Maze Of Hearts (OC X Gally)

Unlikely Allies

Belle found herself in the middle of the Maze, the towering stone walls looming over her. The path stretched out in front of her, twisting and turning in impossible ways. She was alone, the silence oppressive.

As she walked, the walls seemed to close in around her, the air growing thick and suffocating. She heard a distant, guttural growl, and her heart pounded in her chest. She quickened her pace, her footsteps echoing in the narrow corridor.

The growling grew louder, closer, and Belle's fear escalated. She broke into a run, the walls a blur on either side of her. Suddenly, the path split into multiple directions, each one equally foreboding. She hesitated, unsure which way to go.

Out of the darkness, a Griever emerged, its grotesque body covered in mechanical limbs and organic parts. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light as it lunged toward her. Belle screamed and turned to flee, but the Maze seemed to shift and twist, blocking her escape.

She felt the creature's hot breath on her neck, its claws reaching out to grab her. Belle tripped and fell, the cold, hard ground scraping her hands and knees. She scrambled to get up, but it was too late. The Griever was upon her, its claws digging into her flesh.

"Help!" she cried, her voice echoing uselessly in the empty Maze.

Just as the Griever's venomous sting was about to pierce her skin, Belle woke with a start, drenched in sweat. Her heart was racing, her breaths coming in ragged gasps.

She sat up, trying to calm herself, her mind still reeling from the vivid terror of the dream. 

Belle tossed and turned, trying to go back to sleep, but the air around her was suffocating. So she got up and headed outside. The cool night air provided some relief, and she took a deep breath, hoping to calm her racing thoughts.

As she wandered towards the centre of the Glade, Belle noticed a group of boys gathered near the entrance to the Maze. The atmosphere was tense, filled with hushed murmurs and angry whispers. Curious and concerned, she moved closer, trying to understand what was happening.

In the centre of the group stood a boy, his hands bound and his face streaked with dirt and fear. It was Hank. Alby and Newt stood nearby, their expressions grim. Gally, with his usual authoritative stance, was addressing the crowd. All the boys stood circling him, with large wooden poles in front of them.

"Please... I didn't mean to. I'm sorry!" Hank pleaded. It only took a few seconds to realise what the boys were doing. They were forcing him into the Maze

Hank tried to plead further but to no success. He then turned his attention to Belle. His eyes were still dark, and his skin still covered in black veins, but his expression. He looked scared, helpless.

"Belle..." He uttered. All the boys turned their head to her. Alby lowered his pole and stepped towards her.

"Belle, I think it's best you go back inside." He whispered. She couldn't take her eyes off of Hank and his sombre eyes.

"No! What are you doing to him?" Belle screamed.

"This is the way it has to be." Gally said bluntly, his face expressionless. Belle grew angrier by the second.

"What sending him to his death? Look at him.." All attention turned to Hank, who was still pleading with the others. Tears streamed down his face. "He's clearly not the same person he was yesterday. We can help him!"

Gally dropped his pole and stormed towards her. "Look!" He screamed, his finger pointing in her face. "You don't know anything, okay? This is the way we do things, so suck it up or leave!"