6. Chapter 6
six
I walked through the familiar streets, trying to ignore the way people's eyes followed me. Each glance seemed to carry the same unspoken phrase, poor Brielle , and it twisted something deep in my chest. I can not be that girl anymore, I told myself. Henry was gone. I was supposed to feel free. Instead, their pity weighed me down, almost as heavy as his presence used to be. No one had ever helped me. Not once. All those years, they saw it. The bruises, the way I’d flinch at the sound of his voice, the way my spirit seemed to shrink whenever he was near. And still, they said nothing. Not even a kind word when I needed it most.
But what did that make me? If they were cowards for looking away, what did that make me for staying so long? I shoved the thought down before it could settle, pushing forward toward Alaric’s shop; the one place that didn’t feel suffocating. I pushed the door open to Alaric’s shop, the soft chime of the bell ringing above me. For a brief moment, the scent of old books wrapped around me like a shield, and I wished I could stay hidden in it. But there was no hiding anymore.
Alaric was crouched behind the counter, picking up a stack of books, the quiet thud of their spines landing one after another on the counter. He stood as the door closed behind me, wiping his hands off on his apron before his eyes met mine.
“Brielle,” he greeted, a warm smile tugging at his lips, though it was tinged with concern. “How are you?”
I stood there for a moment, letting the question settle. How am I? I’ve been asking myself that very question and I still didn’t have an answer. “I’m sure you’ve heard,” I said quietly, stepping further into the shop, “Henry was taken.”
His expression flickered, his smile fading as the weight of my words sank in. “I did hear,” he said softly, setting the books down with care. “How are you holding up? Should we be celebrating, or mourning? You tell me, and I’ll be whatever you need.”
His words stung slightly, although I know he was just being a friend. The only friend I’ve had. His kindness was genuine, but I was tired of being the person people pitied. “That’s the thing, Alaric... I don’t know. I should be relieved, I think. But all I feel is...fear. I have no idea what to do next. No money, no food, and no one.”
Alaric stepped around the counter, his eyes softening as he came closer. “You’re not alone, Brielle. You know that, right? You can stay here as long as you need to. I don’t have much, but what I have, I’ll share. I won’t let you go without.”
His words struck me like a blow to the chest, and for a moment, I wanted to run, the Maze King's voice echoing in my mind. You’ve wrapped yourself in their sympathy so tightly that it’s suffocated your spirit. I swallowed hard, shaking my head as I forced a small smile. "I appreciate it, Alaric, truly. But I can’t. I’ve been this town’s charity case for too long. I need to stand on my own now. I have to do this.”
His brows drew together, and he crossed his arms as he studied me. “Do what, exactly?”
I took a breath, steadying myself. “I’m going into the Maze.”
The words hung heavy between us, and I watched the color drain from Alaric’s face. His arms dropped to his sides as he took a step closer, disbelief washing over him. “The Maze?” His voice cracked, and he ran a hand through his hair, as if trying to make sense of what I’d said. “Brielle, no. You can’t. That place is a death sentence. You know what happens to the people who go in there. What it does to them.”
“I have to,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “Henry’s in there. If I’m the one who brings him back... maybe things will change. Maybe he’ll change.”
Alaric’s mouth opened, but no words came out at first. He blinked, stunned, and then slowly shook his head. “Brielle, you can’t seriously think—”
“I have to try,” I cut him off, my heart pounding in my chest. “If I can bring him back, if I’m the one who saves him, maybe he’ll finally see me. Maybe he’ll stop...”
“Stop hurting you?” Alaric finished quietly, his voice laced with sorrow.
I swallowed hard, nodding. “Yes. Maybe he’ll be the man he was before everything fell apart. No more rage, no more pain.”
The lie burned on my tongue, but it was the only thing I had left to hold on to. The only sliver of hope.
Alaric stepped closer, his eyes searching mine with a sadness I wasn’t prepared for. “And what if you’re wrong, Brielle? What if you risk your life for a man who can’t be saved? Or worse, what if he comes back even more dangerous?”
“He won’t be,” I insisted, but my voice wavered. “He’ll come back different. He has to.”
Alaric sighed deeply, his hand resting on the counter as if he needed the support. “And what about you?” he asked softly. “What becomes of the bruises on your soul, Brielle? The ones no one sees? What about those?”
I flinched at his words, feeling them cut deeper than I wanted to admit. The bruises no one saw were the worst ones, the ones I carried in silence. But I couldn’t afford to think about that. Not now.
“I’ll be fine,” I whispered, looking away. “I have to be.”
Alaric stepped even closer, his voice pleading now. “You don’t owe him this, Brielle. You’ve given enough. Don’t throw yourself into that Maze for someone who might never change.”
Tears pricked at the edges of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “This isn’t just for him,” I said, forcing my voice to steady. “I need to prove something to myself, too.”
Alaric looks at me, his eyes clouded with worry as if he’s weighing something heavy inside. After a long, tense pause, he sighs deeply, the kind of sigh that makes the air feel thick with unspoken truths.
"Well, wait... just stay here for a little while longer," he pleads, his voice almost breaking. "I’ll run out, grab a few things. We’ll have a proper lunch, something hearty. You can’t start a journey like this on an empty stomach, right?" He tries to keep his tone light, but I can hear the tremor beneath it. “Please, Brielle. This might be the last time I see you. Let me have that, just... stay a little longer. I’ll be right back.”
His words cling to me, pulling at the ache in my chest, but I nod anyway. “Alright. Just for a little longer.”
The relief in his smile is fragile, like it could shatter at any second, and with that, he hurries out the door. I stand there, still and uneasy, my thoughts churning like the storm I’m about to walk into. The Maze. I can’t afford to let myself hesitate now.
Minutes pass, long and thick with silence. I tell myself I’ll leave soon, that I won’t let the quiet lull me into staying any longer than I need. But something in the air shifts, a tension I can’t explain, until the door swings open, not with the soft jingle of the bell but with a loud, metallic thud.
Alaric stands there, but he isn’t alone. Behind him are three knights, fully armored, faces hard as stone. My heart drops into my stomach, the weight of their presence crashing into me.
Alaric’s face is pale, tears streaking down his cheeks as he tries to explain, “Brielle, I... I couldn’t... I’m so sorry.” His voice cracks with guilt. “I couldn’t let you do this to yourself. They won’t hurt you, I swear. Please, just go with them. It’s for your own good.”
It feels like the floor is giving out beneath me. No, no, no. Panic surges up, tightening my chest. I stumble back as the knights step forward, their heavy armor clinking with every step.
“Alaric, no!” My voice comes out desperate, trembling. “You said—”
“I know!” he shouts, his words breaking under the weight of his sobs. “I know I promised, but I had to stop you. I couldn’t watch you throw your life away for... for him, for that Maze.”
His betrayal stabs into me, cold and sharp. My vision blurs, heart racing as the knights close in. My mind screams for an escape, any escape. The back door.
Before I even know what I’m doing, my legs move on their own, propelling me toward the back of the shop. One of the knights lunges, his gauntlet brushing against my sleeve, but I twist free, slamming my shoulder into the door as I burst into the alley beyond.
I run. I don’t look back.
The cool air hits my face, but I barely notice. The sound of their boots pounding behind me is deafening, echoing in my ears as my feet fly over the cobblestones. The towering walls of the Maze rise ahead of me, dark and foreboding, but it’s the only place left for me to go.
The gates are still open, wide enough from the trade buggies coming and going. My breath comes in ragged gasps, panic clawing at my throat. The knights are gaining on me. I can hear their shouts, their armor clanking closer and closer. I feel the weight of their pursuit like a shadow closing in.
I push harder, my legs burning as I dart through the open gates. But just as I near the entrance, one of the knights reaches me, his hand clamping down hard on my arm, yanking me backward.
“No!” I scream, my voice breaking as I thrash against him, my chest heaving with panic. I can feel my strength slipping away, the walls of the Maze so close yet so far.
And then, like a shadow come to life, a crow swoops down from the sky, its caw sharp and piercing as it dive-bombs the knight. He flinches, raising his arm to shield himself, and in that split-second, his grip on me loosens just enough.
I wrench free and stumble forward, my heart pounding as I race into the darkness of the Maze. The stone walls rise high on either side, twisting and turning in every direction. The knights’ shouts fade behind me, but I don’t stop. I don’t look back.
As I plunge into the Maze, the world around me shifts. The air is thick, heavy with the scent of damp earth and something sweetly ripe. The walls are rugged and uneven, towering above me like ancient sentinels. Shadows dance across the uneven stones, cast by a faint, flickering light that seems to come from nowhere and everywhere at once.
Twisted vines creep up the sides of the walls, their gnarled tendrils reaching out like skeletal fingers, while strange, luminescent fungi cling to the damp stone, casting an eerie green glow that bathes everything in an otherworldly hue. I can’t help but run my fingers over the cool surface of the stones, feeling the texture beneath my skin, grounding myself in this moment. the oppressive weight of fear settles over me I can feel the walls closing in, and with every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs, my heart races, pounding against my ribcage I shake my head, willing away the rising tide of panic, but it’s relentless. Alaric’s face flashes in my mind, his worry etched deep into the lines of his brow. How could he betray me like this? I trusted him. He was my ally, my only friend.
The betrayal stings more than I want to admit, a fresh wound on an already tattered heart.
How could you let this happen? The words swirl around me, a haunting echo in the dark. Alaric, who had held my secrets for so long, had instead sealed my fate. I should have known better than to let my guard down, to believe in his words of comfort. The thought of him running to the knights, offering up my name as if I were some common criminal, slices through me. I can still hear his voice in my ears: “They won’t do you any harm. Just go with them.” The betrayal cuts deeper than any knife.
As I move further into the heart of the Maze, the shadows seem to reach out for me, whispering secrets of despair and hopelessness. What if you never find him? What if you’re lost forever? The questions gnaw at me, festering like a wound that won’t heal. I can almost hear the laughter of the Maze King, mocking my determination, daring me to falter. You’re alone now, just like he wanted you to be.
The thought is a bitter pill to swallow, but I can’t allow it to consume me. I won’t let fear dictate my choices. Clenching my fists, I push on, the resolve boiling within me like a simmering pot ready to spill over. Every sound in the darkness makes me flinch—a distant howl, the rustle of something unseen, the soft drip of water echoing off the stones.
The crow bursts into the air, its wings slicing through the oppressive silence of the Maze, and I jump, adrenaline spiking as it lands on a jagged stone perch. Its sudden arrival pulls me back to the present, but the moment is fleeting, shattered by the sultry whisper of the Maze King that curls around my thoughts.
“Ah, I could feel you the moment you stepped into the Maze, Brielle. So much fear, so deliciously unprepared”. His voice is smooth as silk, yet laced with the dark thrill of danger.
“Leave me alone,” I hiss, my heart racing as I attempt to shield my mind from his probing thoughts. “Get out of my head.”
He chuckles, a dark, seductive sound that ignites a fire within me. “How fair is that? You want me to vacate your thoughts when I can’t seem to expel you from mine? Look at you, trembling, the sight is just absolutely divine.”
I grit my teeth, trying to steady my racing heart. “Which way do I go?” I snap, the edge of desperation tinged with defiance. “If you’re not here to help me, then just leave me alone.”
“Oh, but where's the fun in that?” His tone is playful, taunting, coaxing me to surrender to the chaos.
His laughter coils around me like smoke, curling into my thoughts, teasing the edges of my resolve. "Which way, Brielle?" His voice dips, low and mocking, yet somehow... intimate. "Which path do you think will lead you to what you seek? So many choices, so many ways to get lost..."
I glance around, the jagged walls of the Maze towering over me, every direction seeming more ominous than the last. "I'm not playing your games," I snap, trying to sound firm, but the quiver in my voice betrays me. He can sense it. He knows.
"Oh, but you are." His words are a soft murmur, like velvet brushing against my skin. "You stepped into my Maze, and now you're mine."
A shiver runs through me, but I force myself to stand tall. "I belong to no one. Least of all, you."
He hums in amusement, clearly entertained by my defiance. "Liar." The word is a breath against my ear, though he's nowhere near me. "You tremble not just from fear... but something more, don't you? I wonder... is it the thrill of the unknown, or is it me?"
"Arrogant bastard," I hiss, my pulse quickening.
“Perhaps. But you can’t deny what you feel. I think you like my attention, don’t you?” His tone shifts, darker, more intimate, as if he's right behind me, whispering against the back of my neck . "Every time I speak, you listen. Every time I tease, you... respond."
I clench my fists, heat rising to my cheeks. "Shut up."
“Why, love?” He chuckles again, slow and deliberate, his words weaving into my thoughts with ease. "Does it scare you to admit how much I affect you? Or perhaps it's because deep down, you know you enjoy it...”
My breath catches. His voice slithers through me like poison, but it sets something alight in me that I can't ignore.
“You know nothing, " I mutter, stepping forward, desperate to put more distance between us.
"Don’t I?" His voice follows, like a shadow I can't escape. "I’ve watched you. I’ve seen the fire in you, the hunger to survive. But more than that... I’ve seen the part of you that wants this."
“Wants what?” I snap, turning to face the empty space where his voice comes from.
“This dance, this game of control. You want to prove yourself, to show me you aren’t afraid. But you are, Brielle... and that’s what makes this so delicious. I’ve tasted fear before, but yours?” He pauses, letting his words sink in. “Yours is addictive.”
My throat tightens, the air growing thick around me. His words burrow into my skin, leaving a mark I can’t ignore. "How am I supposed to know which way to go?" I demand again, my voice sharper now, more desperate. "If you're not going to help me, then stop wasting my time."
He sighs, almost disappointed. "Oh, but I am helping you. I’m preparing you for what’s to come. The Maze, Brielle, it’s not just about finding your way through it... it's about finding yourself. And how can you do that if you’re too busy denying the truth?"
“What truth? What are you talking about? Stop talking in riddles.” I bite back, even though part of me dreads the answer.
“That you’re not just here for him." His voice lowers to a seductive whisper, and it feels as though his lips are ghosting over the shell of my ear. "You’re here for yourself. To prove you’re more than the broken girl he left behind. You don’t want to save him. You want to be free, my she-wolf."
My heart slams against my ribs, his words cutting deeper than I’m willing to admit. But I don’t have time to dwell on it. Before I can respond, a flutter of wings startles me, and I jerk my head up.
“Your she wolf? I am not your anything.” I turn left and then right, wandering blind in a place that is just waiting to take my life.
“We will see about that. Have fun, don’t die.” He teases as the crow flies away, leaving my mind quiet.
I take another sharp left, my heart racing as I move through the endless twists and turns of the Maze. My thoughts feel suffocating in the sudden silence, and I hate it. I hate that I miss him—the Maze King's voice in my head, as insufferable as he is. His taunts, his teasing... they were something to cling to in the chaos. Now, with only my own panicked breaths echoing in the darkness, fear gnaws at the edges of my mind.
The Maze feels alive, shifting around me like it’s playing its own twisted game, and I’m the mouse being chased through its winding corridors. I can hear it before I see it. A low, guttural snarl, like something slithering and growling all at once.
The air around me feels thicker, damp with the scent of stagnant water and rot, making it harder to breathe. That’s when I spot it—a hulking, amphibious monster, half submerged in the murky ground, its slimy green skin blending into the shadows. Its eyes glow an eerie, phosphorescent yellow as it slides toward me, long claws scraping against the stone beneath the sludge.
Fear grips me, but there’s no time to process it. I turn, sprinting down another path as the creature lets out a shriek, its slimy tendrils whipping through the air, closing in. My breath is ragged, heart slamming against my chest as I push harder, legs burning as I flee.
I round a corner, and—bam! I slam into something solid—no, someone.
I reel back, my vision spinning for a moment as I meet the hard gaze of a towering figure—dark eyes narrowed in suspicion, his muscles tensed like he’s ready for a fight.
“Who are you?” he barks, voice sharp and commanding.
Before I can answer, he glances past me at the creature now gaining ground. His jaw tightens, and with a swift motion, he shoves me behind him, shielding me from the beast.
The thing lets out a snarl, slime dripping from its fangs as it slithers closer, but the stranger doesn’t flinch. He reaches into his pocket, pulling out something small and foul-smelling. It looks like a chunk of rotting meat, slick with decay. He throws it toward the creature, and it lunges for the bait, gnashing its jaws before dragging its bloated body back into the swampy shadows.
I’m left standing, breathless and shaken, staring at the man in front of me. He’s tall, broad, with dark hair falling into his eyes as he glares at the ground, almost like he’s avoiding looking directly at me. His fists are still clenched from where he threw the bait, his jaw set tight.
“Who are you?” His voice is a low rumble, gruff and irritated, as though he regrets having to ask in the first place.
I blink, still catching my breath. “I—uh, I was looking for someone,” I stammer, trying to pull myself together. “Henry.”
His eyes finally flicker up to meet mine, and for a second, I catch a glimpse of something uncertain beneath his hard exterior. He scowls, shoving his hands into his pockets, like he’d rather be anywhere but here.
“The Maze doesn’t give back what it takes,” he mutters, almost as if he’s talking more to himself than me. “Whoever you’re looking for is gone.”
My heart clenches at his words, but I don’t let it show. “I have to try,” I snap back, refusing to accept it. I can’t.
He shifts awkwardly, his eyes darting toward the path, then back to me. “You’re gonna get yourself killed wandering around like this.” His tone is grumpy, but there’s a nervous edge to it, like he doesn’t really want to be saying these things out loud. “You don’t even know where you are, do you?”
I bristle at the comment. “I’ll figure it out.”
He lets out a huff of frustration, glancing away as if this conversation is testing every bit of his patience. “You won’t. The southern quadrant’s not a place you figure out on your own.” He scowls again, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable with the whole situation. “If you keep going like this, you’ll be dead before nightfall.”
There’s a moment of silence, the tension between us thick, and I can feel my pulse hammering in my ears. His words sting, but I can’t help noticing the way he avoids eye contact, like being around me is making him nervous. And yet, despite that, he’s here, offering advice—even if it comes wrapped in grumpiness.
“I didn’t ask for your help,” I say, crossing my arms defensively.
He grimaces, staring down at the ground again. “Good,” he mutters, almost too quietly. “Because I’m not offering it.” There’s a faint flush to his cheeks as he finally glances back at me, his eyes darting away just as quickly. “But... if you want to make it out of here alive, you’ll need someone who knows these paths.”
I hesitate, watching him carefully. He’s clearly not used to talking to people—at least not like this—and yet, something about him feels genuine, even through the rough exterior. My guard stays up, but there’s a pull, a quiet tension beneath his awkwardness.
“What’s your name?” I ask.
He looks away again, shifting uncomfortably. “Grom.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Grom?”
“Yeah,” he grunts, his voice rougher now. “And if you’re planning on surviving, you’ll follow my lead. You’re not making it far without me.”
There’s an awkward silence as he shuffles his feet, looking like he’s about to bolt at any second, but despite his clear discomfort, he’s standing his ground.
I swallow hard, torn between frustration and the realization that he’s right. I need him—at least for now. “Fine,” I mutter. “Lead the way.”