ouhhh a partial Brodie-centric chapter the first little bit is all about our favorite redhead so get ready folks bc this is probably the last one centered around Brodie that we're gonna see in this lifetime oh

"We should set up camp for the night."

Merlin's eyes never left the dirt trail. "We can't waste any time."

Sara turned her head to glare at him. "Merlin, we're all about to pass out. I can see your legs shaking."

Merlin breathed out heavily and nodded. "Fine." His eyes then flashed a familiar gold color as he stared ahead, then faded back to blue and he began walking again.

"What was that all about?" Tegan asked as he leaned closer to Sara's ear, referring to Merlin's seemingly pointless use of magic.

The blonde-haired girl only shrugged in response. "Who the hell knows?"

But, despite her angry façade, she was actually surprised that Merlin had listened to her. She'd figured out all his quirks after a while, and she knew that there was a very small number of people that he would listen to. Amber, of course, Will, Morgana, Gaius, and Brodie. And Freya, but, well...

Not even the knights had much of an effect on the warlock. Not even Gwaine, who, from what she'd heard, used to be one of Merlin's greatest and most trusted friends.

But she was not on the list. She used to be, back in modern times, but once they'd come to Camelot, he'd distanced himself from her. Now that she came to think of it, he'd distanced himself from everyone. Even the people on his trustworthy-list.

She cast a sideways glance at Brodie, who was staring at the ground as he walked. She couldn't call herself observant, but she knew something was wrong with him. And since talking to Merlin about it wasn't an option, she went to the next-best-thing later that night after they'd set up camp.

"Come to figure out what's up with Brodie?"

The sudden question made her jump, and she was about to ask how he knew when he continued, "You've been staring at him all night. Careful, though, you might get worry lines."

She sighed, sitting next to him on the fallen tree. "I figured you might know."

Percival shrugged. "He's a kid. Youngest out of all of your moderns, I'd assume. He just came out of a battle where if you stabbed a person they'd stand back up. He's probably in shock."

Sara nodded, it did make sense. "He skipped a grade. Plus he was enrolled in school a year early, so he's actually two years younger than us. He's only fourteen, I'm surprised he's doing as well as he is. Kid's a genius, though. He doesn't have many friends."

"Hmm, you seem to know a lot about him," Percival observed.

Sara shrugged. "I've known him all my life. I never particularly disliked him, but I don't think he's ever particularly liked me. Not sure why."

Percival narrowed his eyes at the redheaded boy. "He doesn't seem to trust very easily."

Sara shrugged. "He trusts Amber. And Merlin, Morgana. That small group of the four of them, they're the closest out of all of us."

"You're wrong. He doesn't trust any of them."

Sara raised an eyebrow at the knight, who began to explain. "He doesn't trust them, not yet. He considers them friends, close friends, but he doesn't trust them. I wouldn't doubt that he'd jump in front of a bullet for them, for any of us, but he does not trust them."

"What-"

"Name one person you know that he fully trusts." Sara racked her brain for an answer other than the three she'd named prior, but she couldn't think of one. Percival raised an eyebrow at her before turning her attention back to Brodie. "Trust issues. More than I've ever seen. I don't think there's one person on earth that boy trusts fully." His next words came out as a whisper. "Not even himself."

It became more apparent as she watched. She noticed things about Brodie that she never had before, like the way he moved away from people when they stood next to him, or how his eyes always studied people when they spoke to him. The boy was a genius, but perhaps he was too much of a genius. He was wise beyond his years, and his words sounded as if they came from a thousand-year-old man. His mind worked too fast, took in too many possibilities of betrayal that he closed his doors, not allowing in anyone. Amber once joked that he was a robot. She didn't even realize just how deep that name went.

"This is it."

"This is the castle where we were before!"

Merlin shot a glare at Will, who gave the same look back. Amber shoved herself between the two and placed a hand on each of their chests. Merlin grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him, still shooting daggers at Will.

"Should we go in?" Morgana asked when nobody else broke the silence.

"Tegan, do you have any idea what he's going to do when we get in there?" Brodie asked the older boy.

Tegan shrugged. "Nothing that he told me."

Merlin decided to do it fast, like ripping off a bandage. He lurched forward and threw the doors open, and stormed into the massive castle. Immediately he knew something was wrong, because the interior of the castle looked like... A massive maze.

"Michael?!" Merlin called into the castle, his voice echoing off the many walls.

As he looked back toward the group, they all seemed to be hearing something he wasn't. Except Amber, obviously. She was in the shield. He suddenly felt the protective bubble disappear and looked around frantically. Amber noticed it, too, and asked him why he took it away from her. He told her he didn't, then jumped when an all-too-familiar voice entered his mind.

Miss me?

Merlin was raging, he nearly screamed in anger.

Michael? That was Amber's voice. All their thoughts were in each other's minds.

Heya, Michael laughed darkly.

Why have you brought us here?! Merlin demanded.

Why the hell do you think? You're going to die here.

Come out to us, you coward! Amber screamed at Michael, who laughed in response.

Your... Colleagues have already received the instructions. You are to solve the maze in pairs. And, guess what, Arthur Pendragon? You're partner is everyone's favorite warlock!

Amber's hand clutched Merlin's suddenly.

Let's join their conversation, shall we? Michael laughed. Salutations, my friends.

"Michael!" Sara yelled out loud, and everyone else seemed shocked that they really were sharing thoughts.

Quiet, you'll wake the whole planet. Now, class, everyone find a partner.

Nobody looked as if they were going to move, to which Michael responded, do as I say or you'll regret it.

How? Elyan challenged.

A sharp intake of breath from Brodie's direction took everyone's attention, and the boy fell to the ground clutching his head. Amber called his name and dropped to her knees beside him, and Michael laughed inside her thoughts. She helped Brodie to his feet as Michael continued, now do as I say and choose a partner. Except Merlin and Amber. I've already decided that you two will be a pair.

The group simultaneously shifted into groups of two, Sara with Tegan, Morgana with Brodie, Gwen with Elyan, Percival with Gwaine and Leon with Will. Michael then continued, great, now each of the pairs take a different door. There's one for each of you. Go on, I'll be waiting for the winner.

"What do you mean, the winner?!" Amber yelled, and Merlin sushed her. She shot him a glare and he gave her an I'll-explain-later look. She replied with an if-more-of-our-friends-die-because-I-didn't-stop-M ichael-it's-on-your-conscience-not-mine look.

Whoever reaches me first, Michael answered. Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

His last comment sent a chill down Amber's spine; she'd talked about the Hunger Games in an ironic manner with Brodie, then mentioned it when she gave Merlin his spellbook. Had Michael been watching them that whole time? She cast a sideways glance at Brodie, who had the same worried look on his face as she figured she did. And then, the doors were all open, and she reluctantly followed Merlin into the dark corridor ahead.

current death toll: 2/?

-freya

-lance

ok so italics are thoughts in each others minds i think that was clear but idk

so the whole purpose of the maze is mind games like they were all prepared for a battle and they ended up with a maze

basically its just an excuse for me to get out of writing a battle scene

and the last few chapters are basically going to be the reason for my death because you guys are all probably going to riot outside of my house and demand i pay for my wrongs im so sorry

but i'll make up for it in the surprise ;-)))

-notreallymagical