The Secret

Chapter 9: Labyrinth

I looked at him, he had no remorse or a single shred of sadness that my friends and I were about to die. He was smiling. His white teeth showing with the smile he had during his casual conversations. Downing his red wine like is cost nothing. I looked around the room, everyone who had just come and sat down, talked to each other like long lost friends. The only seat at the table was the head.

Oswald walked over and whispered something in Georgia's ear, she stood up exiting to the furthest door from where we entered. She looked back at the table, like she was waiting for us to get up to rescue her.

I looked back at the man sitting next to me, "What is going on here, what is going on?"

He began to chuckle, looking at his neighbor then back at me, "Oh honey. If you haven't figured it out yet, you are as dumb as your picture looked." Still laughing and turning back to his conversation like I didn't exist.

I turned to my left looking at the long red dress. It shimmered in the light, reaching to the freshly waxed floor. Tapping her arm, she looked at me disgust filling her face. Ripping her arm away and wiping it clean like I just spit on her. "Do not touch me your filth." She slapped me. My face was hot, I held my hand over the red heat where she hit. "Arthur!" the man to my right turned, "Control your filthy pest."

Pest?

"Harley, please do control yourself, you must have at least some manners." Looking at me, an eyebrow raised as a grin slowly grew. "Please, have a drink." Handing me a glass of red wine.

"The last time I drank, I was poisoned." Memories flooded, thinking of louis's mangled face and lifeless body.

"Oh please." Rolling his eyes. "That whole gag? That is such a boring trick." Turning to his neighbor and back at me, "I remember when they once told a group that if they fell asleep, the servants would sneak in, chain them to the bed and set them on fire." His evil laugh filled my ears. "Do you really think they poisoned your drinks? Why do you think they had to bring in someone else to fill Louis's spot?"

Horror and hatred filled me. "What are you saying?"

"Harley, the drinks weren't poisoned. They were fucking with you to see which of you would be the most violent, and surprisingly you're very resourceful." Downing the last bit of his wine, a server immediately replacing the once empty cup. "That's why I'm taking betting on you. In a way, I'm your new coach." He laughed turning back to his neighbor.

The drinks weren't poisoned. Louis died for nothing.

Oswald walked back in, walking to Harry and whispering. Harry stood up, following him out the same door that Georgia left through. I looked at Zayn, he just sat there staring at his plate like he had lost all hope in the world.

The lights began to dim, and silence filled the room. The door from where we all entered slowly opened. Oswald entering, making sure the way was clear.

A woman walked in, with what looked like a Victorian era dress. Its base bulging out to every direction, its elegant off white with a hint of sky blue. It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. Her mask was flush against her brown eyes looked at each person, scanning them and judging. She glided over to the head of the table, Oswald pulling out her chair and sitting, her posture was perfect.

Oswald leaned down to her, she whispered something, and Oswald looked at her like he was shocked of what he was hearing himself. He stood up clearing his throat. "Lady's and Gentleman, I am pleased to inform you, that the lady of the house has changed the schedule for the events of tomorrow. One of the events will now be taken place tonight." I locked onto Zayn, both of us horrified. That had to have been where Georgia and Harry had gone. Could they already be at their event? Oswald began scanning the room, no one spoke. You could see the excitement on everyone's faces. The first event will begin outside, if you would follow me to the garden."

He motioned and the giant doors sitting behind me began to open, it was like the entire wall of the building was moving. A giant hedge wall had replaced what was once there. Staircases were on both sides.

"Oh, this is one of my favorites." Arthur's excitement grew, only making my nerves worse and my stomach sicker.

I followed the crowds, sticking behind Arthur like a lost puppy. Zayn had gone to the right staircase, separating us. If something happened, I had no way of getting to him. Shock and amazement filled my eyes, as a labyrinth formed with the higher, I climbed. It was massive, the green hedges kept going for what seemed like at least a mile. It was well taken care of, its walls and edges had to have been maintained at least once a day. I kept walking up the staircase making it up to the railing. Looking for any sign of movement down at the bottom. I looked at the sky, the sun was getting close to setting as orange filled half of the sky, the darkness consuming the other. Oswald took his place at one of the edges. He was wearing a black winter trench coat, a black and white scarf wrapped around his neck.

How was I not cold? I began searching around trying to find any source of heat.

Arthur's voice cut close to my ear "The floors blow up hot air, it's enough to heat all of us, but gentle enough you can't tell it's there." He pointed to Oswald, "He must stand in the cold though, announcing everything that is happening since he has the best view. But when the action hits, you'll see it."

I didn't look at him. I wanted to push him over the railing and hope he would suffer a slow death at the bottom. Anger filled my voice, "Don't fucking talk to me."

"Oh, come now, that's no way to treat the man who's betting on you."

"Fuck you, I hope you lose everything."

"That would mean you would die princess." Laughing, "You're stuck with me till you win, or die" He shrugged, my life meant nothing to him

Fuck, but he was right. I was stuck with him.

Oswald picked up a microphone in front of him, tapping it, the sound reverberating around us. "As you can see, we have a treat for the first event. For those of you who are joining us for the first time this year please listen closely. You have received the ruled in you packets prior to arrival but were not given the events. Tonight's event is the deadly labyrinth. Both participants must make their way through, making it to the center. If they make it, they win! It is as easy as that."

That's it? That's all they had to do was make it to the center and it was over?

Oswald's voice replaced my thoughts, "But as you all know, we like to keep it fun around here! So, you can also win by killing your opponent or outliving them!"

My face snapped to Arthur, "What does he mean outliving?"

He locked eyes with me, his eyes matching his mossy blazer "I thought you said not to talk to you?"

"Tell me what he means."

"Watch and see princess." He gestured towards to hedges.

Anger filled me, I was enraged. "Stop calling me a fucking princess."

"You're right, my apologies." He gave me a giggle. "You sure don't act like one that's for sure."

"Fuck you." I balled my right hand into a fist so he wouldn't see. 

Oswald looked to his right, above us. I followed suit and saw the masked lady above us all. She could see everyone and everything that was about to happen. A grin filled her face, and she nodded. Oswald snapped his fingers and two doors on opposite ends of the maze flew open. "Let the event begin!"