Into The Forest Of Secrets

Chapter 9

Laxy POV

I broke the gaze with Aiden as I looked at the others, they were shocked at my outburst, but no one said anything. 

“The sign said something about being alone sometimes is our best option.” I spoke, calming my nerves, “I don’t believe we should split up but taking a peek down each entrance might give us a better idea on where to go” I hate the idea of splitting up as I am defenseless.

Preston smiled softly at me, “Well, it’s better than pushing a button, as long as we meet back up before losing each other.”

Hunter nodded his head in agreement as he walked to the far left entrance of the maze; Meg went to the one beside Hunter. Preston walked over to the far right door as Aiden went to the one next to him. I looked at my three options choosing to go through the middle one. I took a few steps to peek my head in; the walls were high, reaching the sky, the middle one had two openings left and right. The question is, which one should we go through. It was a rocky path, torches lighted up the place, and the scary part about this maze is how big it is. The walls weren’t close enough to be cramped; we don’t know where the exit is, and for all I know, this forest is trying to kill us. I go to walk back to meet up with the others when the ground started to shake.

“Uhh, did you push another button, imbecile!?” Meg yelled at Aiden.

Aiden yelled angrily back, “No, I didn’t!”

Before they could argue again, a wall from the ground shot up, separating us. I screamed in fright as I was blocked from going through to the other entrances. I heard Meg’s ax collide with the wall in an attempt to break it.

“Is everyone ok!?” Hunter yelled in concern

“I’m fine!” I yelled back.

I looked at my surroundings; I only had my entrance to look at; I couldn’t go around. I have been stuck alone. Then it hit me, the sign said, “Sometimes being alone is your best option.” That was our next puzzle! It wasn’t giving us a choice; it was making us go out alone. I heard a scream in pain; it was Hunter’s voice.

“Are you ok!? Hunter!” Meg yelled in fear, and she never showed fear before. She was always emotionless and angry.

“I’m fine! I can’t use spells; it's like a knife stabbing me through the chest when I do!” Hunter tried again, and another scream broke out of him.

“Well, don’t keep trying!” Meg yelled back.

“Ok, listen, we can meet up at the exit! Everyone make your way there and try to stay alive!” Preston yelled back.

I heard Aiden chuckle as he spoke smugly, “Goodluck La-xy~!” He was mocking me.

I felt my blood boil again but kept quiet; soon, everything around me went silent.

“Guys!” I yelled, no response.

They must have already started their journey; I let out a breath and looked at the path ahead of me. I get to choose left or right; I decided to take a right and start my journey. It was quiet, well this time, quiet is a good thing. I wouldn’t want to run into a creature, just a peaceful walk and hoping to find the exit. I was still pretty mad at Aiden, and he dares to blame me for his mistakes.

“Well, guess what, mister, I will find the exit before you, and we will see who is laughing” I pointed at the air, imagining it to be Aiden, “Yes you! You are a dumb imbecile! You pushed the button; who pushes an unknown anyways!?! It’s your fault; take responsibility!” I yelled before facepalming myself.

I am going crazy because of this man, “He is making me talk to myself,” I whispered before slapping myself hard in the face, “Stop talking to yours-” I groaned in anger.

Being around Aiden has made me dumb. I looked like a crazy person yelling at nobody. But it is his fault, and I kept on walking for what seemed like forever. Is this a trick? I looked around and found a stick on the floor. I’m going to try tracking my steps to see where I have gone and where I haven’t gone, walking over to a torch; putting one end of the stick over the fire to burn it. When it turned to charcoal black, I removed the stick and made a mark on the wall making sure the end of the stick was still hot. 

It left a black mark, and I continued my walking; I showed that if I retook the same path, turning left, I made sure to leave another mark burning the stick again. I am such a genius. Honestly, I should give myself more credit than what the ranks do. I have always been put down for being of a lower rank, especially a human. I worked as a maid because I couldn’t get a job as anything else; the world is cruel, but having Tiger made me happy. He would always protect me even if I were at my lowest.

I glanced at the wall before seeing the black mark; frowning in confusion, I decided to walk past it. To my surprise, the left path had a black mark! 

“You’re telling me. I've been walking in circles!?!” I decided to take the right path instead this time, only to end up back where the mark was! “You're joking. I have been walking for who knows how long! I was walking in a loop!?!” I yelled at the wall.

“Do you also hate humans too!?! What are you a wall with feelings? Did I offend you too! What could be worse than a wall having to feel-” I heard a roar behind me as I snapped my neck to see a creature.

The creature had the bull’s head, the body of a man, the tail of a bull, and a colossal ax bigger than a human. The beast itself was giant, a minotaur. I have seen parts of them being sold at the shop, but never in person. It was angry at me as it huffed at me. My eyes widen without a second thought. I started to run, the loud footsteps of the minotaur hit the ground as he chased me.

“I’m sorry I asked! I take it back! Please!” I yelled at the maze, hoping it would listen to me; I shouldn’t have asked if things could worsen.

I heard another loud snarl behind me as I screamed in fear; I can’t die now! I felt my body shiver in fear, my heartbeat racing a mile now. I couldn’t defend myself against a creature like a minotaur.