They found Alby. And the gathering would be after supper that night, when Minho was back from the maze, and only for the few Gladers Alex listed. They would meet in the med jack hut, wouldn't be too suspicious, they would draw too much attention if they had a gathering in the council hall.

"Finished with the tour?"

They nodded.

"Good that. Your first job trial is Slicer. I think we're going to skip a few jobs though, no point trying you out for something like bagger- security, and working with the dead", he added as Alex shuddered.

"Though, if you could take on Gally, you might not be a bad Bagger...still, nah, those shanks are a little jacked up in the head. Unless you like dealing with corpses?"

Alex shuddered, "Nope. Definitely not."

"We'll probably skip bricknick too, to avoid any unnecessary incidents with Chris... Newt, take her to Winston. Lets go, we're burnin' daylight"

Newt nodded and gestured for Alex to follow.

___________________________

At the Bloodhouse, Alex stood by the fence watching the animals, waiting for the kid named Winston. She was watching the cow graze when she felt something brush her leg. She looked down in surprise. To her surprise and delight, there was a young black lab smelling her boots and pant legs. The dog looked at her with intelligent eyes, tail wagging, tongue out, tilting its head back and forth. Alex let out a happy high squeal "Puppy!!" She knelt in front of the dog, letting it smell and lick her hands and patting the dogs head.

"Aren't you a good doggie! What's your name? Huh? What's your name? Wish you could tell me your name! Can you speak?" To her surprise the dog gave a happy woof, and jumped around wagging her tail.

"Huh" said a quiet voice behind her, "She's never done that before. What did you say to her?" Alex looked over her shoulder, it was the quiet boy from breakfast, the boy she never got a name from.

"Uh, I asked if the dog could speak?''

On the word 'speak' the dog woofed happily again. The boy looked stunned, like he never knew what noise a dog made.

"Bark never barks. We named her Bark, as a joke." The boy looked at the dog, "Bark, speak."

The dog just cocked her head, sitting down. Alex laughed as the boy huffed. Alex stood up, "Bark, speak" on que the dog jumped up, tail wagging and gave a few loud woofs. The boy threw up his hands in a sign of defeat.

"Whatever. Fine. Good. Shuckin' dog, not like I fed you and took care of you..." he muttered.

He looked at Alex, "Name's Winston, I'm keeper of the slicers and Bloodhouse. You'll be helping with the animals, and after lunch you'll be helping me butcher a hog for tomorrow's supper. Good that?"

"Ya, everything except the butcher part." Alex replied, her face pailing.

"Nah, part of the job, sorry Shanket. Come on, I'll show you around." Winston wasn't much of a talker, said what he had to and that was it. He also treated her like the other guys, which was refreshing. He showed her where to find the farm tools and equipment, where the food for each animal was kept. Introduced her to a few of the other slicers, then left her to do her thing. She fed the pigs and collected eggs for breakfast tomorrow. She enjoyed being with the animals, they were calm and didn't oogle at her when she walked past. She talked to them and hummed a toon she couldn't quite remember. Bark never left her side, occasionally she would bring Alex a stick and she would throw it for the dog to go fetch.

Alex straightened up as she heard a bell clanging from across the glade, she saw boys from every direction heading towards the Kitchen. Newt was halfway across the glad, walking towards her.

"Lunch time, She-Bean!" he yelled with a big grin.

Alex picked up the basket of eggs she had collected and made her way to the British boy. He was looking behind her, a puzzled look on his face. Alex turned and followed his gaze, Bark was trotting along behind her. Alex smiled.

"Good dog!" Alex said.

"Looks like you made a friend", Newt teased, "about bloody time!"

"Shuck ya I did! And she smells a whole lot better than you guys, too!"

"Come here, I'll put you back in a headlock again and you can find out for sure!" He went to grab her, laughing at her. Alex yelped and took off running to the kitchen, laughing at Newt's failed attempt to trap her head in his armpit.

She wove her way through the picnic tables to the counter, dropped off the eggs, Fry smiled and thanked her, taking them to the back. She grabbed a plate of lunch, turned to find a table and came face to face with Chris. He was standing way too close, she took a step back, and tried to get around him, but he stepped closer, blocking her path.

"Excuse me, I would like to go sit." Alex nodded her head in the direction of the table with her friends. Chris was looking at her, with an uncomfortable glint, a hunger in his eyes,

"Come sit with me and my friends. We're more fun."

Newt and Alby were sitting with their backs to her, not noticing the situation. She didn't see Jeff or Clint, Fry was in the back of the kitchen, and Minho was in the maze.

SHUCK IT!

She tried to take another step back, Chris had reached out and grabbed her low on her hip almost at her butt. The same time his hand made contact, Bark appeared at her side. Her haunches were up, ears down, and she let out a low growl. Chris jumped at the sudden appearance of a dog. The picnic area went silent, heads and eyes turned towads them. Bark let out another low growl, she took a step forward, stepping in front of Alex. Chris took a step back.

"What's going on?" demanded Alby, him and Newt were making their way over, pushing through gladers.

Alex's eyes narrowed, "Chris here, was just getting acquainted with my new friend. Bark, speak!'' She commanded and like Alex had trained the dog from a puppy, she gave a threatening bark; making everyone jump, including Alby and Newt. Alex gave a satisfied smile, and said quietly, her narrowed eyes never leaving Chris.

"When I say no, I mean no. I have now told you more than once. No. Don't ever touch me again. Leave me alone. Bark didn't bite today. I won't stop her in the future. Alby. Newt. Would this fall under the rules? I won't hurt another Glader, however after this last warning it's self defense. Correct? All three of you heard it. If this guy ends up with bite marks or a black eye, Bark and I will not be held responsible."

She did not ask permission, she stated it. It was fact. Alby nodded solemnly, agreeing. He admired her quiet confidence. Newt tried to hide the proud smirk on his face, he also nodded in approval. He was proud of the girl in front of him, she quietly demanded respect from the Gladers, and earned respect from Alby. Chris took another step back from the growling dog. He put his hands up in defense.

"Look I didn't do anything wrong. Just trying to be friendly. No need to get feisty." his voice oily with a fake smile, it didn't reach his angry eyes. He turned and left the picnic area. She had a feeling that won't be the last of him.

Alex let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, her hands unclenched. She reached down patting Bark's head "Who's a good girl?" her voice was shaky after what just happened, her heart was also beating really fast. Bark wagged her tail, giving her face a few slobberly licks. They walked over to a table and sat down. Alby was looking at the dog, she was laying on the grass beside Alex. He had never seen the dog leave the barn, she never listened to Winston, and everyone thought the dog was mute. He shook his head.

"Is this a thing now? Winston?" he asked.

Winston shrugged his shoulders, "honestly, the dog was kind of useless at the Bloodhouse. Didn't really do much. She-Bean showed up, dog does whatever she says." nodding in Alex's direction, "She's all yours."

Alex squealed, wrapped her arms around Winston quickly, giving him a side hug squeeze. She then leaned down scratching her new companion behind the ears, "hear that girl? You're mine, we'll be besties forever!" then whispered for only Bark to hear "Thank you! For being there for me!" The dog sat up and rested her head in Alex's lap. Alex took a bite of her sandwich and gave Bark a piece of her ham and cheese. Bark definitely deserved it.

__________________________

Alex was dreading the afternoon. She really did not want to go into the slaughterhouse. Winton made her put on a big apron that was stained with blood. He came in with a loud squealing hog. He hefted it up onto the table, told her to hold it down so it wouldn't escape. She did her best, trying not to think about what was going to happen next. Winston grabbed a big cleaver and in the blink of an eye, the sound of squeals stopped and there was blood everywhere.

Alex's ham and cheese sandwich made an appearance. Winston sighed, shaking hishead, he awkwardly patted her back, while she finished throwing up.

Nope, Slicer was definitely not the job for her. Winston made her take a break to get some fresh air, she almost lost the rest of her stomach contents. But she was determined to finish the day. She hated every minute of the afternoon, it was hard, bloody work, the heat from the afternoon mixed with blood and boys sweat and other barn smells was probably the worst thing in Alex's life right now. She didn't mind Winston, he was quiet, respectful, good at his job, a little too eager at times, but someone had to do it.

She said good bye to Winston at the end of the day. She was exhausted, sweaty, covered in blood, and hungry, but for a salad.

"Now I am in desperate need of a shower, huh girl?" she muttered to her furry companion. 

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What do you think of Bark? Do we love her already??