The Maze of Nightmares

Four: Jack

Jack

Jack was enjoying himself, talking to other kids his age who seemed to like him for who he was, not because he could get a shot into the goal better than anybody else. Then, of course, something went wrong and they got sucked into a black hole or something.

When Jack opened his eyes, he was lying on the ground, Mia, David, and Rose all near him. What's going on? Where are we? What is this place? He wondered. He tried not to panic, but he was in a strange place with three other kids.

"Guys! Wake up!" He hissed, memories of his nightmares flashing before his eyes. The most common was his sister and faceless loved ones lying dead while he was the only one who survived. He shook it off when all of their eyes popped open. He almost sighed in relief but he caught himself.

They all stood and looked around. They were in an obsidian room, the walls glowing with eerie black light that illuminated the room. The black walls were threaded with gold veins.

"What's going on?" Rose asked.

"I don't know, but I don't like it." David said.

Jack nodded in agreement while Mia just looked worried.

"Well, at least we're together." Jack said.

As if waiting for his words, black walls shot from the floor to the ceiling, separating each of them into their own corridor. The wall in front of him slid down into the floor, revealing three different paths. They were in a maze.

A mechanical voice rang out. "Welcome to the Maze of Nightmares! Pass your tests and you will make it to the center. Face your final test there. If you succeed, then you can leave. Good luck!" There was a laugh that echoed in the enclosed space.

Jack knew that if he ever wanted to see his friends again, he had to make it to the center.

Taking in a calming breath, Jack chose the center path and walked forwards.

~

The path Jack chose led to another crossroads. This time, he went left. At the end of that path there was a room. Once Jack entered, a wall erased the path he had taken. He was alone and trapped in a room with no way out. Panic rose in his throat, the urge to scream filled him.

The walls slowly closed in towards him, making the room smaller and smaller. Fearing being squashed flat by the walls, Jack looked around desperately for something to brace them with. There was nothing. The room was devoid of all objects. There was Jack and the walls. That was it.

Once the walls were less than a foot away, Jack realized something. "Wait a minute! This is a test!" Suddenly relaxed, Jack sat down and closed his eyes. Five minutes later, when he realized he hadn't been squished into a flapjack he opened his eyes.

The walls were were they had been when he entered the room and a hallway led the way out. He jumped to his feet and raced away from the room. He needed to find his friends.