Hungry and exhausted, the two stumbled on the sandy ground. Kayla’s white bloody dress was torn and short, mainly because none of them had thought of the maze as burning hot. But now the air felt cooler, and they had started shivering. Even Ashwa’s thick trousers couldn’t prevent them from the cold of the maze. So far, they had not met any ends yet.

“Can we…Just stop…Water…Please,” Ashwa puffed. Her mouth had been feeling like a piece of hard wood ever since a few hours ago.

Kayla’s lips were also wrapped tightly together. She wished she had water, to soothe her sore throat. But alas, the maze was not a place for beautiful things. They had encountered a few skeletons on the way and had never forgotten about them. Their remains, whoever they were, scared by the Beast.

Just as they were about to sit down and wait for their deaths, dripping sound of water was heard. Of course, they ran toward it, as fast as their weary legs could hold.

There it was. The maze’s solid roof above that had make them wonder about the days had a hole. A hole that had water that dripped down. Reaching with their hands, they filled their hands, which cupped together and drained the cool water. Instantly, they felt better.

“Quick, fill my torn part of my dress with water. My dress is waterproof. The water will stay!” Kayla quickly took out the torn bit of her dress and let the water drip.

“Waterproof?” Ashwa wondered aloud. She had never heard of water proof dresses until now. She was doubtful.

But Kayla’s torn dress didn’t let a single drip of water go through, and the water stayed in a tight bundle, as their source of hope.

Stepping more confidently now, they went through the twists and turns, ears alert for the sound of the beast. They knew the horrid creature could spring up at any moment and it was even hard to dream of escaping the maze.

Days passed, as they counted. The beast hadn’t show up yet. They were hungry and tired, drinking from Kayla’s waterproof dress bundle, which held the hope. Not until the beast appeared at last.

GRRR…

Hearts beating wildly now, they finally heard the terrifying beast. Ashwa knew there should have been no hope, but she had a spark in mind.

If she had set her village on fire, and that she knew she had set it, and she didn’t know how she had set it…Could she scare the beast away with her fire? Of course, that had seemed like a dream, at least, for she didn’t know how to even start a fire. Maybe she had magic in her blood?

Concentrating, her stomach felt like being tied into a knot. The beast growls were louder now, and sweat was dripping onto her soaked clothes. Ashwa saw fear in Kayla’s eyes, but she kept concentrating, imagining a burning flame…

WHOOSH!

Fire stretched through her fingers, wrapping her hand with flames. She smiled. But not for long. For the Beast had arrived.