As promised, here is Chapter 7! So because of the Banishing, I'm going to give you a warning of possible M-rated content, but its not that bad ... Enjoy!

LF13 xx

"There's a couple minutes, tops before the Walls close"

Minho was pacing nervously, glancing at the endless grey pillars.

The Gladers crowded around the opening to the Maze - we were all relatively silent. The foreboding atmosphere was thick around us.

Chuck was nowhere to be seen. Good, I thought. This is no place for a 12 year old.

Just then, there was a commotion from the buildings behind us.

We turned to see Alby striding over, flanked by two other boys supporting a worn and dishevelled Paul.

I frowned. He looked like he'd just just regained conciousness - had he been knocked out? Maybe he'd been causing trouble in the Slammer.

Alby gave a short order to Newt, who half ran, half limped over to the wooden shed beside the Gardens.

They kept a hold of Paul as he caught sight of me. He turned furious red and started screaming at me;

"Its her, Alby! You have to - " he coughed violently, still struggling. " - It wasn't my shucking fault! You cant Banish me for this!"

I moved behind Harry, shivering at the inhumane look on Paul's face. I could see fear and anger there - but mostly fear.

Alby marched up and grabbed his shirt collar, "She did NOTHING, Paul - nothing to provoke you!" The leader threw him down beside the entrance to the Maze. "And you've given us no choice - none at all! Why cant you shucking understand that?!"

I couldn't explain my thoughts there, as I looked down at the snivelling mess that was Paul. Oddly, I remembered myself in that same position just yesterday, when HE was staring down at ME.

We turned again at a scraping noise: it was Newt, dragging a 10 foot pole with - was that, a collar attached to the top?

My insides turned cold as I grasped the meaning of it.

Alby faced the rest of the Gladers as he took hold of the instrument from Newt. "Paul of the Builders, you've been sentenced to Banishment for the harassment and attempted rape of Resa the Newbie"

There was utter silence, unlike the first time that'd been announced. I swallowed and Harry gave my arm a comforting squeeze.

Alby walked up and attached the aluminium collar around Paul's thick neck, as he whimpered into his hands.

"Keepers - take your places", the leader announced formally, taking his front position.

I wrapped my bandaged hands around my waist as Harry stepped forwards, along with Gally, Minho, Frypan and half a dozen other boys, to grasp part of the long pole.

I felt Newt touch my shoulder as he passed to take his position behind Alby.

Paul was facing towards the gaping abyss of the Maze, but he kept pleading - his voice cracking in places;

"Pleeeaase, please don't do this to me!"

He attempted to swivel in the collar to look the others in the eye, but the pole prevented it. He was forcefully kept facing forwards.

"She's a shucking girl! She's not even one of us - pleeease! Don't do this - I don't deserve this - "

The Walls of the Maze began to rumble and groan - then they moved...

Alby raised a hand, "Keepers, NOW!"

They pushed the Pole - with Paul on the end - toward the entrance.

I could still hear his tortured screams and pleads for help - though we all knew his fate was decided.

"Noooo - you cant do this to meee! I'll leave her along - pleease!" he was struggling and fighting - spit flying from his snarling mouth as he tried to resist the combined strength of 10 Keepers.

Every second brought him closer to the Maze as the doors rapidly moved together.

Shaking, I brought a hand to my mouth, unable to stop a desperate sob from escaping. Part of me wanted to turn away, but my conscience wouldn't allow it - I HAD to witness this. It was my fault as much as Paul's.

Just before the Walls slemmed shut for the night, the Keepers gave a final heave against the Pole - pushing him fully into the MAze.

At the last second, Alby unhooked the pole from the collar - which was still attached to Paul's neck - and was yanked back into the safety of the Glade.

Paul's high pitched screaming was suddenly cut off as the Walls snapped shut with an air of finality, leaving only his echo behind.

X_X_X

The silence was gradually broken as people began to move again.

The Keepers walked away from the Pole - they seemed to be trying to gather their thoughts.

The other Gladers began to disperse in groups, mumbling softly. I noticed more than one concerned glance my way - but I just stood there, the tears running down my cheeks, too shocked to move.

I couldn't help thoughts of Paul stuck in the Maze from penetrating my mind. he was trapped with those disgusting mechanical monsters. Everybody seemed to know that he wouldn't survive the night.

What a horrible way to die, I thought as I dragged myself to a tree, numbly sinking to the ground. Would they eat him? Or would he just be ripped apart by the instruments of torture attached to the Grievers' bodies?

Burying my head in my knees, I released another sob. Why was I sad for this guy?

But I knew the answer - nobody deserved that, whatever rules they broke.

I sensed Newt's presence before I saw him.

As he lowered himself down beside my, I automatically buried my face in his shoulder. If he was surprised, it was well concealed because he draped a protective arm around my waist.

We just sat together for a while - his slow breathing was calming and my hiccuping sobs gradually faded. I found myself leaning against his warmth and I gradually stopped shaking.

"I've only ever seen two Banishment's in all my time here - including that one" his voice was low, close to my ear.

Sighing, I pursed my lips "That's two more than there should be"

I felt Newt shift next to me, so my head was on his chest rather than his shoulder. "They're worried about you y'know?" he paused. "So am I..."

I closed my eyes, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat through the thin material of his shirt. The sincerity in his voice had me speechless for a handful of seconds;

"Its just a bit of a shock - but I'm fine Newt, really" I tried to make my voice neutral as my own pulse quickened. He was so close, and so warm -

Shaking my head slightly, I nudged myself off him and carefully met his eyes.

"Hey, I never thanked you for well, fixing me up" I lifted my hands, offering a small smile. "Thank you"

Newt smirked back, still leaning against the tree. "No problem, love. Should be back to normal in a couple of days, but you can take the bandages off tomorrow morning"

I nodded gratefully, noticing how the others had moved back towards the centre of the Glade and created a large bonfire.

"Excellent - I'm starving" I muttered, standing up. For some reason that made me feel awful.

He laughed, "I'd be surprised if you weren't"

I watched Newt as he got up, leaning lightly on the tree - keeping the majority of his weight off his right leg.

Not for the first time, I wondered what had happened to him.

X_X_X

Dinner was the most subdued I'd seen it - the boys spoke in groups around the bonfire, clutching bowls of potato and leek soup.

Alby had disappeared soon after the Banishing. It must be hard for him sometimes - he must feel so responsible for the rest of us...

I sat beside Clint and Harry on a thick, knotted log. The Med-Jack had given Newt's handiwork a thumbs up when I showed his my bandaged limbs.

Like most of the Gladers, I felt no inclination to speak to anyone just yet - I thought about Paul. He would never again leer at me, touch me...

More than ever before, I wished he had treated me the same as the others - not for my sake, but for his.

My wandering gaze landed on Newt, who was standing with Frypan and Gally by the Food Hut. He was already staring at me.

I blushed as he grinned sheepishly my way before turning back t the others.

Biting my lip self-consciously, I ducked my head.

Not that I would admit it to him, (or anyone else, for that matter) but the second in command regularly occupied my thoughts. I knew it was stupid to feel like that about someone, considering our situation but pathetically, I couldn't help it.

I could only hope it would pass quickly.

Jumping, I felt a hand on my arm.

Harry was frowning at me, "Are you alright, Resa?"

I blinked, smiling at him "Grand".

His face softened, "Excellent. So uh, you'll be with us tomorrow" Harry gestured towards the farms. "'Course it won't be as erm, hands-on as the Slicers, but still - "

"Phew! I don't think I could handle much more detail after today, Harry!" I made a relieved face as we laughed.

Suddenly, I found myself looking forward to tomorrow - the Farmers were a fun bunch to be around.

Laying my empty bowl on the grass, I leaned back on the log to glance at Harry, who ruffled his sandy hair and yawned.

""You sound tired" I observed. "And I thought I'd had a rough day"

He sighed, exaggerating the action and I giggled. "Yeah greenie - tomorrow you'll be the same. We'll introduce you to an old friend of mine called 'Hard Work'"

Shaking my head, I scoffed, "Really? I think Winston already introduced us - we got on fabulously"

Harry laughed - a sound so cheerful and genuine, it dragged a grin out of me too.

Then he startled me by casually entwining his fingers in mine.

I blinked at him, confused, but he continued to look forward into the trees, squeezing my hand gently.

"I still cant believe you've only been here for a couple of days - seems like forever" his voice was low, husky almost.

What on earth?! I thought wildly. What was happening here? I decided to act normal.

"Gee, thanks Harry! And I thought you liked me" I raised my eyebrows at him, hoping he would drop the odd behaviour.

He only smiled faintly, turning his face to look at me;

"You know I don't mean it that way, Resa. feels like we've known you for longer - in a GOOD way" he smirked.

Maybe he was just being his usual nice self? Except this version involved some hand-holding...

"What can I say? I have that effect on people" I shrugged, tilting my head at him questioningly.

Shaking his head, he leaned back to join me against the log and began playing absently with my fingers. "Huh, the Greenbeans' are always so humble" he muttered, half to himself.

Frowning, my eyes turned to the clasped hands between our legs. His hands were warm and rough - from the days of strenuous work. His long fingers twisted around mine, with his thumb drawing circles on the back of my hand. I couldn't explain why, but it felt wrong.

Clearing my throat, I carefully pulled back and rose to my feet. I refused to look at his face - knowing I would find hurt and possibly reject there.

"Resa..." Harry looked up at me, confused with a slight crease between his forehead.

I interrupted him firmly before things got worse;

"Cant stay, Harry, I'm exhausted too" With a small smile, I touched his shoulder gently. "Good Night"

Knowing his eyes were on my back, I walked casually to deposit my bowl - then headed over to the Dorm Hut, my thoughts swarming.

Most of the boys had gone to sleep - it had been a difficult evening for us all.

X_X_X

After having a quick wash, I scrubbed the blood spots from my clothes - a gruesome reminder of the Blood House - and let them hang outside to dry for the night.

The Glade is oddly peaceful, I smiled to myself, wandering past the tall pine trees and the illuminated buildings of the Council Hall and the Map Rooms.

The sound of crickets high in the treetops reminded me of some long-forgotten holiday before my memory loss.

It was then that I allowed myself to brood over out fates. Why were we actually here? What was the point?

The most infuriating thing was the memory swipe - there was no arguing with that. A name was ALL they had left us with. How did we even know if these were our real names or not?!

I wished I knew my surname, my parents, siblings, friends... It was an empty feeling -

" - Resa?" I turned slowly, still lost in my thoughts.

Newt stood a couple of metres away - machete by his side - looking at me in concern.

Smiling, I headed towards him, "There's no need to look so serious - I'm still alive"

"And I'm bloody glad that you are, love" he retorted, pulling out his sharpening stone and setting to work on the curved knife.

As I watched him work, something stirred within me - within my heart. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was arousal. BUT thankfully, I did know better, and my self-control managed to push it away - not for the first time, I noticed grimly.

"Hey, I learnt how to do that today!" I gestured at the weapon. "In the Blood House"

He studied me for a couple of seconds before handing me the equipment and stepping back.

"Give it your best shot" he grinned, motioning at me to continue.

Apprehensive, I mentally ran through what Andy had told me earlier. Grasping the knife by its hilt, I dragged the stone across the edge - in rhythmical strokes away from my body.

I could feel his eyes on me, but I kept mine averted downwards and continued with the work.

The grass shuffled softly as he shifted position, "So you know why I'm here - " he paused as I made a quick action of agreement with my head. "Then what brings YOU out at this fine hour, if I may ask?"

I stifled a grin as he spoke. His accent made the formal words sound ridiculously posh. Remembering that Chuck had said our accents were similar, I fervently hoped I didn't sound like that...

"Couldn't sleep yet" I told him. "I was trying to remember - well, anything really" I finally glanced at him, to determine his expression.

"Cant blame ya, love. I'm sure we've all given ourselves a bloody headache trying to figure THAT one out - I sure as hell have"

A look of grim sadness crossed his sharp features. He answered my question without prompting, "And, we've had no luck - 'course"

I hummed in response, not really surprised.

"Can I ask you something, Newt? I wasn't sure if he could tell me this, but it was worth a try.

He sighed in mock exasperation, "Sure thing greenie bring it on"

"You guys have been running the Maze for 2 years, right?"

Grunt.

"So erm, have you found anything different - a way out - anything?" Holding my breath, I wondered if I'd stepped a line.

Newt walked over and took the machete from me, running a finger along its newly-sharpened edge. He gave a slight nod of approval and slid it into his back-sheath, in one swift motion.

I refrained from rolling my eyes at his obvious showing-off, simultaneously trying not to blush at his closeness, or the way my heart was pounding right now.

To make things even worse, his brown eyes were fixed on mine - refusing to break to contact.

"Resa - " My name was soft and quick on his lips. " - You must be the only one who doesn't sound absolutely terrified of the Maze"

"Maybe that's 'cus I don't know enough about it" I retorted, holding his gaze.

He stepped back, ruffling his hair as he heaved a sigh. "Shuck it"

He looked away and I couldn't help the wave of disappointment that flowed through me. "We found nothing - not a damn thing"

I frowned, not quite believing him "What do you mean, nothing? - "

" - Nothing. No-one but the Runners and us know. We're surrounded by twisting paths that resemble a Maze, but has no bloody way out" He seemed to slump in frustration.

"You cant tell the others" he added as an afterthought, "They need to have hope, its what keeps us going"

I shook my head, still shocked "Of course, I'm not stupid Newt..." I took a deep breath, "But - why did you tell me?"

His sparkling gaze returned to me, "You're different, greenie. I knew you wouldn't freak out on me" A ghost of a smile flickered on his lips, "Well that, and the fact that you asked me"

I couldn't return his humour. We were doomed - no way out, that meant the Runners were running for the sake of it. There was no exit to find.

The thought alone filled me with despair.

What would happen if everyone knew? I wondered to myself, shuddering.