas?" She asked quietly. He turned his attention to her, seeing her squat down in above him.
"Mae," He whispered. "What are you doing?"
"I'm just making sure you're ok. And- can we talk after you get out tomorrow?" The girl said hurriedly. He nodded, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Finding his answer satisfactory, she stood up and turned away. As she was walking leisurely toward the hammocks, she spotted Gally pacing in the direction of the Homestead. Impulsively, she made the decision to follow him, cursing herself along the way.
What the hell am I doing? She thought. There's no way he wants to hear my thank you.
But, nevertheless, her gut told her to continue on. When she finally caught up to him, she cleared her throat to notify him of her presence. He paused sharply, turning around at a slow pace, his eyes narrowing in confusion as he saw who was in front of him.
"Uh, Hello Mae..." He hesitated.
Beginning to regret her choice more and more, Mae stood awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck.
"I just wanted to say," she paused quickly. "I just wanted to say thank you. For not banishing Thomas." She finally spat out, trying to keep herself from rambling. Gally nodded, raising an eyebrow skeptically.
"As long as he starts to follow our rules, we won't have problems." He stated.
"He will. I also wanted to let you know that we think Alby will be alright. We gave him the serum that was in Teresa's pocket, and he seems to be doing better." The girl explained, easing into the conversation better. Gally's eyes lit up slightly, despite his dark demeanor.
"Thanks." He said after a few seconds of silence. Mae noticed the corners of his lips up turned in a very small smile, and she no longer regret coming up to him.
He's not all that bad as Thomas says. Just a traditional guy, that's all.
"Well, Goodnight," Gally bid, causing Mae to nod politely. "Night," She responded, before pivoting on her heel and heading back toward the Hammocks.
Sorry if the writing seems rushed, I had some writers block on this one. I also just wanted to say- THANK YOU FOR 440 READS! For some people, that may not seem like a lot, but I never thought this book would get this far. I'm so greatful. Please vote or comment if you like it!