Hearts and Minds

How Did It Go From Bad To Worse?!

'Artemis..everything's going to change. You're going to save us all.'

Artemis almost shot up, a scream trying to leave her throat. A large hand was covering her mouth, keeping her from screaming for help. Her heart thumped in her ears as she got ready to thrash until she saw Thomas was awake and standing on the other side of her. When she caught sight of him she instantly slumped back into the hammock with relief. Alby stood above her, finger on his lips. After he was sure she wasn't going to scream he removed his hand from her mouth. "You two, keep quiet and follow me." He said softly, offering a small smile at the confused expression they both wore.

Alby had started leading the both of them to a large tower, causing Artemis to clench her fists. She could feel her nails digging into her palms. Thomas looked over and noticed the way she tensed. "Are you okay?" He asked quietly, his voice seeming louder considering the deafening silence that surrounded them. The only sound was the morning birds and their feet hitting the grass as they walked.

"I-..I'm not good with heights." Artemis swallowed thickly, she didn't know why but she just felt the overwhelming fear of climbing up that high. Thomas gently took her hand, unclenching her knuckles, and interlacing their fingers together. He gave her a comforting smile as she looked up at him.

"You'll be okay. I promise, I won't let anything happen to you." Thomas assured as they reached the tower. Looking up at it, Artemis felt her body shudder. It was taller up close. Artemis took a deep breath as Thomas let go of her hand so she could climb. "Go ahead of me. You'll be alright."

Artemis silently started climbing up the ladders, testing each rung before putting her full weight on it. It was a handmade ladder, she had every right to be wary. They had made it to the first platform of three. Artemis prayed that Alby would stop there but instead he kept going. Artemis looked back at Thomas, the fear on her eyes obvious. Thomas smiled once again. Artemis took a deep breath and started climbing up the second ladder. They made it to the second platform. That's when Artemis felt her heart plummet all the way back to the ground. The next ladder was near the edge..what if she fell?

"Thomas-I can't do it. I can't, what if I fall?!" She whispered, ignoring the words leaving Alby's mouth as he started his last climb up the ladder. Thomas grabbed Artemis by her shoulders, looking down at the girl.

"Artemis, you're fine. I said nothing would happen to you and I meant it. You'll be fine." Artemis once again nodded, even though she didn't fully believe his words. She silently turned towards the ladder and started her way up. She was doing well until halfway up she looked down at Thomas and missed a footing. She was ready to start falling towards the ground, the scream lodged in her throat.

Artemis instead let out a breathless huff as Thomas grabbed her hips and kept her on the ladder. Artemis was not only red in the face because of her fear but because of his hands on her sides. After that she basically ran up the ladder, standing as far away from the edge as she could. Even with the railing she didn't trust it.

Artemis was still on edge until Thomas once again took her hand and interlocked it with his. As soon as he did she felt the weight leave her shoulders. She and Thomas slowly walked towards the railing, looking out. Artemis felt a sense of peace wash over her, everything was still and calm. It was beautiful. It was like Alby had read the girl's mind.

"It's peaceful, isn't it?" he didn't give them a chance to answer, looking out again as he continued to talk. "I know it's hard to believe, but it wasn't always this way. We had dark days. Lost a lot of boys to fear..to panic." Artemis glanced out at the maze, swallowing thickly. It was a horrible thought to think, they've been there three years they've had to have lost many boys.