The Labyrinth *editing*

Chapter 22

 Hey so the first part is boring, but I think the end of this chapter is.....you'll see ;)

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I spent the remainder of the day investigating the rest of the palace, which was, mind you, an intriguing place. Most illusionistic was the secret corridor in which we were forbidden to enter, by Miss Drama Queen herself. I, from that day forward, wanted to see what was in there. What they were hiding in their realm of secrets. Probably just their bedrooms, you’re thinking. But I have reason to believe otherwise. It’s not just the secluded feel to it all, not just the darkness, and not just the armed guards at the entrance, but it was the sounds that came from it. Yes, you heard me right: the sounds. Strange whirring and banging in a rhythmic, constant pattern echoed through the empty hallway. Now, being a poor thief hailing from Athens, I naturally had a tendency to be curious. It was my way of surviving. So when strange, muffled, metallic screams started coming through as I sat curiously by the door, I had the urge to find out about it. Of course, it wasn’t possible with the guards standing by the door, keeping a suspicious eye on me, to sneak in a check it out. It was under constant, un-breaking watch. And I, in order to sneak in, had to break that un-breaking watch. But, considering they were armed with lethal swords, I decided it was best not to poke my nose into the business of someone else. But you must admit the record on these royal was starting to look shadier and shadier. I sat there until the third meal of the day was ready to be served. I was startled when Ariadne stepped out of the corridor, coming face to face with me.

     “Good evening” I said levelly. She nodded stiffly, which was as clear a sign as any that she hated me. I took my place at the table beside her, and the other started to trickle in. Theseus came in and sat down, scowling.

     “You don’t look happy.” I commented over soup. He shrugged indifferently. I felt Ariadne watching us carefully.

     “Are you mad at me?” I asked him. He looked up.

     “Not exactly. Well, ok fine, maybe a little bit.” He confessed.

     “Ah. And why might this be?” I said expectantly.

     “Oh, no reason really. Well, I guess I shouldn’t even be mad at all. It’s just… old wounds have reopened.” He said vaguely. I tilted my head to the side.

     “Excuse me?”

He didn’t answer. Then I saw a white bandage around his arm, with a blood stain on it. It took me a moment to figure out why exactly this triggered something in my mind. And then it hit me. It was where I had struck him with the knife what seemed like ages ago in that god-forsaken ship. It had literally reopened. I gasped.

     “How…?” I asked plainly. He let out a gusty sigh, and then a slight laugh.

     “Well, it’s kind of a funny story actually. I was, you know, fooling around with Zeno, and over-exertion caused me to rip the wound open again.” He said simply

     “Not my fault.” I pointed out “At least not this time.” I added guiltily.

     “Uh-huh.” He said, unconvinced. I dropped my gaze, ashamed. He smiled generously.

     “It’s okay. Remember what I said that night? I don’t really blame you at all. It was my fault…I kind of had it coming, since I was so nasty.” He reminded me. I shrugged. Sometimes Theseus was too nice.