The Revenge of the Maze (Book 2)

Chapter 2

Averi-

It's Saturday which means no school, no homework, no nothing. Usually Cade and I meet up in front of our houses to spend the day together. This particular Saturday we invited Amelia to join us. She lived a few blocks away.

I clomped out into the fresh snow. It looked like everything was covered in tiny diamonds. I love the way snow looks before everyone ruins it. Cade ran up to me. He was barely able to stop and slid on his feet knocking me over.

"Wow," I exclaimed, "you must really be excited to see me."

He turned bright red as he helped me. "Sorry, Averi I didn't know it was so slippery. Are are you alright." Cade still held onto my hand, "I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No. All good."

We walked slowly. Our feet crunching in the snow. The air was clean and crisp. Everything was so quiet. This is when I feel the happiest alone with the most important person in my life.

I stopped in front of what I thought was Amelia's house. "Is this the one right?" I asked Cade.

He stood next to me, "It should be." I saw a shadow in the front window and moments later Amelia rushed out of the door hat in hand.

"By Mom, I'll be back soon," she shouted into the house. She wore a coat with ruffles and matching boots. She stuffed her super frizzly hair under the light blue hat.

"Hey," she shouted to us. The smile on her face is as wide as the Nile River.

"Morning," Cade responded, "I have a really cool spot I want to show you."

"What? Why didn't you tell me," I teased. Cade winked. He thinks he's so cool.

"Let's go," Amelia said jumping up and down almost slipping. We laughed and headed off. Cade led the way into some woods near his house. The deeper we went the wider Amelia's smile got and the happier I felt. I felt free.

Abruptly Cade stopped and raised his hands, "This is what I wanted to show you girls." We were speechless. The archway in front of us was covered in pure white snow. Around it are berry bushes. It looked like a place only found in a book.

"Ah, you guys are speechless. My job here is done." He rubbed his gloved hands together. I spun around my eyes on the sky. Amelia laughed and grabbed my and Cade's hands. She then dragged us through the arch. Cade and I just went along with it. For the first time in a while, I felt free.

At first, I felt fuzzy then a bright light shined all around us. It was so bright I had to squeeze my eyes shut. The world was spinning. Why is the world spinning? My only grasp on reality was Amelia's hand. She squeezed hard like she was as scared as I felt. As soon as I felt my feet touch the solid ground I wobbled and slumped over. After rubbing my eyes I glanced around.

"No no no no no!" I closed my eyes again. It can't be. I don't believe it. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I opened my eyes and looked up into Cade's worried eyes.

"Is this what I think it is?" He asked.

I nodded shaking slightly. Cade reached for my hand and helped me up. I was wearing my old outfit. But it wasn't torn to shreds. Cade and Amelia were dressed similarly.

"What are you talking about? And where are we?" Amelia demanded. "Like really where are we?" She looked around.

"Uhm Averi?" Cade said in a knowing way like he was asking if he could tell Amelia. I nodded sadly.

"Alright," Cade said looking at the poor girl, "this is the Maze. There's an evil guy in charge named Warren. Averi came here before to save my life and we really don't like to talk about it." Wow, he could not have ended that wearier.