The First Runner

You have got to be kidding me

The next morning, I was up early and got dressed in my running gear before heading out of the Homestead and into the kitchen. To my surprise, Alby and Nick were already up.

"Morning," I greeted them, grabbing an apple from the counter.

"Morning, Jess," Nick replied, stifling a yawn. "Couldn't sleep."

"Yeah, same here," Alby added. "Thought we'd get a head start on the day."

I nodded, appreciating their initiative. "That's good to see. How about you two take care of breakfast this morning?"

"Yeah we can do that," Nick replied starting to get everything out the fridge.

"You heading out into the maze?" Alby asked.

"Yeah," I replied taking a bite of my apple, "I'll be back before sundown. You guys don't mind running things around here?" 

"I think we can handle it," Alby said starting to crack some eggs into the bowl. 

"Great, a couple of things you should know. The Box comes up today bringing supplies. If you guys could just make sure that it's all unloaded and put away, that would be great. Alby, if you want to start building a builder's hut, there's a clearing by the barn. Also, if any of you shanks want to gut a pig, I really would love some bacon," I said with a grin.

Nick chuckled. "Bacon sounds good. We'll see what we can do."

"Awesome," I replied, finishing my apple. "I'll be back before sundown."

With that, I headed out, Bark trotting beside me. I reached the still-closed doors and stretched, waiting for them to open. There was a low groan and the massive stone slabs slowly pulled apart. As soon as the gap was wide enough, I took off running into the Maze, leaving Bark sitting at the entrance.

The Maze was a familiar but ever-changing labyrinth. My feet pounded against the ground, my senses heightened as I navigated the twisting paths and towering walls. Every turn could lead to a new section or a dead end, and I had to stay sharp to keep track of where I had been and where I needed to go.

Hours passed in a blur of stone and shadows and I only took one break to scribble down some directions before taking off again.

As midday approached I took another break writing down more directions and sketches before taking a long sip of water, allowing the cool liquid to run down my parched throat. I hope that the boys were all holding down the fort and that the Glade hadn't gone up in smoke.

Once I'd eaten my lunch which was a simple sandwich, I packed up my gear and took off running again. There was something really therapeutic about running that I wasn't sure how to explain. All I knew is it felt right.

As I resumed my run, my thoughts wandered back to Nick and Alby. They had taken on a lot of responsibility, and I knew that with more newbies arriving, it would become increasingly challenging to maintain control of the Glade while I was out running in the Maze. We needed a solid plan, and I needed to be more present to help guide the newcomers.

The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Maze. I decided to call it for the day and began running back towards the Glade. The familiar paths seemed to welcome me, and I navigated them with ease, my mind already planning the next steps.

As I neared the Glade, the sounds of activity reached my ears. The boys were bustling about, their movements and voices a comforting sign of life and routine. Bark greeted me at the entrance, his tail wagging furiously. I gave him a quick pat before heading towards the homestead to meet up with Nick and Alby who were standing on the porch.

"We have a problem," Was the first thing Nick said once I was within ear shot.

"Shuck, what?" I asked dropping my pack on the stairs and rubbing the sweat off my forehead. 

"Stephen ran off," Alby explained.

"Where?" I said now no longer tired.

"We think he ran into the North entrance, saying something about how he wasn't going to wait around here," Nick said. 

I glanced at the sun, we had two hours until the doors close, "Slinthead," I muttered, "Stay here, don't let anyone else leave," I told Alby and Nick before taking off for the North Entrance.

The adrenaline pumped through my veins as I sprinted towards the North Entrance. The paths and twists of the Maze were second nature to me, but the thought of Stephen, a newcomer, navigating them alone filled me with dread. If he got lost or ran into danger, there would be little chance of finding him before nightfall.

The North Entrance loomed ahead, its massive stone doors still open but slowly starting to close. I pushed myself harder, my breaths coming in rapid bursts as I neared the threshold. Just as the gap began to narrow, I slipped through, feeling the cool shadow of the Maze envelop me.

"Stephen!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the towering walls. "Stephen, where are you?"

The silence that followed was unsettling. I moved quickly, scanning every corner and listening for any sound that might lead me to him. The Maze's twists and turns seemed more foreboding than ever.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. I kept shouting his name, hoping for any response. The walls of the Maze closed in, and the shadows grew longer as the sun dipped lower. My heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination.

The sun continued to dip, casting long shadows and dimming the light in the Maze. Despite my efforts, there was no sign of Stephen. The stillness was oppressive, and the realization that I might not find him before nightfall gnawed at me.

The Maze's twists and turns seemed more confusing in the fading light. I pressed on, refusing to give up hope, but the echoing silence began to take its toll. The massive stone walls loomed ominously, and my sense of direction wavered.

As the final rays of sunlight vanished, I knew I had to make a decision. Staying in the Maze overnight was a death sentence, but leaving Stephen out here alone felt just as unforgivable. I shouted his name one last time, my voice breaking with desperation.

"Stephen!"

No response came.

With a heavy heart, I turned back, racing against the closing doors. My feet pounded the ground, driven by fear and frustration. Just as the gap began to narrow, I slipped through, the stone doors sealing shut behind me with a resounding thud.

Nick, Alby, Leo, and Alec were waiting on the Homestead steps, their expressions tense with worry. I shook my head, unable to hide the defeat in my eyes.

"I couldn't find him," I said, my voice cracking. "If he's... if he's still alive, he won't be by the morning."

The weight of my words hung heavily in the air. Nick clenched his fists, his face a mask of frustration. Alby looked down, his jaw set in grim determination. Leo and Alec exchanged worried glances, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

"Let's eat," Nick said, breaking the silence. "We'll go out tomorrow to look for him."

I nodded but said nothing, following the rest of the boys into the kitchen. The usual chatter and laughter were absent, replaced by a heavy, somber mood. We moved through the motions of preparing dinner, the clinking of utensils and the sizzle of food in the pan the only sounds breaking the silence.

As we sat down to eat, I glanced around the table. The boys were doing their best to stay strong, but the fear and uncertainty were evident in their eyes. I took a deep breath, trying to push back the guilt and focus on the task at hand. We had to stay united, for Stephen's sake and for our own survival.

After dinner, we cleaned up in silence. The weight of the day's events hung over us like a dark cloud. I could see the exhaustion in their faces, but also the determination. Tomorrow, we would go out into the Maze again, hoping to find Stephen and bring him back.

That night, sleep was elusive. I lay in my bed, staring up at the ceiling, my mind racing with thoughts of Stephen and the dangers he faced. The Maze was unforgiving, and the odds were against us, but we couldn't give up. We had to try.