Page 33 of Insanium
At the opposite end of the hall, another figure dispatched the LED-masked threat with a simple neck snap. Efficient, brutal, silent.
The figure in front of me turned, offering a hand to help me up. “Sorry we’re late.”
“Eryx?” I took his hand, pulling myself to my feet. The familiarity of him brought a mixed sense of relief and irritation. Eryx’s grip tightened as I stood, his face hidden behind the mask. “You have a great habit of showing up after I’ve done most of the hard work.”
“To be fair,” Eryx started, adjusting his stance, “we got swept up in this when they mistook us for Syndicate underlings for this Judgment due to our other masks.”
Rafe approached, his own mask slightly askew.
“We know the way out. We came to get you.”
“And I promise no one else will get near you,” Eryx added, stepping closer. “Now turn around.”
“You could at least wine and dine me first.”
“Is this not doing it for you?” Eryx quipped back. “I can’t say the same for myself.”
“It’s the axe, isn’t it?” I swung it slightly, feeling its weight. “I’m quite fond of it myself. I think I have an axe and a mask kink now.”
Rafe chuckled. “We think you have an insanity kink. The more chaotic things are, the happier you seem.”
“Hmm, maybe I do,” I mused, wincing slightly as Eryx examined my wound.
His touch was surprisingly delicate for someone with such a fierce reputation. The chaos of the maze seemed to fall away in his presence, his voice a low rumble that brought a sense of calm. “It’s not deep. Let’s get you out of here so I can clean you up.”
Shoulders squared and determination etched on my face, I turned to face him. “I can’t leave without Hael and Aisha.”
Rafe nodded, his mask giving his features an otherworldly serenity. “Then let us find them.”
With the two of them guiding the way, we navigated the labyrinthine maze. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, almost as if they had rehearsed this exact scenario. Every flicker of movement or rustle in the shadows was met with swift and precise action. They moved like dancers, a deadly waltz of violence and grace that was both terrifying and captivating.
As we rounded a corner, Eryx paused, his head cocked as if listening to something beyond our hearing. With a determined stride, he led us forward until we saw them.
Hael and Aisha, flanked by Liam and Maya, all looked slightly worse for wear but thankfully unharmed.
“Well, look who’s finally joined the party,” I quipped, stepping around my two masked companions.
Hael was the first to reach me, his eyes scanning the wound on my back before pulling me into a brief but tight embrace. “You’re all right?”
“I’ve been better,” I admitted with a small smile, “but I’ll survive.”
“As sweet as this is to be united again, can we focus on getting the hell out of here now?” Aisha asked.
“I think we can manage that,” he replied, moving toward the most obvious path forward.
He and Eryx resumed their positions at the front, with Hael and I in the middle, flanked by Aisha and Liam, and Maya bringing up the rear. As our group grew in numbers, the tightness in my chest eased. We made our way through the cramped exit of the fun house, emerging into the cool night air. The carnival sprawled out before us, alive and buzzing withenergy. Every ride and game was aglow with vivid lights, casting a dreamlike hue over the entire scene.
It was almost surreal to step out into such a festive atmosphere after the intense and disorienting experience inside the maze. Ahead, a parade of black SUVs lined up like dark sentinels against the festive backdrop. Their windows were tinted, obscuring any view inside, giving them an ominous presence. As we approached, a clown, decked out in an extravagant costume that sparkled under the carnival lights, stepped forward. Without a word, he pulled open the rear door of the nearest SUV and gestured for us to get in with a theatrical bow.
The sudden shift from maze runners to VIP guests didn’t sit right with me, and I felt a pang of suspicion. I glanced at Eryx and Rafe, but they seemed unfazed, perhaps too well accustomed to the unpredictable nature ofJudicium.
Hael caught my eye, his expression mirroring my apprehension. “We’re just going to get in?” he asked, his voice low.
“Looks like it. But stay sharp. This could be another layer of their game.”
Before we could move toward the vehicle, my attention was drawn to a large plastic drum positioned strategically by the door. A crudely made sign instructed us to deposit our weapons and masks inside.
So much for bringing the axe along, then. At least I’d still have my knife. With a collective hesitance, we complied. I reluctantly dropped my precious weapon into the drum, the sound of metal clanging against plastic. Masks followed, landing softly atop the pile of weaponry.
