~0~0~
25
"You know; this is nice." Shep said, a smile on his face as he stared at the pond. They were away from the camp, the sun was setting slowly and Shep was sitting next to Aidan.
Aidan looked out at the water as well, smiling. "Yeah. It's such a nice day outside."
Shep smiled. It felt nice and peaceful, like he was right where he belonged. He looked down at his hands, bruised from fighting. One day he hoped he didn't have to fight anymore.
He did now, to protect the people he cared about.
He slid his hand closer to Aidan's, who was still staring at the sun and smiling. He hasn't seen Aidan smile this much before. He was so close to touching Aidan's fingers…
"You know this isn't real, right?" Aidan said, his smile gone, replaced by a frown.
Shep slid his hand away, "What?"
"None of this is real." Aidan repeated, still staring off into the sun, which by now was almost gone.
Then, he heard a loud boom. He turned and saw the camp crawling with Craindre. He heard the screams of his friends. His panic started as he reached for his weapons, but they weren't anywhere near him.
"Aidan, come on, we have to go!" Shep screamed, but when he looked at Aidan, he was staring into the black sky. How did it get so dark all of the sudden?
"Aidan!" Shep yelled, going over to him, dropping to his knees, trying to pick him up, "We have to go help the camp!"
"They're gone Shep. You can't help them." Aidan murmured, closing his eyes.
Shep looked at Aidan, bewildered. Aidan would never say that. Would he? What did he mean?
"Aidan what do you mean?" Shep asked, "We can go save them!"
"This isn't real Shep, I'm sorry." Aidan said, looking apologetic. Shep was confused, he stared at Aidan, before Aidan laid down on the grass and closed his eyes.
"You have to wake up, Shep. Someone needs you." Aidan murmured.
He jolted awake, but the pain in his leg immediately made him curse out loud. The nightmare felt real, as if he was really next to Aidan.
But Aidan was not there.
It was dark outside, and the smell of smoke burned Shep's nose.
"You're finally awake." Eve said, sitting around a fire. She looked horrible, her arm scratched and bruising on her hands.
"God… what happened?" Shep asked, his stomach rumbling before he remembered, "Zara! Is she okay! Where is she?"
Eve frowned, "Zara died, Shep. She was eaten."
Shep looked down at the ground, "I didn't save her…"
Eve sighed, "When Percy left you on the ground, I went back to find the Craindre. I hoped maybe I could find Zara but… it was already too late."
"You went back to the Craindre?" Shep asked, while he looked at his leg. It definitely wasn't in good condition - it must have broken something when Percy kicked him.
Eve nodded. "It's how I got the scratch. I'm okay; it'll heal."
Shep nodded, before he noticed something roasting on the fire. It looked like meat, but not cow meat or chicken.
"Is that…" Shep asked, and he didn't want to finish the sentence. Eve just grimaced and nodded her head.
"Percy took our bag of food, and we need to survive." Eve sighed, "I couldn't leave you behind."
"Bastard," Shep growled. "Give me some of that meat."
"You could say please, you know." Eve joked, walking over and handing him some.
"Sorry Eve, I didn't mean it against you," Shep sighed. "I'm just… angry."
"Me too," Eve agreed, sitting down next to him. "Percy was a jerk. I wanted to beat him up but I couldn't deal with two unconscious people."
"How long was I out?" Shep asked between bites.
"A few hours. You got some rest." Eve shrugged, "You were dreaming about someone."
Shep tilted his head, and Eve chuckled slightly.
"You kept saying Aidan's name in your sleep." Eve said, "Just like, constantly."
"Oh jeez," Shep said, flushing. "That's embarrassing."
Eve simply smiled. "I kind of knew you liked Aidan for a long time. It's pretty obvious. Most of the camp knew."
Shep shook his head and sighed. "The whole camp?"
"Well... maybe not Griffin. Griffin's kinda oblivious when it comes to feelings…" Eve joked.
"Oh yeah, he totally is." Shep laughed.
Eve smiled. "Yes, but it's okay to like someone. I think most of us have at one point."
Shep raised his eyebrow, "You too?"
Eve shrugged. "I mean obviously there are some attractive people in camp, but I've never really liked anyone like that."
"Ooh, who's the hottest in camp, if you had to say one person?" Shep asked, the mood light and airy. He had never really talked to Eve like this, but she was a fun person to be around.
Eve thought for a second before chuckling to herself. "Honestly, to me, probably Aidan."
"Hey!" Shep exclaimed.
"Don't worry, I don't like him like that! He's just physically attractive." Eve laughed.
Shep chuckled. "Yeah, he is." He sighed romantically.
Eve laughed, before yawning. "I should get some rest before the sun comes out. Will you keep watch?"
Shep nodded. "I'll wake you if there is a Craindre. I can't really move to attack it, though."
"Thank you." Eve laid down on the grass, closing her eyes. "Don't move your leg around much. When we find the group, hopefully Simon could help you more."
"Of course, thank you for staying by my side," Shep said. "I would've died if you left with Percy."
Eve smiled, but didn't say anything as her body relaxed. Just like that, the Maze went silent. Shep sighed, leaning his back against the wall.
He hoped to find the group soon. He hoped to see everyone again. He wouldn't let anyone get hurt when he went back to the camp.
He would protect them. He would continue to fight as long as he needed to. Until they were safe.
~0~0~
"Shep!" Aidan yelled, running over to his unconscious form to help him.
Of course Aidan would be the first one to help Shep. Ash had to chuckle to herself at the ridiculousness of everything. Here Eve and Shep were alive and right in front of them.
The group looked at them, bewildered. Percy told them Eve and Shep died, so why were they here right now?
"Are you guys okay?" Lou asked, still a little wary of them.
Eve shrugged. "As good as we can be. No thanks to you, Percy." She turned to glare at him.
Percy was getting bandages from Simon, staring at Eve, but he was not confused. "Glad to see you're alright, Eve."
"Bullshit, you left Shep to die. I had to make sure he survived," Eve spat. "It would have been nice to have been left with food."
"You left Shep to die? Without food?" Slyvien asked, turning to Percy. Percy shrugged in response.
"They were dead weight I couldn't carry. Shep can't walk, and Eve is weak." Percy said, almost as if he was stating a fact. Ash cringed - Percy could be even more brutal than she was.
"Do not call Eve weak," Slyvien spat. "She just saved all of our asses from the Craindre."
"Shep also can't walk because you attacked him!" Eve yelled, "You broke his leg because he tried to save Zara."
Simon moved away from bandaging Percy, to walking over to Shep's unconscious body. Aidan was just staring at Shep, but he scooted over to let Simon work.
"Shep can't save everyone, even if he tried! He was weak and I couldn't take care of him. He was a liability," Percy said as he stood. "But you two survived."
"Percy, we don't leave any of the camp behind…" Lou said, walking over to him.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know that was a rule. I'll make sure to consider it next time." Percy said sarcastically, "Besides, Shep deserved it."
Eve walked over to Percy and slapped him across the face. "The only one who deserves to rot in the maze is you!"
"Eve, leave him alone." Lou said, but her voice wavered slightly. Eve sighed and backed up, crossing her arms
"Even though he deserves it," Griffin muttered.
Percy rolled his eyes. "We should start walking again."
"You are not the leader, Percy." Lou said, sternly. She straightened her back. Leader Lou to the rescue.
"Well, you are putting your emotions before being a good leader," Percy stated. "It's why we keep getting in trouble, because we are trying to save everyone!"
"Shut up, Percy." Griffin said, venom in his voice.
"I'm just saying, Shep was weak. He was hiding an injury in his leg since the moment he came here. He didn't tell anyone - he was a liability waiting to happen," Percy said. "I had to save myself, I couldn't save a brat like him."
Ash didn't even notice that Aidan had stood up and walked over to Percy until he was at least two feet away from him. It was silent, as if everyone was waiting for Aidan to say something.
Percy raised his eyebrow expectantly. "What? Are you going to defend your lover bo-"
Before Percy could even finish that sentence, Aidan threw a punch directly in his face. It was not like the first punch that Aidan threw at Percy - this one was full of rage.
Percy took his good hand and covered his face, but the group could already see the blood dripping from his nose.
Aidan scoffed at Percy, before Lou pulled Aidan away. "Aidan, take a breath and walk away."
And that's what Aidan did. He walked back towards Shep and Simon. Melvin was now next to Shep, and Aidan settled down next to the younger boy.
Percy groaned slightly. "I think my nose is broken."
"Good," Aidan called, glaring at Percy with hatred in his eyes. Ash was more afraid of Aidan at this moment than a Craindre.
Simon looked at Percy. "I'm a little busy with Shep." And that's all he said. No advice to help Percy or anything.
"I'll help Percy…" Addy said quietly.
Percy rolled his eyes but didn't refuse as Addy walked over to him.
"Well, that was lovely," Ash said out loud. To her dismay, no one answered her. How unfortunate. She shrugged slightly and went over to Shep.
"Crowding around Shep isn't going to make this any faster, guys," Simon said, wrapping bandages around Shep's leg. "You did good work, Eve."
"I tried. I didn't have many bandages so I did the best I could with what I had." Eve sighed. "He's so heavy, carrying him all the way here was exhausting. He tried to help by limping, but I knew he was in pain every step."
"Probably why he passed out," Simon said. "All the pain finally crashing in on him."
"Will he be okay?" Melvin asked, frowning slightly.
"He probably won't be able to walk, but other than that, yes, he will live," Simon answered.
"Well I'm not carrying him ever again." Eve crossed her arms, "My arms are sore even thinking about carrying him."
"When he wakes up, I'll take care of him." Aidan said quietly. Simon nodded simply.
"I thought you were on Melvin duty?" Ash asked, smirking and crossing her arms.
Aidan looked up at her with an expression that said everything. He felt as if he needed to take care of Shep.
"Right, gotcha. I'll shut up," Ash sighed, "but hearing my voice is a blessing."
"You make my ears bleed," Slyvien said, walking up to the group.
"Aww darn. Did I hurt your little ears? Do you need me to talk louder, grandma?" Ash joked, then she yelled: "Hearing loss is perfectly normal!"
Slyvien covered his ears. "Now I am really deaf."
"He's waking up," Simon said, which made everyone look at Shep. Well, Aidan was already staring at Shep anyway.
Shep was stirring awake, his eyes opening slowly. He raised his hand up to cover his eyes, squinting. The sun was probably blinding him.
"Am I in heaven?" Shep asked, groaning.
"Shep, how many fingers am I holding up?" Simon asked, raising four fingers right in front of his face.
Shep hesitated before saying, "Eight? Also why are there two of you?"
"Focus your eyes," Simon simply said.
Shep blinked quickly, and for a beat didn't say anything. Until he smiled. "Oh, yeah. I forgot to do that."
"Shep!" Melvin smiled. Shep looked over to Melvin and beamed, a huge ass grin on his face.
"Melvin! How are you feeling, bud? Everything okay?" Shep asked.
"It's been okay! Griffin and Aidan have been helping me a lot, and Lou almost died because she was stabbed by Diana! The new girl helped her though, and then we found everyone and Percy has been a jerk," Melvin explained.
"Like always," Shep joked lightly. "Where is he? I want to punch him in the face."
"Oh, Aidan punched him already! Percy has a broken nose and a Craindre bit him in the hand so his hand is now wounded."
"Aidan… punched him?" Shep asked, his mouth agape as he looked at Aidan.
"Twice!" Melvin exclaimed.
"Twice?" Shep's mouth dropped open wider, which Ash didn't know Shep's mouth could get any bigger.
"Yeah," Aidan said sheepishly.
"It was super cool!" Melvin said. "I think he punches harder than you, Shep!"
"Oh yeah, totally," Ash said. "He was terrifying."
"Thanks for the reassurance," Aidan muttered.
Ash didn't even notice that Aidan was holding Shep's hand at that moment. How long was he holding Shep's hand? And why was Shep not freaking out?
Shep was still just staring at Aidan. "Where did you learn to punch? I never taught you! Who taught you? Griffin? Lou?"
Aidan shrugged slightly. "I dunno." Yet Ash had a feeling Aidan knew more than he led on.
Shep was silent for a few seconds before saying, "You have to show me your punch one of these days."
Aidan smiled slightly. "Sounds good."
"I volunteer Slyvien to get punched." Ash smirked, pointing at Slyvien.
"I do not volunteer at all. I do not want a broken nose - no thank you." Slyvien shook his head.
"I was thinking maybe more of a gut punch," Ash said.
"How about… no punching anymore?" Lou asked as she walked up to the group. "We really can't get injured anymore."
"Sorry," Aidan muttered.
"Man I wish I coulda seen Aidan punch Percy." Shep sighed dreamily. "That sounds so cool."
"Aidan, can I talk to you, in private?" Lou asked. Aidan hesitated before he pulled his hand away from Shep's and nodded. Shep finally looked down at his hand and then looked back up at Aidan. A look of realization spread across his face before Lou and Aidan walked off.
"Shit," he mumbled quietly.
"Is everything okay?" Simon asked, panicking slightly.
"Oh no, everything's okay!" Shep laughed it off, grabbing his hand and staring at it.
Ash had to laugh at Shep's reaction, to which the group looked at her. She shrugged and walked off towards the others.
Everyone was pretty silent. Addy and Percy stood in a corner, where Addy was examining him thoroughly. She had wonder in her eyes while looking at him.
Poor, naive girl.
Griffin, Lou and Aidan were hushed and whispering in a corner. Probably talking about how Aidan punched Percy.
Percy did deserve it, though.
Lou clapped her hands before walking away from Griffin and Lou. Aidan immediately started to walk back to Shep, and Griffin followed Lou back towards the front.
"Alright everyone, we are going to continue walking. Grab the bags and the injured, and get ready to follow me," Lou called. "Percy, you can stay at the front with me."
Griffin glared at that statement, crossing his arms but not staying anything. It was obvious he did not like Percy standing next to Lou.
"How am I going to walk if I have a broken leg?" Shep asked. "Don't leave me here again like some other people." Shep glared at Percy as he spoke.
"I said I would take care of you," Aidan said. "I'll help you up."
Shep was silent for a second before he squeaked, "Alright."
Ash watched as Aidan carefully helped Shep up, his arm under Shep's. Aidan was taller than the other boy by a few inches, so he had to crouch slightly to hold Shep up. Shep stood on one leg and let Aidan act as a crutch, and Aidan's other hand rested on Shep's waist.
By all means, Shep was red as a tomato.
"Aw, it's a damsel in distress!" Ash cooed, putting her hands up to her face in fake awe. Shep glared at Ash.
Aidan just chuckled slightly.
It was obvious that they both liked each other, just like how Lou liked Griffin, and Griffin loved Lou.
"My leg is killing me," Shep sighed, which immediately sent Aidan into panic mode.
"Am I holding you correctly? Do I need to do something different? Simon, can you check his leg again?" Aidan asked in a worried tone.
Shep, somehow, shut up for the first time in his life and stared at Aidan, who was trying to get Simon's attention.
"His leg is going to hurt, Aidan. The way you are holding him now is perfectly fine," Simon assured. "Though your arm is doing enough support, so I don't think you need to hold his waist."
"Actually I think that this is helping," Shep managed to say pretty quickly.
"Ash, can you come here?" Lou called.
"Yeah I'm coming!" Ash called back. "See you guys in a bit, mom is calling me."
"Be safe Ash, you'll be right at the front," Slyvien stated, to which Ash smiled and chuckled slightly.
"Awe, are you worried about me?" Ash joked, to which Slyvien rolled his eyes.
"Being at the front means you have more of a chance of being eaten by a Craindre," Aidan said, smirking slightly. "That would be worse than your concussion."
Ash was baffled - Aidan made a joke. She quickly recovered with her own retort, "Nothing was worse than my concussion."
"Yeah yeah, don't keep Lou waiting," Slyvien said. "That's worse than getting eaten by a Craindre."
Ash shivered slightly at the idea. "You're right," she agreed, before jogging over to Lou.
Lou was holding the map, looking it over. Griffin was standing next to her, analyzing the map with her. However, he looked more lost than Lou did.
"Everything okay, Boss?" Ash asked, coming up next to Lou.
"Yes, just tell me, which way are we going?" Lou asked, "Was it northeast or west? I can't remember."
"I'll just take the map and lead us," Ash said, taking the map from Lou.
"She'll get us lost," Percy muttered to himself.
"Don't start with me, broken nose," Ash snapped back. "I can do my job. Unlike someone else who left two people in the maze."
"She also made the map, moron," Griffin stated. "She knows more about this than everyone else in the camp."
Percy just stood there, beat up and obviously looking a lot worse than most of the people in the group. He took a deep breath but didn't say anything as he looked away from the others.
"Anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted, I was going to say I have an idea of where we are going," Ash said. "You guys can follow me."
"Perfect!" Lou clapped her hands together. "Alright everyone, let's walk… don't forget anything."
Just like that, Ash started to lead the whole group down the maze. She loved this part - making maps was her favorite thing. Being in the actual maze was scary, but she could finally see her maps actually being accurate. She only had the word of the hunters to make the maps in the first place.
She felt proud. They were actually getting somewhere, and for the first time since entering the maze, Ash felt a small twinge of hope that they would make it out of the maze alive.
~0~0~
Longer chapter! Hooray! Thanks again for reading, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. - Logan
also thank you to Van for the help throughout all of this story! Couldn't have done it without you 3