Phase 1- The Maze

Arriving in the Glade

She finds herself in a large metal lift with some oil drums and an unconscious girl laying by her side. Casey, or at least, that is who she is supposed to be, is kneeling by the girl's side, trying to shake her awake. She will not budge. Teresa. That is the girl's name. She repeats it, hoping that she will wake. Still does not budge. Casey gives up and wedges herself in a corner of her new environment, opposite the girl and the boxes.

The constant flashing lights appeared in stripes outside the box, or better, cage. She was able to make out the white painting of WICKED on the sides. Casey was told that she could remember nothing, apart from her name and that she must protect the comatosed girl beside her. Let no harm come to her. Ever.

Suddenly, a loud alarm began to blare. It sounded like it was coming from above them. Looking in that direction, a red light seemed to be getting closer and closer.

Then came the halt.

It racked the box so hard that Casey felt like flying, then coming down with a massive bang. The pain shot through her spine. She gave a yell as she tried to rub her back to numb the pain.

And then came the light. It pierced her eyes, even though they were closed. Casey put her hand to shield the remaining light from permanently blinding her.

Casey felt a soft thud come from her right. She looked up and saw people. Make that boys, staring down at her. Stared at a few of the faces. All boys. She gathered herself and made an effort to stand up.

"No way." Said the boy who was on the box. Casey looked at his dark skin and white, dirty shirt.

"What do you see? What is down there?" Several voices called from outside the box. They both belonged to boys.

"Two girls." Said another, "And that's not the bloody half of it. I think one of them is dead."

"How old are they?"

"How do they look?"

"I got dibs."

"No one gets dibs on the girl!" Casey shouted, "Excuse me, but if you heard what he just said. My friend may be dead. So if you have anything inside those skulls of yours, you may want to help me."

Another thud vibrated through Casey's feet. Another person joined her in the box.

"He has a name. Newt, by the way. Medjacks, come and take a look at her!" Newt spoke. Casey knew that face. The same one that two years ago told her that he would always be with her. She had to control herself from running to him. Casey remembered what she had to do next. It involved moving towards him.

"By the way," Casey pulled out the piece of paper from he pocket, "I could not understand this. She was holding it. It may be of some importance to you." Casey placed the piece of paper in Newt's hand. He read it out loud:

"They are the last ones. Ever." He paused, as if for dramatic affect, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Two bulky boys landed with a heavy bump into the box. They began walking towards Teresa and getting ready to lift her up. They were handling her so carelessly that Casey could not stop herself from exploding.

"Oi!" She rushed up and pushed them both out of the way, "Be careful! If you are gonna lift her, do it carefully."

Teresa, as if responding to Casey, shot up into a sitting position and began to breath heavily. Her blue eyes pierced Casey as she stared at her.

"Thomas." The word stumped the shock. All of the faces of the boys turned to one face. Casey found herself looking too. At the boy who had to be Thomas. Casey remembered him, but she could not let that overpower her. She looked back at Teresa, who was leaning towards her.

"Casey, everything is going to change." She fell back down to her lying position, just as if nothing had happened. Casey kneeled there, shocked by what she just heard. Silence came over the boys like a sheet.

"Bloody hell, what was that?" Newt shattered the quietness. That triggered everyone to start talking at once. Casey stood there, staring at the girl.

"You shanks shut up!" The boy standing next to Newt said. Silence came like a flash.

"You two get her up to the Homestead. You most as well go there too. Everything is shucked up." The boy continued.

"I have a name." Casey stared at him, "It's Casey."

"Well, Casey, if you want to stay down here, that's okay. But I suggest you come to the Homestead. Immediately." He spoke sternly.

"Alby, slim it." Newt elbowed him, "Come on. Act like a gentlemen. After you." He pointed to a ladder that was reaching out of the box.

Casey walked over and climbed out the lift. She felt about thirty pairs of eyes perving and drilling into her. She was walking towards a large wooden building, with lush green grass under her feet. Behind what she thought was the Homestead, a large stone wall covered in dangling ivy stood tall. They were walking closer to the Homestead, about 50 meters in front of it. Time to act.

Casey put her hand up to her forehead and stumbled to get her footing. She felt a hand on her back.

"Casey, you ok?" Newt asked in her ear.

"Everything is going to change." She whispered and fell into his arms, eyes closed.