I was silent. I didn’t know how to respond. I didn’t know if I believed her. What she suggested wasn’t possible.
“Have I scared you?” she asked. “It’s really not anything to fear. It’s been a long time since anyone was lost to the maze,” she tried to reassure.
“It’s not possible for walls to move themselves,” I finally replied as she released my hand to open a door that let out at the side of the building.
“I assure you, it is very much possible,” she replied.
“Only a living thing could move of its own accord,” I challenged.
Sasha didn’t reply; she simply led me through the grounds. It was far too cold, and my thin cardigan offered little relief. The night was dark but the grounds were flat.
“It’s not far. We won’t be out for long. We won’t walk down to it, but look at it from above,” Sasha said and retook my hand. “We should have brought our coats.”
“It’s okay,” I responded, but already my nose was so cold I couldn’t feel it.
“Here.” Sasha stopped. “Careful with your step—the barrier to prevent a fall is nothing more than a small chain fence about knee height.”
I looked down and saw the gleam of a silver chain. The moonlight provided enough light to see that just a couple of steps beyond the chain was a sheer drop into a large circular pit, and within the pit was an intricate stone maze. The stone walls appeared about a foot thick, tall, and the corridors thin and twisting.
“It’s not what I expected,” I said. “Why was it built?” I asked. “Seems a waste, if it isn’t to be used.”
“This maze was the final punishment for many,” Sasha answered. “We should head back,” she said.
But we had only just gotten there and I had barely gotten a look.
“Come on,” she said and tugged at my hand.
“Tell me more,” I protested. “What kind of punishment is a maze?” I asked.
“The maze is never the same layout for the same person twice. If you make it to the centre, a clear path to exit is provided. Otherwise, you are doomed to walk the maze indefinitely, until it wins and spits you out,” she said.
“Wins?” I asked.
“The maze was designed as a punishment. Many have walked it, until they succumbed to exhaustion or the elements. Their bodies are then found, just outside of the maze. Like the maze itself has spat them out,” she explained.
“And if you reach the centre, you win?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“How many people reach the centre?” I asked further.
“If given help from above, everyone, eventually. Without help, no one,” she told me.
“Does it really move?” I asked, turning to her to gauge her answer in the moonlight as best I could.
She began to reply, just as a giant roar rumbled and shook the ground.
We both fell to our knees. The shaking was momentarily intense. Sasha screamed as if in pain and I looked to her to see Adamantia lifting her to her feet. I wasn’t surprised when I felt Selene’s arms wrap under mine and lift me up, holding me tight as the earth continued to vibrate.
I watched, awestruck, fear similar to that of being in a small boat waiting for the crash of a wave that will surely cause damage, that might very well sink you, consumed me, as Iwatched the glimmering stone of the maze screech across the ground, contracting like a serpent, moving, until a small mound was revealed.
Selene swept me from my feet and began carrying me away.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Were you aware of anyone entering the maze?” Selene asked. I got a fright, flinching in Selene’s arms when I noticed that Adamantia walked hand in hand with Sasha beside us.
“No, no one is missing,” Adamantia replied.
