The Wall Maze

Chapter 2 - Initiation

As I climbed in, I found myself staring in awe at what was around me. Black paint drawings everywhere. The cellar door was closed behind me, just in case, and someone lit a lamp. Then, all along the walls of the cellar, lamps were lit.

The girl looked at me and said, "Violet, right?"

I shook my head yes and she smiled.

"Well, Violet, you seem surprised. Never been in the cellar, I'm guessing."

Speechless, I shook my head no.

"Ahh. So that means you've never been initiated then, either, huh?"

I looked at Max in confusion and he shrugged, giving me an encouraging smile.

"N-no. I haven't been initiated."

"Well, don't be nervous. It's easy. Follow me."

Everyone side-stepped out of our way and I followed the girl to the end of the cellar. She turned back to face me and smiled. She pushed on the brick wall with her shoulder, and the secret brick door opened to reveal a small hallway. We turned back to everyone, who were smiling at me encouragingly, and she said, "Hunter, toss me a flashlight, would ya?" A tall boy with jet black hair and piercing green eyes opened up his backpack and pulled out a flashlight.

"Here ya go, Belle."

He tossed her the flashlight and Belle took my hand. Using the flashlight to see, she led me down a short narrow hallway. She stopped and opened another secret hidden door, just as she had the first. She put her hand to the right wall and turned on a switch. Lights came on from up above. Old lights in cone light fixures dangled from the ceiling. She let go of my hand and I let my eyes adjust.

We were in a room with cream walls and more black paintings. She handed me a brush and pointed to a can of black paint in the back corner of the room.

"Write your name on the wall. You don't have to think of one now, but eventually you need to draw a picture of something or someone that means a lot to you. There's a book for that."

I looked over at the other corner of the room, and sure enough, there were stacks of books.

"Here, I'll show you."

I followed Belle to the back wall and she pointed to her name.

"Here's where I wrote my name. I haven't drawn my picture yet."

She stood there looking at her name, thinking. Finally, I spoke up.

"Um... Belle?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are we doing this?"

"You just turned 16 right?"

"Well, yeah, but-"

"Everyone who contributes to the wall maze and is here all the time deserves to be a member. You can finally become a member, once you're 16."

I nodded my head.

"Okay."

"You can look at the books anytime you want for inspiration. Maybe you'll find inspiration for your picture."

I started walking along the back wall looking at all the names that filled it. I noticed a few names I recognized. I found Max's name. "Maxwell Asper" was written in jagged letters.

I smiled and painted my name under his. Then, I continued looking along the back wall. Suddenly I stopped. I dropped my paint brush and stood there staring at the wall. Written in beautiful handwriting was the name of one of my best friends.

Tears filled my eyes and I ran out of the room. I ran all the way back to find the cellar doors open again. Maxwell and Hunter were still there. I ran to Max and threw my arms around him. I started sobbing uncontrolably. He pet my hair and held me close.

"I know, Letty. I... I miss her, too."