Ｔｉｍｓｈｅｌｓ － Ｍｕｍｆｏｒｄ ａｎｄ Ｓｏｎｓ
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Chapter 2: The First Night
The night descended quickly, the sky turning a deep indigo, dotted with stars. The Glade, once bustling with activity, grew quieter as the boys gathered around a central fire. Regulus sat with Sirius and a few others, listening to the crackling flames and the low murmur of conversation.
"You'll need this," Sirius said, handing Regulus a rough woolen blanket. "Nights can get pretty cold."
"Thanks," Regulus replied, wrapping the blanket around his shoulders. He looked around at the faces illuminated by the firelight, feeling a strange mix of camaraderie and isolation. Everyone here was a stranger, yet they were all in the same predicament.
"What's the plan for tomorrow?" Regulus asked, trying to get a sense of what lay ahead.
"First, you'll meet Frank," Sirius said, his tone becoming more serious. "He's our leader, the one who keeps things running smoothly. Then, we'll find out where you'll fit in. Everyone has a role here, and you'll need to find yours."
Regulus nodded, absorbing the information. Before he could ask more questions, a boy with sandy brown hair and a scarred face approached. He had a calm demeanor that contrasted sharply with the tense atmosphere.
"Hey, new guy," the boy greeted, offering a friendly smile. "I'm Remus. Welcome to the Glade."
"Thanks, Remus. I'm Regulus," he replied, shaking his hand.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to this place," Remus assured him. "It takes time, but we all did."
"Remus is one of the Medics," Sirius explained. "If you get hurt or sick, he's the one to go to."
Regulus appreciated the introductions, though he still felt a sense of unease. As the night wore on, the boys gradually drifted off to their sleeping areas, leaving Regulus alone with his thoughts. He found a spot near the fire and lay down, the blanket wrapped tightly around him.
Sleep was elusive, his mind racing with questions and fears. Who had put them here? What was the purpose of the Maze? And why couldn't he remember anything from before? Despite the exhaustion weighing on his body, his thoughts wouldn't let him rest.
As he lay there, staring up at the star-filled sky, he heard soft footsteps approaching. He turned to see a tall boy with piercing blue eyes and a serious expression standing nearby.
"Can't sleep?" the boy asked, sitting down beside him.
"No," Regulus admitted. "Too many questions."
"Understandable," the boy said. "I'm Frank. Sirius mentioned you'd be joining us."
Regulus sat up, meeting Frank's gaze. "Nice to meet you. Sirius said you're the leader here."
Frank nodded. "I try to keep things organized and make sure everyone has a purpose. It's not easy, but it's necessary."
"Do you think there's a way out of the Maze?" Regulus asked, his voice tinged with hope.
"I believe there is," Frank said firmly. "It's just a matter of finding it. We've made progress, but it's slow. The Maze is constantly changing, and there are... obstacles."
"Obstacles?" Regulus echoed, feeling a chill run down his spine.
Frank's expression grew darker. "Yes. Creatures that roam the Maze at night. We call them Grievers. That's why the gates close at sunset, to keep us safe."
Regulus shuddered at the thought. "Have you lost anyone to them?"
"Too many," Frank said quietly. "But we keep going. We have to."
A silence settled between them, the weight of their situation pressing down on them both. After a moment, Frank stood up, offering Regulus a reassuring smile.
"Get some rest," he said. "Tomorrow is a new day, and you'll need your strength."
Regulus nodded, lying back down and closing his eyes. Despite the fear and uncertainty gnawing at him, Frank's words gave him a small measure of comfort. He would find his place here, and together, they would find a way out.
As sleep finally claimed him, Regulus dreamed of the Maze, its twisting corridors and looming walls hiding secrets that he was determined to uncover.
---
Regulus’s dreams were fragmented, filled with images of twisting corridors and shadowy figures lurking just beyond his sight. When he awoke, the sky was still dark, and the fire had dwindled to embers. He sat up, shivering slightly as the cool night air brushed against his skin.
The Glade was eerily silent, the only sounds being the soft rustling of leaves and the distant hum of insects. Regulus wrapped the blanket tighter around himself, staring into the dying fire as he tried to make sense of everything. The Maze, the Grievers, the boys who had become his reluctant comrades—everything felt like a bizarre nightmare he couldn't wake up from.
He heard footsteps approaching and turned to see a familiar face emerging from the shadows. Sirius sat down beside him, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Sirius asked, glancing at Regulus.
"No," Regulus replied, shaking his head. "Too much on my mind."
"Yeah, it’s always like that at first," Sirius said, poking at the embers with a stick. "You get used to it eventually, though. The Glade, the Maze, even the Grievers. They become part of your daily routine."
Regulus frowned. "How can anyone get used to this? Being trapped, not knowing who you are or where you came from?"
Sirius shrugged, his expression unreadable. "You adapt. You have to, if you want to survive. The memories… they come back slowly, in bits and pieces. But until then, you have to focus on the here and now."
Regulus stared into the fire, absorbing Sirius’s words. It was hard to imagine ever becoming accustomed to this place, but he could see the determination in the other boy’s eyes. Despite the circumstances, they were all survivors, each finding their own way to cope.
"How long have you been here?" Regulus asked after a moment.
"A few months, I think," Sirius replied. "It’s hard to keep track of time in the Glade. Every day feels the same."
Regulus nodded, understanding the sentiment. Time seemed to stretch and blur in this strange place, each day blending into the next.
As they sat in silence, Regulus felt a strange sense of kinship with Sirius. Despite their differences, they were bound by their shared struggle to survive. It was a small comfort in an otherwise daunting situation.
"Tomorrow," Sirius said suddenly, breaking the silence, "I’ll show you around more. Introduce you to the rest of the Keepers. You’ll find your place here, Regulus. We all do."
Regulus managed a small smile. "Thanks, Sirius. I appreciate it."
"Don’t mention it," Sirius said, standing up and stretching. "Now, try to get some sleep. We’ve got a busy day ahead."
Regulus nodded and lay back down, pulling the blanket over himself. As Sirius walked away, he closed his eyes, willing himself to relax. The fire's warmth and the rhythmic sounds of the night gradually lulled him into a fitful sleep.
---
The next morning, Regulus was woken by the rising sun casting a golden glow over the Glade. He sat up, blinking against the light, and saw the boys already bustling about, preparing for the day.
Sirius appeared beside him, a bowl of porridge in hand. "Morning, Reggie. Here, eat up. You’ll need your strength."
Regulus took the bowl gratefully, the warmth of the food helping to chase away the lingering chill from the night. As he ate, he watched the other boys with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Each one seemed to have a purpose, a role in this strange society.
"Ready to start the day?" Sirius asked once Regulus had finished eating.
Regulus nodded, setting the empty bowl aside. "Yeah, I’m ready."
"Good," Sirius said with a grin. "Let’s go find Frank. He’ll want to know you’re up and about."
They made their way through the Glade, the morning sun casting long shadows on the ground. Regulus felt a growing sense of determination. He might not know much about his past, but he was resolved to make the most of his present. He would find his place here, and he would help uncover the secrets of the Maze.
Albus was already waiting near the Map Room, his usual calm demeanor giving way to a look of mild surprise as he saw Regulus approach with Sirius.
"Morning, Regulus," Frank greeted. "Sirius told me you had a rough night. How are you feeling?"
"Better," Regulus replied, straightening up. "Ready to get to work."
Frank nodded approvingly. "Good. Today, I’d like you to spend some time with the Builders and the Slicers. Get a feel for the different roles. We’ll see where you fit best."
Regulus nodded, eager to start. "I’ll do my best."
As the day unfolded, Regulus threw himself into the tasks at hand. He helped the Builders reinforce the walls of a hut, his muscles straining with the effort but his mind focused on the work. Later, he joined the Slicers, learning how to prepare the daily meals and distribute food to the rest of the Gladers.
By the time the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the Glade, Regulus was exhausted but satisfied. He had gained a better understanding of how the Glade functioned and felt a growing sense of belonging.
That evening, as the boys gathered around the fire once more, Regulus felt a flicker of hope. The path ahead was uncertain, and the dangers of the Maze loomed ever-present, but he knew he wasn't alone. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, and perhaps, one day, they would find their way out of this twisted labyrinth.