~~~
Right in front of Lumia, a giant with one gigantic eye stood, holding a club with his huge left hand. Lumia shocked. It was a creature where you expect to appear in fantasy books or movies.
"Waa… what the…?!" The words got stuck.
Run, at the moment her brain spoke, Lumia turned around and moved her legs.
Lumia's hand trembling. Her heart was beating so fast. Sweat flowed like a river.
The creature moved its leg. Every step made the ground trembled and a loud sound can be heard. Without facing the creature, Lumia knew she's being chased. And if the creature can match her… that will be her ends.
"Haah… haah…"
Lumia's breathing was getting heavy. Usually, she's confident in her stamina, but not when something tried to chase and kill her.
Lumia doesn't understand, but it was clear that the distance between them starting to get closer and closer. The wind getting heavier, Lumia sensed something around her neck. The next thing she experienced was her body being thrown far away.
"Aaagh… aagh!!" Lumia cough.
The girl recognized that she's lying on the ground, but can't grasp what happened a moment ago. Cold and goosebumps surrounded her body. It appears something hit her body from below, probably the giant big hand, but impossible for her to tell.
The one-eyed creature stopped moving while approaching Lumia. It was just a second before the creature moved again.
Lumia touched her stomach, which was in pain. She's not giving up. While holding her scream, she stood up with weak legs by leaning to wall. As she catches a glimpse to the monster, it was already too late.
It's impossible, Lumia thought with wide eyes. Instead of fear, she felt angry with how ridiculous her situation is.
"Get down!!" Someone screamed.
Lumia doesn't understand. Her body moved on its own.
A black ball with the size of a handgrip flying in the sky. When the ball touched the ground, thick black smoke comes out and surrounding the area. The girl can smell unpleasant aroma.
"Are you okay?" The gentle voice come from a stranger.
"Uugh…?"
It was a man in a black shirt. He didn't wait for Lumia's answer. Instead, he lent his hand to help Lumia stand.
"Try to hold your breath. We need to get away from this place!" said the man while helping Lumia walked.
Lumia followed his lead without resist. It's not like she has any choices. Still, a fact that a stranger helping her is making her doubt herself. If only she were in better shape. The word like help or please never crossed her mind even once.
Thinking both of them already in a safe place, the man lets Lumia sat while leaned against the wall.
"Is she okay?"
One more person appeared. This time is a girl with a white dress. Her face looks worried. Lumia saw her face and wondered, why?
"Uh… I am okay. Just a bit dizzy." Lumia trying her best to stand by herself. "Care to explain what happened? I mean, what's this place?" She sighed and turned her head.
The strangers just looked at each other. The face they made is not a happy one.
"Let's just say, we're in the same situation as you." He spoke in a calm tone. "I am glad we're not late."
As expected. Lumia didn't change expression. She lowered her shoulder.
"Are you really okay? Wouldn't it be better if you rest first?"
Lumia knew the girl means what she said, but there's something in her heart that makes her can't accept it.
"I am fine!" Again, Lumia looked away. She doesn't want to show her weak side to some strangers. "Just a little advice from me. It's better if you stop worrying about stranger that you've never met!"
"I am sorry." The girl apologized, thinking she made Lumia upset..
"I know we've just met, but considering the situation, please be kind to each other. We need to work together to find the exit."
Lumia nods in silent.
"Anyway, we better search for the exit now."
"Can I say something?" It was a male voice, but a different one.
Kinda shaky likes a phone call with a poor signal. It didn't take long for Lumia to realize where the voice come from.
"Who is it now? How are you even made a call with that thing?" Lumia made a suspicious gaze.
"I don't know, but he's the reason I can find you."
Believing a stranger the first time he met, that's not something Lumia can ever do. However, on this special occasion, she needs information. Lumia keeps her mouth closed and kept a little distance from them while making sure she can listen to what they say.
"It's almost time. I have little time to talk. From here, it's up to you. The maze is not complicated. Find the exit and we can meet. After that, I will explain everything."
"Wait, you said there's one more person inside the maze?"
"Hmm…" The sound as he was shaking his head. "it's too late for her."
Lumia's gaze sharpened. She must be the one who asked for help a while ago. How does this guy can tell if she's already died? Not just that. To guide both of them to meet Lumia is already strange enough. It seems the guy's watching what happened from somewhere.
"Can I ask something?" Lumia opened her mouth, drawing attention. "How big the maze is?"
"I am not sure. Around 30 x 30 meters at least."
That was a specific answer, Lumia thought. She never went inside to the maze, so she doesn't know if it was big or small. The important thing is, the stranger's voice knows a lot about what's going on. Well, he also said he will explain everything after they're able to get out.
"Sorry, but can I ask… you something?" The guy asked Lumia.
Lumia comes back from her deep thought and gives a glance in silence. "Call me Lumia! What's it?"
"Where's your wristwatch, Lumia?"
What he meant probably about the watch she had thrown away. Now, if she looked at it, they both used the same wristwatch.
"Well, I didn't know you could use it as a communication device. So I threw it away," said Lumia with a flat tone.
"Eh… w-what should we now?" The girl is flustered.
"Is it that important?"
"It may be rude, but without the watch, it's just the same as you've already died." The voice answer without holding back.
"Whaa…!!" Lumia shocked. She's angry. "It's true I don't know what situation am I in right now. But isn't what you said is a bit too much?"
"It's not. I will say this, but… I won't stop you if you want to find the exit with both of them. But, without the watch, you will be useless. Even after getting out of the maze."
The voice spoke as if this is not the last maze she will enter. With how limited her information, Lumia didn't dare to speak back.
"From here on, it's up to you. I am disconnecting."
No one talks. The situation is getting awkward. Everyone just wants to get out safely from that place, but Lumia's mistakes made everyone rethink about what they should do.
"Oi… I already told you my name. How about you two?" Lumia opened her mouth.
"I-I am sorry…" The girl has a small voice. Her face is red. "My name is April."
"I am Jungo. Well, I guess we need to think about what should do from here," Jungo sighed. "Especially about your watch."
"You look troubled about what I did. If what I said is true, then just say so."
"Uh, well…" Jungo scratched his cheek. "It's not like that. Being the only guy here feels like I need to lead the way."
"You think too much. Anyway—"
"L-Lumia!"
"Huh?!"
"W-where do you throw your watch? We could probably get it back if we're together."
April was weird, Lumia's first impression. Lumia knows exactly where it is. But, like hell, she will tell both of them. The maze itself isn't that complicated. She just can't enjoy bringing two of them into her troubles.
"Even though I don't mind helping, we have to take a detour from here. I am sure the giant is still there."
Lumia moved her legs. She should be able to run again now.
"What's the watch for? That guy talks like it's awfully important."
Jungo looks conflicted. After a bit of thought, he raised his left hand. "I don't know it's full potential. Guess better show you."
Jungo touched his watch screen. A flat white hologram appeared in air like some high or alien technology. He seems to do something, but Lumia can't understand a thing.
After Jungo finished, another hologram appeared. This time is not just a flat board. The light made pixels one by one until a ball as big as hand can be seen. When Jungo touched it, the black ball become real in his grip.
"Like hell, I know if the watch can do things like that!" Lumia is shocked and annoyed at the same time. "So, what's with that ball?"
"Remember, how can I save you from the monster?"
A smoke bomb? Looking at the current situation, the watch is useful, Lumia thought.
Lumia stared at April, more precisely at April's watch. While Jungo has a black, April's watch is pink.
"How about you?"
"Eh, uh… I've never tried it. But I think it's the same."
"Back to the major topic. About your watch."
"You don't have to worry about that." Lumia has already decided. "It would be better if we search for the exit first."
"Then how about you —?"
"After we find the exit, I will take my watch, "Lumia paused, "by myself!"
Lumia serious. Again she said to herself. No matter what happened, don't expect others to help you. If she can do it alone, she must do it alone.
~~~