Capewood (Book I) *Completed*

Autumn

I know it should be a little reassuring that someone is here watching us through the roof, but at the same time, it leaves me feeling thoroughly creeped out. For starters, why haven't they done anything to interfere with what is happening? That leads me to believe one of two things. 

1. They aren't sure of what to do or how to help us. 

Or

2. They are psychotic and getting actual enjoyment for this. 

For my sanity, and hope in humanity, I hope that it is the first issue. However, I also didn't believe until recently that psychos with a murder vendetta existed, so really this could fall in either direction. 

"We've been walking forever," says Alicia as she drops down to the ground. "I'm tired. Let's take a break." 

We all sit down. Julian hasn't said a word since we all told him that we weren't sure if he didn't see the guy in the window. He was so insistent, but I still don't know if I'm able to believe him or not. Something isn't adding up in my head. It scares me that someone can see what is going on in this room, and still not try and do anything.

"I'm going to keep walking," says Julian as he stands up and continues walking. "I'll scout ahead,"

He starts walking, and I get up to follow him. "Julian!" I call him. "Wait!" He doesn't turn around. He keeps walking and doesn't stop to look at me no matter how much I call him. He just keeps brooding and walking away. "What is your issue?" I say as I run and grab onto his arm. He glares at me and gives me a nasty look. 

"I know what I saw," he says upset. "I know there was someone up there. I think it's important for us to stay around until this person makes a move. I can't explain it, but I feel like there's something bigger than us going on." 

"Okay," I tell him reassuringly. "I believe you,' 

"Do you believe me or are you just saying that you believe me so I won't be upset?" 

"Julian, I said I believe you," I say with a chuckle "I don't know what else you want me to say,"

"Okay," he whispers as he pulls me in for a hug. "Thank you," 

He grabs my hand, and we intertwine our fingers walking down the halls of the maze. I take a deep breath and am amazed that even though I haven't showered or brushed my teeth in what seems like weeks, Julian still feels attracted to me. I'm also amazed by the fact that even in my circumstances that I'm in, I still care about what this boy thinks of me and what we go through on an emotional level. I'm always telling myself that we will find a way for both of us to get out. 

I just really hope that is true.

We continue to walk in a comfortable silence. I didn't realize how important it was to be able to have that with someone before. There's no pressure to fill the air around us. It's just a simple matter of being with someone that brings you peace. .Julian just feels right. 

A clanking of metal sends my heartbeat racing as I spin around. Julian looks at me confused, and my once perfect peace that I had walking with him is ruined. It's easy to forget that there are four others in the maze with us, but when I remember it instantly fills me with dread. The death count hasn't decreased since that battle royale where the Reaper died, which also means that psycho from before is still out there. 

"What's wrong baby?" asks Julian wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close.

"I heard something," I say still looking behind me to make sure that I don't miss anything. "It sounded like someone was kicking the metal in the maze." He frowns as he grabs my hand and continues to move us forward. 

I hear the metal clank again, and this time I know, Julian has heard it as well. He turns around and looks down the hall we are walking and calls out, "Katherine? Alicia? Is that you guys?" 

It happened quickly. At first, there was only Julian and me inside the corridor. Suddenly four others are running at us with knives. I let out a scream as one of them runs up to me and grabs my hands. He spins me around and holds a knife to my throat as I let out a whimper. "Quiet!" they yell into my ear. 

I watch in horror as a girl that is no bigger than Katherine runs up and stabs a knife into Julian's shoulder. He lets out an agonizing yelp and pulls the knife out swinging it at the girl.  He falls to the ground and attempts to get up, but his body isn't cooperating with him. 

Stepping into view from behind the others is the boy from earlier. He smiles at me as he walks up and strokes his hand across my face and I shiver as Julian passes out on the floor. "Miss me, Autumn?" he says as his grin grows.

 "HELP!" I scream out as the knife pushes down harder in my neck. 

"I told you to be quite- EDDY LOOK OUT!" screams the boy holding me.

I look up and see Katherine and Alicia slamming their bodies into the squad that Eddy brought with him into the wall. The girl that stabbed Julian lies on the ground passed out, while the boy who was slammed gets up quickly and runs and leave her there lying on the floor. It takes me a moment to realize that I'm being dragged with them, but all I can see is Julian's body on the ground in a pile of blood. 

"Autumn!" screams Katherine as she runs after us with a knife from the girl that was bodied by her and Alicia. 

"Take care of her, Sean," says Eddy as he and the boy carrying me continue to run. Katherine runs straight at the boy, and slides under his legs; he lets out a scream and blood starts to fall from his stomach as she gets up and continues to chase us. I notice that the knife she had in her hand has disappeared and stare in awe at her bravery as she chases after me. 

I look down at Julian and see that the blood is starting to spread more and more. "Save Julian!" I plead to Katherine as she continues to chase us. Alicia runs and pulls her back as she grabs onto Julian's arm and has Katherine grab the other.

"Autumn we will find you!" screams Alicia.

"Take care of Julian!" I yell back. "Please don't let him die!"

"We will do our best!" screams Katherine.

The last thing I see down that corridor is the guy named Sean fall over and everyone's ankle lighting up as we disappear around the corner.