25

Newt almost dropped Minho, but Alby looked like he was about to fall over in shock. Judging by their reactions, I assumed this had never happened before. "This ain't a good time for jokes, shank. This better not be a load of klunk."

"Hey, I wouldn't believe me either. But it's out there, dead as a door nail." Minho replied. "It's near the Cliff." Alby looked from Minho, to the Maze, then back again. What was the Cliff again? Was that a code word or like an actual cliff? Never mind, I'll figure it out later.

"Why didn't you bring the damn thing back with you?" Alby asked him. Minho snickered like that was one of the stupidest things he'd ever heard.

"You on something, dude?" He chuckled. "Those things have got to weigh like half a ton. Besides, I wouldn't touch one of those bitches for a free ride out of this prison. You've got to see it for yourself, man. It's...weird."

"Weird?" Alby frowned. "Weird how?"

"Look, dude. I'm starving and sun-sick, but if you want to haul ass, we could probably make it before the doors shut." Alby seemed to consider it, then looked at Minho. He shook his head.

"Nah. We'll wait until wake up tomorrow." Alby decided. Minho nodded, then he and Newt headed to lunch. I started to follow but Alby stopped me, putting his hand on my shoulder. He stopped Thomas as well.

"What?" I asked him. Alby looked from me to Thomas, who still looked confused.

"I find out you two shanks know something you ain't telling me," Alby started.

"Me?" I defended. "What the hell did I do?" Alby just looked at us.

"I don't even know where I was three days ago, Alby." Thomas growled. "Much less anything about why that guy found a dead metal monster." Alby still looked suspicious.

"Alright." He conceded. "But if anything even seems familiar, you tell me. Understand, shanks?"

"Whatever." Thomas grumbled. "I promise." Alby turned to me.

"Whatever you say, Admiral Alby." I saluted him. Alby glared daggers at me. I glared back. With that he walked off towards lunch, Thomas and I not far behind.

My trowel dug into the soil. I was planting new carrots when the silence of my workspace was pierced by Chucks loud voice.

"Liz!" His face was flushed with excitement as he ran toward me, stopping only inches from where I sat on the soil. He panted, trying to catch his breath. I stood and Chuck finally looked up.

"What?" I asked. "What's wrong?" Chuck shook his head.

"Ben...Ben isn't...he's not...dead." Chuck managed. I dropped my trowel.

"That's...that can't be right." I said. "The arrow, it...it went through his head. There's no way." As much as I didn't want to be responsible for his death, I didn't see how Ben could've survived Alby shooting him through his skull.

"Baggers went to him this morning...arrow missed his brain...Medjacks fixed him up." Chuck revealed. I wasn't sure how to feel: relieved or scared. Decisions, decisions. I frowned.

"What...what are they going to do with him?" I asked, almost afraid of the answer.

"Right now," Chuck started. "He's in the Slammer. Keepers held a Gathering this morning on him, the decision's unanimous. Old Benny boy'll be wishing that arrow hit his brain after all." For someone who looked about twelve years old, Chuck seemed pretty happy about Ben's impending doom. It was creepy as shit.

"What do you mean? What's happening?" I repeated. Chuck suddenly looked grim.

"He's being Banished. Tonight, for trying to kill you." Despite what he'd just said, Chuck smiled. It must've been the most disturbing thing I'd seen yet. Then he ran off, probably to spread the good news. I shuddered. I'd miss the last banishing, I didn't feel much like attending this one either. Horrified, I picked up my trowel and went back to my carrots, practically stabbing the soil.

That evening, Alby and Newt rounded everyone up at the East doors at six thirty. Half an hour before the doors closed. Apparently if you're the victim of the crime and you're fully conscious then you're required to attend the sentence. At least, that's the gist of what Alby said when he forced me to attend. I ran my fingertips over the thin scar that now ran along my neck. I looked around for Ben

"Bring him out!" Alby yelled. I winced as his voice rang out across the Glade. Everyone turned to see three boys (Builders, by the look of them) emerge from the far side of the Homestead, the trio literally dragging Ben along the ground. Thick, bloody bandages encased half of his head. He could've passed for a zombie with his bloody clothes and bruised body, but his eyes were wide open in terror. Newt looked over at me from his position beside Alby. I think he was trying to appear as reassuring, but it wasn't really helping.

"Newt," Alby said, his voice almost to quiet to hear even though I was only a few feet away. "Bring out the Pole."

Newt nodded, and headed over to the Gardens tool shed. I watched Ben's guards drag him along the dusty courtyard. When they reached us, Ben was pulled to his feet in front of Alby, whom he was refusing to look at. He didn't make eye contact with any of us, really.

"You brought this on yourself, Ben." Alby said grimly. He looked towards the tool shed in time to see Newt come through its door, holding what looked like a torture device. In his hands he was holding a bunch of metal poles, which he connected to make a shaft that must've been about twenty feet long.

He dragged it back to Alby by a loop of leather at its end, attached with what looked like a giant staple. I got a closer look when Newt handed the device to Alby: there was a button snap where the loop could be opened and closed, and now it's use was clear. It was a collar. God, I felt like I was going to be sick.