A Beautiful Distraction(Aris Jones x Reader)

1) Bargains

Laughter in this place is undeniably wrong. Maybe they don't realize it or they're choosing not to notice. It doesn't matter either way. Those poor fools have just walked into a death trap, and they don't even know it. Does the thought of being picked up by random people and rescued only to be locked in a trapped space every night not bother them? No one sees kids being chosen in a seemingly randomized order to go to a mystery place with locked doors as suspicious?

The girls from my Maze whispered to each other and were having a good time. They were laughing with huge smiles across their faces. They looked like they were glowing with happiness. Ignorance really is bliss. The Mazers are living proof of that. I know the name sucks. We weren't the most creative group.

The doors opened, and Janson stood there with a smile on his face that resembled a subtle smirk. That can only mean one thing. We have another group of unlucky suckers joining us.

A group of girls walked in with some looking on edge. I didn't stop long to look at them. I never do.

I wonder how long it takes before they settle in and feel like they're finally free. Everyone falls victim to that sooner or later even those with their guard up.

"Alright everybody. It's time for those lucky people who are leaving to be called. If I say your name please line up,"Janson instructed. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. The only lucky thing is that I haven't been called despite being here a week.

"Leon, Alex, and Benji from Maze D,"He called. I looked over to see them try but fail to contain their grins. They said their goodbyes to their friends and walked off "Charles, Henry, Althea, and Luna from group C."

I looked over at my Maze. Luna was standing awkwardly by the side. I hated that I had gotten attached to someone else. She was one of my only friends. She stuck by me through everything. We were each other's ride or die, and now she's gone.

Janson was saying something, but I tuned everything out. I felt like my ears were ringing. How does this happen? How does everyone I get close to end up leaving in some way or another?

I can't get attached to anyone any more. From now on I'm on my own. It's easier that way.

"Y/N, are you alright?"Janson asked, seeming to have teleported next to me. I looked around to see everybody else had filed out.

Hell no.

"Yes sir,"I responded. I've always been a good liar. At least, as far as I know.

"You'll be alright Y/N. Soon you'll join your friends. Good things take time."

You're lucky I don't have a knife.

"Thank you. I know,"I replied. It seemed like a better response than anything else running though my mind. They didn't exactly portray me the way I need to get out of here.

"Of course. I'm here if you ever need anything. Now you should get to your room. Don't want to worry anyone,"He said, smiling.

"Yes sir."

"You can call me Janson you know? There's no need to sound formal."

"Sorry. Thank you Janson,"I told him with a small smile. I left before he could continue the conversation. It's not out of character for me. I keep to myself. That's the safest way to live your life. It's also my ticket out of here.

ᕙᕗᕙᕗᕙᕗᕙᕗᕙᕗᕙᕗᕙᕗ

That night I lied in my bed waiting for everyone else to fall asleep. Luna was always the last one asleep so I can go earlier now. That's more time to see what this place really is and get some sleep. There's almost no loss. If only the one there is wasn't so dreadful.

After about half an hour I put my pillows under my sheets. Then, I moved to the vent under my bed and crawled in. Time to see if I can find a way out of here before I'm one of those kids. I've seen those doors they go into. They never come out.

I went in as quickly yet quietly as possible. They really shouldn't have made the vents human sized. They're so easy to get into it almost feels like a trick. It can't be though. I would be long gone by now.

After crawling for about an hour I heard movement near me. I froze and held my breath as if it would turn me invisible. Tonight it looks like I'll be caught. How did they know though? I've been so careful. I thought I'd been fooling them.

"Hey,"A boy whispered. He didn't sound like a guard though. He sounded close to my age. I opened my eyes and saw what must be a newbie. He had a hood on that looked like mine only blue and grey. He had short brown hair and dark bags under his eyes.

"Who are you?"He asked.

"Me? Who are you? I'm here every night, and I've never seen another soul."

"I'm Aris. I just got here today,"He whispered. He must be from the maze full of girls.

"Listen. As far as I'm concerned I have no idea who you. We've never seen each other before. I'm not even going to ask your name,"I told him.

"What are you doing here?"He asked, completely ignoring what I just said.

I thought about my options for a moment. He seems to be just as suspicious as me about them. I just have to know for sure.

"Tell me why you're here, and I'll answer both your questions,"I bargained. He seem to think about it for a second. He doesn't seem to trust people easily. That's smart.

"There's something off about these people. There's something weird about them so I'm trying to find out what and escape,"He explained.

"Okay. My name is Y/N, and you're right not to trust these people. Kids that get called go into a room down the hall and never come out. I'm looking for an escape."

"Can you show me where?"He asked.

He's going to depend on you soon. Don't get attached.

"Fine, but I don't do partners. Don't get attached to people. Don't depend on anyone but yourself,"I advised. He murmered something under his breath, but I didn't stop to listen. It's not like I'll see him anyway after this.

Oh, how wrong I was.