Months passed. The coming and going in the Glade fell into normality. A routine began to develop and everyone had a place.

More boys came up in the Box. They were assimilated into the Glade and given a job. The Keeper's teams grew larger. The Trackhoes, Runners, Builders, Cooks and Slicers. Work became easier with more hands in the mix.

The large housing building that Gally had his team working on was coming along nicely. He estimated that it would be finished within the year. Two Builders from his team also worked on a slaughterhouse for Winston and his Slicers. It was only going to take a few months and Gally wasn't worried about the setback on his bigger project.

Minho's team had grown as well. He had added two boys to his team of Runners. They had begun to team up in the Maze, covering more ground in a day. Minho did not share the information that the Maze was finished with his team, only Ben knew the real truth.

Alby and Newt continued to maintain order and things seemed to be going smoothly. Morale was fairly high with the false knowledge of more discovery in the Maze. Alby was determined to keep it that way.

Things were finally looking up in the Glade.

"How many?"

Gally glanced up into the tree, squinting in the sunlight.

"Thirty, maybe more if you can find them. Stop standing like that!"

His voice carried through the tree branches and leaves, up to where Eve stood, precariously on a branch. She was on tiptoes, something Gally had warned her about again and again. She had fallen out of a tree not a week ago; the left side of her ribcage had been badly bruised. But she hadn't sustained any other injuries and the Med Jacks had sent her back out for climbing the next day. Gally was even more anal about safety now.

Eve cut off a branch, tossed it down to him and readjusted her position.

"This branch isn't slippery, I'll be fine,"

"That's what you said the last time," Gally shook his head, hands on his hips. He counted the branches on the ground behind him. Half of what he needed was already there, but he wanted to get a head start for the day. The Homestead, as it had been deftly named, needed walls and soon. The other half of Gally's team was busy at the worksite, chopping large tree trunks into planks. The branches were going to be used for supports, pillars and whatever else Gally could think of. The Keeper was determined to get the walls up and finished in three weeks.

"How many do you have already?" Eve was working on another branch, talking over her shoulder to him.

Gally counted again, just to be sure.

"Twenty. It's enough for today and maybe some for tomorrow. If you can get it done in the next hour, I'll have you work on twine for the rest of the day. We'll come out tomorrow and do the same thing,"

Eve didn't respond as she tossed down another branch.

"When are you getting Ham and Dan back?"

"Winston told me they were almost finished. Probably by next week, that's if the shuck face doesn't decide to give them another odd job to do," Gally growled.

Winston had been milking the Builders dry, seeming to come up with another task each day, on top of building him a Slaughterhouse. But Alby was fairly determined to let him have his way; cutting up the animals out in the heat was becoming a problem.

Eve tossed down two more branches and started down the tree.

"I think this one is done for. I've picked it clean,"

Gally squinted up at her again, watching her climb down.

"You've been through this whole forest and back, I'm not surprised you're starting to find empty trees,"

He stepped closer to help her make the last jump, catching her easily in his arms.

"We'd have a lot more bruised ribs if you hadn't come along last year,"

Eve rolled her eyes and pushed him away, but she was smiling.

"You say that every time you've had too much of your filthy moonshine,"

Gally scowled at her, his hands back on his hips.

"Filthy? That stuff is the only thing worth getting through the day. You'd know if you ever gave it a proper try,"

Eve made a gagging sound and started toward the next tree. They were on the far side of the Deadheads, closer to the wall than normal. It was becoming more and more usual now, the trees were looking thinner each month.

Gally followed close behind her, ready to spot.

"As long as you know you're needed,"

Eve gave him a side look as she started up the next tree.

"I got it,"

Gally allowed Eve her space. He turned back to his pile, picked up a few sticks to clean off.

Eve had forgotten all about her being the only girl. Often, she said that there weren't enough hours in the day to be worrying, there was too much work to do. It was doing wonders for her, she had gained a lot of muscle and finally, some much-needed weight. Some of the Builders often teased her about not being a skinny girl anymore, but she was quick to set them in their place.

"All this muscle will only make it more painful when I punch you in the face, shuckface,"

It was now common knowledge that Gally and Eve were together. But Gally didn't care, he didn't let it turn him soft. He was still one of the most feared Keepers in the Glade and he intended to keep it that way.

The hour passed by swiftly and soon enough, Eve had cut down thirty-five more branches, enough for two days. Gally gathered up all he could, as did Eve, the rest would be picked up later in the day. With their hull in tow, the two of them walked back to the worksite. The rest of the Builders, not including Ham and Dan, were working hard. Several tree trunks were strewn around the ground, waiting to be cut into planks. Eric was busy shaving the bark off, while Arnold and Boulder, the newest additions to the team of Builders, were cutting planks off the blad trees with long, rusty saws.

Gally gestured toward the garden as he walked toward his site.

"Drop your branches off and grab the twine from Newt. I told him I would need it for this afternoon, he's probably got it tied off by now,"

Eve gave him a look.

"He better actually know about it this time,"

Gally mocked her expression and scowled at her.

"So I forgot to mention it, big deal. We still got our twine,"

Eve winked at him and jogged on ahead, dropping her load off beside Eric. She started toward the gardens, sticking her tongue out as Gally as she passed him.

He waved her off, barely holding back a smile.

"Little shank,"

Eric looked up as Gally approached.

"Did you get enough branches?"

Gally was about to scowl at him as well, caught up in joking around with Eve. But he caught himself and nodded to Eric, rather curtly.

"Of course, we wouldn't be back if we didn't,"

Eric opened his mouth to reply, but Gally walked past him, scattering bark with his foot.

"Keep the area clean, this isn't a pigsty,"

Eric watched him walk away, confused and shocked.

"Please tell me Gally told you about the twine this time,"

Eve was still smiling when she ran into Newt in the gardens, face first in a plant laden with tomatoes. He leaned back at the sound of her voice, a devilish smile on his face.

"Bloody Builder, some Keeper, eh?" He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "It's by the tools at the end of the row. Zart had it done up earlier this morning,"

Eve put her hands together and gave a small, mock bow.

"Thank you, Newt,"

"Just promise you'll give Gally a hard time for me,"

"Will do!"

Eve jogged past him and turned around the corner at the end of the row. Several gardening tools were laying in the grass, as well as two bundles of twine, camouflaged in the green grass.

Eve picked them up and tossed them over her shoulder.

A loud, unearthly scream rent the air.

Eve dropped the twine, her heart leaping out of her chest. Newt's head popped out of the bushes, alert and worried. He caught sight of Eve and gestured wildly.

"Move!" His hissed.

Eve jumped at his words. She moved back toward him.

"What is it?" She felt her blood rushing through her veins, flinching as another scream split the air. Newt grabbed at her, his fingers wrapping around her shirt, and pushed her to the ground, standing over her like a pointer dog.

"I don't know. Stay low," His voice was tense, on edge.

Eve looked between the stalks of tomatoes. Staying low, she followed his eyes toward the entrance to the Maze.

Minho had just run through the Door. It was midday, what was he doing back? Two of his Runners were close behind them.

Another scream followed them, hollow and strangled.

Eve's first thought was a Griever, but it didn't sound like a Griever's cry. Besides, they had never come into the Glade before.

Newt stood up, slowly. He began walking toward the end of the garden, his eyes never leaving the Maze Door. He glanced at Eve out of the corner of his eye.

"Don't move, not until I say,"

Eve opened his mouth to protest, but he held his hand up like a stop sign. His eyes were dark, the conversation over. Eve closed her mouth and ducked back down, out of sight.

Newt gave her one last look and disappeared around the corner.

Gally's head shot up like a bullet from a gun. The scream echoed off the walls, ricocheting around the Glade. He saw Minho run in from the Door, followed closely by his Runners. Gally instantly became on guard.

"Eric," He shouted across the clearing.

The Builder was also looking toward the Door, his eyes wide. He flinched at Gally's cry and looked at him.

"Get yourselves and the Builders into the Deadheads," Gally waved them forward. "Get Winston to bring everyone with you. Don't come out until we've cleared you to,"

Eric looked confused, a question on his lip, but one look from Gally and he became submissive. He, Boulder and Arnold ducked behind the worksite, in the direction of the Slaughterhouse.

Gally made sure they were gone before he started running toward the Door. He saw Newt moving in the same direction, his lame leg slowing him only a little. Alby was running from the cookhouse, meeting up with them in the middle of the Glade.

"What's going on?" He was hardly out of breath, but his chest rose and fell as if he had been running for miles.

Newt kept moving, toward the Door to where Minho was peering into the Maze. The Keeper looked very worried.

"Don't know. Gonna find out,"

Gally fell into pace behind the two leaders. Minho saw them coming. He waved them back, his eyes wide.

"What is it, Minho?" Alby stopped a few feet away. Newt stopped a few feet closer, counting off the Runners.

"Where is Michael?"

Before Minho could answer, Little, one of the new Runners, scampered from where he had stood at the Door.

"He's coming out! He's coming!"

Minho grabbed hold of James, the closest to him, and tossed him away from the Door. He gestured for everyone to follow suit, his eyes on the Door.

"What's happened Minho?" Alby was growing impatient, the frustration clear in his voice.

"It's Michael, he was stung!" Minho didn't even look at Alby as he answered.

Another scream split the air, closer than before. Everyone's eyes fixed upon the Door.

A figure appeared at the entrance to the Maze, unsteady on his feet.

His eyes were bloodshot, his skin unnaturally pale. A large, black hole gaped over the top of his chest; soiled blood poured down his shirt and his arms were blackened from the mess. His face was twisted into an odd, wider than normal, smile. His neck was held at a jagged angle and his hands were grabbing at nothing.

Alby moved back a few paces, spreading out his hands as a protective shield.

"When was he stung? What happened?" He spoke authoritatively.

Minho was breathing heavily, his hands shaking.

"Just half an hour ago. James was bringing him back when he started getting violent,"

Alby stared at the Greenie, never taking his eyes off him. Michael stood like a statue, his eyes moving back and forth to look at them. A sound came out of his mouth, something between a cackle and giggle.

"They can see you. They've been watching us,"

Alby put up his hand, a warning.

"Stay where you are Michael. We're going to help you,"

Michael's head lolled to the side. He smiled again, the wrinkles on his face rippling out to his cheekbones; he looked deranged.

"Help me? I don't need help. I can see now. I can see them,"

Gally moved closer to Alby, his eyes on the Runner. He spoke quietly into his leader's ear.

"We have to surround him,"

Alby nodded, slowly, discreetly. He nodded his head to Newt and Minho. Both of them nodded back and Minho gestured for his Runners to move forward.

"Form a circle, move in, one step at a time," The Runner's obeyed him, forming a loose, semi-circle around the Door of the Maze, keeping their movements slow and relaxed.

Michael whipped his head around, this way and that.

"It's no use, they'll see you,"

Gally scowled, falling into place between Alby and Minho.

"This shank is crazier than Hank,"

"Slim it, Gally," Alby hissed.

The Runners took another step and then another. Michael didn't move away, nor did he look frightened, he simply looked on. He stumbled a few steps back and then forward as if he had lost his balance. He smiled and laughed.

"This is your plan? This isn't a plan... this is insanity. They'll see, they'll see you. They're watching us,"

Alby nodded to Newt again, waving him forward. The second moved around a few of the Runners, placing himself on the outside of the circle.

Gally saw what he was doing and he hardened his stance, ready to catch the Runner if he bolted the other way.

Michael stumbled again, closer to Gally this time.

"So many eyes, everywhere... everywhere," Fresh black blood oozed out of his wound, sliding thickly down his shirt and onto the ground.

Gally watched Newt. He was walking slowly behind the circle, toward the far right, keeping his eyes on Michael. Another few steps and they were only a few feet from Michael. He watched them, the smile on his face almost clownish.

Alby raised his hand and they all stopped.

Newt froze, two feet away from the group, out of eyesight from the diseased Runner.

Michael simply stared.

Alby dropped his hand, the Runners moved forward, a scare tactic. Newt came in from the right, leaping for Michael.

Michael had appeared dormant, simply out of his mind, but at the sudden attack, he changed on a dime. Just as Newt was about to tackle him, Michael ducked, twirled around on the heel of his foot and slammed his fist straight into Newt's stomach.

The second in command reeled back, gasping for air. He fell to the ground, heavily, a hand held to his stomach. Michael was quick, like an eel escaping capture. Before anyone else could grab him, he had jumped over Newt, out toward the left and into the Glade, towards the gardens.

Alby halted the Runners and dropped to his knee beside Newt, grabbing hold of his arms.

"Are you alright?"

Newt, hand still clasping his stomach, tried to stand, waving Alby off.

"Get after him!"

Alby pressed a hand to Newt's chest, stopping him from rising.

"Are you hurt?"

Newt pushed Alby away, his eyes wide.

"He can't get the gardens. Eve's in there! He's headed right toward her!"

Gally was gone before Newt finished his sentence.

Eve sat with her back to the tomatoes, listening. She hadn't heard anything after Newt had left, the screaming had stopped. She had tried looking toward the Maze Door, trying to detect what was wrong. She had seen Gally, Newt and Alby standing around it, as well as Minho and his Runners. But she didn't see anything else, nothing seemed to be wrong.

But she couldn't move, Newt had told her to stay where she was. Maybe there was nothing to worry about, but Newt was still second in command.

She ran her hands through the grass, plucking at some of the fresher blades. Thoughts were running through her mind, but she tried not to imagine the worst. If it had been a Griever, there would be a lot more commotion coming from Door. Someone would have come to get her, right? Told her to move to the Tower.

She couldn't see any of the Builders, the Track Hoes, the Cooks or the Slicers. Did they know what was happening?

She looked over her shoulder again, straining to see something; anything.

"The odd one out," A drawn, slick voice made Eve jump and she whipped her head around, instantly on guard.

It was Michael, the Greenie. She recognized him as one of the newest Runners on Minho's team. He stood down the row of vegetables, staring at her. He held a rusty knife in his hands, the handle stained with black gunk.

He smiled a crooked, insane sort of smile and stepped into the garden, toward her.

"They've seen you. They know you. They know what you are,"

Eve scurried back from him, terror racing through her veins.

Had he been stung?

He tilted his head as he stared at her, continuing toward her.

"One girl, among so many boys. It can't be a mistake, can it?"

Eve moved back, her arms out behind her to stand up. Micael suddenly picked up his pace; he stepped over Eve's legs, falling on his knees to straddle her. Eve struggled to move and screamed. Michael pressed a hand over her mouth, harshly. Her neck tilted back from the weight and her scream grew muffled. He held his other hand over her arm, the knife grazing her skin.

"No one can hear you," His words were singsong and he shook his head at her as if scolding a child. "You're all alone. The odd one out,"

Eve struggled under him, her eyes wide and full of fear.

He leaned in closer, his smile widening. Black ooze dripped down onto her face. Eve tried to turn away, hardly able to move under the pressure of his hand. Tears sprung into her eyes and she wrung her arms back and forth, kicking out with her legs. Her right leg struck Michael's inner thigh and his smile deflated into a growl.

The sound of footsteps alerted Eve to help arriving. She struggled, adrenaline giving her strength. She tore her arm free from her assailant. He lost his grip as he fought to steady himself; her mouth became free.

"Help! Someone!" Her voice was ragged with fear.

Michael raised his knife to her throat.

"No one can hear you. No. One," His eyes were wild, full of terror, anger and blood-red veins, slicing their way through the whites of his eyes. The blade sliced the skin of Eve's neck and she squealed.

The footsteps got louder, thumping on the ground behind them. A hand grabbed at the boy's shoulder, yanking him off of Eve, tossing him across the grass.

Eve sat up, shakily.

Gally was wrestling the boy on the ground, trying to get a hold of him. But Michael was slick, slippery from the black ooze pouring out of his wound. He escaped the Builder's grasp, screaming, eyes bulging out of his head.

He lunged at Eve.

"Gally!" Eve's strangled cry was cut short as the Runner landed on her. The knife's handle sprouted from her chest like a flag.

"Noooo!" Gally screamed, the sound ripping through the air. He scrambled on the slippery grass and tackled the Runner to the ground with renewed force.

Alby, Newt and the Runners ran around the corner.

The Runners moved forward, surrounding Michael, holding his arms and legs down. The boy screamed, thrashing against his assailants. He was acting more like a spoiled child now, being held back from what he wanted. Gally grabbed him up by the shirt, his whole body shaking.

"Why did you do it? Why her? Why?" His voice was harsh, hoarse with wrath. "You're dead! Do you hear me? You're dead!"

Newt collapsed beside Eve, guilt washing over him. He leaned toward her face. Her eyes stared into nothingness, the brightness all but gone.

"Eve, Eve? Can you hear me?" Newt felt his throat tighten, his breath shudder in his chest. "Eve, it's Newt, can you hear me?"

Alby had disappeared, gone for the Med Jacks.

Gally's face was screwed up, tears running down his cheeks, unchecked. He looked frozen, shocked and in disbelief.

Michael screamed in his face, unaware of what he had just done.

"They can see! They can see you all!" His screams were getting louder.

Newt turned out the noise, checking Eve over for any sign of life. The tiniest rise of her chest caught his attention. He reached out to Gally, his eyes wide.

"She's alive, Gally! She's still alive! We need the Med Jacks! Where are the Med Jacks?"

Gally rolled away from Michael, his movements sedated. He grabbed at her shoulder, her arm, her hand. He knelt before her, his eyes searching her face.

"Eve? Eve, it's me. It's Gally. Can you hear me? You have to stay with me, you have to stay with us. The Med Jack's will be here soon, just stay still. They'll be here soon, okay? Eve? Eve?" His voice choked and he bowed his head to the grass.

Newt sat back, his face wet with tears.

"I'm sorry," His voice cracked and he looked away. "I'm so sorry Gally,"

Gally didn't respond, his whole body was racked with grief.

"I couldn't stop him," His words were riddled with tears. "I couldn't save her,"

Michaels cries drowned out all other sounds.

They waited for the Med Jacks.