INNOVATION - CHAPTER SIX

⚘ THROUGH THE EYE ⚘

Kalisa dreaded the day ahead of her. Being a Slicer sounded like the worst way to spend her day, but she didn't have much of a choice.

    So after the Maze doors had opened and the sun had risen, Kalisa set off to the Blood-house, only after inhaling a ration of Frypans oatmeal.

    The morning was serene, aside from the distant hammering of metal against wood from the builders. The grass was slightly damp from the morning mist, and the sky shone brightly above, no cloud in sight.

When she reached the wooden shack that ambiance instantly disappeared. The scent of iron and blood overcame her senses nearly causing the girl to yack on the ground.

"You must be Kalisa," A boy stated from behind her. Kalisa turned and saw the same olive skinned boy from the previous night standing before her with several sharp knifes in his hands.

"Winston?" Kalisa questioned.

"Keeper of the Slicers," Winston nodded in confirmation. He gave her a grin and said, "Welcome to the Blood-house, hopefully the blood won't bother you."

Kalisa fought off a negative comment and instead focused on following the boy into the shack. Upon entering she could see racks of knifes, swords, and axes. Up above was a pulley system connecting into a larger blade hanging from the ceiling by a rope. It seemed as if it was ready to come crashing down at any minute.

"That ones for the heads," Winston explained setting the weapons down.

"Cozy," Kalisa muttered trying not to think about animal heads.

Wooden tables were pressed against the sides of the big room with some other tools neatly set on them such as hammers, nails, and screwdrivers.

"Where are the animals?" Kalisa asked dreading the moment one would die.

"We keep 'em in the pens out back." Winston said before facing her, "So this is where we Slicers spend most of our time. We slaughter the bigger animals such as Sheep, Hogs, 'n Cows over there," He pointed to the beheader.

"But the smaller animals such as Turkeys, Chickens, and Pigs are taken care of at the tables." Winston lead her over to one of the wooden tables. "For them we mostly use knifes,"

Winston turned away and began walking to the back of the room where there was another door. He opened it revealing green grass and a cool breeze, instantly calming the rampaging herd of buffalo in Kalisa's stomach.

They were in a large animal pen, with a wooden and wired fence stood up to Kalisa's waist around them. A flimsy wooden shade was put up in the corner of the pen, underneath were three medium sized cows. Chickens and turkeys randomly strutted about, and the pigs, hogs, and sheep all grazed throughout. They seemed peaceful and oblivious to what their future entailed.

"These are our animals. Today Frypan has requested we prepare some turkey for tomorrow's dinner. We select who we will slaughter before hand and make sure to feed 'em extra well. Then we take 'em in there and stab right through the eye, so no blood gets on the meat 'n feathers. Next we skin it, pop out the eyes, and remove the feet so that the cooks can work with it. Simple enough Greenie,"

Kalisa almost fainted.

Unbothered Winston turned back to the Blood-house, "That big brute you see over there is Bark by the way,"

Bark was a big black dog, with drool sliming down his face. His lazy, droopy eyes scanned Kalisa as if searching for a threat. When he found none he laid back down in the grass next to the cows and dozed off.

"You aren't gonna kill the dog right?" Kalisa asked fearfully following Winston back inside.

"Don't be stupid Greenie, do we look like psychopaths to you?" Winston questioned slightly offended.

Kalisa opened her mouth but was cut off by someone else saying, "Don't answer that."

The boy seemed to be 16 years old, with a mop of black hair atop his head. He had piercing blue eyes and a long scar that ran from the length of his eyebrow to his cheek.

He seemed to notice her staring because he said, "I got it on my first day, you're in for a real treat Greenie."

Winston laughed and said, "This is Henry, one of our best Slicers. Henry this is the Girl Greenie, Kalisa."

"Welcome to the Blood-house," Henry greeted sarcastically. Without warning he tossed a red stained apron to the girl nearly causing a heart attack.

She managed to catch it, though her hands were shaking uncontrollably. "You might want to put that on, we have lots of work to do." Winston stated grimly.

༻✧༺

    For the first few hours Kalisa simply watched as Winston cared for the animals. It was simple enough, just feeding the animals lots of food to fatten them up.

    But it was in the fourth hour that Kalisa's fears finally came true.

    "I think we're ready to begin to prepare the turkey," Winston stated after Kalisa had hand fed the pigs.

    She tensed and frowned at the boy, "You're gonna kill it,"

    He nodded, "Yep, shouldn't take long. Come on Greenie, you need to observe." Winston opened the wooden doors and led her inside.

    Kalisa tried to ignore her churning insides and focus on breathing. She didn't want to kill an animal, especially in a way as brutal as this.

    "In a minute Henry will bring the turkey in. Now it'll be fast, most are smart enough to get an idea of whats happening, so it'll most likely try and run for it. For now I'll handle the killing, I just need you to help keep the animal calm. Sound good?" Winston asked as he put on a pair of thick leather gloves.

    A weak nod was all Kalisa could manage.

    "Good. Here, take this." Winston handed the girl a long knife, it was slightly rusted, but clean.

    "I- I thought you said I wouldn't have to kill," Kalisa swallowed.

    "You won't," Winston promised. "This is just a precaution. All Slicers carry around a knife."

    "You ready in there?" Henrys voice called from the outside.

    "It'll be fine Greenie," Winston told her before facing the door. "Open 'er up Henry!" He almost sounded excited.

    At once the wooden doors swung open revealing sunlight and the animals. Most went around grazing as usual, but one turkey was frantically running away from Henry, who was trying to pick her up.

    Kalisa nervously shifted hold on the knife as she watched Winston join in the chase to catch the animal. The turkey let out cries of terror as she ran into the house and through the piles of weapons and blood stained aprons.

    "I got her!" Henry cried making a dive for the turkey, but missing and ending up sprawled out on the floor.

    "Heads up Greenie!" Winston shouted, and to her horror, the turkey began to make a mad dash her way.

    Kalisa backed away from the animal, "What do I do?"

    "Catch it!" Winston called beginning to catch up with the turkey.

    The animal juked him out and jumped up on the wooden table aligning the wall. Kalisa's eyes widened as she realized the turkey was coming straight to her.

    "Get her!" Henry yelled to the girl.

    Kalisa could do nothing but watch as the turkey ran beside her. The shouts from the other Slicers were tuned out as she inhaled shakily, feeling something stir from within.

The blade in her hand felt familiar, like it had when she had attacked Newt. Kalisa didn't remember anything, sure, but she had a feeling that before she had been someone interesting. Someone dangerous.

Like a bolt of lightning, Kalisa had the knife raised above her head before slamming it down onto the running turkey. Straight through the eye.

It was dead in seconds, its body withering and squirming as it gave into the pain.

Kalisa removed her grip on the knife, leaving it where she had stabbed it. The girl backed away, no sound coming from her gaping mouth. She could only stare in horror as she took in what she had done.

Winston ran over and examined the animal, "Holy shit! This is a clean kill, way to go Greenie!" He exclaimed turning to her in excitement.

Kalisa felt as though someone had ripped her throat out. Her hands were numb, her eyes were wide, her mouth was dry. All she could do was stumble away from the animal who was now dead, all thanks to her.

"That was seriously impressive, I've never seen anything like it! Just wait until I tell the Keepers, you're a natural!" Winston laughed removing the blade from the Turkey and wiping the blood onto his apron.

"Winston," Henry spoke up warningly, noticing the girls behavior.

"All I'm saying is that I might have doubted you before, but now I can see that you would make a great Slicer,"

Kalisa didn't stick around to hear the rest of Winstons speech. She bolted from the shack and ran for the forest.

She never stopped, even when Henry yelled after her. She only ran, a blur of color to the rest, but a mess of tears and confusion to herself.

She stumbled over roots and sticks, occasionally gaining a scratch from the prickly thorns. While she ran all she could think of was the way she had killed. She expected it to be different.

Kalisa hated herself for even thinking it but it was almost easy. Like a part of her had become machine.

Whoever she was before all of this had killed before.

Finally Kalisa stopped and fell to her knees in exhaustion. She slumped her body against a tree and hastily wiped the tears from her eyes.

She had sworn not to cry. Not to seem weak.

Kalisa laughed warily at herself, she had barely made it 3 days.

    It felt as though she had been sitting there for only minutes, her mind on replay of what she had done. But soon the sky grew orange and the girl felt her stomach growl in hunger, though the thought of eating one of the animals that had once been in the pen made the girl sick to her stomach.

    She let out a defeated sigh and stood from the ground, removing the bloodstained apron and leaving it behind.

    She walked back silently, only knowing the path by memory. The forest had been a lot bigger than she had expected. Trees practically grew onto of each other, leaves and stones scattered the ground, and there would even be the occasional bug, though it looked more like a robot from the way its red light casted a glow over the ground.

Before she would have stopped to examine it, or question its purpose. But the girl didn't care anymore. All she wanted to do was get back to the Glade and never look at an animal again.

    Eventually she reached the clearing to the Glade. Most of the boys were sitting at some picnic tables, enjoying their dinner, but some sat inside the homestead.

    Kalisa looked around for a familiar face, pausing when she found Newt.

    He was sitting at a table with an unfamiliar Asian boy. He had dark hair that fell on his head perfectly, like he had taken hours to style it yet it still looked natural. He had tan skin and strong muscles, with veins making an appearance whenever he lengthened his elbow.

    Before she could make a move, Newts brown eyes caught hers. He raised his eye brows and waved her over.

    When Kalisa sat down Newt said, "There you are. Nobody's been able to find you,"

    "She was probably hiding from you shuckface," The other boy snorted.

"Ignore him," The blonde glared at the other boy who smirked and took a large bite out of his brisket.

Knowing that the food had once belonged to one of the animals at the blood house made Kalisa's stomach churn.

"How was your day?" Newt asked.

Kalisa shrugged. "I killed a turkey,"

The dark haired boy snorted, "Shuckin' psychos. Slicers are stab happy Greenie, you better hope you don't end up with them."

"This is Minho by the way, he's the Keeper of Runners." Newt introduced causing Kalisa's ears to perk up. While it was terrifying, she couldn't help but be fascinated by the Maze.

"I'm Kalisa," The girl nodded, trying to ignore all the new questions in her head.

"I know. Newt here won't shut up about you," Minho scoffed with a twinkle in his dark eyes.

Newts face went bright red, "W-what! No!" Minho just laughed at the boys flustered face, however Kalisa didn't seem to notice, instead she was distracted by the Maze doors suddenly lurching.

Just like the previous nights they shook the ground, causing everything to follow along in its movements. The doors slowly pushed together, until at last they touched and the Glade was still once more.

"So Greenie, what do you think of our humble home?" Minho spoke up, snapping the girls attention back to the two.

Kalisa shrugged, "Its great, really nice." For some reason it came out sarcastically earning a sharp laugh from Minho.

"It gets better once you get your job. What are you hoping for? No- let me guess, Slopper," Minho snickered.

"Whats a Slopper?" Kalisa questioned, wondering if she should be offended.

"Someone who does our dirty work, like washing dishes and cleaning up Klunk." Newt explained softly.

"Sounds better than a Slicer," Kalisa sighed, remembering the stench of blood.

"Touché," Minho nodded.

    "Don't worry, tomorrow will be better. Your with me as a Track-Hoe." Newt grinned.

    "Oh yeah, way better. I mean what beats rolling around in the dirt all day." Minho snorted, to her surprise Kalisa let out a light laugh.

    Newt slapped the boys arm, "Slim it,"

    Being a Track-Hoe sounded much better than a Slicer. Digging through the dirt and pulling weeds was dull sure, but it was way better than stabbing animals and popping their eyes out.

    It took everything in her not to gag at the memory. One thing was for certain, she would not be touching any meat for a while.

Let me know what you thought of this chapter! Whos your favorite Maze Runner character? I hope everyone is having a great day!

12/30/23

2416 words