The Labyrinth Queen

Prologue

She had spent the day running. She spent every day running, either running from danger, to find food, or to escape. For as long as she could remember her life was like this. Every day was the same, every day was terrifying and horrible. There were dangers everywhere she looked. She was born here and was aware that she would die here as the rest of her family had. She was in The Labyrinth… the largest labyrinth the world had ever known. There were more dangers here than any other place on the planet. She had only heard of the outside world. She heard the stories as she grew up, the world beyond was a better, safer, and wonderous place. There was peace and harmony, it was a utopia, or so her parents had told her before they died.

She had just returned with her father after scouring the area for food for the three of them. They had been lucky and caught a couple of rabbits and found wild carrots and roots to make a nice stew. Her mother was setting up camp for the night. “Mom! Look what I got for dinner!” she cried, while proudly showing her catch for today. Her father was right behind her chuckling at her excitement. It had been a long time since they had stew, the animals seemed to be moving into another area in The Labyrinth. Her mother grabbed a pot and put it on the fire before adding water and vegetables while her father prepared the meat. It happened when the last of the meat dropped into the pot and the lid placed on it. She looked up and there he was.

“Leilani, run!” her mother yelled. Her father grabbed a stick from the fire and tried to defend his family. The giant wolf attacked viciously, and her father was no match. As his head landed at her feet she turned to run as her mother had said. Her mother called the attention of the wolf and died almost immediately. Leilani only just escaping with her life. The last look on her parent's faces burned forever in her mind. She was now alone. Her parents were only children just like her. She knew that she had to escape The Labyrinth and find Utopia if only for them.

That was only two years ago, but she was taller now, stronger, and smarter. She had learned more about this place than anyone in her family had known. She spent her days running and searching for a way out. Every time she found a dead end, she would mark it with an “X” and move on to the next area. At night she would find a place to hide either under a rock or tree or when she was desperate, she would tie herself to the branches in the trees. She knew it was not safe to move or sleep at night because while the day is dangerous at best, the extremely deadly creatures will come out after the sun has gone down.