The Maze Sisters

Five more minutes

Ember's P.O.V

Something cold. Hard. My eyes slowly flicked open. They were met by a blinding sun. The sun? I shot upwards, frantically darting from side to side, taking in my surroundings.

I was surrounded by towering, gray walls. They were covered in thick, green vines like you would find in a forest.

I rested my hand against the ground but a cold sensation caused me to yank it off. I peered down to find cool, concrete ground underneath where I sat.

I forced myself to stand up. I staggered slightly but made it to my feet. I gazed up at the massive stones above me, astonished and frozen with fear.

What is this place? How did I get here?

All questions that I had no answer to.

A sound snapped me out of my confused gaze making my ears perk.

I frantically cast my eyes down towards the same direction that it had come from.

A girl was laying down near where I stood, limbs sprawled all over, seeming to be sound asleep.

I crouched down next to her, pulling the hair out of her face. Then they came. Memories.

Phoenix's P.O.V

I groaned as something shook me awake mentally, definitely not physically.

"Five more minutes." I moaned.

"Phoenix, it's me." Someone spoke with an anxious tone. Well whatever it was, it was just going to have to wait. I was drifting back to sleep when something hard smacked against the side of my face and I felt a stinging sensation.

I shot up, crying out while gingerly touching my cheek trying to mellow the pain.

I glared at the figure next to me until something else caught my attention. My eyes widened at our surroundings.

Am I dreaming? This can't be real.

Thoughts instantly began to swim through my mind.

Stumbling to my feet and I whipped my head around, taking in the massive stone walls that cast dark shadows over me.

I remembered the girl behind me and turned to study her. I saw her face and my mind swirled around, trying to remember who she was.

I could feel it. Blurry memories attempting to resurface. It's almost as if I could reach out and touch them.

That's when my brain clicked.

Ember.

Ember's P.O.V

Phoenix bolted up to me, enveloping me in a tight hug.

I closed my eyes and held her back. It was almost as if her embrace was causing me to feel sane again.

"What's happening?" She asked me, as if I'd know.

I inhaled a deep breath before responding.

"I have no clue." I answered, wanting to curl up in a ball and scream. But I can't. I have to stay strong. For her.

"But it's okay." I pulled away, looking at my little sister in the eyes.

I could read them easily. Phoenix's eyes did contain fear. But that's not what shocked me. More than anything, there was pure braveness.
There was hatred for whoever threw us into this place and there was a burning desire to find their way out.

My heart swelled with pride for my sister as I knew that deep inside, I was the opposite of brave. I was terrified.

I silently shook my thoughts away, clearing my mind for things that mattered right now.

"We have to check this place out to know any idea of what to do. But we have to stick together. Okay?" But I knew she would not listen and will do the exact opposite.

"Okay." She looked at me with eyes filled with mischief.

We started walking, and by three steps, she took off sprinting down the long path.

"Phoenix! THIS IS SERIOUS! WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE WE ARE OR IF ANYTHING DANGEROUS IS HERE WITH US!" I looked up at the orange and red sky, realizing the sun is already setting. It'll be dark soon, and cold.

I sprinted after her, gaining on her quickly. She seemed to be slowing down. I caught up to her, preparing a lecture, but froze. I realized why she stopped when I heard something.

Whirring?