Chapter Text
Gracie was doing a routine walk around the most familiar parts of the maze to try and find something new. It was calming in an eerie way. She knew people died here but for now it was serene and these silent halls were perfect for a wandering mind.
Until she found the levers. They were just as they had been left at first glance. And yet as her eyes focused on the sign she noticed a change in wording.
“One for life, one for the lifer’s death.” she read aloud in curious horror.
Both levers were flicked up.
Oh fuck no.
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When Gracie came back from the maze earlier, screaming about needing a meeting, Owen expected the worst. He was right.
He had sat down with Rasbi and listened to her rant about the levers, the quiet terror setting in. It was the same silence that got Apo killed, that lost Mohwee in the maze, that stripped away all he considered a friend. So for now he gripped Rasbi’s hand tightly as tears rolled down her cheek at the news.
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Mohwee was running once again, through the maze away from that fucking monster that plagued his every move. He ran through familiar halls, just kept running away away away.
He was going deeper than usual, past the vines in the shape of a duck, and came to the crossroads he ventured through already.
The entrance to the weird open area, the way to a cold place, the way filled with traps and bad treasure and the fourth exit.
Wait the fourth one?! Well that wasn't there before.
He still had no time to lose as the creature gained on him and he ducked down the fourth pathway and into unknown territory.
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Grian was stuck staring into the hallway, every instinct screaming at him to go in and find a way out. The others were already bunking down for the long haul, Void almighty, he was watching Lizzie build a treehouse in the tallest tree she could get to.
Impulse and Skizz were absentmindedly chatting in the back. Did they not trust him enough to be alone with this thing?
Probably for the best, if not for them he would be venturing further and further with each passing moment. He tried to fly up past the walls and yet there seemed to be an invisible barrier that prevented his wings past a certain point. It was absolutely infuriating.
So he sat while the self proclaimed leader of this place, Gem, walked over.
“So Mr Watcher, how are we getting out of here?”
“First Gem, don't call me that and second I thought you would understand by my lack of helping that I have no idea.”
“Jeez ok I was just trying to lighten the mood. And sorry.”
“It's okay. Tensions are pretty high right now. You're doing a good job y’know, I thought Martyn or Impulse would take charge.”
“Yeah… so about this weird hallway.”
“I think it's more of a maze. Just look at it. I think if we try to go in there we will eventually get lost.”
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“It’ll have to happen.” Gem said solemnly. Her fear leaked through her voice though she tried to contain it.
“I want to be the first in there.” he said firmly.
“Wait, no no no no no, G you, you cant!” she stuttered out.
“Why? If anything I might be able to fly around and avoid any dangers there.”
“First of all I think whatever is keeping you guys from flying too high is being merciful. I have a feeling that the second you step foot in there you will be grounded. And second, you can't because I need you to not get hurt! I can't lead this place on my own!” she whisper-yelled the last bit.
“Gem, you are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for and everyone here knows it. I know you can do it. Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got to go annoy my boyfriend.” and he got up and walked away.
Leaving Gem to ‘take over his watch’ on the gate, so to pass the time she started to build a platform around the gate so she could comfortabley watch for impending doom and the like.
Who knows how long they would be here, Lizzie had the right idea, get yourself ready for the long haul.
At least there wasn't anymore death and betrayals at the moment, no rules bound to their lives.