Chapter 4

Thomas waited with the Keepers in a large room in the Homestead. Nobody had anything against the fact that Thomas was a part of the Gathering even though he was no Keeper. Newt, Alby and Minho walked in. Two chairs remained empty: Gally's and Winston's. Winston had been killed in the maze. Along with Clint and three other boys Thomas had not known. Just when Alby wanted to introduce the Gathering Gally stepped in looking as grumpy as always.

"And at last one happy face." Minho said his voice drenched with sarcasm.

Gally sat down in his chair ignoring Minho.

"I declare this Gathering begun." Alby announced "Before we start with the problem with the maze we have to choose a punishment for Gally who attacked Newt on the night the Grievers came."

"What about you?" Gally asked looking directly at Alby "You burned down the map room. What's your punishment?"

"What does that have to do with this, shuck-face?!" Newt defended his boyfriend who didn't say a word.

"He's kinda right, Newt. He sabotaged our escape."

"No!" Newt rose from his seat but Alby pulled him down again.

"They're right, Newt." Alby took Newts hand to calm him down. "Present your punishments"

Every Keeper expressed his opinion on the matter (which were between two and five days in the Slammer) until Gally spoke up "He deserves the Banishment."

"What?! You're stupid piece of klunk!" Newt wanted to rise again but Alby kept him in place.

"It's your turn Newt. I am not allowed to choose my punishment. It's your duty as second-in-command"

"What?" Newt looked at him with pleading eyes. He didn't want to make that choice. "You don't deserve a punishment."

"You can't just let him off easy 'cause he's your loverboy." said Josh who was the Keeper of the Baggers.

"Make a choice, Newt." Alby squeezed Newt's hand as if to tell him that it was alright. The blonde's hand was trembling as he said: "Two days in the Slammer. That's what he gets. It's what Gally gets too."

Newt didn't feel good. He felt guilty. He just put his boyfriend in the Slammer. He was so angry at himself for backing down. He looked up to meet Gally's eyes who was grinning at him and then winked at him as if he knew what Newt was thinking. How guilty he felt. Newt never wanted to punch him that bad in his ugly face. Newt got up from his chair and looked at the Keepers. "I'm getting some bloody rest. I don't feel so good." With that he stepped out of the room and let the rest of the Keepers on their own.

Gally leaned back on this chair. He was more than just happy that he had gotten Newt that angry. He looked at Alby who shot him a death glare. Gally grinned at him as their leader continued with the Gathering.

"The doors of the of the maze closed again." He explained "We have no idea what's going on but all of us should stay in the Homestead until we figured it out."

"I'll have the Runners stay the night in the maze." Minho announced.

"No. Not yet. It's too dangerous."

"I think Minho's right, Alby." Thomas joined their conversation.

"Nobody steps in that buggin' maze until I say so!" Alby said and his decision was final. "Anyone else has something they wanna throw in?"

When nobody answered Alby got up "Fine. If I see somebody even near the gates I'll throw you off the cliff myself." With those words he left the room to find Newt.

Alby found Newt outside leaning against a tree. "You okay?" Alby asked. Newt nodded but wouldn't meet his eyes. They were silent for a few seconds when Newt spoke up "I'm so sorry Alby. I'm so bloody sorry" Newt looked up and Alby could see that the blonde was on the verge of tears.

"You have nothing to be sorry about" Alby said and stroked a lonely tear out of Newt's face. He, then, took Newts face in his hands and kissed him softly. The kiss was long and when they let go of each other Alby held Newt close. "We're going to stay together." he started "There is nothing out there that could ever separate us. We're strong together and we're gonna make it through this because we're not alone"

Newt smiled and kissed him again. "I'm such a lucky person to get the chance to be with you."

The next day Alby was put into the Slammer. Newt brought him there and locked the door behind him. They held each other's hands and just as Alby pulled Newt close to kiss him through the bars a voice interrupted them. "Well aren't you shuck-faces sickly adorable" Gally said and walked in. The two Gladers let go of each other and Newt turned around. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm only looking for myself if your lover is all locked in."

"You'll be in that cell in two days. I wouldn't laugh if I were you."

"This is so worth it. I wanted to see that fag behind bars for as long as I've been here."

"Don't call him that!" Newt pushed Gally back and the other boy slammed into the wall.

"Or what?" Gally said and stepped in front of Newt "What are you gonna do, fag?"

Gally pushed Newt against the bars and the blonde boy felt his back ache.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you?!" Newt pushed Gally back.

"You guys feel like you're so mighty but guess again. You're not." Gally looked at the two of them. His eyes were full with rage. He looked like he had gone crazy in the last few hours. Maybe he had. Gally punched Newt right in the face. Blood fell in little drops from his cheek where Gally's fist had connected with his face.

Alby was in rage. He pulled at bars and screamed at both of them to let him out. "LET ME OUT, SLINTHEAD!" he yelled "LET ME OUT AND TAKE IT LIKE A MAN!"

Newt stayed calm until he took hold of Gally's collar and pushed him hard against the wall. "If I ever see you again doing anything stupid, if you ever hit any of the other Gladers again, you're gonna get it Gally. I will personally make sure that you are being banished."

Gally looked at Newt and the blonde thought that he could see something in Gally's eyes that looked like fear.

"Do you understand me?" Newt asked calmly and when Gally didn't answer but only stared at him he asked louder: " Do you understand me ?!"

Gally nodded quickly got away from Newt and ran out of the Slammer.

Newt took a big breath and stepped back in front of Alby. Alby pulled at Newts hands until he was right in front of him. Alby stroked a strand of hair behind Newt's ear. "That was really hot, you know." Alby smiled and Newt couldn't do anything but smile himself.

"I've got to take a look at the other Gladers." Newt said. "I'll be back to bring you lunch."

Alby nodded and kissed him. This time without anyone interrupting them.

Well guys, I'm sorry I left for that long, but I didn't feel to motivated to continue... So maybe you could drop me a review or something :) Oh and before I forget, Josh is an OC and he's not important or anything ;)