DISCLAIMER: I ONLY OWN BELLE AND A FEW OTHERS

Newt POV:

Complete silence filled the room, as if the world had been frozen, and every member of the Council started at Minho.

He wanted to make the Greenie the Keeper of the Runner. What was he bloody thinking?

"That's ridiculous" Gally said standing up facing me and pointed at Minho "He should be kicked off the Council for saying something so stupid."

Some of the Keepers seemed to agree with Minho's recommendation-like Frypan, who clapped to drown out Gally, clamouring to take a vote. Others didn't. Winston shook his head adamantly, saying something I couldn't quite heard but no doubt it was about Tommy and Minho. Everyone started talking at once I saw Tommy sit with his head in his hands. I was just shocked about what Minho had said. What it a joke" It takes forever to be a Runner. Tommy lifted his head up and looked like he wished he was a mile away. Finally I'd had enough of this.

I put the notepad down and stepped out from the semicircle. I started screaming for the Shuck-faces to be quiet. No one seemed to hear and seemed to notice me at all. Gradually, though, order was restored and everyone settled down and faced me.

"Shuck it," I said. "I've neve seen so many shanks acting like tit-suckin' babies. We may not look like it, but around these parts we're adults. Act like it, or we'll disband this bloody Council and start from scratch." I walked from one end to end of the curved row of sitting Keepers, looking each of them in the eye as I spoke. I'd learnt a few tricks from watching Alby do this. I just wished I'd never have to use them "Are we clear?"

Quiet and swept across the group. I expected more outburst but non came, evenGally stayed quiet.

"Good that." I said walking back into my seat and sat down, and scribbling out a few lines, then looked back to Minho "That's some serious klunk, brother. Sorry, but you need to talk it up to move forward"

Minho looked exhausted, but he started defending his proposal "It's easy for you shanks to sit here and talk about something you're stupid on. I'm the only Runner and the only other one here who's ever been out in the Maze is Newt."

"Gally obviously interjected "Not if you count the time I-"

"I don't" Minho shouted. "And believe me, you or nobody else has the slightest clue what it's like out there. The only reason you were stung is because you broke the same rule you're blaming Thomas for you shuck-faced piece of-"

"Enough" I cut him off "Defend your proposal and be done with it."

The tension was palpable: It felt like the air in the room had become glass that could shatter at any second. Both Gally and Minho looked taut, red skin of their faces was about to burst-but they finally broke the stare

"Anyway, listen to me," Minho continued as he took his seat. "I've never seen anything like it. He didn't panic. He didn't whine or cry, never seemed scared. Dude, he'd been here for just a few days. Think about what we were all like in the beginning. Huddling in corners, disoriented, crying every hour, not trusting anybody, refusing to do anything. We were all like that, for weeks or months, till we had no choice but to shuck it and live"

Minho stood back up and pointed at Thomas. "Just a few days after this guy shows up, he steps out into the maze to save two shanks he hardly knows. All this klunk about him breaking a rule is beyond stupid. He didn't get the rules yet. But plenty of people had told him what it's like in the Maze, especially at night. And he still stepped out there, just as the Door was closing, only caring that two people needed help." He took a deep breath, seeming to gain strength as he sopoke

"But that was just the beggining. After that, he saw me give up on Alby, leave him for dead. And I was the veteran-the one with all the experience and knowledge. So when Thomas saw me give up, he shouldn't have questioned it. But he did. Think of all the willpower and strenght it took him to push Alby up that wall, centimetre by centimetre, It's psycho. It's freaking crazy"

"But that wasn't it. Then the Grievers came. I told Thomas we had to split up and I started the practised evasive manoeuvers, running in patterns. Thomas when he should've been wettin' his pants, took control, defied all laws of physics and gravity to get Alby up onto that wall, diverted the Grievers away from him, beat one off, found-"

"We get the point," Gally snapped. "Tommy here is a lucky shank."

It took a second to register what just happened. before Minho rounded on him.

"No, you worthless shuck, you don't get it! I've been here two years, and I've never seen anything like it. For you to say anything..."

Minho paused, rubbing his eyes, groaning in frustration. I noticed Tommy's mouth had dropped open, he must have been pretty shocked about all the klunk that had gone down within the last few minutes.

"Gally." Minho said in a calmer voice, "you're nothing but a sissy who never not once, asked to be a Runner or tried out for it. You don't have the right to talk about things you don't understand. So shut your mouth"

Gally stood up again, fuming. "Say one more thing like that and I'll break your neck, right here in front of everyone." Spit flew from his mouth as he spoke

I had to hold in a snigger.

Minho laughed, then raised the palm of his hand and shoved his hand and shoved Gally in the face. I stood as he crashes into his chair tipping it over backwards, cracking it in two pieces. Gally sprawled across the floor, then scrambled to stand, struggling to get to his hands and feet under him. Minho stepping closer and stomped the bottom his foot on Gally's back, driving his body flat to the ground.

"I swear, Gally," Minho said with a sneer, "don't ever threaten me again. Don't even speak to me again. Ever. If you do, I'll break your shuck neck, right after I'm done with you arms and legs."

I broke myself out of my trance and me and Winston pulled Minho of Gally, who jumped up, his face a ruddied mask od rage. But he made no move towards Minho; he just stood there with his chest out, heaving ragged breaths.

Finally Gally backed away, half stumbling towards the exit behind him. His eyes darted the room, lit withh burning hatred. I had a sickening thought that Gally looked like someone about to commit murder. My eyes stayed glued to the crazed boy as he reached behind him to grab the handle.

"Things are different now," he said spitting on the floor "You shouldn't have done that Minho. You should not have done that." His maniacal gaze shifted to me. Burning holes in me "I know you hate me, that you've always hated me. You should be Banished for your embarrassing inability to lead this group. You're shameful, you couldn't even protect the girl you loved. Bella you called her right" I felt every muscle in me tense up "And any one of you who stays here is no better. Things are going to change. This I promise."

Gally yanked the door open and stepped out into the hall, but before anyone could react, he popped his head back in the room. "And you," He said glaring at Tommy, "the Greenbean who thinks he's friggin' God, Don't forget I've seen you before-I've been throught the Changing. What these guys decide doesn't mean jack."

He paused looking at each person in the room. When his malicious stare fell back on Thomas, he had one last thing to say "Whatever you came here for-I swear on my life I'm gonna stop it. Kill you if I have to."

Then he turned and slammed the door behind him.

My mind drifted back to Belle. About how I'd failed her.

"Newt. You couldn't have protected her" I heard Minho said in a soft voice as if reading my mind. I nodded and noticed all eyes were on me. Probably waiting for me to fall apart have another break down but that wasn't going to happen. Or at least right not now. I blinked away the tears that fogged my eyes.

For awhile everyone stood in silence again all thinking about what just happened.

"He's finally whacked for good," Minho said almost in a whisper

"Well you're not the bloody saint in the room," Newt said. "What were you thinking? That was a little overboard, don't ya think?"

Minho squinted his eyes and pulled his head up as if baffled by my question.

"Don't give me that garbage. Every one of you loved seeing that slinthead get his dues, and you know it. It's about time someone stood up to his klunk"

"He's on the Council for a reason" I said

"Dude, he threatened to break my neck and kill Thomas! The guy is mentally wacked, and you better send someone right now to throw him in the Slammer. He's dangerous."

"Maybe he had a good point," Winston said, almost too quietly

"What?" Minho asked

Winston looked surprised at the acknowledgement that he'd said anything. His eyes darted around the room before he explained "Well...he has been through the Changing-Griever stung him in the middle of the day just outside the West Door. That means he has memories, and he said the Greenie looks familiar. Why would he make that up?"

"Winston, did you see what just happened?" Frypan asked, looking incredulous. "Gally's a psycho. You can't put too much stock in his rambling nonsense. What do you think Thomas here is a Griever in disguise?"

"Can I say something now?" Tommy asked frustration raising the volume in his voice. "I'm sick of you guys talking about me like I'm not here."

I glanced up and nodded. "Go ahead. This bloody meetin' can't get much more screwed up."

"I don't know why Gally hates me. I don't care. He's psychotic to me. As for who I really am, you all know as much as I do. But if I remember correctly, we're here because of what I did in the Maze, not because some idiot thinks I'm evil."

Someone sniggered and Tommy stopped talking. Probably to get his point across but I was satisfied

"Good that. Let's get this meeting over with and worry about Gally later."

"We can't vote without all the members here," Winston insisted. "Unless they're really sick, like Alby."

"For the love, Winston," I replied. I'd had enough of this meeting "I'd say Gally's a wee bit ill today, too, so we continue without him. Thomas defend yourself and then we'll take a vote on what we should do with you."

"I didn't really do anything wrong. All I know is I saw two people struggling to get inside these walls and hey couldn't make it. To ignore that because of some stupid rule seemed selfish, cowardly and...well stupid. If you want to throw me in jail for trying to have someone's life then go ahead. Next time I promise I'll point and laugh, then go and eat some of Frypan's dinner."

I'd made up my mind on my recommendation

"Here's my recommendation," I said "You broke our bloody Number One Rule, so you get one day in the Slammer. That's your punishment. I also recommend we elect you as a Runner, effective the second this meeting's over. You've proven more in one night than most trainees do in weeks. As for you being the buggin' Keeper, forget it." I looked right at Minho "Gally was right on that count" And on saying I can't protect Belle "stupid idea"

Minho didn't seem surprised, but argued all the bloody same.

"Why? He's the best we have-I swear it. The best should be Keeper."

"Fine" I finally said in defeat knowing Minho wasn't going to give up "If that's true, we'll make the change later. Give it a month and see if he proves himself."

Minho shrugged "Good that."

I glanced around the room. "Okay, we had several recommendations, so lets go-round-"

"Oh, come on," Frypan said.. "Just vote. I vote for yours."

"Me too," Minho said

Everyone else chimed in their approval. Winston was the only one to say no.

"I looked at him. "We don't need your vote, but tell us what's bonkin' around you brain."

Winston gazed at Tommy carefully, then back as me "It's fine with me, but we shouldn't totally ignore what Gally said. Something about it-I don't think he was making it up, And it's true that ever since Thomas got here, everything's been shucked and screwy."

"Fair enough," I said. "Everyone put some thought into it-maybe when we get nice and bored we can have another Gathering to talk about it. Good that?"

Thomas groaned. "I love how you guys are just talking about me like I'm not here."

"Look, Tommy," Newt said. "We just elected you as a buggin' Runner. Quit your cryin' and get out of here. Minho has a lot of training to give you."

"What about my punishment?" He asked

"Tomorrow," I answered. "The wake-up till sunset."

I dismissed the meeting and everyone except Me, Minho and Tommy were left in the room. I was still writing notes down "Well, that was good times," I murmured

I looked up and saw Minho playfully punch Tommy in the arm "It's all this shank's fault."

Tommy punched him back. "Keeper? You want me to be a Keeper? You're nuttier than Gally by a long shot."

"Worked, didn't it? Aim high, hit low. Thank me later."

I couldn't resist a small smile at Minho's clever ways. A knock on the door grabbed my attention-Chuck stood there, he looked like he'd been chased by a bloody Griever. I felt my small smile fade into a frown.

"What's wrong?" I asked standing up

Chuck was wriggling his hands. "Med-jacks sent me."

"Why?"

"I guess Alby's thrashing around acting all crazy, telling them he needs to talk to somebody."

I walked towards the door but Chuck held up his hand. "Um...he doesn't want you."

"What do you mean?" I asked confused

He pointed at Tommy. "He keeps asking for him."

Of course he did

Tommy fell silent

"Well, come on," I said to Tommy grabbing his arm "There's no way I'm not going with ya."

Tommy followed behind me with Chuckie behind him, as we left the council room and down a corridor. I took the first step then turned to Chuck giving him a hard stare
"You. Stay."

Chuck just nodded and I began to walk upstairs

"Lighten up," I heard Tommy say to Chuck. "They elected me a Runner, so you're buddies with a stud now." He said trying to make a joke

"Yeah, right," Chuck whispered. Thomas followed me up the stairs. I was waiting for him at the top. We walked to Alby's room. I knocked on the door and got a moan as a reply .

I walked into the room motioning for Tommy to follow. He entered

"Is he asleep?" Tommy whispered

"I don't know" I said taking a seat next to Alby and Tommy took the other one.

"Alby," I whispered. Then more loudly : "Alby. Chuck said you wanted to talk to Tommy."

Alby's bloodshot eyes fluttered open he looked at me then across at Tommy

"Yeah," He muttered in a scratchy croak

"Chuck said you were thrashin' around acting like a loony." I leant forwards. "What's wrong? You still sick?"

Alby's words came out in a wheeze, as if every one of them would take a week off him life "Everything's ... gonna change ... the girl ... Thomas ... I saw them .. His eyes flickered closed , then opening again: he sank back to a flat position on the bed, starting at the ceiling "I don't feel so good."

"What do you mean, you saw-?" I began.

"I wanted Thomas!" Alby yelled, with a sudden burst of energy that I would've have thought impossible a few seconds earlier "I didn't ask for you, Newt! Thomas! I asked for freaking Thomas!"

I looked up at Tommy and raised my eyebrows

"Fine, ya grouchy shuck," I said "He's right here-talk to him"

"Leave," Alby said, his eyes closed, his breaths heavy.

"No way-I wanna hear."

"Newt." He paused "Leave. Now"

"But-" I protested.

"Out!" Alby say up as he yelled, his voice cracking with the strain or it. He scooted himself back to lean back again the head board.

I felt hurt burn through my body, I was surprised there was no anger there. But it wasn't like it was Alby's fault it was the Changing's

"Don't expect me to kiss your sorry butt when you come sayin' sorry," I said then stepped into the hallway

"Close the door!" Alby shouted. I obeyed and walked outside leaning against the wall my head resting against the wall. I stayed like that for a while when I heard Tommy shout me

"Newt!" He screamed "Newt, get in here!" I was in the room before he'd finished and what I saw was horrible. Alby was choking himself his legs flailing out,

"Grab him legs!" I shouted when I got next to him.

His legs flailed and kicked Tommy in the jaw, He stumbled backwards

"Just bloody do it!" I yelled.

Tommy steadied himself and then jumped on top of Alby grabbing both of Alby's legs

I clasped his hands which were clamped around his neck

"Let go" I yelled as I tugged trying to release Alby "You're bloody killing yourself!"

"She. Was. Warned" Alby gasped out.

He let go of his throat

And clamped around mine

I hope you enjoyed the new chapter! It took me FOREVER to write this chapter it was so long! I hope you enjoyed this extra long chapter anyway! Review if you loved or hated this story/chapter! Until next chapter! Byee!

RIP Mrs Alexandra Jones. My English teacher who passed away yesterday. Thank you for everything! You were an amazing teacher and taught me everything I know about English! Thank you!