Ｒｕｎ Ｂｏｙ Ｒｕｎ － Ｗｏｏｄｋｉｄ
Chapter 6: The nights
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"Any sign of an exit?" Regulus panted, struggling under Frank's weight.
James paused, scanning the path ahead. "No, but we have to keep moving. The walls are shifting. If we stay here, we’ll be trapped."
Regulus nodded, adjusting his grip on Frank. "We can't afford to stop. Not with him in this state."
James glanced back, his expression softening slightly. "We'll get out of this, Reg. We have to."
The two boys pressed on, navigating the twisting corridors with as much speed as they could muster. Frank’s unconscious form was a constant reminder of the urgency of their situation. Regulus could feel the sweat trickling down his back, the strain in his muscles growing with each step.
As they turned a corner, the walls groaned and began to shift, blocking their path. James cursed under his breath. "Damn it! This way!"
They retraced their steps, the labyrinthine structure forcing them into a relentless dance. Time seemed to stretch, every second a battle against the encroaching night and the maze’s treacherous design.
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It wasn’t long before they hit another dead end. The realization dawned on them with crushing clarity – they were trapped. The walls had closed in, sealing their escape routes one by one.
James slammed his fist against the stone in frustration. "We're stuck."
Regulus's jaw tightened. "We need to find a safe spot for the night. The maze creatures come out after dark."
James nodded, eyes darting around. "Over there, that alcove. It might give us some cover."
They hurried to the small recess in the wall, its narrow entrance offering a semblance of protection. Regulus gently laid Frank down, checking his pulse and breathing. "He's stable, but we need to get him help soon."
James crouched beside him. "We'll get through the night. We have to."
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As the sun dipped below the horizon, the maze transformed. The air grew colder, the shadows deeper. The walls, once merely stone, now seemed alive, whispering threats and promises of doom. Regulus and James huddled closer, the darkness pressing in on them.
James whispered, "Stay alert. The Grievers are more active at night."
Regulus nodded, his wand at the ready. "I've heard about them. We need to be quiet."
The silence was punctuated by distant sounds – the scraping of claws, the growl of something hungry. Each noise heightened their tension, every shadow a potential threat.
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James checked on Frank, his face lined with worry. "He's burning up. We need to lower his fever."
Regulus produced a flask of water, wetting a cloth and placing it on Frank’s forehead. "We can’t do much more for him until we get out."
James sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We’re sitting ducks here. If the Grievers find us..."
"We’ll deal with that if it happens," Regulus interrupted. "We need to stay focused."
The night wore on, every minute dragging painfully. They took turns watching over Frank and keeping an eye out for danger, exhaustion gnawing at their edges.
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In the silence, with the ever-present threat of the maze hanging over them, Regulus and James found themselves talking. It started with shared memories of The Glade, of friends and foes.
"Remember that time when Sirius stole bread from Wilhelm," James said with a chuckle, "when you caught Sirius red handed as he got royally chewed out in front of everyone?"
Regulus smirked. "He had it coming. Besides, it was Wilhelm who technically caught him. Even if you were hiding in the tree above."
The brief moment of levity faded as they lapsed into silence. Regulus stared at the dark ceiling, his thoughts heavy. "James, if we don’t make it out..."
"Don’t say that," James cut in. "We will make it out. All of us."
Regulus sighed. "I hope you're right."
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Just as they were beginning to relax, a sound reached their ears – the unmistakable clink of metal and a low growl. James’s eyes widened. "Grievers."
Regulus tightened his grip on his wand. "We need to move. Now."
They scrambled to their feet, Frank slung between them. The noises grew louder, closer. Heart pounding, they edged towards a narrow passage.
James whispered, "On three. One, two..."
The growl erupted into a roar, cutting him off. The Grievers were upon them.
They bolted, the maze shifting around them, walls closing and opening as if alive. The Grievers' snarls echoed behind them, a grim reminder of the peril they faced.
In the heart of the maze, survival was the only goal. And for Regulus, James, and Frank, the night was far from over.
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The darkness seemed to thicken around them as they ran, the walls of the maze shifting in sinister harmony with the snarls of the Grievers. Regulus could feel Frank's weight dragging him down, every step a battle against exhaustion and fear. James, ahead of him, cast anxious glances over his shoulder, the moon illuminating the path in front of them with a faint, flickering light.
"This way!" James hissed, darting into a narrow passage. Regulus followed, nearly stumbling as the walls closed in behind them with a heavy, grinding sound. The growls echoed louder now, closer, the metallic clinks of the Grievers' limbs scraping against the stone sending shivers down Regulus's spine.
"We can't keep this pace," Regulus panted, his muscles screaming in protest. "We need to find somewhere to hide."
James nodded, scanning the maze with desperate eyes. "There—up ahead!"
They emerged into a small chamber, the walls pressing close but offering no immediate exit for the Grievers. James hurried to barricade the narrow entrance with debris, while Regulus carefully lowered Frank to the ground, checking his pulse again. Frank's fever had worsened, his skin clammy and pale in the dim light.
"How is he?" James asked, his voice strained with worry as he finished the barricade.
"Not good," Regulus replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "He needs medical attention, and soon."
James knelt beside Frank, his face a mask of determination. "We'll get him out of here, Reg. We have to."
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The night stretched on, the silence punctuated by the distant roars and clinks of the Grievers patrolling the maze. Regulus and James took turns keeping watch, their wands ready for any sign of danger. The tension between them had eased slightly, replaced by a shared resolve to survive the night and protect their friend.
"I never thought I'd see the day," James murmured during one of the quieter moments. "You and me, working together like this."
Regulus gave a faint, tired smile. "Desperate times, James. Besides, I never hated you. Not really."
James chuckled softly. "Could've fooled me."
Regulus looked away, his expression turning serious. "We had our differences. Still do. But right now, none of that matters. We need to get out of here."
James nodded, his eyes distant. "Yeah. We will. We have to."
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As the hours dragged on, exhaustion began to take its toll. Regulus fought to keep his eyes open, every muscle in his body aching from the strain of carrying Frank and the constant alertness. James, too, looked worn, but his determination was unyielding.
A sudden noise snapped them both to attention. The sound of something heavy moving against stone, growing louder and closer. James's eyes widened with alarm. "They're coming."
Regulus tightened his grip on his Frank, his heart pounding. "We need to move, now."
They scrambled to their feet, Frank once again slung between them. The barricade they'd hastily constructed was already being dismantled by the relentless Grievers. The only option was to run, deeper into the maze.
James led the way, his light guiding them through the twisting passages. The walls seemed to close in around them, the air growing colder and more oppressive. Regulus's legs burned with the effort, but he pushed on, the thought of Frank's survival driving him forward.
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They turned a corner and found themselves in a wider corridor, the ceiling higher and the walls smoother. For a moment, it seemed they had found a respite from the relentless pursuit. But the growls echoed closer, and the clinks of metal claws were unmistakable.
James stopped, panting, and pointed to a side passage. "In there. It might be another dead end, but we have no choice."
Regulus nodded, and they hurried into the passage, the walls pressing in close once more. The noises behind them grew fainter, but they didn't dare slow down.
The passage twisted and turned, the path becoming more labyrinthine with each step. Just as they feared they would run out of strength, they stumbled into another chamber, this one larger and more open. The walls were lined with strange, glowing runes, casting an eerie light that illuminated the space.
James looked around, his eyes wide. "What is this place?"
Regulus shook his head, equally mystified. "I don't know. But it's better than out there."
They carefully lowered Frank to the ground again, checking his condition. His fever had not improved, but his breathing was steady, if shallow. Regulus turned to James, his expression grim.
"We need to figure out a way to signal for help. Someone must know we're missing by now."
James nodded, already thinking. "If we can create a flare, or some kind of magical signal, it might draw attention. But we need to be careful—it could also draw the Grievers."
Regulus agreed. "It's a risk we'll have to take. We can't stay here forever."
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They worked quickly, pooling their knowledge and resources to create a makeshift signal. James conjured a bright, floating light that hovered above the chamber, pulsing with a rhythmic glow. It was a beacon of hope, but also a gamble.
As they waited, the minutes felt like hours, the tension palpable. Regulus and James sat close to Frank, keeping watch and listening for any sign of rescue—or danger. The silence was deafening, broken only by their whispered conversations and the distant, haunting noises of the maze.
"Do you ever think about what could have been, outside of all this?" James asked quietly, his gaze fixed on the glowing signal.
Regulus hesitated, then nodded. "Sometimes. But I try not to dwell on it. The past is the past."
James sighed. "Yeah. But it's hard not to wonder, you know?"
Regulus looked at him, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I know."
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The sun had started to faintly rise for what felt like an eternity when they finally heard it—the unmistakable sound of the Walls opening. Faint at first, but growing louder, more distinct. Regulus and James exchanged a hopeful glance, their hearts racing.
"Over here!" James called, his voice hoarse but strong.
The voices grew closer, and soon, figures appeared at the entrance to the Maze. The Gladers eagerly waving Ja!we and Regulus on, spears at the ready and eyes wide with relief and determination.
"We found you," a familiar voice said, filled with relief. "Thank you..."
Regulus and James sagged with exhaustion and relief as their friends rushed to their aid, helping to lift Frank and escort them out of the maze. The journey was far from over, but for now, they had survived the night.
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