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M’ijel
“Zoey?” I call out softly at first, then with increasing concern. “Zoey?”
She’s deep in sleep, so deep that no matter how I prod or shake her, she remains lost in whatever dream or nightmare has taken hold of her.
About ten minutes ago, she started tossing and turning, her body restless. Then came the mumbling, words too quiet and jumbled to make out. Sweat beads on her forehead, a sign of whatever intense scenario is playing out in her mind.
I try to wake her, gently at first, then more insistently, shaking her shoulders and repeating her name over and over. But she doesn’t respond, doesn’t even stir. It’s unnerving, seeing her like this, so unresponsive.
I assume the worst. The Malquarans are evil. They could have implanted something in her head, controlling her remotely. Or one of the plants bit her, infecting her with an illness, giving her mere minutes to live.
Anything is possible in this hell they’ve created for us.
All the while, I keep a vigilant eye on the cave entrance. The other males are out there, I have no doubt about it.They’re searching for her, drawn by whatever instinct the Malquarans have implanted in us.
Throughout the night, I’ve caught glimpses of them passing by the waterfall, their figures haunting the periphery of our sanctuary. Safety here is only temporary, a fleeting illusion.
Suddenly, Zoey bolts upright, gasping for air. Her eyes are wide, filled with a wild, almost frenetic energy. She’s back from wherever her mind had taken her, back with a startling clarity.
“I know where we need to go!” she exclaims between breathless gasps. “I had a dream, a vision. I know where to go!”
Her declaration fills the air, a moment of revelation that cuts through the tension of the night. She seems so sure, so convinced by whatever she saw in her dream. It’s a ray of hope, a potential path forward in this twisted maze.
Instinctively, I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her. Hugging seems to be a form of comfort for humans, and right now, Zoey needs all the comfort she can get.
She leans into the embrace, allowing the gesture, and we rock back and forth in a soothing rhythm.
Now, we have a purpose, a direction. Zoey’s dream, her vision, might just be the key to our escape, the answer to the riddle of this cruel game. With renewed determination, I know we must act on this newfound knowledge, must follow wherever this vision leads.
For the first time since I awoke in this nightmare, I feel a flicker of hope, a sense that maybe, just maybe, we can find our way out of this.
Zoey
My hand instinctively goes to my chest, where I feel the tug from my dream. It’s like a heartbeat, each pulse pulling me in a direction that I know I need to follow.
As we move through the maze, I recognize everything around us — the traps, the plants, even the alien creatures. It’s as if they’re all part of the vision I had, familiar yet surreal.
As we continue, I can’t shake off the feeling of being drawn by an unseen force. The maze around us feels alive, almost sentient, responding to my presence in a way that defies explanation.
The vegetation along the path reacts to my steps, leaves rustling and flowers tilting towards me as if acknowledging my passage.
I’m so engrossed in this surreal experience that I barely notice M’ijel’s sudden grip on my arm. He pulls me behind a large, gnarled tree just as a shadow looms near.
My heart skips a beat; it’s one of the alien males, its form bulky and menacing, prowling the path we were just on.
M’ijel’s eyes are fixed on the creature, his body tense and ready to spring into action.
We’re silent, holding our breath as the creature sniffs the air, its senses searching for a trail. The intensity of the moment is palpable, a mixture of fear and anticipation.
Then, as if on cue, a distant noise captures the creature’s attention. It’s a sharp, sudden sound that echoes through the maze, drawing the creature away from our hiding spot. We watch as it lumbers off, following the source of the disturbance.
Once the danger has passed, M’ijel gently ushers me back onto the path. “We need to stay alert,” he whispers, his voice low and serious. “This maze is full of unpredictable dangers.”
I nod, understanding the gravity of his words. My recent experience, while mesmerizing, has made me realize the need for vigilance.
This maze isn’t just a series of pathways and walls like back on Earth; it’s a living, breathing entity with its own rules and dangers.
We resume our journey, this time with a renewed sense of caution. I lead the way, guided by the strange pull in my chest, but now more aware of our surroundings.
