[3rd Level Maze — Part 2]
Bang!
"Ack! What the hell was that?!"
That voice—I'd recognize it anywhere. I looked down and found Isaac on the floor, rubbing his head with a pained expression.
"Isaac!" I rushed over and grabbed his arm. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you! Let me help you up."
Isaac clutched his head and sighed. "So… I'm in hell now. Makes sense."
"Hell? What do you mean?"
He looked around the dim corridor, his eyes lifeless. "We're dead. All of us. And this is hell. What a short life we lived."
I blinked, unsure how to respond. "...Why not heaven?"
Isaac narrowed his eyes. "Heaven? You?"
Without hesitation, I grabbed his collar and started shaking him. "You wanna say that again, you little—"
Before the argument could escalate, another hand popped into view.
"My name is Dan, and I'm 15 this year. What about you?"
I released Isaac, who dropped like a sack of potatoes. Then shook Dan's hand. "Llyne. 14. Nice to meet ya, Dan."
Dan grinned so brightly I had to shield my eyes. Mon dieu... what a ball of sunshine.
Isaac groaned as he stood back up, wobbling slightly before Dan caught him.
"Thanks, Dan," he muttered. Then glanced behind me. "Where's your partner? I don't see her."
I looked back. "Lost. Apparently, she got worse directions than me."
Isaac squinted. "Worse than you? That's hard to imagine." He paused, clearly seeing through the lie. "Are you sure you didn't ditch her?"
I shot him a glare. "Why you little—!"
I hooked my arm around Isaac's neck and gave him a proper strangling. Dan looked back and forth, unsure whether to intervene or not.
"Help me, Dan!" Isaac flailed. "Get this lunatic off me!"
"Lunatic?!" I tightened my grip.
Several minutes later, I released him. Isaac dropped to the ground, gasping like a fish out of water.
"How's the neck massage, shorty?" I smirked.
He opened his mouth, then wisely decided to close it again. I snickered. Smart choice.
Dan helped him back up. "You okay, Isaac?"
Isaac glared. "What do you think? And where were you when she tried to strangle me?!"
Dan stammered, but Isaac just shook his head and turned toward me. "You do realize you need your partner, right, dumbo? Or else, punishment."
I shrugged. "I'll just find another."
Isaac crossed his arms. "You can't. The rules were clear. You're stuck with the one you entered the floor with."
"I'll figure something out."
"Like what, bozo?"
I scratched my head. "Err… Who cares? Rules are meant to be broken!"
Isaac facepalmed. "Why am I not surprised...?"
I whistled innocently.
We continued through the twisting maze corridors, the eerie silence broken only by Dan's cheerful humming.
"La~ la~ wee~ song~!"
I leaned closer to Isaac and whispered, "What's he chanting? A curse? Should I be worried?"
Isaac rolled his eyes. "He's humming."
"…Not cursing?"
"Do you even know what humming is?"
Before I could respond—
Whoosh!
A pair of shadows darted from the corridor walls. One in front. One behind.
Snap. Growl.
Their forms fully emerged—a duo of massive, silver-furred monsters with jagged fangs and low, guttural snarls. Wolves. The kind bred in nightmares, with eyes that glowed like molten gold.
"Grrr..."
Dan trembled violently. "Eek! We've been surrounded...!"
He clung to Isaac like a scared toddler, legs shaking as though the floor had vanished beneath him. I tilted my head. He's bigger than both of us… yet quivers like jelly?
Isaac steadied himself. "Wolves. Fast and nimble. Don't underestimate them."
"Like me! Hehe. I wonder if I could raise one someday." I giggled.
Isaac groaned. "Be serious."
I turned to Dan and patted his back. "I got the rear. Make sure you keep Isaac safe, got it?"
Dan gave a hesitant nod.
The wolf behind us growled again, stepping into striking range. Its gaze locked onto mine. I grinned.
"Will you be my pet?"
It lunged.
The air cracked as it slammed into me, knocking me to the ground. Its jaws snapped wildly as I held it back, the stench of its breath thick like rotting meat. I gritted my teeth and jammed a needle deep into its mouth.
Schlunk!
The wolf yelped and reeled back. I rolled to my feet and faced it again.
"Oof... You're fast. And heavier than you look."
The creature thrashed, blood leaking from its maw as it struggled to dislodge the needle.
I raised another needle and surged forward. "Sorry, pup. But this is where you die."
A clean slice tore across its neck.
Thud.
The body hit the floor, lifeless. I walked up and yanked my needle free. "Next time, know your limits."
I turned back and jogged toward the others. "Hey, you guys okay?"
Isaac gave a nod. "For now."
Sniff… Sniff…
I twitched. "...Is someone crying?"
I looked around—Dan was on the floor, hugging his knees, sniffling like a child.
"Eh? What happened? Isaac, what did you do?"
Isaac crossed his arms. "I didn't do anything. He killed the wolf just fine. Then suddenly dropped his sword and sat down crying."
"...Go comfort him."
"No."
I sighed and walked to Dan. "Dan, buddy. What's wrong? Did someone bully you? That gremlin over there, right?"
Dan looked up, face wet with tears. "I… I hate dogs…! Uwaaaah!!"
His wailing echoed down the corridor like a banshee. My ears rang.
Baam!
Isaac smacked him on the head.
"WHAT THE DEVIL, ISAAC?!" I stormed toward him. "Why are you hitting a crying kid? What are you?! A devil in disguise?!"
Isaac flicked invisible dust off his shoulder. "A perfect human being."
"Perfect human being, my butt! What the heck is your problem?!"
Isaac stood tall. "He called a wolf... a dog."
"...So?! That's your reason?!"
He nodded solemnly.
I clutched my head. "No wonder people say boys are trouble. They don't just give you migraines—they age you by ten years per hour."
I knelt beside Dan. "It's okay, Dan. You're not a burden. Don't be scared. Most dogs are loyal and kind."
Isaac interjected. "That was a wolf. Not. A. Dog."
I glared. "Have some empathy, robot."
"Robots don't have empathy, you wacko."
I raised a fist. "Then learn it or else."
Isaac gulped and nodded, backing off.
Dan wiped away his tears and smiled. "Thanks, guys."
Then, out of nowhere, he chuckled. "You two... look like a couple."
Time froze.
I turned slowly. "You want a fist, Dan?"
Isaac added darkly, "I'll give him more than a fist."
Dan backed away. "N-Nooo! I'm sorry!!"
We chased him down the hall, the corridor filled with laughter for the first time in what felt like hours.
The monsters could wait.
For now—we were still alive.