Run | TMR X PJO [ Editing ]

Chapter twenty-eight, in which Aris is that one idiot that goes missing in what might as well be a horror movie. Cheers.

The trio scattered in all directions. Whatever they had said about sticking together was thrown out the window as the Griever advanced. Annabeth darted to a corridor on her right, breathing all too heavily. While Kathy seemed to have the same idea, she had no idea where Aris was—she couldn't really be bothered to think about that at the moment, however. The spider robot followed them relentlessly with a cat-like grace.

Kathy, despite running for her life, managed to produce the gun that they had stolen from the lab earlier. Taking aim, she took a wild shot before sprinting away. Her shot was reckless, although it managed to considerably slow the Griever by knocking a leg off. 

She risked another shot at the monster five minutes later, this time bothering to take careful aim. Jogging backward was no easy feat, but she managed due to the fact that she would probably die otherwise. 

Annabeth, too, pulled out her laser gun and took aim. Together, the two beams of light managed to blow off half of its body... not to mention a large chunk of wall. Bits of jagged stone flew in all directions, causing them to flinch. However, they still ran blindly into the darkness—perhaps Grievers were still functional after being hit. 

It was nearly impossible to see, and to be honest, Annabeth didn't want to. When they finally skidded to a stop, they flipped on their flashlights.

"Holy klunk, that was close," Annabeth panted.

Kathy couldn't agree more, although it took her a while to get words out. "You got that right."

"I wonder if Aris is okay."

"You're worrying about him when we might be jumped on at any second? We need to keep moving," Kathy snorted, already on the move.

"Okay."

Annabeth managed to move her legs and broke into a decent jog. The aching had stopped long ago; her legs were too exhausted to even know the meaning of pain anymore. She knew that if she stopped, feeling would flood back into her limbs—she had to keep moving.

Percy.

His name popped abruptly in her head—who the shuck was he again?—and for some reason she felt oddly motivated to keep running despite the fatigue slowly but surely catching up to her.

They kept running for a long time (or at least that's what it felt like.) However, they had managed to trace their way back to the Doors, which began to open up when they neared them. After hours upon hours, they were going to make it. Their jogs slowed to walks, which were more of feet dragging than anything. 

There were shouts of recognition up ahead. The Doors were wide open, and Soyna led the group of relieved Gladers that rushed to help them. She and another Glader seized Annabeth by the armpits, and two other Gladers did the same for Kathy. They dragged her back into the safety of the Glade, where she promptly collapsed. 

"Annabeth, here's some water," Sonya offered, holding out a bowl filled with man's ambrosia: sparkling, clean water. It was hard not to gulp the entire thing in one go, so she forced herself to take little sips at a time. Kathy, on the other hand, was drinking the water like her life depended on it. It probably did, seeing as she did a whole lot more running. She might have died of dehydration if they weren't found when they were. 

"Thanks," she muttered, unable to speak any louder. 

She patted her back gingerly. "Don't push yourself. You've had a very rough night. Take it easy, will you?"

Kathy coughed slightly, and by everyone's reactions, it seemed like she coughed out blood in the process. However, Annabeth had no confirmation of it—her exhaustion had taken its toll. 

Finally, someone asked the question that had been hovering over all of them like a blanket. It was like hearing it in slow motion. Annabeth knew it was coming, but it was inevitable as death itself. 

"Where's Aris?"

Whoever said that, Annabeth would've taken a beating for her not to say it. It was a blow to her. She knew Aris was still stuck in that blasted Maze, probably more lost than ever. He wasn't a Runner! He didn't know the Maze like she or any other Runner did—only a fool would run into that tunnel of death. 

No one said anything. They dissolved into an uncomfortable silence. No one really knew what to sat exactly. A few times, Kathy's mouth opened, only just to shut it again with a frown. This went back and forth until Annabeth had enough strength to drag herself off the ground, and she stumbled towards the Maze Doors in a zombie-like fashion.  She tripped slightly and collapsed five feet in front of the looming Doors.

Her lips moved soundlessly. Maybe if she prayed enough or something, Aris would magically appear in front of her. Maybe he would be safe. Oh, the regret and guilt that she felt boiling up inside her. Why hadn't she been left behind? She knew the Maze better; she would've gotten out of there on her own. Not that weak shank that volunteered for no reason!

She had no idea how long she sat there, mumbling soundless words like a madwoman. The Doors shut themselves with their normal rumbling. It took her a while to realize it, but that meant Aris was stuck in the Maze for yet another night. No way was he alive. Even if he was fully equipped (which he wasn't) there was only a slim chance of making it. Annabeth finally had to admit it.

He was dead.

-

Aris ran. Running was the only thing he could do really, especially when his nerves were flooded with pain the moment he slowed down the slightest bit. His throat might as well have never known water; it burned with the fire of a thousand hells and so much more.

But he had a weapon.

And against all odds, he was alive. 

He was alive and breathing. And he would remain alive as long as he kept on running. The Maze had closed for the night it seemed, but if he had enough luck, he would stay alive for another twelve hours. That was maybe a little bit more than he can chew. Aris still had hope that he would make it back nonetheless. All he had to do was not stop. So he ran in little circles, making sure never to stray too far from where he thought were the Doors.

Twice, he ran into Grievers, but his instincts took over. Without a bat of his lashes, he aimed the laser gun and ran. He didn't look back, and he didn't want to for that matter either. 

Aris found himself in front of the Doors at the crack of dawn. Twenty-four hours had passed since he had had rest. Twenty-four hours since he had truly feared for his life. 

As usual, the Doors began to open just as the sun rose. They moved slowly, but Aris couldn't help but grin despite everything. He would be safe. And he would be reunited with Annabeth, and he could forget this night ever happened to him. This was a nightmare, but one that would soon melt into a sweet dream.

He stumbled forward, wanting to get back as soon as possible. The opening between the Doors were just enough for him to squeeze through. There was a figure ahead. Blonde, tall. Beautiful, yet tragically broken, right before his eyes. There was only one person that did that description justice.

Annabeth.

The sun was behind her head, and in that moment he thought nothing looked more like a goddess than she did. 

"Aris, behind you!"

A Griever. It had pounced.

Honestly, curse his exhaustion.