hello guys! Just wanted to say I put this story up on Wattpad. It'll take me a bit to post enough chapters to get caught up here. Meanwhile, enjoy this chapter. I promise it's good :D

~M&M

Chapter 10~ You Ain't Scared…

The darkness crept in, and I followed Oscar back to the Homestead. I didn't tell him or anyone about what Minho said. First, I needed to figure out what it meant myself. Cott was the first to meet up with me.

"Hey, did the others throw you a party when you came?" I asked. The girl shrugged.

"They might've. I probably wouldn't have attended," she muttered dully. The bonfire was starting, and food was being passed around. I barely ate like expected but instead watched the event going on a couple yards away. There was a section of the field used as a sort of arena. Boys were crowded around, cheering and socializing. In the circular center, was Gally, wrestling with another boy who was attempting to fight back; his endeavors were worthless compared to the strong Gally. The boy was shoved out of the circle, and other boys were making bets and paying up to each other. I smirked and turned my attention back to Cott who was trying to tell a story about the time a Griever got ahold of one of their cows. It was hard to pay attention. Out if the corner of my eye, I noticed Newt was leaning on a nearby log not partaking in the testosterone-reeking game. He was just holding onto his bottle of water, watching the Maze doors. My eyes narrowed when I noticed his actions. It's not like he can flaunt his-

"Hey, Greenie," shouted a deep voice. My eyes flickered to the owner. They landed on Gally in the middle of the small arena looking drunken with pride. Why was he calling me?

"Come here," Gally taunted. I took a look at Cott who was staring at Gally too. Without delay, I got up off the log and approached him.

"What?" I asked. All eyes were on us. It seemed as if the darting flames were the only thing making noise. His artificial smirk returned to its natural place.

"Greenie like you deserves this night. It's done us well you showing us that anyone can be stupid and brave."

Chuckles traveled around the group, so I smiled to hide my frustration at that comment.

"But, in all honestly, you're pretty cool. You're a running rebel—a Soldier." I flinched at that word. It bothered me so much since that incident.

"So, hopefully you'll make it for the rest of the month. Live long and get through the Maze. Good that?" he exclaimed.

The people around started to mumble happy "Good that"s. I allowed myself to smile. Maybe it wasn't hell in the Glade. Suddenly, Gally's smirk twisted into an evil smile that made my relief drop.

"Now, c'mon, Greenie. Show me what you got." He put his fists up in a fighting position, and my eyes widened.

"What?" I squeaked. He chuckled violently.

"Fight me. Every greenie does it." I turned back to Cott who was wide awake and wide-eyed like me. Slowly, she shook her head, and my stomach dropped.

"Don't you ever want to be a Runner? Can't if you can't take this, sweetheart." Then, a flicker of spark rose where my fear lied. It was like a tiny match lighting.

"You aren't scared, are you?" he taunted, earning slaps on the back and chuckles from nearby Builders. With as much courage and mettle as I could upheave, I put my tiny fists up and glared at him. A round of cheers erupted from the boys, and Gally seemed pleased. Then, he advanced, and my bravery dropped into a pit. His first lunge I evaded going under his muscled arms. The crowd cheered, and his figure turned back to me. I ducked his first punch and returned up at the wrong time. His fist connected with my shoulder, and pain erupted like firecrackers. I clutched my shoulder. Gally took the chance to elbow me in the stomach. I wearily ducked his next attack and rammed my elbow in the back of his head. He then yanked me to face him, pulled back his large rock-like fist, and hit me square in the face. The shock and terrifying pain kissed my face as I stumbled back into the crowd. Instead of falling and being finished with, Gally pulled me back like a rag doll. I was kicked, punched, thrown. It didn't seem like a game anymore. My hearing was deafening, and the scene grew inaudible. I couldn't speak. I could barely breathe. Just as I was about to let the pain suffocate me, a figure yelled for it to stop. I was dropped and hit the ground terribly. As my head connected with the ground, I could make out blonde hair and the words "bloody hell". Then, things went dead.

"Hey, get away, slinthead."

"She's dead. I knew it."

"Get off, shuck-faces!"

I couldn't see a thing. I didn't even know if I was alive. Everything was so numb. I attempted to grasp consciousness, but it was fuzzy and miles away from reach. There was no way. Instead, I could listen. There were no voices anymore. Footsteps grew softly louder and perceivable. Then, floorboards creaked and silence again. Suddenly without warning, I felt a calloused, warm hand grasp my own. It was hard to feel the hand fully since I was still so far away. Then, a lovely voice spoke.

"Hey, I remember that sometimes coma patients hear things in their sleep. Just wanted to make sure my little slinthead was doing alright." The voice was trying to be soft despite its constant trembling.

"Heart," it began, trying to regain seriousness,"that moment you stepped out of that Box, I could feel a relationship—a connection. Somehow, you mean something to me. That's why I couldn't let Gally beat the shuckin' hell out of you."

Who was this person?

I yelled at myself to wake up. I didn't know if it was Newt, Minho, or anyone really. The voice grew softer, and the little strength I had left quivered.

"I'm sorry," it said then disappeared. The voice slipped through my fingertips and evaporated into nothingness. Once again, I was alone, so I succumbed to sleep.