New chapter time!

The group didn't really know where they were going. They picked turns at random, clutching at each other's hands.

Strange sounds emitted from the walls as they walked. Out of the corners of their eyes, it almost seemed like they were shifting, but when they looked directly at them, they stayed still. Heads turned constantly as they walked, as if to force them to stay still.

Suddenly, there was the sound of running. Gumi flinched back as a blonde figure suddenly skidded into their path.

"Have you seen my sister?" Kanon looked at them with wide eyes. "Please, I know she's here! Just give me a moment with her, I'm begging you!"

"Leave me alone!" From somewhere in the maze, Anon's voice echoed.

"Anon!" Kanon ran off down one of the hallways.

"Should we … follow her?" Len asked.

"It sounds like a distraction," Meiko said. "Let's keep going." She nodded at Gumi. "Lead the way."

For the first time since starting the maze, a familiar doubt filled Gumi's eyes. "Are you sure?"

Meiko nodded. "Yes. I think it's right that it's you."

"Go on, Gumi," Rin said softly. "We're with you."

Meiko squeezed Gumi's hand. They went on.

Only a few turns in, though, they came face to face with Haku and Neru. They were wearing identical grins, hands entwined as they stared at the group.

"You really think you can beat this?" Haku asked.

"Don't you wish!" Neru mocked. Both women laughed, the sound utterly free of any sort of warmth.

"Ignore them," Luka said gently. "Turn the other way."

Gumi went down the hallway to their left, leaving their cackles behind.

Next came Defoko, running at them, laughing wildly and swinging her knife. Miku screamed, flinching backwards, which only made Defoko laugh harder.

"Run, Run away! I'm gonna getcha!"

"It's not a real hallway," Len observed. "It's a mirror."

Gumi reached out to confirm. Her fingers brushed against glass.

"She can't hurt us," she said. "Let's keep going."

Momo was next. Blood poured from a gaping wound in her head as she held up her hands, beseechingly. "Help … me …"

"We can't," Rin said firmly. "But I'm sorry." They turned a corner, and she vanished.

"I think that's all of them," Gakupo noted. "Maybe we're getting close."

But when they turned a corner, a familiar giggling started up. Gumi, still leading the group, stopped.

"Is that …?" She trailed off as a figure flickered into view in front of them. Long hair flowed down, lace drifted into being, and then Mayu was standing before them with a grin.

"You!" Gakupo shouted hoarsely.

"Why, hello!" She let out a small giggle. "My goodness, haven't you all gotten far. I haven't noticed. I've been very busy, you understand, since my beloved finally returned to me."

"Move," Gumi said, her voice quiet. Mayu didn't seem to hear.

"Oh, yes! Of course, he's still being awfully stubborn, but he always was a quiet one! Silent as the grave, you might say."

Gakupo let out a choked sound as a limp figure with materialized at Mayu's feet. Its limbs were scewed at unnatural angles, but the blue hair on top of its head made it instantly recognizable.

"Kaito …" He groaned, rushing forward, despite Rin trying to hold him back.

"No!" No one had ever heard Gumi shout that loud. Even Mayu looked briefly surprised. "No, you can't keep us!"

She ran forward, as if to tackle the ghost. She disappeared in a puff of smoke, taking the specter of Kaito's corpse with her as she went.

"It was a trick," Meiko said. Gumi seemed not to hear her.

"We're going to keep going, dammit! We're going to find Ia!"

"G-Guys?" Ia's voice sounded, surprisingly close. "Is that you?"

"Ia!" Gumi rushed forward, and the group followed. She turned left, and suddenly, it was over.

The room the maze ended in was small, but seemed impossibly big after the narrow hallways. It seemed to be a young girl's room, with crayon drawings littering the floor. Ia was kneeling on the floor, sniffling and holding a old, worn doll in her hands.

"Ia!"

"Gumi!"

Ia dropped the doll and stood just in time for Gumi to reach her. They embraced clumsily, clinging to each other.

"Gumi, I heard you. You were so brave," Ia said.

"That wasn't brave," Gumi said. "I was so scared, Ia. I just … I just didn't want to lose you."

Ia let out a breathless little laugh. "But you kept going! Even though you were scared. That's what being brave really is."

There was a long pause. "I-I thought I'd never see you again," Gumi said tearfully.

Ia brushed her own tears out of her eyes, looking past the green-haired girl at the group gathered in the room. "You guys did it. You found me."

Miku approached slowly, smiling. "That's what friends are for … Right?"

Ia let out a little sob. "All I've ever wanted were friends. That's why I came here today. That's the only wish I've ever had."

"You don't need a house to give you that," Rin said softly, putting a hand on Miku's shoulder. They approached Ia and Gumi, wrapping their arms around them, and soon everyone was joining in on the hug. Suddenly, the room seemed a little lighter, a little less strange.

At least it did, until a quiet clapping sounded from the corner of the room.

"Good job," the nondescript voice said. And then, out of the shadows stepped a hooded figure.

"You!" Ia gasped. The group hug broke apart as everyone stared. "You're the one who told me about this house."

"Yes," The figure said, raising its hands. A bright red bracelet hung from one wrist. "And there's a reason. This whole game, all of it … Was made for you. Well, one of you. And now … It's time for you to find out the truth."

Slowly, the figure reached up and pulled the hood from his head. It revealed the face of a boy with brown hair and eyes. His features were oddly familiar.

Meiko screamed.

"Meito!"

Meito's lips curved into a humorless smile. "Hello, little sister," he said. "It's time for you to finally be punished."

"Meito," Meiko gasped, eyes wide. "Meito, I don't …"

"It's your fault I'm dead," he said, his eyes cold. "Yours. I had to pay with my life for what you did. Now you have to pay back." He held out his hand. The red bracelet dangled there. "Come with me. This is what you deserve."

"Of course," Meiko said, her voice cracking. She stepped forward.

"Meiko, no!" Gakupo grabbed one hand.

"It's a trap!" Luka said, grabbing the other.

"Your brother wouldn't want this," Rin said quietly.

Meiko shook all of them off, turning around wildly. "Why wouldn't he?" She shrieked. "It's my fault he's dead."

"Tell them what really happened," Meito jeered.

"I was drinking!" Meiko broke, tears streaming down her face. "I was drunk, that's why I crashed, that's why he's dead! I was so stupid!" She turned, resolute. "Now, I have to pay for it."

"Meiko, that isn't your brother!" Ia said, desperately. "It can't be! He would never blame you!"

"Prove it," Meiko said in a dull, almost petulant voice. She took another step towards Meito's open arms.

So, your task: figure out how to prove that Meito isn't real. There is a way! Read carefully.

This is the final victim so be sure to choose carefully! You guys have done so well so far, so don't stop now!

After this, there are only two chapters left. Good luck!

- Jillian Maria