Frypan had just entered the room and closed the door, having finished cleaning up supper.

"All right, what's with the super secret meeting?"

Alex was sitting at the edge of one of the beds, twisting her fingers together. Bark was laying by her feet, Clint and Jeff were leaning on the table in the middle of the room. Minho was sitting in a chair leaning it back on two legs, his feet propped up on the table, his arms locked behind his head. Newt sat beside Alex, Chuck looked lost, he wasn't sure why he was there but felt important being with the Glad leaders. And Alby was standing beside the door waiting.

Newt cleared his throat and stood up.

"We called this bloody 'super secret meeting' cuz we have a slight problem." He paused and looked at Alex, silently asking if she was still ok with this. She gave a tiny nod.

He continued, "you guys obviously know Alex is the only Shanket here. And one Glader specifically has been well...a little more friendly than he should be and it's making her uncomfortable and feeling unsafe. And we can't have that. This doesn't happen if there is no trust, rule 3."

Minho took his feet off the table, the chair slammed down, he was alert now.

"What the shuck Alex, you never told me that!"

Alex looked up at him nervously, then looked at each boy in the room. She trusted them. She trusted this handful of Gladers. Taking a shaky breath and told the boys everything that happened last night at the bonfire, and at lunch. When she was finished all the guys, even little Chuck, were on their feet, fists clenched, ready to knock some heads.

"He had a warning, Newt and I agreed, if he tries something, and the dog attacks, it's his fault. We are telling you guys so there are more gladers aware of the situation. She-Bean named you guys specifically, gladers she trusts." Alby said solemnly from the door

"Aww She-Bean!" Minho cooed, holding a hand to heart and pretending to wipe a tear away, "That's so sweet."

Newt groand, "Really? Can't even be bloody serious right now?"

Minho rolled his eyes. "I am serious! It's sweet that She-Bean feels like she can trust us. Me more than the rest, she trusts me while she showers."

He winked at her, and made her blush.

"Not sure how much help I'll be during the day, I'm not here, but when I'm around, you better believe it, baby doll, I got your back." He smirked at Alex, making her stomach back flip. "Oh Alby, we need a lock on one of the shower doors. for extra security. I'll still stand guard, don't trust those shuck faces."

"Good that, I'll tell Gally" Alby said, he gestured to Bark "The dog seems oddly protective of our She-Bean, where she goes, the dog goes, I guess. Anyone have an issue?" Everyone shook their heads. "Good that. Gathering dismissed"

"You mean super secret meeting" piped up Chuck from the back.

Everyone left the room, and Alex headed to Minho's room to get ready for bed. Before Minho left, he squatted down in front of Bark, scratching her ears, he held her face in his hands, he leaned his forehead against Bark's, and closed his eyes.

He said quietly "Thanx Pup for keepin' her safe today. You're a good dog..just don't touch the hair and we won't have problems" He sighed and opened his eyes. "If us shanks can't be there, it's up to you. Think you can do that?" Bark thumped her tail a few times and gave a little woof.

She trotted out of the room to go find Alex. Minho stood up and smiled. Something at the back of his mind told him it wasn't the first time he had a deep desire to protect her. Did he know her before the maze? Only the creators knew, he had been stuck here for so long. Too long.