INNOVATION - CHAPTER TEN

⚘ GREENIE DAY ⚘

Something was wrong. Kalisa was standing in a stone corridor alone, and though she hadn't ever been here before, she knew exactly where she was.

    The Maze.

    I shouldn't be here.

    Yet she was. Ivy covered the giant walls around her, up ahead was a fork in the path, there were two options, right or left. Kalisa looked behind her and saw more stone.

    She needed to get out of here. She needed to get back to the Glade.

    Kalisa went right, hoping she would get lucky and magically find her way back. The girl broke into a run, noticing for the first time that the sky was a dark midnight blue.

    Kalisa knew the doors shut at night, but she didn't stop. She could bear to even imagine what would happen if she encountered a Griever.

    I shouldn't be here.

    The girl pushed herself to run faster. Though completely still the Maze felt alive. Like its walls held a pulse, like the ground had a heartbeat.

    Then she heard it.

    A high pitched wail. It sounded like the squeak of metal mixed with a cry of torture. Kalisa paused and listened.

    It was deadly quiet now, save for her heavy breathing, and Kalisa was beginning to think that she just imagined it.

    Then a monstrous roar sounded from behind. Kalisa whirled around to see a Griever towering over her, mouth agape as if it were preparing to take a large bite out of her.

    Kalisa screamed and started running, but she knew she wasn't fast enough. She knew that eventually the Griever would catch her and she would die.

    The monster clicked angrily and began chasing after her, its mechanical parts buzzing with anticipation.

    It had small sharp teeth and a round slimy body, with metallic spider legs and a scorpions tail. From its torso came even more metallic tools such as knives, swords, axes, and even chain saws.

    Kalisa ran harder than she ever had before, only motivated by the thought of living to see tomorrow. There was a clearing up ahead, along with a sharp right turn. Kalisa pushed herself even harder than before, knowing that it was useless.

    She would die here.

    I shouldn't be here.

    Kalisa took the turn and was immediately stopped by a new Griever standing right in front of her.

    It roared and Kalisa fell back from fear. She scooted away from the monster, praying for a miracle, but she didn't get one.

    The Griever raised its tail and Kalisa saw a long needle at the end of it. Then, it lunged and Kalisa woke up.

    The girl sat up from her bed, breathing unevenly. Sweat covered her body and she could feel her heart beating out of her chest.

It was just a dream. But it felt so real.

Suddenly her door flew open to reveal Newt looking rather winded. His eye brows were creased to concern and his stature held a stiffness that gave Kalisa the impression he was prepared to fight.

"Are you okay?" He asked after doing a quick scan of the room.

Kalisa was momentarily stunned by the question and just stared at the boy. The dream was fresh in her mind, the roar of the Grievers... its stinger... It was horrifying.

After she didn't respond for a minute Newt said, "I heard screaming."

"I'm fine," Kalisa said hoarsely.

Newt frowned looking unconvinced, "Are you sure?"

Kalisa fiddled with her quilt and nodded slowly, still thinking of the nightmare. "I'm okay Newt."

"You're shaking," Newt pointed out, then wincing when he realized he was being rather pushy.

Kalisa looked down at her hands to see that she was in fact trembling. She gripped the blanket tighter and forced a smile, "It was just a dream."

Newt hesitated, mouth open. He looked as though he wished to say something, but wasn't sure how to. Finally he said, "Can I sit?"

Kalisa shrugged and tucked her knees into her chest, making room for the boy at the end of the bed. Newt lowered himself to sit a few feet away from the girl, but close enough so that they could feel each others body heat.

The boys brown eyes searched over the girl. "I have nightmares sometimes too. About the Maze,"

"-How'd you know it was about the Maze?" Kalisa questioned.

"Just a feeling I guess." Newt paused staring at the hole in the ceiling that revealed the early morning sky. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Kalisa pursed her lips and flickered her gaze from the floor to Newt. He was sitting comfortably on the bed, his back resting on the wall. He was relaxed, looking calmly at Kalisa, patently waiting for her to speak.

Surprisingly the girl felt at ease with his presence. Normally she would prefer to be alone to ponder on her thoughts, but here was Newt, sitting with an open ear.

Kalisa always had a problem trusting the boys in the Glade, but right now she really just needed a friend.

"It was the Grievers. They- they were coming for me." Kalisa started.

Newt nodded for her to continue, "It's stupid to be so afraid of something that I've only seen once, but I can't help it."

"It's not stupid. You think you're the first Glader to fear those bloody shucks? Its understandable. You're allowed to be afraid." Newt said. In this early light his hair looked golden. His eyes were like deep pools of amber, staring deeply at Kalisa like she had caught his attention on a fishing rod.

"You say you get nightmares. What are yours about?" Kalisa didn't know why she asked, but she couldn't deny that she had been curious. Newt seemed so in control, it was almost ludicrous that something could scare him.

Newt shifted on the bed so that he was now staring straight ahead at the wooden wall. "A bit like yours. Even though I've been here for much longer than most, the Maze still scares the bloody hell out of me." He looked at Kalisa who was deep in thought, staring off into space.

She was so clueless to the horrors within. She had no idea. She was living in a peaceful paradise of bliss compared to the truth. Newt couldn't bear to ruin her with his burdens. If the beautiful girl before him knew why he was so afraid...

Kalisa was too pure for the Glade, and Newt certainly wasn't going to ruin her.

Instead he took her hand that fiddled with a stray string on her blanket, and gave it a comforting squeeze.

Kalisa looked up at Newt with surprise on her face. For a minute she wanted to pull away. For a moment mistrust stirred in her mind. But then she relaxed to his warm touch, nightmare temporarily forgotten.

And they sat like that for a while. Together. The rest of the Glade unimportant as they watched the sun poke out from over the walls and the orange fading to a crystal blue, both reaching for a feeling they couldn't quite describe.

༻✧༺

The next time Kalisa awoke was a few hours later. The girl grogily rubbed her eyes, feeling much more refreshed than she had before.

    To her upmost surprise Newt still lay next to her, breathing softly as he slept. Kalisa blushed as she realized she had fallen asleep holding his hand and quickly let go, trying not to wake the boy while doing so.

    He looked peaceful while he slept, less burdened. His smooth face was relaxed and his chest rose and fell in even patterns. It was mesmerizing and Kalisa found herself having a hard time looking away.

    It had to be around mid afternoon now, Kalisa noticed. For a moment she was worried she was late to her job, then she remembered what day it was.

    Today marked her one month anniversary of arriving at the Glade.

    It had been one month since she opened her eyes for the first time. One month since she first stepped foot into the grassy terrain. One month since she started this horrible adventure.

    Today marked a new day, one where a new child would be sent up to experience the trauma, just as they all had.

    Last night she had heard some boys debating whether the new Greenie would be a boy or a girl. Since she had arrived everyone had been a boy. But with Kalisa in the picture who knew what could happen.

    Kalisa couldn't deny that she hoped it would be a girl. She remembered how overwhelmed she had felt with all the jeering her first day, and now she could help.

    However Kalisa felt dejected that someone else would be forced through this. It wasn't fair, and who knows how long it will continue to happen. Kalisa might be watching Greenie's arrive for years to come.

    She really hoped that wouldn't be the case.

    Kalisa stood from the bed and exited the room, leaving Newt's peaceful form behind. No matter what happened today Kalisa needed to protect this new Glader. Boy or girl it didn't matter.

    As she arrived downstairs in the Homestead Kalisa noticed a few Gladers socializing, though in compare to other days they seemed more subdued. The atmosphere was thick with nervousness and thought, it was overbearing.

    Kalisa quickly exited the room, instead finding tranquility in the fresh air outside.

    "Greenie! You excited to be promoted?" Kalisa turned to see Tyler walking towards her with Frypan.

    "I guess," Kalisa shrugged.

    "Me and Fry have been talking, and we officially think its gonna be a girl." Tyler informed her seriously.

    "I mean it's gotta be, why would the creators only send up one girl? There's more mark my words," Fry nodded with wide eyes.

    Kalisa was about to say something in agreement, but instead she said, "What if there's no more?" The question came so suddenly that Kalisa didn't even process that it had come from her lips.

    Fry and Tyler looked at each other weirdly. "What?"

    "I just meant- I mean they have to stop sending kids up eventually right?" Kalisa tried regretting she had said anything at all. "Forget it, I bet it'll be a boy." She laughed it off and luckily the boys followed along.

    But as she talked with Frypan and Tyler a new thought had been planted in her mind. There were only so many kids in the world, and whoever sent them here would run out at some point, so then what? What happens when there's no more variables to add to this fucked... shucked up equation?

    Kalisa tried to forget it, but she couldn't help but feel as though something bad was coming, and when it came, destruction would follow.

"When does the box come up?" Kalisa questioned after Frypan finished his story about how one of the Track Hoes had tried to steal his sacred chocolate chips.

Tyler glanced at the sky as if it told time. "I would guess in about an hour, we should probably go prepare, Greenie Day is a lot of work."

"At least we have the bon fire tomorrow!" Fry cheered causing a small smile to crack on Kalisa's face.

"I'll see you guys later then," The girl nodded and watched the Cooks head off for the kitchen.

Alone once more Kalisa glanced around. Most boys were relaxing in the feilds or playing a round of Glader Ball since everyone had the day off. Everyone except the Runners that is.

Kalisa watched the game happening in the distance fondly. At first the Glade and its inhabitants were frightening, but now they felt like home. Whatever home had been to her before must have felt like this, only stronger.

How could you be homesick for something you don't remember?

This was all Kalisa had now. The Glade and its cloaking sunrise. It wasn't enough.

Kalisa leaned against the Homestead, eye's still on the game but her mind elsewhere.

The dream she'd been having before Newt came in, sent chills down her spine. The boy had comforted her in the moment, but as she glanced at the tall walls surronding them, the stress and worry came flooding back. If she ever found herself out there she didn't know what she would do. How she would protect herself and get out unscathed.

I shouldn't be here.

That was all she could think of. The words seemed simple enough to understand but Kalisa couldn't help to wonder if there was a seperate meaning.

"Oi Greenie!" Kalisa saw Winston waving her over from the Blood House.

"You know I'm not the Greenie anymore," Kalisa frowned.

Winston looked around, "I don't see anyother Greenies around yet. Anyways could you help me sharpen some knives, Henry's hiding from his job."

For a moment Kalisa was peeved that she had work to do on a day off, but then she decided to be grateful for the task. The work would calm her, and Kalisa needed all the calming she could get.

༻✧༺

Exactly one hour after listening to metal on metal while attempting to hold small talk with Winston, Kalisa heard an aggravating sound.

"That'll be the alarm." Winston set his knife down and started for the door. "C'mon Greenie, you don't wanna miss this trust me."

Kalisa followed after Winston, relieved to finally be outdoors again. "The alarm is for the new Greenie?"

"Yep," Winston nodded. "It goes off 30 minutes in advanced, just to grab out attention while the box continues on up."

Kalisa stayed quiet, noticing a large cluster of boys standing around the Box Hole. Most of them were chatting with excitment, but the girl saw Alby and Newt looking on edge.

As Kalisa joined the group of boys she caught bits of their conversations. "I hope its another girl, a nicer one maybe."

"Good that," Another boy said causing Kalisa to roll her eyes and focus back in on the box.

Only 30 more minutes until they would know. It was exciting and rotten at the same time.

Time passed slowly, and soon the chatter died down to agonizing silence. Was it always like this? So forlone and dreary?

It had to be around 4ish. Soon they would be served dinner and head off to bed for a long day of work the next day. The Runners would be returning in an hour marking true nightfall, the doors would shut with a boom, and the Glade would continue on as normal.

Only they would have a completely new Glader expiriencing it all for the first time.

Just when it seemed endless the sound of creaking gears and squealing metal could be heard as the Box came into view. Kalisa stood on her toes to peer over a boys shoulder.

The Box came to an abrupt stop and the Glade was plunged into silence once more.

After a moment Newt and Gally stepped forward, each grabbing a side of the metal caging and lifting it to fully reveal the Box.

Kalisa felt so wrong watching as it slowly opened. She had been on the other side just weeks ago, staring up at the blue sky, fear and confusion the only emotion in her body.

Newt and Gally peered down into the Box and shared a look. Kalisa was so far away she couldn't tell what was down there, it made her itch with anticipation as Newt jumped down to greet the new Glader.

The boys around her shoved, trying to get close to the front for even a slight peek at who was below. Some boys were sucesful and let out loud gasps or hollow laughs.

Kalisa finally found her way to the front of the drop and gazed down, instantly feeling sick once she did.

In the Box, Newt was crouched in the corner next to a shaking little boy. He had curly brown hair and a chubby face, that was currently stained with tears. He had wrapped his small arms around his short legs to try and make himself seem protected as he shook like a leaf. He couldn't have been older than 13.

Kalisa could only stare in horror as the boys around her pointed and laughed.

"A true Slopper, through and through!"

"Shuck, I really thought it would be a girl,"

Only Newt and Alby remained controlled, both looking at the other cluelessly while the boy continued crying. How were they supposed to handle this? The Creators had never sent up such a young child before.

Newt looked up at the faces above, meeting Kalisa's eyes. The girl frowned and shook her head repulsevly as the boys continued their taunting.

"Slim it!" Alby shouted and at once the boys were quiet.

Newt turned to the boy, trying to be as gentle as possible. "There's no need to be afraid. My name's Newt, and you're safe now. How about you come on up with me and we can answer some of your questions."

But the boy just continued on crying.

Newt looked up to Alby hoplessly.

"Get him out here," The leader ordered.

"He won't even look at me," Newt said back with frustration.

Gally suddenly jumped down into the Box, shaking it as he did so. "Listen up Greenie, you can either stay in here forever and starve, or you can get your ass up, whats it gonna be?" He grabbed the boy by the arms and gave him a shake.

The boy only cried harder.

"Stop it!" Kalisa cried out, unable to continue watching. Gally stepped away from the boy and faced her. "Stay in your place Slinthead."

Kalisa shoved further past the boys and jumped down into the box. "Don't touch him." She said dangerously low.

"Look at him! What are we supposed-"

"You can leave." Kalisa said flatly. "All of you," She yelled louder. "I've got him," Her gaze softened as she looked back to the boy who had allowed his eyes to look up from his knees to the new voice.

It was quiet for a second until Alby finally said, "She's right. All of you get back to work, dinner will be ready in an hour."

"But!-" Gally started. "Get. to. work." Alby seethed through clenched teeth.

One by one the boys disappeared from the edge of the box, until there were only a few stragglers. Gally turned to the darkhaired girl, anger very clear on his face. "You better watch yourself."

"Get out of here Gally," Newt glared stepping in front of Kalisa. Finally Gally pulled himself out of the Box, leaving Kalisa, Newt, and the new Greenie.

"You sure you've got this?" Newt questioned softly so the boy wouldn't hear.

Kalisa looked to the boy once more and saw herself. She knew exactly how he must feel, hopeless and unsure, surronded by strange things and unfamiliar faces. She knew exactly what it was like, not remembering, no answers, despair paralyzing her.

"Yeah, I'm sure."

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I just git oht of surgery and cant feel my face or walk straight so if there are any grammar errors just ignore them please! Girl math is schedualing my appointment the day before school starts so I get an extra week off, anyways happy reading!

1/3/24

3219 words (damn)