INNOVATION - CHAPTER FIVE

⚘ THE BON-FIRE ⚘

If Kalisa had felt dejected before, that was nothing to what she was experiencing now. A giant maze filled with monsters and walls that moved stood between her and the outside world.

    Alby had told the girl to go find Newt, but she couldn't bring herself to make conversation. All she wanted to do was think. And so she did.

    Kalisa had long left Alby, and now she sat with her legs crossed under a tree. The shade did nothing to cool the girls accelerating anxiety, but it was nice being able to feel the breeze. Hear the distant sounds of work and talk.

    I'm trapped here.

    Kalisa stared off at the walls in consideration. She had been holding out hope that she would be able to leave today. Hope was a stupid thing anyways.

    These boys had been here for 3 years and still hadn't solved the maze. So then they were either stupid, or it was impossible.

    But if it were impossible why would somebody go through the trouble of making it. It would have taken a fortune, and tons of manual labor. Who in the world had the desire to watch a bunch of teenagers struggle? If only she could remember.

    "I thought I'd find you over here," A voice caused the girl to glance up from the ground. Newt stood a few paces away holding a plate of food.

    "Thought you might be hungry, Frypan said he never saw you for breakfast." Newt said plopping onto the ground next to her and sliding her the tray of food.

    It seemed to be a sandwich and vegetables. Kalisa was hungry, but her mind refused to eat until it had more answers. If there were anymore. For all she knew the girl could already know everything there was to know.

    "I know that look," Newt said studying the girls face. "I've seen everybody here with it at some point."

    The girl shrugged not exactly knowing where Newt was going with this.

    "I know all seems lost, but its not. We have Runners out there as we speak exploring the Maze. And even if it takes years, none of them will stop until they find something. So until then just- work. Do your part. Stay busy. It helps." Newt sounded like he was speaking from experience.

    Kalisa was silent for a minute before she questioned, "How can you just be okay with this?"

    Newt paused, "I'm not. Sometimes the only thing that keeps me going is the idea that one day I'll be able to face the Creators and make 'em pay."

    "But after being here a while you get used to it. Soon you'll be out there with the rest of us, you might even like the Glade," Newt gave a small smile.

    The girl sighed knowing he was right. Though she doubted she could ever like this place, she would soon have to except the situation. She would have to be patient, and smart.

    Kalisa picked up the sandwich and bit into it., chewing for a minute then saying, "My names Kalisa, incase you were wondering."

    Newt stopped in surprise, "You- Kalisa?" The girl nodded and moved on to the veggies.

    "Kalisa," Newt muttered her name quietly, "I like it." Kalisa almost blushed.

    After she had finished her food the girl faced Newt, "So what now?"

    Newt cleared his throat and stood up, holding out his hand for her to do the same. The girl hesitated before taking it. It was warm, which contrasted nicely with her cold touch. Once she was on her feet she quickly let go, still holding a slight mistrust.

    "Follow me,"

Kalisa unsurely trailed after Newt as he began walking back towards the North Door.

It was afternoon now. The scorching sun shined above them, its rays beating down on the working backs. A couple of boys crossed in front of them carrying a pile of wooden planks. Some others were in the gardens, harvesting some vegetables. Laughter rang through like a bell.

"Whats your job?" Kalisa suddenly asked Newt. He seemed to be one of the only boys not doing something.

Newt faltered briefly in his steps before answering, "I'm second in command. Help Alby with stuff around the glade, keep everyone in check ya know."

The two stopped in front of the North Wall. Kalisa was about to ask what they were doing when she saw it.

The wall was covered in carvings and scratches. Names.

Kalisa recognized a few familiar ones like Newt, Alby, and Tyler. A few however, had been scratched out. As if they were being erased from the memory of the glade. One of the names was Nick, the name was familiar to Kalisa and she realized thats who's rooms she was staying in.

"Every Glader who comes out of that box carves their name here. Young, old, small, or big, we're all the same now." Newt studied each name on the wall before taking out a short pocket knife.

"Even you." He handed her the knife expectantly. Kalisa reached out and took the knife, before facing back to the wall. There was a blank space next to Newt's name and some boy named Henry.

"Don't attack me this time," Newt joked as she held the knife up to the stone.

"Don't tempt me," The girl fired back almost instantly. Newt paused before laughing, "I like you Greenie, I think you'll do well here."

Kalisa hoped he was right.

༻✧༺

The rest of the day was spent following Newt around and watching the boys work. Kalisa felt slightly useless as she watched their sweaty bodies struggle, but at the same time she was relieved to not have to worry about a job. She was still trying to comprehend the situation after all.

It was evening time now, the sun had set and the doors had once again closed, just as Tyler had said. This night felt different than the last. It felt more alive.

The boys stood in the middle of the Glade, talking eagerly about a bon fire.

Before he had left to help set up, Newt had explained that every time a new Greenie arrived, they would celebrate. And while she still felt uneasy, Kalisa couldn't help but feel the excitement rub off on her.

    A giant pile of wood stood in the center of the chaos. Someone struck a match causing an orange glow to cascade over the darkness. A couple of the boys, including Newt and Alby, held long sticks. They passed the flame from stick to stick until they all held the strange torch.

    "Light 'er up!" Alby yelled. At once the torches flew straight for the wood. It hit its target almost instantly, soon after the fire caught and spread over the pile.

    Now smoke wafted through the air and up into the dark sky. Cheers erupted over the crowd of boys as they watched the giant fire burn. The warmth washed a sense of hospitality and safety over the souls, reminding them that they were still kids, and they that they knew how to have fun.

    "Hey Newbie, come 'ere!" Kalisa turned to the voice and saw Tyler waving her over. He stood next to a tall boy with deep skin and eyes that sparkled orange in the night. He wore grease stained clothes and had a happy smile as a permanent mark on his face.

    Kalisa walked over to the two boys. Tyler grinned and said, "This is Frypan, Keeper of the Cooks."

    "Hi," Kalisa nodded up to the boy.

    "How's it goin' Greenie?" He passed her a stick with some sort of meat and veggies.

    Kalisa bit into the food cherishing the flavor of garlic and juice. She smiled and took another bite, "So you're in charge of the cooking?"

    Frypan nodded, "Thats right. What do ya think Tyler, will our Greenie here be a cook?"

    Tyler studied her intently before answering, "Definitely. You ever cook before Greenie?"

    "No," Kalisa paused, "I guess I don't remember."

    "Well we'll find out soon. What job are you hoping for?" Frypan asked.

     She shrugged, "I haven't really thought about it I guess. I don't know what I'm good at."

    "Well you'll always be welcomed in the kitchen, right Fry?" Tyler grinned and slapped the bigger cook on the back.

    "As long as you don't raid my fridge you and I will get along great," The boy told her.

    "Hey Greenie!" Kalisa turned and saw Newt waving her over. His hair looked fair in the glow of fire.

    Kalisa turned back to the two cooks, "I should probably go, thanks for the food."

    "No problem Greenie," Frypan smiled.

    As Kalisa turned away from them Tyler called out jokingly, "Hey Greenie, you might wanna wipe your face."

    Kalisa faced him, "You first." Yet when her back was to him once more she self cautiously brought her sleeve to her mouth.

    When she finally reached Newt at the fire he asked, "So what do ya think?"

    Kalisa shrugged, "Its cool I guess."

    "You guess?" Newt shook his head, "Come on, I want you to meet some people."

    Kalisa followed the taller boy through crowds of Gladers. They talked, joked, laughed, and drummed against wooden logs. One boy was even entertaining few by doing flips.

    "That group over there is the Builders, they build our shelter and make repairs. They can be a real pain though, especially to Greenies." Newt nodded to a group of muscular guys.

    Kalisa spared them a quick glance before following after Newt's long strides.

    "Their Keeper, Gally, made this," Newt passed the girl a glass cup filled with a brown liquid. "Try it," Newt nodded.

    Kalisa wrinkled her nose and hoped it wasn't poison. She took a small sip and nearly spit the drink out on Newt. It tasted like the smell of metal and sweat mixed with shit.

    "Ew," She coughed and gave the glass back to Newt who was now laughing.

    "That never gets old," He muttered continuing on their walk through the boys.

    "That guy over there is Winston, he's the Keeper of the Slicers. Those shanks slaughter the animals and send 'em off to the Cooks for meals." Newt explained.

    Winston was a boy with tanned skin and dark hair. He certainly didn't look menacing but Kalisa didn't like the sound of his job.

"I hate to break it to you but you'll start with them tomorrow. They'll show ya around the Blood-house then put ya to work as a Slicer," Newt almost laughed at the girls expression.

"Can't I just skip them? I already know I don't want to kill animals," Kalisa shuddered at the thought of taking a life.

Newt smirked and shook his head, "You've still got a lot to learn Greenie. You are required to try all the jobs, even the messy ones."

The two stopped and sat on an empty log a ways away from the fire. The Gladers still conversed and mingled around, hardly paying them any attention.

Suddenly Kalisa was struck with a thought. "What about the people who go run the Maze?"

Newt briefly paused before playing it off and taking a sip from the disgusting drink. "What about 'em?"

"Well what job is that?" She asked curiously. The boys were very secretive about the Maze and the people who went into it.

Newt thought for a minute before answering, "We call 'em Runners."

Kalisa didn't know much, but she knew she wasn't an idiot. She noticed the way Newt's eyes sparked fear whenever she mentioned the Maze. The way his right leg slightly dragged behind him as if it was injured. He had been out there before.

"Runners aren't like the rest of us. They're special. You have to be the best of the best to even be considered for the job." Newt explained digging his golden brown eyes into her.

"Don't worry, I have no interest in going out there." Kalisa smiled and at once Newt relaxed.

"Good, because that would be a bloody death sentence. Now lets talk about something else," Newt said.

"Like what?" Kalisa questioned.

He shrugged, "I don't know, you had plenty to say before,"

Kalisa thought for a minute before asking, "What does shuck mean?"

Newt laughed, "Well what do you think it means?"

"Fuck?" Kalisa narrowed her eyes in thought.

"Right," Newt nodded humorously.

    "So why'd you make up a new word? Why don't you just say fuck?" Kalisa asked almost laughing at Newt's expression.

    "Because we felt like it, thats all there is to it Greenie," Newt groaned and rolled his eyes.

    The two eventually fell into a comfortable silence. Gladers still loudly partied, letting out the occasional whoop or cheer. The fire covered the farmland in a comforting warmth, like a nice blanket fresh from the dryer had been laid on top of them.

    In the dark night the walls looked less intimidating. Almost invisible. And for a minute Kalisa almost forgot where she was. Everything felt normal. Jovial.

    Most of the boys she had met so far were kind, the food was good, and the stars above were beautiful.

    In fact, if it weren't for the fact they were surrounded by a deadly Maze with no memories, life would be pretty sufficient.

Let me know what you thought of this chapter! What job do you think Kalisa is going to get?

I hope everyone had a good holiday, and as always thank you for reading! I'll see you tomorrow for Saturday's update!

12/29/23

2,265 words