The Labyrinth ~ A Story By Maia West (That's my pen name!)
––– ◈ –––

⠀⠀ We live, we laugh, we love.
⠀⠀⠀⠀ But it's all an illusion.
Something they want us to see,
⠀ so that we don't see the truth.
⠀ Now, it's time for you to join us.
⠀⠀ Welcome to the labyrinth.

Chapter 1

Lifeless. That’s how I felt on a dreary Saturday morning when I knew, the end was near. Hopping out of my bed, I considered wearing a nice, yellow dress. It complemented my bronze eyes and dark hair. I decided otherwise, knowing that the black get-up would conceal me better. I put it on my dresser, then I walked up to the windowsill, and heaved it open. Bursts of the fresh morning air came in, and I could finally think.

You see, today was the ‘Crowning.’ Four children, two fourteen-year-old, fifteen-year-old, and sixteen-year-old kids had to go to their teachers, give them an excuse for their absence (Which was usually rather straight-forward, like, “Hey, I’m a full-crown, and I’ve got to go!”) and then head to the City Center, and make our awkward origamis and hope the one that was plucked out from each bag wasn’t ours.

But here in Desaun, we knew the world wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Each lunar year, two families would have to sacrifice their youngest, blinds closed, and tears shed on the ground, as they watched their child, their sibling, their loved ones die or be lost in the ever-changing labyrinth. Yes, I am (or was, once I die) a full-crown. Me, Cyra, Sister of Corvus and daughter of John and Sarai Williams.

I would miss it, my home. It was calm, and you could hear the waves crashing on the shore. I had my black shirt and leggings waiting to be put on, and I was still wearing my pajamas. My bedroom was the converted attic, not really a room. I however, got the best view of the house.

It was peaceful, in a way many didn’t understand. The rushing river has claimed many lives, but never my own. The river was, comforting, as I know someday, I’d be the one claiming lives, but in the ever-changing labyrinth. My brother, Corvus, excelled at interrupting thoughts. “Cyra?” He spoke. “Cyra you there?!?! Did they take you early?! Were you killed?! CYRA?!?!” I opened the door with an amused face. “Don’t be such a worrywart! I’m still here, as always.” I said.

We both trudged down the stairs, neither of us talking to the other. Corvus went into the dining room, prepping the utensils and the table-cover. I, however, went to the kitchen, swatted at a few spiderwebs, and finally grabbed the cereal on the countertop. Walking back to the dining room I gave Corvus an average sized portion and gave myself a bit less. He looked a bit confused at this revelation, and then realized I didn’t want him to worry and continued to munch on his cereal.

I started the conversation,” Corvus, if I don’t come back, you are going to have to take care of the house and manage the finances. I’ve put some money away, at least until you’re eighteen, to cover the house. You, however, need to spend your money wisely, avoid spending it on things you don’t need. Okay?” He nodded, unsure at how I had become so wise. “Good. I’ll see you at the City Center.” And with that, I left the house.

Walking down the street, I headed to my school first. For some dumb reason, the teachers demanded excuses, although, I thought I wouldn’t need one, seeming as a few days later, Corvus'll announce I died. So, to school I go!

Walking down the street, I looked around. Although I’ve walked these streets my entire life, I felt like a stranger. I attracted many stares, partially because of the crown tattoo that was burned into my shoulder, many, many years ago. Not too far along the road, my name was being whispered along the crowd. “Cyrene” they whispered. “Cyrene Williams.” I continued to walk, pretending I didn’t hear them. The name spread like fire. “Cyrene” the crowd echoed. I lashed out, yelling, "SHUT UP! GO TORMENT ANOTHER FULL-CROWN.” The crowd immediately dissipated.

I walked, gracefully, calmly, up the stairs. It seemed surreal, how everyone was backing away from me, how everyone’s mouths were open, staring at the one tattoo on my shoulder. Realizing that it was the source of the attention, I rolled down my sleeve, although it was a humid, winter day . I pushed the big cedar doors open, and walked in. I went to the Principal’s office, handed him a note, and showed him the fire-made tattoo. He said,” Cyra. You’ve been an incredible student, friend, and mentor to all you’ve met. I hope, when you come to death’s door, it’s quick and painless.” And with that, Principal Cayden left.

I rolled my eyes. What a ‘Good Luck’ speech. I got up, pushed in my chair, and left. My friend, Lamina, was a bit nosy, but she was loyal. This was one of her nosy moments. “Hey! Cyra! Where are you going?” Uh oh. I was spotted. But I guess when you’re the only girl in Astra to have dark, rich brown hair, I was like the butterfly in a sea of moths. I turned my back on Lamina, hoping she’d think I was someone else. “I was talking to you, Cyrene Williams!” Ouch. Can she not be so personal with the names? I’m Cyra, which is a huge difference to the ugly, regal name of Cyrene.

I turned to Lamina, and said, “What do you want Lamina! I have to go!” “Go where?” She pushed on. “Lamina, this isn’t a good time-” I said. I was right, we were attracting stares, and trust me. Attention equals near-death experiences. Because here, receiving attention paints a target on your back. And for me, I was already sporting a big one. I tried to escape, turning my back on Lamina and walking slowly, quietly, to the large cedar doors. I was almost there! When…

“CYRA. TELL ME WHERE YOU’RE GOING!” screamed Lamina. It was no surprise when Lamina found me. How couldn’t she, with me being the only one with my dark brown hair. Also, I was the only one trying to ‘swim upstream’, out of the school. I pulled her to the side and rolled up my sleeve.

“You see this, Lamina?” I said hoarsely. She nodded. “Good. Because if you didn’t than I would’ve checked your eyes.” I loosened my grip on her. Lamina said,” You-You’re a full-crown, and you never told me?” She obviously felt betrayed. “Lamina, even if I did tell you, you wouldn’t believe me. You know how many people ‘claim’ this role of mine. Have you even seen,” I said, pointing to the kids talking in the back of the room, ”How many people have lied about this?”

“How do I know you’re not lying?” Lamina said defiantly.” You could easily forge that mark.” “You’ll see. I expect I’ll be dead in a day. Plus, I'll be on my first ever television debut.” I said with a wink. She rolled her eyes and spread the word of the liar and deceptive girl named Cyrene Williams.

I walked—more liked strutted—out of the school. “Good Riddance!” I yelled at the school. Why would I need it, if what I was made for was just to outwit and outlive my enemies? Mathematical strategies would not help me wield a weapon. Nor would how to write an essay in different tongues would help me stop an enemy. What was I expected to do? Read them to death? Or perhaps sing them to doom. No wait- screaming and bursting their eardrums is a better thing to do than sing and please them before I die. Or maybe, slam my big heavy textbook on their head. Either way, the powers of education were useless in the Labyrinth.

Walking down the street, I kicked the pebbles in my way. My brother used to tell me the pebbles hadn’t done anything to me. They didn’t deserve to be tossed and kicked around! But he wasn’t here to object to their mistreatment. And he probably wouldn’t be here again, or at least, here with me.

He always told me I underestimated myself . Yes, all right, I was intelligent, I was agile, I was smaller than half the people who inevitably would be my enemies. To him, that was the thing that made a winner. And to me, that was what made someone dead. You see, many relied on brute force to escape. They would hunt down the others, and use them like a compass, ask which ways they knew were a dead end, then simply get rid of them.

I saw nobody as I walked down the street, just the few stragglers who probably missed the morning train to work, or simply the people without the money they needed to survive. Many a few wondered what a schoolgirl like me was doing, going into the city. Everyone knew why, though. They just refused to believe it. That I was a Full-Crown. Making my way to my doom.

I looked up, towards the towering, black-iron mass. That was it. The labyrinth. I looked at in in horror and awe. This…This THING was massive! And we were still twenty or-so meters away! While everyone was looking at the big black mass and the small girl headed to it, I saw him.

End of Chapter One (Be sure to comment!)