Granules of sand sink beneath my boots as I walk along a double set of footprints. The simple crown I’ve woven together of broken branches sits on top of my head, my long waves resting beneath the sharp twigs as they hang loosely down my back.
I rotate the hilt of my dagger between my fingers, the light weight offering a small source of comfort. My hand jabs outwards with it before striking sideways, battling an imaginary enemy.
A few strands of hair are blown out of my face when I release a large breath of air. I slightly stumble and stop walking, closing my eyes for a moment. They feel so heavy that the moment drags on longer than I anticipate. It’s harder than it should be to open them and continue on this endless path. Are we the last ones in the maze? I bet everyone is in the great hall eating dinner and acknowledging us as the weakest link.
I let Finnley down. He should have chosen another partner. He could have easily vanquished this trial with an adept partner. I’m not sure when I became so delicate. I was a tough kid. I had to be. Now, I’m a softer, more unsure version of who I was. What would that little girl think if she saw me right this instant? Would she be disappointed at what she was to become?
Heavy clouds continue to move overhead, the sky taking on a darker hue. It will be nightfall soon. If this place is this hellish during the day, I don’t want to see what it looks like at night. Leaves rustle up ahead, causing me to stop in my tracks. I listen for any further movement, but there’s only silence.
“Finnley,” I whisper. “Is that you?”
I take a cautious step forward, and the rustling starts again. I halt my steps immediately.
“Hello, is someone there?” My dagger sits securely in my hand, ready to be used at a moment’s notice. I might be slightly unskilled with it, but I know how to stab something. The leaves rustle louder, causing fear and apprehension to dance along my spine. Although I have the dagger ready and poised, my feet are as well.
Ready to run at a moment’s notice.
Whatever is coming through the hedge sounds big. Bigger than Finnley.
A thick, hairy leg extends from the foliage. That’s only the start of what makes my eyes widen in fear. Soon, I bear witness to all the horror it has to offer. Long legs support an oblong body with too many eyes to count and long, lethal fangs protrude from its narrow face. I’ve never heard of anyone actually liking spiders, so I’m not unique in despising them. However, this one takes the cake. It looks as if it spins webs of nightmares and feeds off terror.
It’s also currently looking at me as if it’s starving and I’m the only dish on the menu. Yeah, this one’s going to be a flight decision. There is no fight in this scenario.
I spin on my heel and run with everything in me.
The ground vibrates behind me with its heavy strides, hunger and malevolence fueling it. I’m running so hard that I fear my feet won’t be able to maintain the rhythm, and I’m going to crash face-first into the ground, basically offering myself to it on a silver platter. The desire to look over my shoulder is so intense that I have to physically restrain myself. I know without a doubt that if I do, that would be the catalyst that ends this chase.
I whip around a corner, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps, and continue running with what little energy I have left. I can feel the atrocity breathing down my neck. One of the heavy legs touches the back of my calf, causing a whimper to escape my lips.
Shit. Come on, Nori. You have to push harder.
The problem is there’s nothing left to pull from. I’ve given it my all. I’m exhausted, dehydrated, and weak. On the other hand, I may be a lot of things, but I’m not a quitter. Even when I should. Even when there’s nothing left to take from. This time is different, though, as I’m not sure that my body will listen to my mind much longer.
I keep running, my heart physically hurting from the exertion, but the only other option is being eaten alive.
A sound vibrates from its throat, and I just know this is it. This is the morbid way I go.
I’m bracing for the pain I know is soon to follow, but it’s not the puncture of teeth that causes a scream to be ripped from my throat. Leaves and bramble cut my face and hands as I’m yanked out of mid-run through the thick hedge. The fact that I am even being pulled through is miraculous. It’s so dense, I have no idea how I’m making it through.
Whatever has me in their clutches must be extremely strong or very motivated.
Sand softens the blow my hands and knees take as I burst through to the other side. A shrill shriek comes from the opposite side of the hedge, followed by the sound of swift running.
It’s not giving up.
I tentatively raise my head, expecting to be greeted with some new kind of hell.
Warm hazel eyes greet me.
“Hi again.”
The cry that tears out of my throat doesn’t sound human as I jump up and throw my arms around Finnley’s neck. Sobs rack my entire body, and the exhaustion and fear from the day bleed out through them.
Without hesitating, he wraps me in his strong arms, whispering reassurances in my ear. Somehow, I know he’s applying more pressure than he typically does in a hug. He knows I need the extra strength. I need to feel secure and know that everything is okay, that he’s okay.
“Please, let’s get out of this shit show,” I beg, crying into his shoulder.
His touch, gentle yet firm, carefully tips my head back to peer up at him. I’ve always been an ugly crier, so I know I look like a hot mess right now, but you wouldn’t know it by the way he’s looking at me. He’s looking at me the way someone does when they think they’ll never see you again.
