INNOVATION - CHAPTER TWELVE

⚘ CHUCK ⚘

When Kalisa awoke she was surprised to find herself back in her room, wrapped in a thick blanket on the floor. The kid still slept soundly in her bed, mouth hanging slightly open as his breaths released with a small snore.

Had Newt carried her up here?

Kalisa didn't remember moving from their spot by the trees last night so he must have. The thought made her embarrassed. He probably struggled to get her up the stairs and into the room. She had probably been a burden.

Kalisa burried her face in her hands and sighed, pushing the event to the back of her mind.

Any moment now Alby would be looking for the kid to do his tour. Kalisa hoped the boy would take it well, she understood his tears, but it was likely that Alby wouldn't.

"Hey, kid wake up." Kalisa shook his shoulder, keeping her voice down as it was pretty early, and the rest of the Glade wouldn't be up until a while later.

He stirred contently, before going shock still and launching out of the bed, eyes wide with panic.

"No, no no no!" He groaned looking around him. Kalisa just watched as he ran his fingers through his hair and slumped down on the mattress, accepting that he was in fact still in the Glade, and that it had not been a dream.

"Listen, Alby's gonna come find you any minute now for your tour. Do you think you can handle it?" She questioned softly.

He didn't have much of a choice, but it would make him feel better if he thought he did.

The kid was silent for a moment before asking, "What's the tour?"

"Its when your shown the entirerty of the Glade. You learn about the jobs, you can ask all your questions. And Alby is sort of our leader around here. He strict but he does his job well." Kalisa explained. She had intense Deja Vu of her tour.

She hadn't had anyone to stick by her side and comfort her, but she had been hopeful. Because she had remembered her name.

"Do you- remember anything?" Kalisa asked carefully, not wanting to upset him.

He paused as if thinking hard, then shook his head. "I thought you said I would get my name. Why can't I remember it?"

Kalisa didn't really know, but he didn't want to hear that. "Well it takes longer for some people, you'll get it eventually."

Suddenly someone knocked at the door causing the kid to freeze. "It's probably Alby." Kalisa comforted him and moved to open her wooden door.

Instead of Alby it was Newt. He was holding a small pile of clothes and shoes. "Can I come in?" He asked.

She nodded and moved aside, a heard of butterflys bubbling in her chest.

Newt examined the kid sitting on the bed, and slowly kneeled before him. "Hey Greenie. I'm Newt, you doin' alright?"

The boy just shrugged, but luckily he wasn't crying anymore. "Well I grabbed you some fresh clothes and shoes if you want 'em. They might be a bit big, but they'll get the job done."

The kid took the clothes cautiously, as if Newt had poisoned them or something. But eventually he gave a small smile, "Thanks."

"Don't worry 'bout it Greenie." Newt said before Alby appeared in the doorway.

"What are you shanks doing in here?" He scowled, eyeing the room and its inhabitants suspiscusly. After a minute he relaxed, "Its time for the tour Greenie."

The kid gulped and nodded, setting the pile of clothes down on the bed to return to later. The boy exited the room before Alby, the leader hanging back a minute longer to glare at Newt and Kalisa.

    "Since you shanks are already up, might as well get to work. Newt, set up a hammock for our new Greenie would ya? And you," He turned his gaze to the girl. "No more bunking with boys."

    Kalisa and Newt went stiff for a moment, under the impression that he was talking about the past few nights. "I get you wanna look after him, but he needs to grow in his own way, not under your constant protection." Alby said a tad less gruff.

    Kalisa let out a breath of relief, realizing he had meant the kid. "Okay."

    Once Alby was gone, Kalisa grabbed the kids pile and turned to Newt, not exactly sure what to say. Their silences normally weren't awkward, but this one felt different.

    "Thanks, by the way." Kalisa eventually decided on.

    "For what?" Newt tilted his head, confused.

    "Bringing me dinner last night." She stated obviously.

    Newt grinned, "Its no problem Greenie- er, well I guess you aren't the Greenie anymore." He paused as if thinking, "Well what am I supposed to call you now?"

    "My name might be a good start," Kalisa rolled her eyes, though jokingly.

    "What about... Lisa?" Newt offered, thinking hard.

    Kalisa scrunched her face, "Absolutely not." She didn't mind the name but it just felt- wrong for her.

    Newt stroked his chin, eyeing her up and down in thought. "Then maybe Kali. I think that suits you much better."

    She was about to shut the idea down, but hesitated. There was something familiar about the nickname, something comforting and safe. Kalisa didn't know her home, but in that moment, briefly, she felt like she had returned to it.

    Kali.

    "I- don't hate it." She eventually managed.

    Newt laughed, "Well it's certainly a start. Kali,"

    While they talked they began walking down the Homestead stairs and across the Glade.

    "Newt is impossible to make nicknames with," Kalisa grunted.

    "I don't need a nickname. At least not from you. I like it when you call me Newt. Just Newt." He said with a half smile across his face.

    "Okay, just Newt." Kalisa snorted, as they fell into another silence, however this one was not awkward. It was peaceful.

    "Did you get a good sleep last night?" Newt asked suddenly, almost smirking.

    Kalisa blushed, "Very funny, and yes actually. I did."

    "You know you fell asleep in the oddest position. Your legs were still against the tree, but you had fallen over on your side so half your face was smashed into the ground. It was quite the sight." Newt couldn't help but laugh at the girls expression.

    "Well I didn't do it on purpose," Kalisa groaned ignoring the boy's laughter.

    "I don't understand how you manage to fall asleep so fast." Newt shook his head. "You did it the other night too," He trailed off realizing he had brought up an awkward subject unmeaningly.

    For a minute they didn't quite know what to say. Both were colored in the face and avoided eye contact, until Kalisa snickered, "You probably bored me to sleep."

    Newt shook his head and gave her a playful shove, "Help me set this hammock up you slinthead,"

༻✧༺

The rest of the day flew by in a blur. Faster once Kalisa started working. Today she had killed a Hog. It was the biggest animal she had done yet, and the first time she had done a killing without Henry or Winston's supervision.

She had used a long sword to end the animals life, then switched to a short knife for the cleaning of the animal. Once the hog was skinned and cleaned she tied it up and stuck it in the large freezer.

Only then did she snap out of her transe. Blood stained her knife, apron, clothes, and hands. She felt ill, but... she had done it. Despite all the mental promises she had made she had killed again. And this time was- better?

Kalisa hated to admit it but she was beginning to become acustomed to life as a Slicer. Sure it was dirty disgusting work, but she was beginning to get used to it. She was almost good at it.

Once she had been excused for the day, Kalisa wasted no time hurrying off to the showers to rid of the blood. Luckily she had brought her own clothes and even tied one of her socks around the door handle to create a makeshift lock. Just incase.

Henry and Winston had stopped fighting at least. Though they were still awkwardly formal with one another. Kalisa hated it, and wished they'd just move on. Though she was still curious of what Winston had done, she gave up asking when Henry snapped at her to mind her own buisness.

Now it was time for the bon fire. Kalisa had only been to one before, and it had been when she arrived. At the time she could sense the excitment in the air, and now she was joined in with that excitment. Now she was one of the Gladers reaching for a night of freedom. A night away from their harsh reality. The thought was depressing.

But the depression faded in the warmth of the fire. So what if they were trapped here? So what if she had lost hope of an escape? The Glade wasn't too bad, especially on bon fire nights.

There was drumming and clapping as a boy danced in the middle of a circle, flipping and twisting like he bore no bones in his body.

Kalisa took a small sip of Gally's drink, wincing when the foul taste exploded on her tounge.

Tonight Frypan, Tyler, and the other Cooks had prepared ribs and corn on the cob. It had been delicious as always, one of her favorite meals by far.

The rythm of the drumming increased, and some boys joined in with the dancing, throwing their arms up in the air without a care in the world.

Off to the side Kalisa noticed the kid sitting alone on a log, an untouched glass of Gally's drink in hand. He looked miserable and demoralized. She guessed he had learnt of the Maze and its inhabitants.

Frowning in thought Kalisa stood suddenly, marching over to where he sat. "Hey kid," She took his drink. "Don't drink this, its disgusting."

He didn't protest as she set it on the grass beside them. "How was the tour?"

He shrugged. "We're really trapped here. All this time I'd hoped that you guys had a secret exit or something and were just hiding it but... theres no way out of this." He sounded much older than he was.

"I know how you feel. If there was anyone to get you home we would do it, but- its not that simple. I'm sorry kid." Kalisa sighed, watching the circle of dance that had formed. Minho was in the center, having a push up contest with some Builder.

"But it's not too bad here right? I mean, look around; we have each other. And I know you don't exactly trust anyone quite yet, but we all have your best intentions at heart." She spoke, taking another sip of the drink.

"I trust you."

Kalisa softened for a moment, a slight smile overcoming her features. "Come with me then. Let me show you my friends."

To her relief he stood and followed after her, sticking close as if he were afriad of the loud noises and animated conversations happening around them.

"Those guys over there are the Track-Hoes, and thats Clint and Jeff, they're like our doctors." Kalisa pointed as they walked through the chaos.

"And of course you remember Minho, he's the Keeper of the Runners, which means he leads a group of boys through the Maze each day, searching for a way out." Kalisa explained, hoping it would give the kid some hope.

"Is he your boyfriend?" He asked instead.

Kalisa choked and laughed. "No way kid! We're just friends."

"Oh." The kid nodded looking confused.

"Anyways, thats Gally over there, Keeper of the Builders. All the shacks you see, those are made by him and the other Builders." Kalisa pointed to the fighting circle where Gally was currently tackling a small Glader.

"And these guys are my work friends. Winston and Henry," Kalisa grinned leading him over to where they were having a heated discussion.

"Hey Greenie," Henry greeted, shooting Winston one last glare.

"Have any intrest in being a Slicer?" Winston questioned leaning close.

The kid went pale and looked to Kalisa for help, "Uh- no?"

"Can't blame you on that one." Kalisa laughed and led him over to where Newt sat, away from the festivities.

"You remember Newt right?" Kalisa questioned, slumping down next to the blonde boy.

"Hey Greenie," Newt greeted, "Kali," He nodded smugly to the girl.

"Just Newt," She nodded back.

"What's your job?" The kid questioned carefully.

"I'm second in command Greenie. I help Alby keep these shanks in line."

    "Better watch your back around him, if you piss him off, he'll toss you in the Pit!" Kalisa laughed at Newt's offended expression.

    "Better watch your back around her, if you piss her off she'll take a knife to your throat!" Newt shot back causing the kid to let out a small laugh.

    Kalisa couldn't help but to beam. It was the first true sign of happiness he had shown since arriving.

    Later that night, after the bon fire had ended, Kalisa lay awake in her bed.

    She felt a million years old in compare to just weeks ago when she had gasped awake in the Box. She had learnt so much in such a short amount of time.

    Kalisa didn't know what she was before the Glade. How much had she changed? And was it for the better?

    Kalisa realized she may never know. And that was hauntingly eerie.

    A sudden cry sounded across the Glade. But it wasn't from the Maze, it sounded human.

    Kalisa sat up, listening harder. She could make out the groans of annoyance from the Gladers under the shelter and the rustling of hammocks as someone ran from their bed.

The kid.

In an instant she was on her feet, rushing out her bedroom door, down the stairs, and across the field, jogging towards the shelter.

When she arrived the kid was nowhere to be found, however a few of the Gladers were still awake from his outburst, grumpily grumbling to themselves. But when they caught sight of the girl they stopped, surprise clearly visible from all.

"Where is he?" She questioned quietly.

"He ran that way." One of the boys pointed in the direction of the forest.

Kalisa started off in that direction, hoping he hadn't gone too deep in and got lost.

"Kid?" She whispered loudly. In the dark, the forest was different. While it was alarming in the day time, at night it was worse.

The shadows of the trees reached out at her, as if they were millions of little hands yearning to tear her apart. The roots tripped her and snagged at her clothing, prickling into her bare feet as she had not grabbed shoes in her haste. The sounds of the Maze were alive and intense, making their usual disregardable presence known.

This was no place for a Greenie.

"Kid!" She called more urgently. A second later he stepped out from behind a tree trunk.

Though dark Kalisa could easily tell he was crying. His broad shoulders heaved as he desperately inhaled air. He hastily brought his hands up to his eyes, quickly wiping away the moisture.

"I had a dream. About the Grievers." Was all he could get out.

Kalisa lowered herself to the ground, back leaning against the tree. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

"No." He sniffed sitting beside her and resting his head on her shoulder. And that was how they sat for quite some time. Both gazing into the distance but seeing different things. One saw pity and sadness for the small boy, the other saw four tall walls and no way out.

"I miss my mom Kalisa." He cried, cutting through the silence like a knife. "I don't remember her, but it's like... I can feel her around me. I know wherever she is, she's worried, she's waiting for me." His voice was barely audible, but it didn't matter, because Kalisa could feel his pain and torment through his words. Her heart shattered as she took in what he was saying.

"And if there really is no way out of here, then I'll never see her again." Kalisa wrapped her arm around his form, holding him close as he cried. "I just want to go home."

"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry kid." Was all she could manage. After a moment she cleared her throat, "Listen, we will get out of here. I don't care how long it takes we're gonna do it. And when we do we're gonna find your parents. You'll go home kid, I promise."

Promise's were dangerous, Kalisa knew that. But this one was bigger than a promise. It was more than just words from her mouth. This was an oath, and Kalisa would sooner die than break it.

It wasn't until hours later, long after he had stopped crying, when they spoke again. The sun was beginning to rise, though they only knew this by the sky slowly lightening and the grass beneath them becoming wet with dew.

"Kalisa?" The kid questioned.

She hummed in acknowledgment. "I remember something." He said, wonder lacing his tone.

Kalisa sat up, intrigued and hopeful.

"It's my name. My name is Chuck."

I felt motivated to update again so here's another chapter! My face is litteraly so swollen and I look like a chipmunk, but oh well. Thanks for all the reads and reviews, they're so motivating! Hope you all are having a great day, happy reading!

1/4/24

2952 words