The Maze Runner -- In WICKED's Hands (archived)

Chapter 2: The Choice

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Chapter 2

  I blink a few times, adjusting to the brightness around me. I stumble a bit, my usual self wanting to get up immediately.

   Xander. It took me a while wondering why I was here, but I remembered the attack by WICKED soon enough. I was still angry at myself for losing in a fight, but I wouldn't exactly count it as a fight, as I didn't even see him coming. I sit up against the wall, still slightly dizzy, the pain lingering in the side of my head. It wasn't as painful as I expected; they must have given me something to numb it.

  1, 2, 3. Move, Jessica. I tell myself, starting to survey my surroundings.

  A rope was tied around my hand, binding me to the floor, but I knew I could get out of it in a flash. If they had such a lousy cord and means of capturing me, they must be expecting me to get out of this room, or they just didn't care enough. I sigh, almost bored.

  I find the room stripped bare of any objects, walls white. But most importantly, there wasn't even a door. My knife was gone, so was my backpack. Including my note. I couldn't help but think.

  Or maybe there is no way to get out.

  It wasn't possible. Not even the most high-technology of places could make a room without an exit. I get the rope out quickly, and I spot something out of the corner of my eye. It was painted white, except a small dot that turned out only occasionally, flashing a laser for a second or two, probably to scan the area.

  "A camera, huh?" I turned to the dot, laughing despite it all. I stand heading towards the dot. It wasn't too high up, but I could barely reach. Unfortunately, I was only five foot and four inches. I didn't know exactly what I would do with it even if I did reach it though.

  I slide down. There has to be a way out. Makeshift tiles seemed possible, or even a makeshift wall opening to a door. I tried them, but it didn't work. After a while, I started to watch the tiny laser from the camera. It flashed at different spaces, but the gears in my mind started turning. The laser couldn't be to scan the area—it only pointed to a certain spot. There must be a pattern to it. It would flash to the first space once, second space thrice, and third space twice. With that knowledge, I pushed each space. It didn't give, but it finally moved after the laser pointed to it.

  I grinned. The space would be moveable once the laser pointed to it. I pushed the space to discover some numbers on the cement in revealed. That's all? I watched the camera again. If the laser wasn't a scanner, the dot might not be a camera. I started thinking, pushing myself in an upright position.

  I needed to reach it. I grabbed the moveable tiles I could shift out and stacked them directly under the dot. Standing on top, I jumped as high as I could. A push to the dot caused a small screen to flash to my left. I jumped too high and didn't fall that well. I felt a minor sprain in my ankle. Grimacing more from anger at myself for letting something so foolish happen, rather than pain, I punch the numbers I found in. I followed the same pattern as the one directed by the laser.

  7, 5, 4, 3, 6, 1.

  This sequence opened a door beside in, and I turned the knob, bracing myself for what was out there. It was a dark alley, only lit with small lights at the bottom corners. There were doors and I didn't know which to choose.