Ｏａｔｓ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ ｗａｔｅｒ － Ｂｅｎ Ｈｏｗａｒｄ
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Chapter 5: The Aftermath
The events of the previous night had left the Glade in a state of uneasy quiet. The sun rose slowly, casting long shadows over the walls as the Gladers went about their morning routines with a heightened sense of vigilance. Regulus, still processing the attack, felt the weight of the day ahead pressing heavily on his shoulders.
He found himself once again at the edge of the Glade, staring into the labyrinthine Maze. It seemed more ominous now, the memories of Peter’s frenzied assault replaying in his mind. He was jolted from his thoughts by the sound of footsteps behind him.
"Reg?" James’s voice was soft, but it carried the weight of concern.
Regulus turned to face him, offering a faint smile. "Hey, James."
"How are you holding up?" James asked, studying his friend’s face.
Regulus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don’t know. It’s hard to believe Peter would do something like that, even under the influence of the venom."
James nodded, his expression serious. "Griever stings are unpredictable. They can bring out the worst in a person. But Peter’s strong—he’ll pull through."
Regulus appreciated James’s unwavering support, but the doubt still lingered. "I just hope the others don’t see this as another reason to distrust me."
James placed a reassuring hand on Regulus’s shoulder. "They’ll come around. We just need to keep showing them that we’re in this together."
The two friends stood in silence for a moment, the tension between them easing slightly as they found solace in their shared determination.
Later that day, the Keepers called a meeting to discuss the recent events and plan their next steps. The air was thick with anxiety as the Gladers gathered in a semicircle around Frank, who stood on a makeshift platform.
"Last night was a stark reminder of the dangers we face," Frank began, his voice carrying a tone of authority and concern. "Peter’s attack was a direct result of a Griever sting. We need to be vigilant and ensure this doesn’t happen again."
Remus stepped forward, his expression serious. "We should increase the number of patrols at night. The Grievers are becoming more aggressive. We can’t afford to let our guard down."
There were murmurs of agreement from the crowd, though Regulus could still sense the underlying tension. Some of the Gladers cast wary glances in his direction, and he knew trust was a fragile thing.
Frank continued, "We also need to make sure our supplies are well-stocked. Medicine, food, weapons—we can’t afford any shortages. Everyone must contribute."
As the meeting progressed, Regulus found himself drawn into the discussions, offering his insights and suggestions. Despite the lingering suspicion, he was determined to prove his commitment to the Glade and its inhabitants.
The next few days were a blur of activity. Regulus threw himself into his duties, working tirelessly to support the community. He took on extra patrol shifts, helped with repairs, and assisted in the infirmary whenever needed. Slowly but surely, his efforts began to chip away at the walls of mistrust that surrounded him.
One evening, as the Gladers gathered for dinner, Lily approached Regulus with a tentative smile. "Mind if I sit with you?"
Regulus nodded, grateful for the company. "Of course."
They sat together, sharing a meal and exchanging stories. Lily’s presence was a welcome distraction from the tension, and Regulus found himself opening up about his experiences in the Maze and the challenges they faced.
"Thank you," Lily said quietly, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and determination. "For everything you’ve done. I know it hasn’t been easy."
Regulus shrugged, trying to downplay his efforts. "Just doing what I can to help."
Lily’s gaze was steady. "You’ve done more than that. You’ve shown strength and resilience, even when others doubted you."
Her words were a balm to Regulus’s weary soul, and he felt a renewed sense of purpose.
As the days turned into weeks, the Gladers continued to adapt and survive. Regulus’s position within the community solidified as he proved his loyalty time and again. The memory of Peter’s attack faded into the background, replaced by the daily struggles and victories of life in the Glade.
One morning, Regulus woke early, his mind buzzing with anticipation. Today was the day they would launch a new exploration of the Maze, seeking to uncover its secrets and find a way out. He joined the other Runners at the entrance, their faces a mix of determination and anxiety.
James clapped him on the shoulder, a grin lighting up his face. "Ready to face the Maze again?"
Regulus nodded, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and fear. "Always."
The Runners set off, their footsteps echoing in the narrow corridors of the Maze. They moved swiftly and silently, mapping out new sections and marking their path. As they delved deeper, the air grew cooler, the shadows lengthening around them.
Hours passed in a blur of twists and turns, until they reached a dead end. Regulus paused, studying the walls for any sign of a hidden passage. His instincts told him there was something more here, something they had yet to discover.
"Over here!" James called out, his voice tinged with excitement.
Regulus hurried over, his eyes widening as he saw what James had found. A small, almost invisible crack in the wall, barely wide enough to fit through. They exchanged a glance, the unspoken agreement clear between them.
"Let’s see where this leads," Regulus said, his voice steady.
One by one, they squeezed through the narrow opening, emerging into a hidden chamber. The air was thick with dust and the faint scent of decay, the walls lined with strange markings and symbols.
"What is this place?" Barty whispered, his voice filled with awe.
Regulus’s heart raced as he scanned the room, his mind racing with possibilities. This was a discovery unlike any they had made before, a potential key to understanding the Maze and finding a way out.
"We need to document everything," Regulus said, his voice firm with determination. "This could be the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for."
The Runners set to work, carefully mapping out the chamber and recording every detail. As they worked, Regulus couldn’t shake the feeling that they were on the verge of something significant, something that could change everything.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the chamber, they finished their work and made their way back to the Glade. The journey was filled with a sense of anticipation, each step bringing them closer to the hope of freedom.
Back in the Glade, the Runners gathered around the fire, sharing their findings with the rest of the community. The air was electric with excitement and curiosity, the sense of unity stronger than ever.
Frank listened intently, his eyes gleaming with interest. "This is a significant discovery," he said, his voice carrying a tone of authority. "We must continue to explore and document every inch of the Maze. This could be our way out."
The Gladers nodded in agreement, their resolve renewed. Regulus felt a surge of pride and determination, knowing that their efforts were making a difference.
As the night wore on and the fire burned low, Regulus found himself sitting with James and Sirius, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames.
"We’re getting closer," James said, his voice filled with hope. "I can feel it."
Regulus nodded, his heart swelling with a mix of anticipation and gratitude. "We’ll find a way out. Together."
Sirius smiled, his eyes reflecting the strength of their bond. "Together."
The path ahead was still uncertain, filled with dangers and challenges they had yet to face. But Regulus knew that with their unity and determination, they could overcome anything. The Maze held many secrets, but they were ready to uncover them, one step at a time.
And as they faced the unknown, Regulus felt a sense of belonging and purpose he had never known before. The Glade was more than just a place of survival—it was home. And with his friends by his side, he knew they would find a way to escape the Maze and reclaim their lives, no matter the cost.
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The days after the attack passed in a blur for Regulus. Despite his determination to prove himself, the weight of the Gladers’ lingering suspicion still pressed heavily on him. He threw himself into his duties, but the unease remained.
One afternoon, Regulus was patrolling the perimeter of the Glade when he saw James and Frank huddled together, their expressions tense. Curious, he approached them.
"What’s going on?" Regulus asked, sensing the seriousness of their conversation.
James glanced at him, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes before he spoke. "We’re going into the Maze. We need to figure out what happened to Peter."
Regulus’s heart sank. He knew the dangers of the Maze all too well. "I’m coming with you."
James shook his head. "No, Reg. We need you here. Keep an eye on things and make sure everything runs smoothly."
Regulus opened his mouth to argue, but Frank placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We’ll be careful. We just need to gather some information."
Reluctantly, Regulus nodded. "Be safe."
As James and Frank set off towards the Maze, Regulus watched them go, a knot of worry tightening in his chest. He returned to his patrol, trying to push the anxiety aside, but his mind kept drifting back to his friends.
Hours passed, and the sky began to darken.
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Regulus stood with the other Gladers his mind on what could've happened as Remix stands beside him. Regulus'eyes are glued to the entrance of the maze before anxiously awaiting Frank, specifically James...
"Why are they taking so long?" Remus mutters, as he holds Sirius' hand.
Silence... then cheering all around, yet time seemed to slow for Regulus. He watched as a wounded James held up an unconscious Frank, hobbling to the now closing walls. The same walls that would close every night. The same walls that no sane Glader would spend the night in. The same walls that were closing on James and Frank. No Glader had ever spent the night in the Maze and lived to tell about it. Before Regulus registered what was happening it felt like he was drowning, yet he was soaring through the air, running as fast as he could, his body moving on his own.
Regulus sprinted through the closing Maze, his mind racing as he saw Frank too unconscious to keep up with James. The walls of the Maze were closing in faster, the mechanical groans echoing through the air. Regulus knew he had to act fast
He sprinted past James, his eyes focused on the wounded Frank. His breath caught in his chest as he noticed the telltale sign of a Griever sting on Frank's arm, the flesh already starting to turn a sickly shade of gray.
Regulus pushed past James, his heart racing with urgency. He could see the fear in Frank's eyes as the Maze walls closed in on them. The mechanical groans grew louder as the stone walls moved with increasing speed. Regulus knew they didn't have much time left.
He reached Frank's side, taking in the damage. The Griever's venomous barbs had done their work – Frank's arm dangled at an awkward angle, the skin around the wound turning a sickening shade of grayish-blue.
Regulus quickly assessed the situation, his mind racing for a solution. He grabbed Frank's good arm, pulling it around his shoulders to support his weight. The older boy was struggling to stay conscious, his face pale and beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"Stay with me, Frankie," James gasped, gritting his teeth as he tried to keep them both moving forward. "We can make it, we just need to keep going."James
The Maze walls loomed ominously above them, their shadows cast across the narrow path as the closing pace quickened. Every step they took became a precarious balance between making progress and avoiding being crushed by the stone slabs.
Regulus could feel Frank's body sag more heavily against his own with each passing moment. The poison was taking its toll, sapping the older boy's strength. Regulus had to get them out of the Maze, and quickly.
Time was running out. The Maze walls were closing in faster now, the stone slabs slamming together with increasing speed. The metallic clangs echoed through the air, filling the space with a deafening cacophony of destruction.
Regulus's breath came in ragged gasps as he fought to keep himself, James, and Frank moving forward. Each step was a gamble, the shadows cast by the closing walls flickering over the path like some macabre dance of death.
Regulus's heart hammered in his chest, his eyes fixed on the rapidly shrinking gap between the closing walls. They were almost there, so close, but the remaining space was narrowing with every passing second.
He could hear James beside him, shouting something, but the words were lost under the deafening din of the closing Maze. Regulus pushed himself to the limit, his body straining to move them forward just fast enough.
And then, with a final, sickening crunch, the walls slammed together, closing the gap in front of them and trapping them within the twisting paths.them
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