𖤐 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑾𝑬𝑵𝑻𝒀-𝑭𝑶𝑼𝑹:
╰┈➤ icarus falls ༉‧₊˚.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING, MEREDITH was awoken to utter chaos. There'd been hurried footsteps in the hallways outside her door and when she peered out past the sheer curtains around her window, there had been people running all over, crying out and yelling.

Anxiety coiled in Meredith's stomach, overtaking her.

She quickly tossed her bedding over the side of her bed and rushed out of her room, desperate to uncover the source of the commotion. The once serene hallways now resembled a battleground, with panicked guests scrambling for answers. Meredith's heart pounded in her chest as she made her way through the chaos, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

She hurried down the hallway in only her white nightgown. Finally, in amidst all this chaos, she got a glimpse a familiar face--Elspeth.

The girl watched as Elspeth's face flickered with relief at the sight of her. "Meredith, darling," she cried out, her voice hurried and anxiety-ridden as she ran up to the brunette. She grabbed a hold of Meredith's arms and looked right into her worried brown eyes. Meredith had never seen the woman so frazzled and honestly, it was horrifying. "Have you seen Felix?"

Felix.

Meredith's heart stopped beating in that moment. She felt her knees attempt to go weak just at the mention of his name and the possibility of all of this being tied to him.

"He's missing."

Meredith couldn't help the gasp that would next escape out of her mouth.

"When did you last see him?"

She covered her horror-stricken expression with her hand and shook her head. Her mind was a blurred haze. She couldn't think straight.

Think, Meredith, she thought. Think.

"Last night--" she squinted, her head hurting to think and suddenly dizzy. Until it hit her. She met Elspeth's gaze with realization. "The maze."

Something flickered behind Elspeth's eyes and it was in that moment that the two knew their lives would be changed for the worse from now on.

Meredith took off, running down the stairs and out the building--darting for the maze.

As if, there was some sort of possibility that she'd find Felix just in time and he'd be safe and he'd be there and it'd be perfect.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the perfectly manicured hedges that lined the labyrinth. Meredith's breath came in ragged gasps as she pushed herself further, her bare feet pounding against the cold ground. Her nightgown billowed behind her, a ghostly reminder of the life she had left behind in that moment of panic.

Every twist and turn of the maze was etched into her memory, each treacherous path a testament to their shared adventures. Felix had always loved the thrill of the unknown, his laughter echoing through the hidden corridors as they navigated the labyrinth together. But now, in this moment of desperation, his absence gnawed at her like a festering wound.

The stillness within the maze was deafening, broken only by Meredith's frantic footsteps. She called out his name, her voice echoing off the hedges that seemed to close in on her with every passing second. Her heart raced, fear pulsating through her veins as

she turned another corner, hoping to catch a glimpse of Felix's familiar figure. But the maze remained silent, offering no solace or answers.

As Meredith continued her frantic search, her mind replayed the events of last night. She remembered the laughter and whispered promises as they snuck out of their rooms, embarking on their secret adventure into the mysterious maze. It had become their sanctuary, a place where they could escape the demands and expectations that weighed heavily upon them.

But now, in the face of uncertainty and danger, Meredith couldn't help but question whether their cherished hideaway had turned against them. She couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that there was more to this chaos than meets the eye.

Meredith's heart leaped as she finally made it to the center of the maze. The Minotaur statue more daunting than ever.

And then she saw it.

There, lying motionless on the ground, was Felix.

Meredith's breath caught in her throat as she rushed to Felix's side. His body lay crumpled and still, a stark contrast to the vibrant, mischievous spirit she had come to know and love. Panic welled up inside her, threatening to consume her completely.

"Felix!" Meredith's voice cracked as she knelt beside him, her trembling fingers reaching out to brush aside the dirt that marred his face. His eyes remained closed, his chest unmoving. A sob escaped from her lips, a desperate plea for him to wake up.

For the first time possibly ever, Felix's body was cold. His skin was cold beneath Meredith's warm touched and for once in Meredith's life, everything she touched didn't turn to Gold.

Warm tears slid down her cheeks and she was suddenly choking on the cries pouring out of her. "Please,"

There was no one near and she'd been alone with her soulmate in this maze.

"Somebody help!" Her voice strained with the scream, the plea.

But the maze remained eerily silent, as if holding its secrets close. Meredith's heart shattered as the reality settled in—Felix was gone. She clung to his lifeless body, her cries echoing through the labyrinth. It felt as though time had frozen, trapping her in this nightmare.

Her arms wrapped around his lifeless frame, holding him tight to her, clinging onto it for a glimmer of hope. For Felix to come back and give her that golden smile.

Elspeth soon came into view, her head slowly peering into the entrance of the maze, wary and small. As if she didn't want to look because she knew what would be beyond her.

She screamed. She screamed and it was the most terrifying thing Meredith had ever heard. It echoed through the air like a siren that alerted where they were--where Felix was.

This mother had just lost her son and now she'd have to live with the remorse.

Elspeth and the girl shared a moment then. As they looked into one another's eyes, each tear-filled and gasping for a breath--this would connect them for eternity.

It was no secret that Felix was the favorite of the Cattons and that Meredith was Elspeth's dream daughter-in-law.

But now, it'd been much too late for that because Meredith Archibald would never get to become a Catton.

Elspeth quickly turned away, gripping onto the hedge of the statue and soon enough, Farleigh came running into the maze. Venetia behind him.

Meredith would never forget the look that crossed each of their faces.

Farleigh's eyes widened with shock, his mouth partially open as if frozen mid-sentence. Venetia's hand flew to her chest, her fingers clutching at the pearls that adorned her neck. It was a moment of collective disbelief, a shared understanding that their lives would never be the same again.

Venetia fell to her knees, letting out a sigh of what appeared to be disbelief. Farleigh joined her, clutching her hand as the two bawled in unison.

Meredith was shaking. She didn't notice it until her hand clutched onto to Felix's frail one, but she was trembling all over behind Felix's body.

Sir James and Oliver then joined the mournful family, the father had a hopeful smile on his face as he joined Meredith next to the boy.

"Darling, darling boy," James had a soft smile written on his face. "My darling boy."

His hand met the side of Felix's face and caressed it lightly until turning to face the others behind him.

"Help me move him." He says, knowing Meredith's small frame wouldn't be capable of such. "We need to get him inside. Get him warm."

James went to attempt and move the boy's body but failed, utimately letting out a grunt at the attempt.

"We just need to get him warmed up," he tried again, spiraling more tears down Meredith's face. "Felix, darling. Where's your jumper?"

Meredith couldn't take the waves of emotion drowning her. She was entirely torn to shreds, watching Felix's father pretend that he's fine when all of them know entirely that he isn't. He never will be. He's dead.

"Come on, now," He gave another try, his hands scooped up under the cold, pale skin of Felix. "help me!"

Farleigh sniffled. "I don't think we can move him, James. I think... I think the police."

"Yes." Elspeth finally turned around, taking control of the situation. "Yes, come away, darling."

Her eyes met Meredith's as well.

"Both of you."

Meredith didn't want to leave Felix's side, though. She never did. She wanted to stay there with her lover for eternity just so he knows how much she loved him.

Elspeth walked away like nothing was wrong. Like her son hadn't just died.

"It's nearly lunch."