INNOVATION - CHAPTER NINETEEN

⚘ SHATTERED GLASS ⚘

A dead Griever. That was what Minho had found. Something had killed the monster, and it hadn't been them. Or had it? Maybe the Griever just dropped dead on its own account, though as Kalisa recalled its mechanical build she doubted the possibility.

Now the question was, what did this mean for the Gladers?

"Ain't a good time for jokes." Alby muttered, looking peeved.

"Look, I wouldn't believe me if I were you either. But trust me, I did. A big, fat, nasty one." Minho said, eyes wide with excitement.

"You found a dead Griever?" Alby tried, still sounding like he didn't believe him.

"Yes Alby," Minho grunted. "A couple miles from here, near the Cliff."

Alby opened his mouth, failed to speak, and tried again. "Well- why didn't you bring it back with you?"

Minho laughed, "You've been drinking Gally's saucy sauce? Those things must weigh half a ton. And I wouldn't touch one if it gave me a free trip out of this place."

"What did it look like? Were there metal spikes on its body? Did it move at all?" Alby started firing questions rapidly, causing Minho to groan.

"Slim it man. You gotta see it for yourself, it's... weird. Anyways, I'm exhausted, starving, and sun-sick, so if you really wanna run out there a haul it back, we better leave now before the Walls close."

Alby looked at his watch and sighed. "Better wait for tomorrow."

"Smartest thing you've said in a week." Minho patted Alby on the arm, "I should probably get back out there but screw it. I gonna go eat some of Frypans nasty casserole." Minho called over his shoulder as he started off for the Homestead.

"You better go with him, he looks like he's gonna collapse at the blow of a wind." Alby said to her, though his eyes were fixated on Thomas. Kalisa could tell there was about to be an argument between the two, and she did not want to be caught in the middle.

Kalisa nodded a goodbye to Thomas before running after the Runner. When she caught up he sent her a curious look, "Miss me already?"

"Yeah, you wish." Kalisa scoffed, looking over her shoulder to see the newbie and Alby having a heated discussion. "Just looking for some peace and quiet."

"He doesn't shut up, does he?" Minho shook his head while he looked at Thomas.

"Only when he's eating." Kalisa let out a breathy laugh. "He's not too bad though. Kinda reminds me of myself."

"Woah, you better not let Newt hear you talk like that." Minho joked, looking annoyingly smug.

"Would you stop that?" Kalisa glared, ignoring the butterflies that had begun to form at the thought of the blonde boy.

"Whatever, you'll accept it at some point." Minho grinned. "Look! There he is now!" He pointed up ahead to Newt, who was limping towards them hastily.

Kalisa remembered earlier in the day when Newt had asked her to find him after work. The butterflies returned.

When he reached them Minho went to open his mouth, but Newt beat him to it. "Minho, why are you back so early?" Minho went to respond but was cut off, "Never mind,  we need you in the Gathering room, immedently."

At this Minho's face fell, "Gathering room? Why?"

Newt looked at her for a moment, as if debating something internally. Eventually he responded, "It's Ben. He's alive."

Kalisa felt faint. She had seen him die. She had watched numbly as the arrow lodged itself in Bens face. She had watched as he fell to the ground, still and unmoving. She had watched the life drain from his eyes. He was dead, she had just begun to accept that.

And now he wasn't?

"Alive, what do you mean alive?" Minho turned deadly serious in a matter of seconds.

"I mean he's breathin' and talkin'. Do you know where Alby is?" Newt looked stressed, Kalisa knew this had to be hard for him. Ben was his friend.

"I'll go grab him." Minho nodded. "Damn it, I really wanted some food."

Then it was just Newt and Kalisa. She didn't know what to say, there were too many emotions flying across her mind, too many worries and fears.

    "I better head off too," Newt spoke eventually.

    As he turned in the direction of the Homestead, Kalisa found herself calling out, "Newt," He turned, brows creased to concern. "It'll be okay."

    It didn't sound as comforting as she might of hoped, but it was the best she could muster. And it seemed to be enough for Newt because his face softened and he gave a slow nod, looking back several times before continuing on his way.

༻✧༺

    The time passed slowly as Kalisa waited for news about Ben. It wasn't a secret that the boy had lived, and within minutes of the Gathering commencing, the Glade had set abuzz with gossip.

    When the Runners had finally returned from the Maze, Alby and the other Keepers exited the Homestead, solem faces present on each.

    "Listen up you shanks!" Alby called. The surronding Gladers fell silent, breaths held with anticipation.

    "After our Gathering, the Keepers have come to a decision." He paused, momentarily overcome with emotion, yet refusing to let it show. "Tonight Ben will be Banished. Everyone is required to be there, understand?"

    Kalisa had heard of a Banishing before, but wasn't fully aware of what it entailed. Though based on the horrified reactions from the boys around her, she could tell that it wasn't good.

"What does that even mean?" Kalisa turned and asked Frypan, who happened to be next to her.

The boy just shook his head, eyes filled with guilt and sadness. "It's horrible, worst way to die in my opinion. Basically at sundown we all gather at the Maze entrance and force the convicted boy in, just as the doors are shutting."

Tyler frowned on the other side of the Keeper, looking off towards the Slammer pitifully. "No one survives a night in the Maze."

It was the most gruesome thing Kalisa had ever heard of. Death by arrow you would at least know it's coming. Death in the Maze could strike at any given moment, without warning, and without mercy. You were dead the minute the doors shut.

Kalisa swallowed, trying to wet her dry throat. "There's really no other way to save him?"

"Nah. He's already done for, that wound from the arrow didn't kill him, but he's lost a lot of blood, or so I heard. Normally we don't have a ton of Banishing's, but first Nick... and now Ben..." Tyler trailed off.

"I agree, the Grievers are being more violent than usual. But why?" Fry sighed sounding deeply bothered.

    "Everything is going to change." Kalisa recalled. "Thats what the other girl said. She was right."

    "Yeah, I guess she was. And I have a feeling this is all far from over." Tyler turned away from the group of three, stalking off to the kitchens to start on Ben's final meal.

༻✧༺

    No less than an hour later dinner was served. Nobody ate, too sick with emotion to even look at the mashed potato's and pork.

Kalisa had sat at a table with Chuck and Thomas, Newt was busy making arrangements with Alby, and Kalisa didn't feel like joining in with Henry and Winston.

Chuck seemed fine at least, talking animatedly about his idea of a Banishment. Thomas stayed quiet for once, occasionally glancing up from his plate to the walls.

After a painful meal they were dismissed to the North entrance. Kalisa stayed towards the back of the pack along with her dinner friends. The Keepers were lined at the front, each holding a long wooden staff, behind them were the rest of the Gladers, waiting anxiously for Ben's arrival.

Beyond where dirt met stone was the Maze, still as ever yet crackling with energy, as if it knew what was about to commence.

Alby and Newt muttered something to each other, before the former turned to the crowd and shouted, "Bring him out!"

Kalisa almost jumped, but resisted. Instead she watched disprovingly as three muscular boys exited from the side of the Homestead, dragging Ben along as they walked, closer and closer, until finally they stopped at the front of the group, throwing Ben down in the clearing before the Maze.

One of the boys threw a backpack into the stone corridor, most likely filled with minimal supplies, just the things Ben would need. It would barely last him a day- but by then... he would already be gone.

    "Please Minho, you can't do this!" Ben cried, looking more sick than he had before. Purple blood ran from his mouth and stained his dirty white shirt. His eyes were blackened with exhaustion and horror, limbs trembling as if cold.

    Minho didn't respond from his position with the Keepers. Ben began freaking out, "Please someone stop them! Someone help me!" Nobody moved.

    "If we let shanks like you get away with that kind of stuff," Alby spoke up, "We never would have survived this long. Keepers get ready!"

    The boys with the poles stood straighter as there was a low rumble from within the Maze. A gust of wind blew through the Glade, brushing Kalisa's hair back as she watched the large stone doors begin to move.

    "Keepers now!" Alby roared. At once the boys stuck their poles out towards Ben, forcing him closer and closer to the enterance of the Maze.

    Kalisa couldn't stand to watch, yet it was like she was frozen, unable to look away. Ben screamed and cried, thrashing about as he searched for a person that would come to his aid. Anyone.

    Yet the Glade stood still, only watching as Ben inched closer and closer to the Maze, its doors almost halfway closed now. From beside her, Chuck turned away from the scene, briskly walking away and never looking back.

    Kalisa couldn't blame him.

    "Noooooo!" Ben screamed as he was forced fully into the Maze.

    In a violent effort the boy was able to turn his head and face the Gladers one last time. He no longer looked afraid. He was crazed, unwell. Spit flying from his mouth, blood on his face. Ben was inhuman.

    Then the Keepers pulled their poles away, not a second later the doors met, closing Ben away forever.

    Silence.

    Kalisa blinked, surprised to find tears on her cheeks. Why hadn't she run forward? Why hadn't she saved him? Even if he was beyond rescue they at least could have resorted to a less painful and dragged out death. Ben was just a kid, and nobody- especially a kid, deserved to die afraid.

    Slowly, one by one, the Glader began to drift away, moving off to try and forget about what they had just seen.

    Kalisa numbly watched as all the Keepers shared one last look before breaking apart, most headed for the Homestead, but a few went off towards the Deadheads.

    The girl didn't remember leaving the walls, nor did she recall climbing the Homestead stairs seeking sancuary in her room. When she stood before her door she paused, ears perking up at the sound of glass shattering. Her breath caught in her throat and she turned towards the noise, it came from Newts room.

    Kalisa didn't think before opening his door, in doing so revealing Newt knelt beside his desk, face in his hands, shattered vace of tulips before him.

He looked up, angry at first, then relaxed when he saw her. Kalisa frowned and shut his door, coming closer to the blonde boy and crouching beside him, "Careful, you'll cut yourself." She murmured, beginning to scoop the glass up, but being gentle to avoid injury.

Newt stayed silent, just watching her clean the mess. Kalisa didn't ask how it had happened, in fact she didn't talk at all. She didn't need to.

When she had finished, Kalisa picked up the yellow flowers and held them out to Newt. He wiped his eyes and took the bunch, staring at them intently.

"Thank you." He whispered, finally standing up and offering the girl his hand to do the same.

"I'm- I'm really sorry Newt." Kalisa wasn't sure she could make him feel better. She wasn't sure if that was what he wanted to hear right now. But it was the best she could come up with.

"It's nobody's fault except the Creators." Was all he said.

Kalisa was about to leave when Newt stopped her, "Kali wait. Will you stay?"

Kalisa faced him, "Of course I will,"

He looked relieved. Newt set the flowers down on his desk and rubbed his face. After a minute he spoke, "I've only seen three Banishings. Steve, Nick, and now Ben. You would think after that I would've gotten used to it- but it's just so wrong to watch."

He took a breath and continued, clearly needing to tell someone. "And not to mention being a part of it. Holding the pole and just pushing him to his death." He had tears running down his face now, too overcome with guilt and sorrow.

"I'm sorry," Newt apologized, quickly wiping his face, but the tears didn't stop falling.

Kalisa shook her head and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, holding him tightly. Newt burried his head into the crook of her neck, shaking as he muffled his own cries with her skin. His arms wrapped around her waist, holding on as if he couldn't feel anything else. Like he would slip away from reality if he let go.

They stayed there for what felt like hours, never moving, never speaking. Just holding each other until the sun went down and the Grievers came out.

Hope you guys liked this chapter, it might be my favorite so far! School is driving me insane and I'm fighting writters block, but expect more chapters this weekend! Thank you for all the votes and comments, and as always, happy reading!

1/12/24

2346 words