Complete silence filled the room. Like we'd all been frozen in time. And they all stared at Minho while I was looking between the two of them. Minho and Thomas. Minho must've been pretty impressed with the newbie over there to suggest that.

Gally, unsurprisingly, was the first to break the spell, "That's ridiculous!" He faced Newt and pointed back at Minho. He should be kicked off the Council for saying something so stupid."

I immediately stood, shoving his arm away, "Shut it, Gally!" I shouted, but it didn't get to finish my rant as that was when everyone else decided to voice their opinions. I wasn't really paying attention to what the others were doing as Gally had reared on me, towering a few inches above my head and looking down with an angry frown. I glared, trying to finish my rant.

Newt was screaming now, but I wasn't shutting up for nothing. "You said your piece, he's allowed his!"

"Shut it, MaC, you don't know nothing!"

"And you do?" I questioned, laughing, "He's a regular old Grennie, Shuck-face. He didn't know JACK when he got here. Still don't! He just happened to have some balls! Which you clearly don't! Chickening out and blaming a shucking NEWBIE for all the klunk that's been going on!"

Newt was yelling, but I was on a roll.

"Everything's changing, so grow a pair," I said, pushing him back, "and deal with it!" I shouted. "Don't go blaming the new kid on the block."

"MaC!" That was Newt. But I was finished now and was just watching Gally angry face, he had nothing to say to me. Nothing. And that counted as a victory in my book. He sighed, "Sitdown, you two."

Minho was tugging on my arm now, pulling me into my chair. "Slim it, Mac," He whispered. "It'll be fine."

"Shuck it," Newt said, "I've never seen so many shanks acting like teat-sucking babies. We may not look it, but around these parts we're adults. Act like it or we'll disband this bloody Council and start from scratch." He walked around the circle, looking every member in the eye as he spoke. "Are we clear?"

Quiet swept across the room, not one voice daring to cross him. Each nodding their consent. "Good that." He walked over to me, holding his hands out for the pad, which I gave to him without a word. He looked em over quick before handing both the pad and the pencil back. "That's some pretty serious klunk, brother," Newt said to Minho, "Sorry, but you need to talk it up to move it forward."

Minho looked exhausted, but defended his proposal. "It's sure easy for you shanks to sit here and talk about something you're stupid on. I'm the Runner in this group and the only other two here who have even been out in the Maze are MaC and Newt."

Gally 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 to be out there. The only reason you were stung is because you broke the same rule you're blaming Thomas for. That's called hypocrisy, you shuck-faced piece of-"

"Enough," Newt interrupted. "Defend your proposal and be done with it."

Creators what I wouldn't have given for him to finish that sentence. But the tension in the air was thick as it was. The two boys tense, taunt as if they were about to burst.

Minho broke the stare as he took his seat, "Anyway, listen to me. I've never seen anything like it. He didn't panic. He didn't whine and 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." He stood back up and pointed at Thomas. "Just a few days after this guy shows up, he steps out into the Maze to save to shanks he hardly knows. All this klunk about him breaking a rule is just beyond stupid. He didn't get the rules yet. But plenty of people had told him what its lie 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 spoke. "But that was just the beginning. 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 about the will power and strength it took to push Alby up that wall inch by inch. Its psycho. It's freaking crazy. But that wasn't it. Then came the Grievers. I told Thomas we had to split up and I started practicing the evasive maneuvers, running in the patterns. Thomas, when he should've been wetting his pants took control, defied all laws of gravity to get Alby up onto that wall, diverted the Grievers from him, beat one off, found-"

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

Minho rounded on him angrily, "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…" He paused rubbing his eyes. I was starting to worry here. I'd never seen Minho so worked up… "Gally, you're nothing but a sissy who has 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 again, fuming, "Say one more thing like that and I'll break your neck, right here in front of everybody." Spit flew from his mouth as he spoke, but I wasn't worried about hygiene at the moment. I was worried about Miho and whether or not he was going to rip Gally's insolent head off his shoulders or not.

I stood cautiously, standing to the side as Minho laughed, raising his hand and shoving Gally in the face. He crashed own in his chair, tipping back over backward, cracking it in two and struggling to get his hands and feet under him. Minho took forward, and I went for him, standing in front of him hands on his chest in and attempt to pushing back, quietly whispering, "Minho, come on, he's not worth it, Minho-"

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

Newt and Winston were on their feet now, pulling Minho away, which was good, because if he had decided to go for Gally in that moment. There wasn't a chance in hell of me stopping him. Even if I wanted to.

Gally scrambled to his feet, his face a jumbled mask of rage. But he made no more towards Minho… or anyone else. He just stood, with his chest out, heaving with angry ragged breaths. He backed away, half-stumbling toward the exit behind him. "Things are different now," he said spitting on the floor, "You shouldn't have done that, Minho. You should not have done that." Gally was a ticking time-bomb with all that pent up rage. It was only a matter of time until he exploded. His gaze shifted to Newt who had let go of Minho, standing by his side instead. "I know you hate me, that you've always hated me. You should be Banished for your embarrassing inability to lead this group."

"Gally," I began, hesitantly, "Maybe you sh-"

"And you!" He screamed, rounding on me. I took a surprised step back. "You! You got him," he pointed back at Newt, "wrapped around your finger don't you?" he laughed, "Stupid, stupid, girl, you don't know what you're getting into," he said taking a step forward, "You're mere presence is disgusting," he spat, I flinched as he saliva collided with my skin. "You're shameful and anyone of you stays here is no better." He said, louder as he went, "Things are going to change. This, I promise."

He opened the door and stepped out into the hall, but popped hi head back in before anyone could react. "And you," he glared heatedly at Thomas, "The Greenbean who thinks he's friggin' God. Don't forget I've seen you before- I've been through the Changing. What these guys decide doesn't mean jack." He paused, stopping to look each person in the eye with his malicious glare before settling back on Thomas, "Whatever you came here for- I swear on my life I'm gonna stop it. Kill you if I have to."

Then, and only then, did he turn and leave the room, slamming the door behind him.

While the others sat in silence, or returned to their chairs, I wiped the spit from my face. Mildly disgusted. I shook my head, returning to my own seat and looking up at Minho who said, almost in a whisper, "He's finally whacked for good."

"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 scrunched up his eyes and pulled his head back as if baffled by the question, "Don't give me that garbage. Everyone 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," Newt said.

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

"It's only a matter of time until someone sets him off," I added quietly, "The guy's explosive, one wrong move and we might wish we'd locked him up."

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

"What?" Minho and I asked in unison.

Winston looks surprised that we'd heard him, much less acknowledged the thought. "Well… he has been through the Changing…" I was not liking this turn of events.

"So's MaC," Minho began, gesturing to me, "But she ain't goin around threatening people."

"Well, yeah," Winston began, "But she don't remember anything. Griever stung Gally in the middle of the day, just outside the West Door. He has memories, and he said the Greenie looks familiar. Why would he make that up?"

I didn't want to remember the Changing, I just wanted to forget it. To forget this… Gally, the Maze, everything. I closed my eyes briefly, when did things get so shucked?

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

"Can I say something now?" Thomas asked, frustration clear in his voice. "I'm sick of you guys talking about me like I'm not here."

"Go ahead," Newt said dejectedly, glancing up at him, "This bloody meetin' can't be much more screwed up."

"I don't know why Gally hates me. I don't care. He seems psychotic to me. As for who I really am, you all know just 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."

Somebody snickered. Not sure who. Didn't really care.

"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."

I sighed, leaning on Minho with a groan. He snickered softly, "Okay, Mac?"

"Just peachy," I responded, a bit moodily. He laughed softly, about to say something when Newt exploded on Winston.

"For the love, Winston," Newt almost yelled, "I'd say Gally's a wee bit ill today, too, so we continue without him. MaC?"

"What?" I groaned.

"Got any recommendations?" he asked.

I took out the pad and pencil and tossed it to him, "Already marked it down."

He nodded, "Thomas, defend yourself and then we'll take the vote on what we should do with you."

"I didn't do anything wrong. All I know is I saw two people struggling to get inside these walls and they 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 save someone's life then go ahead. Next time I promise I'll point and laugh, then go and eat some of Frypan's dinner… plus, I don't think MaC was running like Hell for that Door just to stand at the entrance and cheer them on… Just saying…"

I adjusted my seating awkwardly, biting the inside of my cheek and hoping that nobody commented.

"Here's my recommendation," Newt 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, like MaC wrote here, effective the second this meeting's over. You've proven more in one night than more trainees do in weeks. As for you being the buggin' keeper, forget it." He looked over to Minho, "Gally was right on that count- stupid idea."

He wasn't surprised, I knew he wouldn't be… aim high, hit low. I remembered him telling me that on more than one occasion. "Why? He's the best we have- I swear it. The best should be the Keeper."

"Fine, Newt responded, "If that's true, we'll make the change later. Give it a month and see if he proves himself."

Shrugging, Minho agreed, "Good that."

Newt glanced around the room. "Okay, so we had several recommendations, so let's give it a go round-"

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

"Me too," Minho said.

"Three," I said, everyone else chiming in their approval. A glance back a Tommy revealed him to be looking pretty relieved we had decided on Newt's option.

Winston was the only one to say no.

"Newt looked at him. "We don't need your approval but tell us what's bonkin' around in your brain?"

The boy in question glanced to Thomas before looking carefully back at Newt. "Its fine with me, but we shouldn't totally ignore what Gally said. Something about it- I don't think he just made it up. And it's true that ever since Thomas got here, everything's been shucked and screwy."

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

Winston nodded.

"I love how you guys are just talking about me like I'm not here," Tommy groaned in annoyance.

"Look, Tommy," Newt began, "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?" Thomas questioned.

"Tomorrow," Newt told him, "The wake-up till sunset."

The meeting was dismissed and everyone except Newt, Minho and I left the room in a hurry. Well, Thomas didn't leave either, but he didn't have anywhere to go.

"Well, that was good times," Newt muttered. He hadn't moved from his chair. So I went over and sat beside him when Minho got up and walked over to Thomas, playfully punching Thomas in the arm.

"And it's all this shank's fault," he smirked.

"Keeper? You want me to be Keeper? You're nuttier than Gally by a long shot." Thomas said, punching him back.

Minho faked an evil grin. "Worked, didn't it? Aim high, hit low. Thank me later."

Thomas couldn't seem to help smiling at that, and to be truthful, neither could I. I looked to Newt who was slightly smiling underneath than mop of blonde hair. Smirking I brushed it out of his face and kissed his cheek, "Fun times, huh?"