The Maze

Chapter One ~ Eloise Zurgie

        I was pacing around my room nervously awaiting the time of the maze meeting at noon. I stopped and looked in the mirror. I adjusted my blach cardigan and leggings. I was fidgiting with stuff too much. I've never been this shaky before. But can yo blame me? I might have to go into the maze of mostly certain death. Although my name is one of thousands and counting,  I could still get picked.
        I was just about to have a nervous breakdown when mother called up to me. "Eloise, honey? It's time to go." Her voice was shaky. I could hear it. She could get picked, too. But this is my first year. I just turned fourteen in August. August eighth. Mom's just mervous for me. One part of me says I won't get picked, but the other part of me says I'm dead meat and I'm  gonna get picked. Fingers crossed I don't!
        I went downstairs as slowly as I could. Though I know it won't help. It'll come no matter what... Just go and get it over with. I told myself. It'll go quick. You won't get picked, and you can resume your normal life at school, and at home with mother; who won't get picked either.
        As we headed out, my thoughts drifted to father. I felt tears coming, but I held them back. Father's a wizard, so he lives in a whole different country. We cannot communicate with each other unless granted permission. I wonder what he would say if I told him about the maze? I don't think he would like it either. Who would...
        It was about a fifteen minute walk to the gathering spot. We live in the town closest to the meeting "Star". It's called that because the ground looks like a faint outline of a star. Mom says it was placed there by our goddess Luna Star. I just go along with it.
        We went over to the check in table and wrote our names down on a small slip of paper. We put the paper in a gigantic bucket, and went to the audience to wait. Looking at the maze entrance, I feel sick. It's huge! The meeting is held in front of the maze, so that you get scared, or something. I honestly don't know, and I don't care as long as my name doesn't get picked.
        We waited a while for the rest of the country to get here, and I was so bored, but at least I had my thoughts to keep me company; well, besides my mom.
        All I could think about, though, was running home and never coming out. But granted, that would be practically impossible. The loud screeeech of a microphone cut me out of my thoughts. A low murmer fell over the crowd.
        I looked up at the podium where our ceremonial spokesperson, Kronnyss, who was stroking his black beard with a hint of distracted depression on his face. This is his life. Privileged and spoiled with goods, comfort, and life. I thought. He must enjoy it, right???
        "Welcome everyone!" He boomed suddenly. A shiver ran down my spine, and I looked up, unwillingly. Let's get this over with. The sooner I leave, alive, the better. "Welcome to our 25th annual maze meeting!" He walked over to the giant bucket. "The rules are simple, for all you new-bees. We pick five random names out of the bucket, and they have two hours until they go into the maze and try to find your way out... and try not to die.
         Well geez. That big smile on his face when he said that totally doesn't help my nerves one bit.
         "Let's begin!" He grabbed a long black staff and began to mix up the names. The bucket holding our names is far too big for a person to mix themselves.
         He stopped mixing and took the staff out. Then he reached over, (and almost falling in) carefully plucked the first name out, and unfolded it. He cleared his throat. "The first person picked to venture into the deep depths of the maze is..." There was a long pause. He was so over-dramatic.
         He drew in a big breath. "Eoise Zurgie!" My jaw dropped and I felt like I was going to faint. I was shaking even more than before. Yep. I thought. Here comes that breakdown.