Labyrinth

My body stiffened as an ice cold chill coursed down my veins while I stared at the red sign above my head. You have one hour. Don't touch the walls. I looked at my surroundings; walls covered in ivy and a grey, stone floor which was cold and harsh to touch as I jumped off the metal table I woke up on. There was fog floating an inch off the ground which made it cold for my bare feet as I stood, nervously. What happens when the hour's over? Why can't I touch the walls? I had no idea where I was, what I was supposed to do or what I was looking for. I could feel my heartbeat accelerate as I took a step forward, flinching as I felt the harsh floor scrape my feet. As I exited the small room I was in, I heard a bell. It sounded distant yet at the same time as if it was right behind me but when I turned around there was nothing there. I stumbled upon a turning, which I made reluctantly. More fog slowly crept from the ivy and covered the floor so I could no longer see the dingy grey. I swallowed hard and tried to calm myself down. I wasn't going to get anywhere if I was in a panic, as if I knew where I was supposed to go or if there was an exit at all but I thought I didn't want to be stuck in this place so I tried to pluck up the courage to move. Apparently my legs didn't like that plan and wouldn't move so I tripped. My hands instinctively reached for the walls but as my fingers moved closer to the walls, the ivy started to crawl out and wrap around my wrist, causing a sharp pain to spread up my arms. My breathing was erratic now as I pulled my arm back, trying to free myself from the ivy. After a while I had set myself free; I guess that's what happens if I touch the wall and I don't fancy getting sucked in.

When I got back on my feet, I looked at the palm of my hands. There were numbers in red; 47:30. No, that couldn't be possible. Time was going by so quickly. I quickened my pace down the narrow corridor until I reached a split in the path. Do I go left or right? I could feel my heartbeat in my ears now and I realised how serious the situation was. I decided to go right, my hands fidgeting with my white sun dress as I walked further into the maze. The silence was broken by low whispers, whispers that seemed to be coming from the walls. What if other people were in here? What if they were claimed by the ivy? I pushed the thought out of my head as I reached another crossroads. This time I turned left.

34:40

Time was passing and it seemed as though I wasn't getting anywhere. My breathing became quick, short gasps. I was losing my mind; whispers in my head calling out to me. Every few minutes I heard screams which caused me to quicken my pace. I was running around in circles, this was pointless. I sobbed, tears flowing freely down my face as I ran and stumbled through the corridors. I thought I saw the walls move, like a wave following my every move. My wrist started to burn and when I looked down, I almost screamed. Where the ivy had wrapped around me, there were now red, swollen blisters almost bubbling on my skin.

"What do you want from me?" I cried, holding my arm to my chest. I saw another turning ahead of me, strange sounds coming from the end. I peeked around the corner, holding my breath so that I wouldn't be heard. At the end of the misty corridor stood a figure, it was facing away from me. It was whispering then letting out small giggles. My stomach was in knots when I realised that I had to go towards it but at least there was a turning behind it, right? I crept closer to the opening, keeping watch that the figure didn't catch me. As I got closer the figure twitched.

"Who's there?" it hissed. It turned slowly and then it's red eyes were on my green ones. I tried to run but my feet were frozen. It ran toward me, claws out and ready to attack. As it got closer, my eyes closed and a strong breeze hit me. I opened my eyes and the creature was nowhere to be seen. I let out a sigh of relief and headed to the opening.

18:27

I felt defeat when I looked at my hands; I was never getting out. I was going to become one with the maze and I wouldn't have any explanation about my situation. As I jogged down the longest corridor, I saw a light at the end. Could it be? Had I found my way? I cautiously made my way towards the clearing. There was silence apart from the ringing in my ears, I felt sick. I clutched my stomach as I reached the end. I turned the corner and my breath caught in the back of my throat before I let out a loud, piercing scream. In the middle of the clearing was a body, hanging in the air. It was covered in blood and it's clothes were ripped to shreds. I took a step closer and I felt like I would be sick any minute; it was my face, my body. Game over.

Oh no, not again.

My body stiffened while an ice cold chill coursed down my veins as I stared at the red sign above my head. You have one hour. Don't touch the walls...