‧₊˚✧ ⁝ 𝑪16  ❪ 忘却 ❫ ‧₊˚✧

𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 and men ...

     "GOD JOB, YOU just killed yourself." Minho's voice was grave, heavy breaths interrupting his ominous sentence. Sweat mixed with grime clung to his skin and his clothes hung limp and dishevelled against his weary frame. 

"W—what?" Thomas stammered, fear evident in his voice. Ria couldn't speak, it was like a metal hand had coiled itself around her throat, choking her. She couldn't think straight.

What had she done?

Minho fell into a sitting position, panting heavily. Ria noticed Alby's lifeless body and felt the urge to vomit. She let out a whimper instead, letting her face fall into her hands in defeat.

Thomas stood shakily to his feet, pulling Ria up with him who groaned in protest. Her blonde hair fell over her eyes, shielding her view from the disturbing maze walls which surrounded them like menacing prison bars. Thomas crouched beside Alby and Ria finally took a proper look at the boy. On his forehead a deep crimson gash oozed blood, staining the skin. More blood decorated Alby's torn shirt and his eyes were shut, chapped lips parted. Ria pressed her hand to her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut.

"What happened to him?" Thomas inquired.

"What does it look like?" Minho snapped, his voice hard as iron as his gaze fell to the ground beneath him. "He got stung."

"What happened to his head?"

After a pause, Minho spoke. "I did what I had to do."

Ria felt her stomach drop. "You mean . . . yo—"

"Yes Ria," Minho cut the blonde off harshly, shooting her a weary glare. Ria felt a chill travel through her body and she hugged her arms to her chest as if they were an armour of protection. Trepidation hung in the air.

     Ria's fear multiplied in the next second. An eerie screeching cry echoed through the walls, reverberating in Ria's head. She jumped in panic, heart racing.

     "What the hell was that?" she stammered, hands shaking as she moved closer to Minho. The boy grunted in pain as she rose to his feet, dark eyes wild with consternation.

     "Um, okay, all right, help me get him up." Thomas said hurriedly, still beside Alby.

     "We gotta go. The maze is already changing." Minho instructed, ignoring Thomas. He hobbled forwards, edging his way down the stone corridor.

"Hey, Minho!" Thomas yelled after him desperately. "We can't just leave him here."

"Alby can't die. He can't." Ria agreed quietly with Thomas, pleading. The Keeper of the runners turned to the pair, a pained expression on his face. For a split second, Ria felt as if she could read his thoughts. He knew they couldn't leave Alby.

     Alby's body was heavy and limp in the trio's grip. They struggled to carry him, their limbs straining with the pressure of supporting the boy. Ria let out another groan of fatigue as she kept her grip steady around Alby.

     "Okay, okay, sit him down." Minho directed, short pants escaping his lips as he let Alby down slowly to the ground. Ria almost fell to the floor, every ounce of energy drained from her body replaced by weariness. She wanted nothing more than for the ground to open up and swallow her whole — to end her misery. But, it was another haunting screech that pulled her out of the dark corners of her mind. Ria snapped her head in the direction of the hideous noise, wishing death would come quickly instead of toying with her.

This was nobody's fault but her's. She thought of Newt, Chuck. Had she ruined their lives? Probably.

"This isn't gonna work," Minho growled urgently. "We gotta go, we gotta go." He jumped to his feet hurriedly, surveying the area.

"Minho, we can't leave Alby here!" Ria exclaimed, standing up and pulling on the boy's arm. He sent her a hard look.

"You shouldn't have come through those shuck walls, Ria." he retaliated.

"We gotta do something. We've got to hide him." Thomas yelled, still crouched beside Alby.

"Where?" Minho shot.

"I don't know, Minho. Just think, you're telling me there's not a single place we can take him?"

Minho grunted in pure frustration, his eyes ablaze with a sudden outburst of rage. He span, turning to Thomas and pushing him against the wall, a fistful of his shirt in his profound grip. Ria's eyes widened in surprise and she backed against the cold wall, shallow breaths escaping her lips as she looked around — there was no place to hide.

"Listen to me, shuck—face, all right? Take a look around. There's nowhere to go!" The raven haired boy released Thomas, exhaling. He sprung to his feet, reeling backwards. "You don't get it . . . we're already dead."

Ria felt dizzy with sickness and she sank to the floor, letting her face fall into her hands.

I promised Chuck. She thought, guilt flowing through her veins. Her thoughts were distracted by Thomas who had pushed past Minho and was heading towards one of the tallest ivy—invested walls opposite them. His eyes shone with hope.

"What's your plan, Thomas?" Ria asked apathetically.

     They resolved to pull Alby high up into the ivy to conceal his body from anything that was a threat. Ria had a thick knot of ivy in her hand as she pulled, heaving Alby's body into the mass of green leaves. The sky was a darkened shade of grey, a reflection of the mood Ria was feeling. She would constantly hear the direful screams of the blood—thirsty creatures within the maze as they neared their prey.

Ria let out a yell of strain as she pulled with all her strength. The boy was almost at the top of the wall when a screech louder than the rest obliterated the still atmosphere followed by an ominous low rumble. Ria nearly dropped the ivy in her hand in shock, and she felt an urge to sprint for her life. It was coming for them.

Ria frantically looked to Minho who seemed to be in a trance. He stopped pulling, his eyes glazed over with an expression of perturbation and fear like Ria had never seen before. It set her blood cold and heart racing.

"What is it?" she hissed apprehensively, sweat running down her forehead. She felt the subtle taste of it's saltiness on her lips.

"We gotta go. We got to go right now!"

"What? No, no, no."

"Just a little more."

"No! We gotta go!"

"We can't leave him halfway up!" Ria protested bitterly, though a part of her wanted to drop the ivy and hide.

The mechanical grinding sound escalated, reverberating in Ria's pounding head. She needed to run, but she stood frozen, still clutching the ivy. Her heart was pounding so fast she thought she would pass out. Fear had found a new home in her body.

     "I'm sorry, Greenie, Ria." Minho muttered, distracted by something unknown.

     "What!?" Ria exclaimed, but it was too late. Minho let go of the ivy and fled.

     "Minho!" Thomas yelled as the two were propelled forwards into the wall. Ria yelped in pain as she fell to the floor, her head connecting harshly with the cold stone. She felt her hands still coiled around the ivy.

     "Thomas," she choked out, pain washing over her frame. Her voice was drowned out by a blood—curdling screech to close to Ria she thought it was behind her, ready to take her life in one swift motion.

     The boy wrapped his hand around her arm, pulling her into the deep ivy that lay like a camouflage at the bottom of the wall. Ria shifted her body so she was concealed by it, her back pressed against Thomas' front. She could almost hear the beating of his heart. Darkness surrounded her, accompanied by disturbing noises which only added to the haunted atmosphere. Her whole body was shaking uncontrollably in fear, and even the warmth of Thomas' arm grasping onto her's was not enough to steady her heart rate.

     The low growls were getting closer now and Ria pushed backwards against Thomas, silently begging him to move deeper into the ivy. Her green eyes caught sight of mechanical legs, glistening in the ghastly moonlight — it was a griever. The metallic monster groaned with every echoing footstep it took and before Ria could scream, she felt Thomas press his hand over her mouth.

     Each step made Ria's heart jump with a degree of fear so foreign it was terrifying. Her body was stiff and frozen, she did not move an inch for she knew death would fall upon her — crush her. Tears descended from her eyes as she squeezed them shut, willing the living nightmare to be over with. Finally, the griever passed and Thomas removed his hand from Ria's mouth. She gulped down oxygen, letting her head fall against the stone. Her hand was wrapped around Thomas' tightly.

     "We've got to get out of here," Thomas muttered urgently in her ear. She did not object as she pulled her tired body silently out of their hiding spot, suddenly exposed to the horrors of the maze. The girl and Thomas worked quickly to tie off the knot which would keep Alby upright, but the low growls continued to fill the atmosphere around them.

     "Come on," Ria murmured urgently before she caught a glimpse of an alien, inhuman body and she let go of the ivy, tearing around the corner out of sight. Thomas followed quickly, shaky breaths escaping his lungs. The boy peered around the corner, then motioned that it was safe to return to the ivy. Every step that Ria took was shaky, as if she couldn't keep balance anymore. She felt as if death would come at any second, and her bloodstream was icy—cold with dread.

     A distant screech halted the pair and Ria backed against the wall, gulping. She moved closer to Thomas, anticipation wrenching at her heart.

     "It's close," her voice was barely a whisper.

     "Let's go." Thomas pulled her arm as they backed hurriedly yet silently away from the wall. It was only a few steps until Ria felt something oddly squishy and slimy underneath her foot. She shook off the repulsive substance, nausea sweeping over her stomach.

      "What the—" She was cut off by something so daunting and so frightening she thought her heart would stop. The minacious, heart—stopping growling sound was now above her.

     "R—Ria? What?" Thomas stammered in a hushed whisper. The girl didn't move a muscle. Then, everything seemed to happen so quickly. A massive, slimy bulk that was situated upon six mechanical legs dropped from above the pair. Instantaneously, Ria and Thomas fell to the floor, scurrying as fast as they could away from the hideous and freakish creature. Pure dread seethed through Ria's veins as the creature lunged it's revolting body forwards, letting out an ear—splitting roar. It's face was alien—like and horrifying, and as it opened it's mouth, rows of dangerously sharp teeth shone with a ghastly glimmer. The smell of it was revolting and Ria felt bilious just looking at it. It loomed sinisterly over the pair and Ria let out a scream of horror, her green eyes wild with panic.

     The griever was hungry for flesh and blood.

     Before she could panic any further, Ria leapt to her feet in an instant and took off running. Adrenaline dominated her bloodstream as her and Thomas navigated blindly through caliginous stone corridors of the maze. The growls and moans of the griever followed like a sinister shadow and Ria did not dare look behind her. The girl's hair danced wildly around her shoulders and her footsteps echoed with each step she took.

     Ria's vision seemed to blur into twilight darkness until the repulsive creature appeared out of nowhere in front of them. Ria yelled in distress as she almost skidded to the floor and she grabbed Thomas as he very nearly fell to the ground.

     "This way!" she cried out, her voice ripping through the air as she took off down the neatest corridor, trepidation fuelling her every action and decision. They sprinted down the corridors, taking sharp and abrupt turns to escape the moans and screeches following them. Each breath Ria took burned her throat, and her legs felt heavy with fatigue. When they turned another corner frantically, a sight came into view that made Ria'a heart drop.

     It was a dead end.

     "Oh shit!" Thomas cursed as he turned fearfully to look behind him. Ria searched her mind in agitation for a solution to their problem, but nothing came. A formidable darkness clouded her thoughts and she could only think of one word. Death. The griever was nearing them, it's mechanical legs clawing towards them relentlessly. Ria closed her eyes and waited for the pain to rip through her body. She waited to see the white light. However, instead of that, Thomas' shrill cry caused her to snap her eyes back open.

     "Climb!"

     Ria did not hesitate to follow Thomas and leap onto the wall, clutching onto the ivy with all her might. Her stomach slammed harshly into the cold stone and she let out a scream of agony as she willed her body to move up the wall. Her arms burned with the sheer effort of it but the thought of the griever behind her encouraged her to keep going — to survive.

     Just as she had pulled the top half of her body onto the top of the stone pillar, she felt a cool metallic claw twist around her ankle. Ria let out a sharp cry of terror as she felt her body scrape against the stone. Pain seared through her blood.

     "Thomas!" she screamed, attempting to pull herself back up. The griever was too strong, pulling her downwards into the eerie darkness. Just as her hands slipped away from the stone and she started her descent towards death, she felt two strong hands close over her's. Thomas was above her, trepidation dominating his features. Ria kicked at the griever beneath her frantically, her heart pounding wildly. For a split second, the girl felt the grip loosen around her throbbing ankle and Thomas let out a ragged yell of affliction as he dragged Ria's body onto the top of the pillar once more. As soon as the girl was free, she leapt to her feet and ran. All she could feel was the burning sentiment of agony but she kept going, bitter tears stinging her eyes. She didn't have time to register the pain.

     Her and Thomas continued to run, leaping onto higher pillars without second thought as the griever never slowed down, becoming more blood—thirsty by the minute. It's eerie growls sent fresh shivers down Ria's spine each time she heard it echo. Then, a second sight made her heart stop again. They had reached the edge of the pillar. A drop that loomed beneath them lay silently, indicating that if they jumped death would hit them immediately. Opposite them, over a large expanse, a tall wall decorated with ivy stood menacingly. Surely it was the end now.

     Ria flinched in terror as the griever let out another roar, moving it's monstrous body towards the pair. A crazy idea came to her mind. Jump.

     Thomas sent her a glance, and she nodded. He knew what they had to do. Ria turned away from the creature and with the rest of the energy left in her body, took off at full speed towards the edge of the pillar. Then she jumped. The girl felt the rush of wind race over her limbs and weightlessness consume her body as she tore through the air, reaching for the ivy. She was met with it far too soon, and her whole body collided with the stone. Her arms throbbed with pain as she clung onto the thick plant, but a small sentiment of relief flooded over her as she looked down to see Thomas had survived the crazy jump.

     Unfortunately, that was torn apart when she heard the thunderous slam of the griever's body above her. It had followed their actions!

     "Shit!" she cursed as she felt her body drop downwards. She was falling, ivy surrounding her as she reached out in desperation for something to cling onto. Thomas' cries reverberated in her ears as she descended into darkness. She landed on top of a body, knocking the air from her lungs. Thomas let out a cry of pain as she rolled off him, scrambling to her feet and she pulled the boy up. The griever was so close to them, towering over them like the embodiment of death. Again, Ria and Thomas took off running but this time the girl looked back. The griever was trapped in the ivy, thrashing madly and blindly in an attempt to free itself.

     It would only be a matter of time before it was free again. This time, it would be even more determined to kill them.

     "Hey!" Minho's body collided with Thomas' and Ria let out a gasp of relief. He was alive. "You two are crazy sons of bitches."

     Ria managed a laugh, though her head was throbbing. But, the momentary action was cut short by the griever. It was almost free again. Fear returned.

     "Okay, come on, follow me! Come on!" Minho barked, breaking into a sprint. Ria and Thomas followed the runner down the gloomy corridors. The girl's head was spinning, dizziness consuming her body. Her skin was burning hot to touch, as if a wildfire's scarlet flames where captured within her limbs.

     "Okay, it's changing, it's changing. Come on, come on, come on, come on!" Minho yelled. "This section's closing. Come on, we can lose it down here!" The boy started to sprint the in direction of the closing section and Ria followed. She felt her vision grow dark and the metallic taste of blood on her tongue. She didn't know if she could make it. Her body felt limp, as if she would collapse at any second.

     "Come on Ria!" Minho yelled in encouragement. His voice echoed in her ears.

     "I . . . I can't," Ria stammered, swaying on her feet. She heard Minho yell out to Thomas who was nowhere to be seen. She felt Minho's profound grip around her body as he supported her weight. His voice was in her mind, instructing her to stay with him.

     It was all slipping away. Her head was felt as if it was on fire and she let out a scream of agony. Her limbs were heavy and her ankle and forehead were damp with hot crimson blood. Minho was yelling at Thomas. The sound of the griever's menacing snarls and screeches.

     The final thing she heard was Minho screaming Thomas' name. The last thing she saw was the slam of the section door.

     Then, she collapsed into twilight.

‧₊˚✧ ⁝ 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒂'𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆  ❪ 忘却 ❫

oo. holy shit that was crazy!!! this was 100% the most challenging & longest chapter i've written but i'm so so happy with how it has turned out. i really do hope ur all enjoying this & i have sm inspo for this so u should expect more updates very soon. ily all <3