Discoveries | TMR | Three

3:4

Despite the sunlight bursting down from the sky, the Maze does not brighten. It continues to be dark, dreary, incredibly uninviting and increasingly menacing the further they venture. All is silent within these walls, so much so that the only sounds that echo throughout the wide and ominous corridors come from her crutches scraping the concrete ground, and the reoccurring smacking of the backpack on his spine each time he re-adjusts its position on his shoulders.

A far cry from the hustle and bustle of the Glade, indeed.

Through the silence, there has also been no words shared, though Adeline is almost certain that Daniel has some questions. She can sense it in the periodic huffs that rumble from his throat and the way in which she can see him consistently casting her sideways glances.

"What is it?" Her eyes are fuelled with determination, her left foot carrying her with as much speed and strength she can muster and her only thought being their survival, yet she cannot help but ask him when one particular huff becomes too many.

"It's nothing." His own eyes dart away when she looks at him.

"Don't feed me that bullshit," she grumbles. "You've been huffing and puffing this whole time. Just spit it out."

There is another huff, "fine," and a pause. "Are you sure you know the way? We seem to be walking in circles."

Adeline's steps come to a halt. "Is that all you're worried about?"

Daniel nods.

"Jesus, thought you'd have more on your mind than that."

"I do, but...," he starts, shrugging, "this seemed like a good starting point."

Adeline tugs her lips together. "Well then, s'pose we've gotta start somewhere." She starts to slowly hobble along the corridor again. "We're not walking in circles. The entire Maze looks like this, but I know every inch of it, and I know how to get out. We've been walking for four hours, so we haven't got long to go."

"What happens when we get to the end of it?"

"We reach Wicked."

"Wicked?" Daniel questions. "What's that?"

"The Creators," she confirms.

"Wait a second." Daniel strides forward, his body twisting and feet grinding to a stop directly in front of her. "You told me we were getting out. You didn't say anything about the Creators."

"How did you think we were getting out?" Adeline asks. "Did you think we'd just be able to walk out of here?" She shakes her head and scoffs. "No."

She tries to stumble past him, but he side-steps to stop her. "So you're walking us straight towards the same people that've kept us locked in here the past two years?" He scoffs. "I think I'd rather have stayed in the Slammer."

"And be banished to fend for yourself in the Maze and, no doubt, be killed by a Griever?'' she quizzes. ''No, I don't think you would.''

''Somehow I feel like being killed by a Griever wouldn't be as bad as being killed by the Creators,'' Daniel argues. ''At least it'd be quicker.''