To Run with the Grievers (Rewriting)

Chapter 1- Awakening ✔

This time when I open my eyes, they aren't met by black. Instead bright light meets them, piercing its way into my skull as I let out a hiss and a disgruntled moan. I was tired. Something I thought wouldn't be as I had just woken up from sleep, however tiredness hung heavy on my shoulders and I almost closed my eyes again. I just wanted to sleep.

But suddenly as my eyes adjusted to the light and I saw my surroundings, I became wide awake. Tall walls towered around me, covered by the ivy I had discovered the night before. My breath caught in my throat.

If my throat wasn't so dry and sore I probably would have screamed. In fear, confusion, and dread. But my mouth stayed clammed shut. But as I lay there on the concrete below, my thoughts wandered.

I sat up quickly, my head spinning wildly for a second before I steadied myself. Yes, I knew I was in a maze, that much was obvious. But mazes have exits right? One way in, one way out. All I needed to do was find my way out!

I clambered to my feet, grabbing onto the wall I had run into only hours ago for support. When I was satisfied all the dizziness from my head dispersed, I gently pushed myself off the wall, starting to walk forwards down the same direction I had tried to go last night.

I hadn't forgotten about the stranger that was also in the maze with me, whether he be friendly or foe. I stayed cautious, not wanted to go looking for them, however not wanting to be the one  taken by surprise, assuming he was dangerous.

Then again, I paused in thought, my feet still moving although my body ached; they might also know why I'm here, and more importantly, how to get out.

I stopped walking this time, glancing over my shoulder at the direction I remember briefly encountering the unknown person of interest, my lips pursing as I did so.

Would it be wise to lead myself into possible danger? Or to continue wandering this maze aimlessly for god knows how long?

I decided to be brave, to find this person and demand answers. I only hoped it wouldn't lead me to my death. Without another thought, one that may change my mind, I spun on my heels, changing direction and possibly fate.

I couldn't begin to guess how long I had been walking for, a minute felt like an hour, my muscles had been aching before I started however now they were on fire. The light, which came from a non-existent sun, had brightened so I assumed it was somewhere just after dawn.

I let out a sigh as my stomach clenched with hunger, my throat yearning for even a drop of water. A few turns back I was almost considering drinking my own sweat, however that may do more harm than good.

But then I heard it. Cheering. Not one voice, but many. I almost cried out in relief, before I remembered the possibility of them being dangerous. I picked up my pace, using my toes to move as quietly as I could, although I doubted they'd hear me over their yells. Turning a couples corners, directing myself towards the noise, I prepared myself for a confrontation.

It was then when I was almost upon them when I came to a stop, peeking around the last corner only for my eyes to be met with green. And it wasn't green ivy.

Grass.

It was everywhere, stretching out hundreds of feet. I almost ran out, my bare feet desperately wanting to feel something other than rough stone on them, but then my eyes filed over to a crowd of strangers, all making their way away from the opening into the maze.

I shrunk back slightly, watching as they supported and hauled three boys, one unconscious, off towards a building towards the inner parts of the opening.

I was confused. Why would anyone want to live in the center of a maze? Surely by now they would have at least tried to get out. To escape? I frowned as the confusion swirled in my head. It just didn't make sense.

"Hey!"

My eyes snapped to a short boy who was standing by the opening, squinting at me and scratching his head through a mop of brown curls. I gasped shortly.

"Who the shuck-"

I launched myself forwards, grabbing the boy before he had a chance to run and warn the others, my hand covering his mouth before I dragged him behind a crate nearby.

"Mmmph!" He struggled against me proving to not be very strong as my tight grip remained.

"Shhhhh!" I countered, my tone slightly warning. "Be quiet, I'm not going to hurt you."

I was slightly stunned when he suddenly stopped struggling, as if trusting me completely and forgetting I had him in a hold.

Slowly, hoping it won't be a mistake, I removed my hand from his mouth, sitting back against the wooden crate. The boy turned to me, eyes wide, breathing rugged.

"So-"

"You're a shucking girl!"

I frowned at this, this kid was what, 13, and had never seen a girl before? I was beyond confused at this point.

"You say that like you've never seen a girl before." I chuckled at the boy, relaxing a little trusting that he would do me any harm.

It was his time to furrow his brow. "I haven't." he said.

My frown deepened, eyes snapping towards the meadow full with people, then my heart sank in my chest. All the people I had heard cheering, all the people carrying the few boys from the opening. They were all boys. There wasn't a girl in sight.

"What..."

The boy's eyes didn't move from me, analysing the stranger infront of him.

"Did you come up in the box? I don't remember you." He questioned, only adding to the many that buzzed around inside me.

"The Box..?" my voice was quiet, I was stunned. Shocked into oblivion and drowned in panic. My brain's commands to the rest of me were denied, my whole body frozen in time, refusing to move.

What was the box? I though as my eyes scanned the area once more, connecting with a steel grated dug into the ground, surrounded by what looked like barrels of food and cages that once held animals. The Box. Was that where they all came from? Why didn't they wake up in the maze like me?

Even better; why did I wake up in the maze?"

"No..." I finally said, my eyes slowly moving back to the young boy. "I just woke up."

"Woke up where?"

"The Maze. I woke up in the Maze."