Sorry for not uploading previously. Had a Show Choir show and a lot to do in general. Getting back on schedule. <3
⚠️TW: Swearing⚠️
"You think you're ready to go into the Maze again yet?" Thomas asked as he studied the map on the table. He traced his fingers along one of the paths, eyes darting from one dead end to another. I asked if he had seen the pathways Liam drew on the map, and he said no so I brought him down here to look at it.
"Why?" I questioned.
He pointed to one of the unfinished corridors and looked up at me. He tapped the spot before saying, "Something's here. I remember from one of our trips in the Maze while you were in your house, something is there but I can't recall what it is." He looked back down at the map and continued to look over it.
I looked down at my hand and saw that I had a bad scar and some of the skin was still raw from where the burns took place, but it definitely doesn't look as bad as I thought it would. It hurts to hold pointy things, but I can hold smooth stuff. I can hold my sword as long as I hold the handle, which means I can indeed go back into the Maze. I just don't know if I want to anymore. What am I saying? Of course I want to! Maybe?
"Of course, you don't have to," Thomas said suddenly, making me jump a little. "It's completely understandable. I just wasn't sure if you wanted to come or not because it is something new," He explained.
"I'll come. When are we leaving though? I've got to talk to Avery about a few things first," I stated.
"Probably two days from now. Have your hand heal a little more first," Thomas said as he pulled away from the table.
"Sounds good to me," I said. A sudden pounding above the Map Room caught me off guard, though I quickly eased as I realized it was only rain. Good for the crops in the garden, it hasn't rained in a while. "Well I'm off. Got to catch Avery and I better do it before it pours. See you later, yeah?" Thomas nodded and I climbed back up the ladder.
I made my way over to the wooden home that had torch light pouring through its windows. The sky was now darkened from the clouds and the rain fell on top of my head, causing my hair to stick like glue to my forehead.The torches around the clearing were all put out, and rain drops dropped down from the leaves and splattered onto puddles that were now forming on the ground.
I shivered and knocked on Avery's door. The brunette answered seconds later and ushered me inside to get out of the rain.
"Why are you out in the rain?!" Avery exclaimed rushing over to her couch and bringing me a blanket. I gratefully accepted it and wrapped it around myself.
"I wanted to spend time with you?" I offered and she smiled.
"Sit down. I'll make some food for us," She said. I smiled and took a seat on the couch, blanket tucked around me. The rain thundered against the window behind me as it started to rain harder.
"What exactly happened? If you don't mind me asking," I said as I relaxed a bit into the sofa.
"What do you mean?" She asked
"Like, what happened? Why is everyone avoiding each other?" I explained.
"Oh, that.." She said trailing off and pausing a small moment before continuing chopping up vegetables. "Tanner and Isla got in a big fight. I mean, they both pulled knives on the other. Luckily, me and Claire stopped them from actually harming each other, but I guess everyone is just on edge."
"Can't blame them," I said and Avery nodded.
"It's not like I do blame them, but I wish it didn't happen. The Clearing just seems so...empty now," Avery said a hint of distance in her voice. Almost like something else was on her mind and she didn't want to think about it.
"Thomas is fine. Well, he's been speaking to me," I commented. "It doesn't seem to even phase him. Then again, it may be his determination to find a way out of this place."
"Thomas has always been determined to get out of this place, however, he is also determined to keep us alive. I think that's why he said not to pull the lever even though it's most likely the way we can leave," Avery explained. "He cares for everyone here even if he tries to hide it. He's a good person, and I'm glad he's second for runners."
"Yeah, Thomas is good at it. Taught him to watch out for the traps and all. Showed him before it started raining that Liam had drawn out a lot more on the map," I said.
"Now that I think about it, Liam's been acting more nice to everyone ever since he's gotten back. I'll be honest, it's weird. He seems to space out in a lot of meetings and conversations," Avery said. Avery took out a large pot and slid the chopped up vegetables into it with a knife.
"Really? He doesn't space out with me. At least, I've never noticed it," I stated.
"He's been talking to you?"
"Yeah! Visited me in my house a few days," I answered.
"Wow, Denis was right. Liam really is unpredictable," Avery said really just to herself.
"How has Denis been? Haven't seen the guy in a while," I asked, readjusting the blanket.
"He's been good. Kind of in the same situation as you were, cooped up in his house for reasons unknown. He seems to have only been speaking to me out of everyone. People are scared, Brielle. For once, everyone is actually scared and I don't know how to help them," Avery said.
"There's nothing we really can do," I started. "It's up to them if they want to be scared or not scared. It worries me, yes, but if we try to talk to them and reassure them it would just be lying. I wish we could say that we are going to get out of this place, I really do, but If I did I'd be lying."
"This whole place is a mess," Avery said after it was silent for a minutes. She took out a mixer after adding a few more things in and stirred it around inside the pot.
"You've got that right," I replied with a soft sigh.
Word count: 1116
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The Third Clearing || Outsiders SMP DISCONTINUED
Fanfic[DISCONTINUED] Brielle Taylor is a 28 year old who got sent into the Maze with a bunch of people she doesn't know. She has no memory whatsoever and is hoping that she can trust the people in her Clearing. What happens when their group finds out ther...
