The Revenge of the Maze (Book 2)

Chapter 5

Averi-

For being afraid of the dark Amelia sure handled it well every night. It might be that the moon is enough light or having friends with her or even still she overcame it. She's a brave girl. This experience in the maze is far less scary for me. With my closest friends and the light of the moon to guide our path it's not as bad. But ask me again after the Arena. Every time I thought about it dread and horror shivered down my spine.

"Nothing bad happened last night maybe nothing will this night," Amelia said optimistically.

"Maybe," I mumbled twirling my hair on my finger. My hair was just a matted knot. Tangled and greasy. It's not fit for the public eye.

"Here," Cade handed me a small stick with teeth. Teeth as in on a comb.

"What's this?" I asked holding it gently in my palm.

"A comb from the city we visited yesterday or the day before." Cade blushed, "I know you girls are having problems with your hair and it getting tangled. I forgot about it until I tidied up my bag."

"Thank you," I said with as much enthusiasm as a four-year-old at a birthday party.

"Amelia," I asked with a sparkle in my eye.

She sat next to me and took the comb from my hand. "I will if you will."

"Deal.". Amelia ran the comb through my brown hair. Carefully untangling the knots and laying them smooth. She then with a masterful hand braided my hair starting at the top and going down my back. She tied it with a strip of fabric off my cloak. Then we traded places so I could do her hair.

"You want it braided or something," I asked.

"Two pigtails, please. My hair is such a pain," she giggled. I put one side in a low pig tale than the other. Cade stood a ways away watching us. The grin on his face showed that this blessing was also a blessing to him.

I flashed him another smile. "Thank you, Cade."

I lay down near my friends to sleep then Cade and Amelia shook me.

"What now?" I asked annoyed.

"Do you hear that?"

I listened for a few moments, "Ya, it sounds like a waterfall."

Cade's eyes grew huge. "Flash flood!"

"What do we do?" Amelia stepped back. "We can climb the walls."

"No," I answered quickly, "that's against to rules." My words hung in the air for minutes before Cade cleared his throat.

"Averi's right we can't risk breaking them but what else can we do?"

"I don't," I started but then the waves interrupted me.

"Run," someone screamed. We ran again. Cade limping the best he can next to us. He was swept up first. And I lost sight of him. Then the water got me and finally overrun Amelia. Turning head over heals in the water gasping for breath. My head hit the side of the maze as I tried to correct my position. Cade grabbed my arm and pulled me up.

"Amelia," I gasp wiping the water from my eyes. He pointed in front of us. She's an excellent swimmer. All of a sudden the water drained. We floated roughly to the ground and landed on our arms and knees. Our wet clothes created puddles of water wherever we turned. And no matter how I sat I was covered in mud.

On the fifth day of our time in the Maze, we came to the Arena city. It was just as big and evil-looking as before.

"Come on," I said dragging my friends through the dusty streets. "This is just the outer city," I explained. In front of us was the gate to the inner city and arena.