Listen up klunk for brains I'm Minho the keeper of the runners, you must be our new recruit. Although you're top dog around here at the Glade I still need to lay down a few Do's and Don'ts
Do:
-Travel lightly
-Bring snacks
-Take short breaks
-Write down your path
Don't:
-Attack other runners
-Fight a Griever head on
-Stay out after dark
-Be a hero
And those are basically the basics. Well shank, here's a backpack with some food and water, a sword to defend yourself, and some paper to map out your route. Good luck out there Greenie.
Welcome to the Maze. Nothing but vines, turning points, and the occasional griever. You walk forward and come across a fork on the path. You can either go left or right.
You take the left turn and continue walking. You see another right turn but you can also keep straight.You walk down what the Runners call "The Infinite Corridor." It's connected to one of the gates and it's mainly used for taking breaks and sprint races. It's the only mile long straightaway in the entire maze and there's tons of pathways connected to it. You see a couple Runners sitting as a race is about to take place.
Two Runners zoom down the straightaway, their feet stomping on the ground to reach the end of the hall. Eventually there's a winner and hoots and cheers can be heard all down the corridor.
Minho steps out one of the turns connecting to the hall.
"What are you slint heads doing? Racing and burning your energy that you need to explore the buggin Maze? I should fire you all from your positions for such stupidity!"
He scans the hall and catches your eye. You feel every once of fear as he comes closer to you without breaking his gaze.
"You, Greenie. It all falls on you now. Race me and win, everyone stays a runner. Lose and everyone becomes a slopper. Oh and there's a third option. You can decline like a little sissy and get everyone fired. But you'll still keep your job."
You feel the pressure as all eyes turn to you. The future of these runners all lie on you now. Will you accept the challenge? Or will you leave them for dead?
You slip your bag off and remove your weapon indicating that you've accepted his challenge. Starting at the end of the hall you see more runners peak their heads out of the connecting halls to the Infinite Corridor. Seems that word has gotten around that the newbie runner is going against the Keeper. You focus on the end of the hall. Planting the back of your foot against the wall behind you, a runner raises his hand and starts the countdown.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
He jets his hand down and you and Minho take off.
Full fledge sprint you and Minho are neck and neck midway up. He starts gloating and such, letting his cockiness get the best of him. His legs cross and he takes a hard tumble down to the ground. By the time he recovers, he's already two seconds behind you. In the last few feet you extend your arms out and jump into the wall letting your arms break your crash. You look back to see Minho doing the same right after you and the race is over. You won.
Cheers can be heard all throughout the Maze and the Glade as the runners carry you all the way to the Homestead. Stories get around like wildfire on how you beat Minho and all you can do is grin and laugh. Minho steps in and everyone goes silent. He speaks up
"Alright look. So newbie here saved your skins and you all get to keep your jobs. But that's not all. When I came to the Glade we runners had ways of becoming the Keeper. Be the fastest in a race. I beat the last Keeper 2 years ago and today I just lost. So guess what newbie? You're the Keeper now."
Everyone pats your back and cheers again on your new title. You go to bed as it still boggles your mind. Not only did you beat the fastest Runner, you also became the Keeper of the runners.
The End.
