Important info: For those who read this book, I wanted to let you know I forgot to publish Chapter 7. So, all you saw was Chapter 8 right after Chapter 6. I'm so sorry, I forgot to click publish. I quickly added it to my book. Sorry if that plot got confusing.
Aris was roused the next morning by Sonya. "Hey, wake up, you idiot. We have to go," she said. He obediently strode after her, and headed directly into the kitchen. The kitchen staff weren't' available, cleaning out the sinks, so Aris snatched three eggs and sausages and slid the food into the pan.
As soon as the eggs and sausages began to sizzle, he transferred it onto three plates. They sat together, wolfing it down at a table. He chewed on the food, and since it wasn't yet time to step into the Maze and Sonya and Rachel were still feasting, he hastily exited the kitchen and plunged his hand into his pockets."
There was another building at the edge of the Spring. He strode over to it, peered through the glass window. There was some girls tugging on weeds. A distant, faded memory entered his brain--he'd experienced with gardens once. Determined, he twisted the knob and opened it, and the scents of vegetables pierced through the air.
Why would I remember all this? he thought. He was almost completely driven to insanity at the thought. He recognized the sweet scents, but the detailed parts--faces, time and where--were all missing out, like there was a feast, but it was all rotted vegetables and meat.
"What are you doing here?" one of girls hissed. "Oh, never mind, you're Aris, the Skater. You can step in if you want, but I just nearly experienced a heart attack." Aris quickly apologized and stepped next to her. There were bean sprouts, tomatoes, corn, cabbage, and lettuce.
He reached into the pocket again and shook the packets in hand. "Would this assist you?" He poured out a few seeds and patted into the soil. The girls smiled and thanked him politely, and Aris stepped out of the room, a sense of confidnece rising, closed the door with a gentle click and scurried to the Map Igloo to pack. Once done, he set off into the Maze, feeling new optimism in his gut.
***
Everything was the same in the Maze today. He gulped down a flask of water, continuing down the corridors. The Wall Nine was rearranging itself today. He hastily noted that down mentally, bolting through the Maze and manuvered through the shifting Walls, rearranging themselves again.
"No surprise," Rachel said gloomily. "There's no exit."
Aris exhaled a forced, defeated breath. "Has to be," he mumbled. They were seating on the ground, wolfing down food. Aris devoured the grimy apple to its core, flung it away, and it vanished. He gasped lightly, startling the others, wondering how an apple core could vanish into the dark when beyond it was nothing.
"What?" the girls asked in union.
"I had an apple in hand, and it vanished," Aris admitted.
"Oh, that's just the Crack. Wouldn't want to risk yourselves there," Sonya said, reaching in for another granola bar. She shoved it into her mouth. "Mm."
"But what if it's an exit?"
"Oh, please." Rachel laughed. "There has to be another way out." Aris shrugged his shoulders, wolfing down the bread, canned chicken and rice. "Ready?" He nodded, gulping down the flask of water. "Whoa, there, relax, I don't want you puking all over me." She offered a hand toward him.
They continued through the Maze. Aris had been devouring ravenously food through their journey. He fired an arrow at the Shade's, the creature rolling over with a groan. It shrieked, thrashing around furiously, as Sonya's spear pierced through its gross skin.
The tiny piece of sheet drifted to the floor. Aris gasped, closing his fingers around the paper. Another code
ns 15.158.61.20da2
