Fire

The whip cracked. Someone screamed in agony. It was time to wake up. There was no way of knowing when the Keepers would come into the barn to rouse their Thralls, it changed daily. 

"Up!" 

This was the only warning any stragglers would get. After this shout, any one still sleeping was dead.    Death was as common as life. No one gave death a second thought in this place. Two laid still and lifeless that morning. Their naked bodies were dragged away, never to be seen again. None of the Thralls knew what happened to their bodies after they died. None of them really cared. 

Before work was the first mandatory meal. Meals were mandatory as too many Thralls starved themselves to death in attempt to end their suffering. Keepers called these "meals" in an attempt at humor. "Meals" were only accelerated IV drips of basic nutrients, that were injected into the weak bodies of Thralls. This injection system also came about due to self starvation. Thralls lined up, and each got their injections from three stations. Injections were monitored and administered by Keepers in white lab coats and masks. These White Keepers tracked vitals and nutrition intake of each Thrall. It was important that no single Thrall became to weak to work, nor to strong to revolt. Some Thralls were refused their first meal for fear of them becoming to strong. They didn't react, they forgot how to. Thralls merely drifted out of the building, with their eyes downcast. 

After first meal, Thralls gathered and waited for the trucks. Trucks took them from their facility to the work site. This was the one time and place where Thralls were not under close supervision. Only towers with armed guards watched them from a distance, unable to hear any conversation. However no conversations ever took place. Thralls were empty beings. They didn't have any thoughts anymore. Most of them didn't have words either.    

But there was one.

One of them spoke. He didn't lift his head. He hardly opened his mouth. Others could barely hear him.                              

"I'm leaving this place."

A few others slowly looked up. 

"I refuse to let them kill me" 

The speaker wanted to sound hopeful. Maybe even strong. But it had been so long since he had felt either of those things, he didn't come close to accomplishing his goals. He mumbled his words. The group remained silent. They really didn't care. These were the ravings of another one who's gone insane.      

"How?" 

Came another voice from the crowd.                                                                                                                            The two them looked at each other. They saw something in each others eyes.       

Fire.