Page 15 of Of Monsters and Mazes

Without time to dawdle, I threw her over my shoulder, then hauled her just outside the bounds of the forest. As soon as his highness arrived at his throne and she was bestowed with tracking marks, he would be able to watch her journey through his projection screen. I couldn’t make it obvious I’d interfered. I needed to drop her somewhere before he noticed I was gone. I’d be lucky if I had seconds before he would be looking for me.

I dumped her unconscious, fully healed body in the safest place I knew, confident she’d be taken care of and able to continue her journey, then I slipped back into the maze.

It wasn’t my place to help her. I’d not received any orders yet in regards to this year’s tribute, and I could only hope Master wouldn’t notice my mistake.

She wasn’t my problem now.

Hopefully.

Chapter 7

Tink tink tink

The sound of a hammer hitting nails created a haunting melody in the darkness as I slowly stirred back to consciousness. I couldn’t say when I’d fully lost my awareness, but it had come back with renewed clarity.

Relief flooded me at the immediate realization that I could hear again. I could also feel the dryness in my throat, smell the earthy scent of wet stone, and taste the bitterness of my mouth after a long rest. I didn’t detect any pain from where the worms had bit me. Maybe they’d been an illusion, or perhaps my mind had been playing tricks on me.

It was either that, or I’d died and my senses had been restored in the afterlife. It was debatable which was the superior outcome.

But then, if I was no longer in the forest, where was I?

I blinked and blinked, hoping to catch enough light for my night vision to come into focus, but there was nothing to latch onto in this cool, dank chamber in this strange world. I couldn’t say with absolutely certainty that my vision had been restored, and the possibility that the room wasn’t dark at all—that I was simply blind now—was something I was actively pushing out of my forethoughts. The blackness was so pervasive, the only confirmation I had that I was awake was in the small, steady, lukewarm drip splashing on my forehead.

Though the drops were little more than a light, soft tap on my skin, the inconsistent rhythm was slowly starting to give me a headache. Probably a leaky pipe from the ancient plumbing in this medieval mess of a place.

I rolled my worthless eyes, as the building liquid started sliding down my forehead in a warm stream, and I slowly tried to find some part of my existence to latch onto beyond the mind numbing migraine that was rapidly settling in. At best, I acknowledged the chill of the cold, smooth surface I was laying on, and something restrictive against my wrists and my ankles. Maybe getting my senses back wasn’t such a gift after all.

Tink Tink Tink Tink

The tapping got louder. Closer. Just feet away from my right ear, if I were to guess. I couldn’t say for sure it wasn’t an echo disguising the true location of the noise, but wherever it was, it certainly wasn’t getting further away.

I flexed my fingers and rolled my wrists. The restraints on my wrists and ankles were loose enough to allow for comfortable circulation, but firm enough that I was fairly secure. The looseness of my bindings almost felt like something you’d use to temporarily hold something in place before you secured a more permanent solution. Like holding a poster up with your hand, while you tore off a piece of tape with your teeth.

I attempted to roll my knuckles inward, tucking my pinky and thumb under my index finger, shaping my hand like I was trying to slip off a tight bracelet without undoing the latch. Tugging softly and rotating my wrist was slowly starting to work my knuckles through the band.

A little more. Just a little more.

I tugged my right hand free, and resisted the need to yip with excitement, lest I catch the attention of whatever was making tapping noises in the darkness. With the same patience, I started wriggling my left hand free. I held my breath so as not to make a single sound as I cleared my knuckles on my other hand.

Very slowly I exhaled, assuring the highest degree of stealth by timing my breathing with the banging sounds. I held my breath until I absolutely had to draw in another slow and near inaudible inhale.

Tink Tink Tink Tink Tink

It was louder again, but now on my left. Were there multiple monsters with hammers? Was there a small village being built? Maybe someone was just trying to repair that goddamn drip.

With excruciating care, I stayed in place on the hard wood as I felt along my body. I needed to verify there were no restraints around my waist that I hadn’t noticed through my clothing. I was pleased to feel the smooth fabric of my t-shirt with all ten of my fingers, confirming I’d not lost any.

I filled my lungs fully to assure there was nothing I’d missed around my chest either. Once I was confident I could sit up, I inched my way to a seated position, mitigating the rustle of my own clothing as much as possible while I repositioned.

Tink Tink Tink Tink Tink Tink Tink

It was behind me now. The volume hadn’t changed this time.

I thanked the morning yoga classes that helped me touch my toes, and I used this mediocre flexibility to assess the bindings on my ankles. They were a touch more snug than the ones on my wrists, but with the right flexing and pointing of my toes, I was fairly confident I could squirm my way out of these restraints. I had this. Nothing to be afraid of.

Jericho probably thought I’d be too terrified to move. He probably just assumed he’d won the moment I’d fallen into whatever this trap was. But he didn’t know me. He certainly didn’t know how much I would endure for my Fluff Pumpkin.

One more controlled breath, then I scooted forward so I had enough bend in my knee to better maneuver, and I started inching my right ankle free. The constant tinking hid the little sounds I made as the leather strap dragged over the top of my foot. But with enough shimmying, I had one more limb free. Just one to go.