The Third Clearing || Outsiders SMP DISCONTINUED

Chapter 18: He's Alone

I woke up again to someone knocking on my door. It didn't feel like I got much sleep, and it took me a moment to think about why. Then I remembered the events that happened yesterday.

"Hey, uhm, Brielle? It's almost time for the Gate to open," I heard Thomas say outside the door. I scrambled over to my things that were sitting on the wood floor and quickly gathered them together. I opened the door, which seemed to surprise Thomas.

"Good morning to you too," he said as he lowered his raised eyebrows. "Look, we don't know what to expect, so please don't get your hopes up. I saw you walk away from the group yesterday and you looked pretty bad."

I didn't answer him and instead I pushed past him and started to walk down the stairs.

"It's not your fault," He said causing me to stop and turn back to him. "It was his own fault. He turned back, you didn't make him. It was his own choice."

"It still feels like mine," I said looking down at the boots I had slept in. It wasn't the most comfortable thing seeing as my feet are a little sore, but I'll manage.

"Well it's not, Brielle. Trust me," Thomas reasoned.

There was silence for a moment before I nodded, "Okay, I trust you. Let's just go and find him." I said. I trust Thomas, I really do. That doesn't mean I have to believe him, though.

"Okay, yeah. Let's go," He said as we both made our way over to the Gate in silence.

There were a few people already waiting there when we arrived. I looked over and saw no torch under Liam's name and I felt my heart sink into my chest once again. Everyone was holding their torches as well.

I want to ask about what all the arguing was about yesterday when I left, but I don't really care anymore. Avery, Denis, Claire, Tanner, and Amber are all here. Guess news spreads quickly around the Clearing.

"Everyone ready?" I asked. They all nodded and tightened their grip on their torches.

The familiar sound of the door's opening filled my ears. I sighed as the they opened fully and I started to make my way down the first corridor. I froze when I saw a giant wall identical to the Maze walls blocking anybody from going any further. Two signs sat in the middle of the wall right next to each other. Each of them saying a different thing, but they fit together like two peas in a pod. The left one read: You've Learned Enough. The right one read: Everything Changes Now.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Thomas said as he stepped up next to me. I forgot everyone else was here.

"He's trapped in there," Amber said. You can hear the shaky breathes beginning to emerge from her mouth. "He's in there all alone."

"Liam?!" Denis yelled. I assumed he was trying to see if Liam can hear him from on the other side of the wall. If Liam was anywhere near here to begin with.

This can't be happening. This really does change, well, everything. We can't go anywhere in the Maze anymore for who knows how long, meaning Avery and Claire will have a bunch of work on their hands. I might even turn into a full on wreck because I still blame myself for Liam even though I know I shouldn't, and this'll cause more arguments within the Clearing!

It seems like Avery knew this too and I watched as she slowly started to back away towards the Clearing.

"Avery.." Denis started before Avery stopped him by raising her hand.

"I-uhm," She started as she continued to back away, "I need to think about some things." With that she turned around and nearly ran back to her home after placing the torch back on its holder.

Slowly, everyone followed. Thomas gave my shoulder a small pat as I just continued to stare at the two signs in front of me. I saw him open his mouth to say something but then decided not to and followed everyone back.

Why do I even care? Liam hurt me, he hated me, why do I care if he's stuck out there?

I ran my finger over the cut that was made a month ago into my arm by Liam and watched as a warm drop of water fell onto the scar. I reached up and gently rubbed my eyes.

It was his own fault. Thomas is right, he turned around. If he's dead that's not anybody's fault but his!

Then why do I care so much?

I know why. Because despite the fact that he was a complete jerk, he apologized. He admitted to things I never thought he would admit to. He was one of us, sent up in a box with no memories.

But now he is most likely dead and he died alone in between giant walls that are basically endless.

I wiped my eyes and turned back towards the Clearing. I need to pull myself together if things around here are going to change. I need to be there to help.

And that's exactly what I plan on doing.

Word count: 885