Jacob Malnew
Fire surrounded me, like liquid, it spread outwards from me, but with my thoughts, the wooden planks that made up the floor didn't burn. Sweat dripped down my forehead as my focus held the flames in place, not allowing their hunger to be fueled. I closed my eyes as I found my mind wandering, thinking of those lost to the maze. Anger accompanied those thoughts and I suppressed it the best I could, but doing so was challenging, my mind kept returning to Isaac and his lacklustre reasonings. He had allowed them to die without caring, that shouldn't be bothering me, Isaac was the monster, but why? Why do I feel useless? The scent of smoke woke me from my woe and I quelled the flames. Darkness suddenly took root in the room, overjoyed by the absence of the flickering amber flames that had once occupied it. In that darkness, I recalled the faces of those that followed me. I didn't remember their names, but their fear was real. I breathed outwards slowly as I walked towards the door, tentatively stepping over bodies that sprawled lifeless ahead of me. I could feel the fire within writhing with wrath, overstimulating my senses. I finally reached the door of the room, finding the handles cold to the touch. I started to hear pained wails echoing out from behind, judging my survival, calling me useless. I shook my head as I pushed the doors open, welcoming the bright light of the corridor.
Sebastian Vassinari
The soft cotton pulled at my tiredness, singing silent lullabies in an effort to send me into a brilliantly quaint sleep. I forced myself to stay awake, thinking on what Jacob had told me about what happened in the maze.
"Where are you, Henry? Are you okay?" I said aloud, knowing the words came out as a sort of hopeful prayer. Maybe tomorrow, we will get answers. I turned onto my side, looking at the white wall of the hotel room. The room was expensive, lavish draping curtains cloaked the windows, the furniture looked to have been built by hand by a master craftsman, the surfaces of which sanded down to a smoothness that seemed impossible to come from something made from wood. The room contained an en suite bathroom and a kitchen along with space to dine. The room seemed to omit the obvious reason for our stay, this was intended to be a prison, somewhere we could easily be monitored. Isaac warned us that this might happen, otherwise I don't think I would be feeling this calm. My stomach rumbled and I walked over to the kitchen and took a look at the food in the minifridge. None of it seemed to look satisfactory so I ordered room service instead. I sat back on the sofa, just thinking. Tomorrow, things will be interesting.
Isaac Woodman
T1 2026 - "Who are you?" the voice called out from behind, and I turned to see someone standing in the shadows of a ruined building.
"Who's asking?" I called back and the figure stepped out from the cover of darkness. She seemed older than me, but during this time, that didn't necessarily mean that she actually was older. The first thing I noticed was the blood that was flecked on her fingertips, second was her brilliant green eyes. She didn't look distinct in any way, just interesting. A slightly angular face, hair that seemed to be bereft of colour, a slim body that was in shape, but not muscular. I looked from the stranger to my injured sister who cradled the stub where her arm used to be. I covered her protectively.
"Don't worry, I am here to help," The stranger said as she walked forwards, the cadence in her voice was different now, less volatile.
"Who are you?" I reiterated, making sure to keep myself in front of Felicity. Her whimpering of pain hurt me more than I cared to admit, it felt as if I was the cause.
"I'm Ashlea, I can help her, if you let me?" she asked and I felt an energy seep from her, warm and inviting. I saw light stitching the small cuts on my hands and looked back at her in disbelief. I turned to Felicity and saw flesh begin to grow where her stump was, she screamed in agony and I turned back to Ashlea.
"Stop, you're hurting her," I shouted angrily.
"Regrowing a lost limb isn't a pain free procedure," she said, advancing all the while.
"It's, it's fine," Felicity mumbled from behind me, and I twisted to face her. The coiling of skin almost made me want to puke, but I had seen much worse for it to affect me. I stayed between Felicity and Ashlea, keeping my guard up in case this was a ruse, but after a few minutes, Felicity grabbed at my tattered clothes with a newly formed hand.
"Thank you," she said through her crying.
"Thank you," I repeated, my own eyes tearing up at the sight.
"You're welcome," She stated before sitting down in front of us.
T2 2025 - As Ashlea reached the conclusion of her story, I found myself reminiscing of the past. As I did so, Felicity's face flashed into view and I cursed myself. Of course! I, I have to save her this time. With that realisation, guilt flooded my mind along with memories of the past, of what was to happen, of what I failed to do.