Alrighty. Im back. It's been a while, no?
I realize it's been almost like four months...you don't have to rub it in.
I know, I get it, I'm a butt.
Im sorry for the wait. And also this chapter is a bit shorted than I would have liked, but hey? At least it's another chapter for ya! It's also a build up.
So please enjoy and I know I don't deserve any, but reviews are nice.
All the girls were clumped up at the south entrance of the maze. Most of them even had weapons - wooden spears, large flashlights, and small knifes. It wasn't anything extraordinary but I was positive it would help a lot in the long run. Much better than being completely unarmed agasinst those Grievers that were sure to be wherever this exit was located.
The sun just dipped above the Maze's walls. Dew on the grass has been long gone by the steps of rushing girls packing for the trip ahead. I could tell the backpacks were stuffed, but my back was empty except for my long sleeve shirt.
I pushed my way to the front, not that I was the fastest, but because I felt more comfortable with people I actually liked. Harriet was up at the front, and we seemed to click. So was Miyoko because I guessed she was leading the way, being head of running the maze and all.
I looked up at the mountainous walls. They towered above all of us. It was almost as if they were mocking me; being tall, trapping us all inside. A thought that raced in my mind said putting us all in here was all for some reason.
What that reason was, I have no idea.
Harriet proudly looked around. It was as if she was happy to finally get out of this trap, but leaving everything behind clearly felt odd. She lightly elbowed Miyoko and she raised her eyebrows in reply. It only took a simple look from those two that sent us all running.
And let me tell you, we ran and we ran.
It felt way hotter than usual for me. Possibly because I haven't normally ran like this. The walls were huge, too, and it made me feel even more trapped. I said it before, but I'll say it again. Like, I mean they were ginormous. And thick ivy covered most of it, as well. Even if I didn't have much of a memory, I knew that something like this doesn't just happen in nature. It's too complex.
Miyoko seemed to have the path memorized. Which in the end was a good thing because no one wanted to get lost. Especially when the maze is like 50x larger than usual and you aren't looking at it from above with a crayon in your hand.
Left. Left. Right. Long straight. Right, than quick left. It just seemed to continue forever.
Eventually we did take a break sometime halfway through the jog. A few water bottles were split among the girls, a couple apples. I slouched down the wall next to the leader.
"How you holding up?" I asked in between two small sips of water.
She chuckled. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? Considering your the new girl here?" replied Harriet. She unzipped her backpack and handed me an apple.
I bit into the red goodness before answering. I'd say it melted in my mouth, but that's a little odd. The apple more or less seemed to squirt pleaser to my taste buds. "I could be better," I started, "but I also could be worse."
"I feel ya there, Sonya," she said. I heard her give a defeated sigh afterwards.
"How does it feel to see the home you built just get...destroyed...and to leave it behind?"
"This place was never my home, never will be; I'm just glad we're leaving." She bit into the apple in her hand and chewed slowly. Her thoughts were clearly filled and her mind was racing.
I stared off into the distance. "Do you ever think about the people you lost?"
"All the time. It's always, what could I have done better?" Harriet replied. "Where did I go wrong?"
"And your family? ...do you ever wonder about the people who put us here?"
She tensed up. The finished apple and remaining apple core was tossed on the floor. I watched, craning my neck, to see Harriet stand up.
"That's enough questions for now," she answered. "Alright, let's keep moving!" Her order echoed through the gasp, empty halls.
I quickly finished my apple and stood up.
But we got right back to it. No one wanted to continue - I could tell by the looks on their faces - because of the dreaded inevitable future. Yet, everyone wanted to keep going at the same time because of that burning sensation of finally escaping this hurtful place.
And I've only been here for a few days, so imagine how long Miyoko's had in this Maze to memorize it all.
It's weird, though. Everything about my life has crazy written all over it. But I'm not asleep, and this isnt some nightmare. It's just, everyone is so mysterious and runs away without saying anything. Why? I know I have done it a few times, but that's just because I get the sudden earge to leave.
Leave...and now we are. Hopefully. I mean, who even knows if this will lead us out.
Time faded and blended together. I just couldn't remember it anymore - not like that was new. My legs were aching and begging for a waterfilled break. That was when Miyoko stopped, putting her hand out and a finger to her lips.
"Shh," she whispered.
The rest of the group skidded to a stop, as well. Most of them bent down on their knees, begging for air. Some leaned on the ivy covered wall. But as silence fell, I heard the noises. And I'm sure everyone else did, too.
"What's the hold up-" Harriet started before cutting herself off. It looked like all emotion drained from her face. "Not again..." she murmured.
Clicks and whirls filled the corridor in front of us. We were at a T, and so I heard we needed to get to the bottom of the hallways. As in, we were up at the far left and needed to turn right then run straight into whatever was waiting for us to leave.
"They're just...waiting," Miyoko said. "For us, I suppose."
"How many?" Aris called out.
Miyoko peeked her head out again. "Over a dozen," she answered.
"Will someone please explain to me what's happening?" I whisper-yelled.
Harriet shushed me, then realized I was left with no information. "There's a crap ton of those dreaded Grievers out there, Sonya. They are blubbery and full of spikes and will stop at nothing until you are either dead or stung. Don't let that happen, you hear?"
I could only nod. Honestly, it was a lot of information thrown at me at once at a very difficult time to take it all in. Considering last time Grievers were near me, I blacked out and one of us was ripped away into darkness, screaming for help.
"Do we have a plan?" Rachel spoke up.
"Yeah, we do," Miyoko answered. "Me and Harriet are going to jump down the hole and take us out of there. You guys need to buy us some time with these Grievers, okay?"
"And me?" I asked, considering I didn't have a weapon. "What do I-"
I was cut off as more noises filled the air. Apparently, the Creators didn't quite want us to wait much longer. I spun around just to see three more ugly things coming our way. And they were nasty in it'd purest form. The girls then whipped their head the other direction, where three more Grievers stood.
I watched Rachel swing her hair in a ponytail before jumping out in front. She raised her arm full of a small knife and ran forward to the blubbery messes. The others followed.
I was still in shock. This...this was too much for me.
Thoughts blurred in and out of my mind. I was trying to think of a way not to die, but came up short.
Harriet grabbed my wrist and looked me in the eyes. Her expression was stern, but her eyes were hopeful. "You poor lost soul, come with Miyoko and I."
And then she dragged me right to the Grievers.