“Shush, it’s alright. You’re okay, little miss, you’re okay,” a mans smooth voice whispered in my ear. “Don’t struggle please. I’m not here to hurt you. But stay still. Don’t make a noise. Please? Thank you. Oh… I don’t think you’re even listening to me. Ha ha. That’s fine. As long as we both stay very still. It’ll go away soon.”  

We both listened and watched as the thing banged against the door, over and over. I heard a loud hissing noise, and more banging before it stopped. My hands began to shake. It was as though each thump of the door, echoed into my heart.

Then the eye looked out once again. It stared at me,  and I stared back. Then it tried once again to smash its way through the door, harder than before. Without knowing, I gripped at the arms of the stranger who held me still. Once the creature stopped, it looked out the window again. It blinked a few times slowly then lurked away. I caught a glimpse of silvery glass scales as it disappeared deeper into the maze.

What… what was that? I’ve never seen anything like it. That eye. It was huge. How big was that thing really? What was it? What could it have been? I don’t…

I stood frozen in the arms of the stranger for awhile. Until I finally returned to my senses. I jerked away quickly from the man, who held his hands up in the air, as though trying to prove that he had no other ill intentions.

“Sorry there little miss,” he said with a smile. “I wasn’t here to hurt you. Honest.”

I looked up at the man and blinked, still somehow unable to find words to say.  

“Easy now,” he said. He took a small step backwards, his arms still in the air. “Take your time. And don’t forget to breathe now.”

I wasn’t breathing.

I gasped for air as soon as I realised.

How long was I holding my breath for?

“How… who… what?” I managed to stumble out.

“Calm down now little miss,” the man said with a happy grin. “It’s alright. That thing is gone now. It won’t come out to bother you.” He looked at the door and narrowed his eyes. “It can’t escape.” He turned back to me and smiled again. “So don’t worry now.”

“Worry, I’m not… worrying…” I said. “I…”

“Easy now,” he said.

“I’m not… a horse!” I said angrily.

The man looked shocked and then he laughed. “Of course, of course you aren’t, miss. My apologies,” he said with a deep bow. “Did not mean to offend you in the slightest. Honest miss.”

I blushed. “It’s… it’s fine,” I said. “No, need to apologise. I… didn’t mean to snap at you.”

My breathing started to get under control.

But what was that thing? Was that something that I would have to contend with when I actually enter the maze?

“What was that?” I asked looking at the door.

The man shrugged and shook his head. “Not too sure, if I’m being honest miss. There’s all sorts in there. Don’t know which one it could be.”

“Are there many that are as big as that?”

“That’s one of the biggest to be sure, but I don’t know what sizes the critters can grow up to. And the monsters, they… change when they’re in there. Sometimes there are plenty, sometimes there are none. I cannot even begin to explain how that works,” he said scratching his head. He smiled. “But at least we’re safe out here.”

“Oh… good.” As soon as he said that, I immediately collapsed to the floor.

“Little miss!” The man said and lunged forward, trying to keep me upright. It didn’t work however, but he at least managed to keep my body from hitting the ground. “Are you alright?” He asked in a panic.

I looked at his face. His hair was a light brown. It was long and grew over his face. It covered his light blue eyes, that looked shocked with worry.

“I’m… I’m okay. Sorry, my legs, just gave way,” I stuttered.

He smiled, and I blushed again. “No need to apologise my little miss,” he said as he helped me to stand up. “I can see that this encounter would be hard on anyone.”

I’m not just anyone though… I have dealt with several monsters. But I had never felt fear grip my heart so quickly like that. What was it? Why did it look at me like that. Like… it wanted to eat me? No… it felt like something different. As though it needed to get to me desperately. But why? What did it want?

“What are you doing all the way out here though little miss? Were you lost? Or were you here for a another reason,” he said. “You know, this area isn’t very safe.” He eyed me a little suspiciously.

“No, no. I… um… I was just wandering around the gardens and then found the door. And I got curious, so I approached it, and then….” I shuddered.

“You know, everyone is warned to stay away from the glass maze,” he said his tone still suspicious. “And even those who are not warned know to stay away.”

Ahhh. What should I do? Should I lie? What should I say? What can I say? Ahhh. Oh no. No. He seems to be the type to know when someone is lying. I don’t want to get myself or Holly into trouble when we have not even started the trial yet!  

“Yes, haha, I know, I’m a bit of a …troublemaker,” I said with an innocent smile. “I’m sorry. I just got curious, haha. So I just… wanted to see it.”

“Curious huh?” he said, his smile returning. “I hope this satiated your curiosity?”

I nodded hard. “Yes. Very much. Very satiated, I can assure you.”

I’m tempted to tell him I won’t be coming back, but that would be too much of a lie. I’ll have to at least for the final trial.

“Ha ha ha,” the man chuckled. “I’m sure it did. But what are you doing here miss? Are you here for the trial?”

I nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“Guests, are not supposed to come until tomorrow, as I understand,” the man said thoughtfully. “And neither are candidates… which one are you?”

“I don’t suppose I look like an off duty maid wanting to tour the garden one last time before it closes down?” I asked meekly.

“Ha ha! No. I don’t suppose you do,” he said, smiling.

I could tell him who I am… but he doesn’t seem to know. Everyone knew. For some reason, I just… don’t want him to know. At least not yet. He’s so… nice to me. What happens when he knows who I am? Will his attitude change? I… don’t want to find out.

“Well, what are you doing here?” I asked quickly changing the question.

“Me?” He asked. He looked to his left and right and then pointed to his belongings scattered about. “What do you think I’m doing here?”

On the ground, were large secateurs and a large basket of freshly cut leaves and flowers, as well as a straw hat.

“Oh… um… a gardener!” I exclaimed. “I… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get in the way of your work.”

He chuckled as he bent down to picked up his hat. A small gold necklace with a red pendant that was under his shirt fell out. When he stood up, he quickly put the necklace back under his shirt and dusted the dirt of his hat.

“It’s not a problem little miss. I just sensed something wrong and came to inspect the area. Glad I was around. Not that I think the door couldn’t hold. But you never know if something could go wrong. Wouldn’t want you disappearing into the maze now would we.”

“Ha ha, yes, no, wouldn’t want that,” I said. I glanced down at the floor. “Um.. thank you. For coming.”

He chuckled. “No worries little miss.” Now, he said and held out the crook of his arm. “Can I guide you out of here?”

He’s a bit too good looking to be a gardener isn’t he. I wonder if all the Palace maids come to the garden to try to catch glimpses of him.

I blushed again and nodded. “Yes. Yes you may.” I walked towards him and put my hand on his arm.

We chatted about regular mundane things as he guided me through the garden. For a short while I felt like a young happy girl. Not a candidate for the next prince consort. Not a daughter of Thorn. Just myself. 

“I know, our circumstances of meeting were a bit… interesting, but I hope it doesn’t become too much of a bad memory for you,” the gardener said.

“No, no, not at all,” I replied quickly. “In fact, I think it will be a nice memory,” I said looking to the ground.

“That’s good then,” he smiled. “Well, here we are. I still have some work to do, so I’ll be heading back in. Can you make your way back to your quarters yourself?”

“Yes,” I said meekly. “Um.. thank you once again. And for escorting me back. You didn’t have to.”

“It wasn’t a problem at all. You’re very welcome.” He took the hand that was nestled in the crook of his arm, and gave it a light kiss on the back. “My lady,” he said with a smile. “Good luck.”

I stood there, my heart pounding a little as I watched him walk back into the gardens. He gave an over the shoulder wave without turning back, before he disappeared around a corner.