The Labyrinth *editing*

Chapter 27

OK guys I'm starting to see that this book so far is sort of a drag to read, so I'm going to cut to the fun part REALLY soon! :D Get ready! I'm hoping this might be the last chapter of nothingness....But I don't want to say too much! XD

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When I woke up the next morning, I was incredibly tired and it took me a moment to remember why. In seconds though, the previous night's stand-out events flooded back to me. I rolled over and groaned. I scowled at the mere thought of Ariadne. I brushed my air out half-heartedly and dressed in a new pair of clothes I found on the end of my bed. I hurried down the stair, hoping I wasn't too late for breakfast. Sure enough, a few people were already sitting down, but the foo was just being brought out. I pulled my chair out without noise and sat down next to Ariadne, who had blood-shot eyes, surrounded by dark circles.

"You look tired," I vindicated nonchalantly.

She looked up at me and rolled her eyes. "Good morning to you too."

'What? You do!"

"Ladies, let's break it up," a male voice warned teasingly from behind me. I spun around to see Theseus, raising one of his eyebrows at me pointedly.

"Yes sir," I replied with no heart.

"Theseus!" Ariadne squealed before I clapped one hand over mouth to silence her. Nobody was supposed to know about their 'love'. "Oh. Right," she whispered, her voice muffled by my hand.

"Greetings, princess," Theseus replied stiffly, pretending not to know her.

I filled my plate, snickering at the two-- how they had to be so close together but could not say a word. Eating quickly, I did not stop to pay any attention to anyone around me other than them. When I was finished, I waited patiently for Theseus and Ariadne to done, and then had them follow me out to the garden.

"K, so Ariadne...do you know when we're going to be...sacrificed?" I chose my words carefully.

She looked annoyed. "No."

"Do you still have the string, Theseus?" I asked. He patted his pocket in response.

"Alright, so that's our only plan. And we've got to follow through with it." I concluded doggedly.

I began to tell them about how it would pan out OK, but I was interrupted by a clanging of an impossibly loud bell. I covered my ears in instinct. I had no idea of the significance of the sound, but as I watched Ariadne scream and crumble to the ground sobbing, I got the vague impression that this was not a good thing.

"Ariadne? What's wrong?" I shrieked as I hit the ground in imitation, with my ears covered. She sobbed and shook her head, assuming a hunched position.

Theseus froze at the sound of the bell and he obviously had no idea what it meant either. It struck terror through me for some reason. The booming clanging ceased suddenly and Ariadne sobs were the only thing that entered my ears.

"What was that for?" Theseus asked in wonder, looking around as if there would be a sign to tell him.

Ariadne would not stop shaking. "It's the bells! No! Not the bells!" she shrieked in pure terror.

The phrase and situation reminded me of something else I had experienced before. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it stirred horror within me.

"Xenia..." Theseus began slowly. "Does this remind you of something...it does for me, but it seems vague..." he trailed off quizzically.

"Yes. It does!" I whispered hollowly. "A ghostly memory..."

"Same here..." he replied. It suddenly hit me-- like a bullet. The breath was knocked out me, and I collapsed.

"Xenia??? What's wrong!?" Theseus asked worriedly.

"Theseus," I sobbed. "I know what it reminds me of."

"What?? What is it then??" he asked frantically.

"You recall the day we were taken away, don't you?"

He nodded.

"The bells." I whispered, looking him straight in the eye. The phrase was notorious and feared in Athens whenever spoke, for they knew what it meant. The weight of it reached him, and his eyes widened in fear.

"You don't think...." he began.

"Yes, Theseus, I do think. They're taking us into the labyrinth now."

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:O Dun dun dun.....the time has come!! NOOOO!! But I promise it will get more interesting from here on out! Lotsa blood and creepiness! I really want to end this book soon, so expect the end to come! Almost done!! WOOT WOOT!! :D

Ah-hem. Yes. You. Aren't you forgetting something? You know what I'm about to ask...in fact do I even need to ask at all? Uh-huh. Yup. Comment. Now. XD