Chapter 16: True or False?

The group huddled behind the wall, away from the creature's vision. 

"So, here's what we are going to do," Arya picked up a piece of stone and started using it to write on the floor. It has like a chalk substance to it, making it easy to write with it.

"Team A, the ones who will be causing the distraction, consists of Jake, Ambrose and Ellie," Each of them nodding as a sign of agreeing.

"Team B, the ones who will track the pathway to the exit, consists of Me, Zack and Mark." She continued. 

She drew a circle in the middle, with arrows on it, marking the first place "X" where Team A would lead the creature to attack. 

Then, another mark on the 2nd one.

Then, another, until all the walls around them collapse, clearing their path. 

"Ambrose! Ellie! Over here!" Jake yelled, motioning them to go with him, stepped forward and drew the beast's attention. 

While Zack and Arya helped Mark stand, grabbing his arms. 

"Come on, Arya. Let's get through that opening while the beast is distracted." He pointed toward the jagged gap in the wall—a tear in the maze revealed by the force of the creature's tail.

"Mark, are you okay?" Arya asked, her tone edged with worry as she noticed his wincing posture. 

"No, but do I have a choice?" Mark chuckled bitterly. 

The plan was simple but if they execute it well, it would be their best shot at making it through the maze alive. 

As Jake and Ambrose began circling the creature, darting in and out of its snapping jaws, Ellie hurriedly guided Zack and Arya together with Mark along the newly opened pathway. 

A deafening crack split the air as the creature's tail slammed into another section of the wall, sending debris tumbling.

"F*CK!" Arya exclaimed, as the piece of debris hit her forehead. She fell to the ground, accidentally letting go of Mark's arm, making Zack catch all of his weight and almost fell to the ground too, but his reflex was quick. He stepped his right foot immediately to support their weight and avoid tripping. 

Arya held her forehead, a warm liquid trickled down her fingers. She looked at her hand, cursing through her breath at the sight of blood. 

Zack immediately looked around to see if there was a blind spot away from the monster. There is a pile of rock near the exit, away from the monster's vision. He grabbed Mark with all his force and leaned Mark's back against the rock. 

"I'll check on Arya, I'll be back." He ran towards Arya, and checked her wound. 

"Are you okay? Do you feel dizzy? Nauseated? Do you hear ringing in your ears?" Zack bombarded her with questions, he didn't even pause before each questions, not giving her a chance to answer. 

He can see Arya's face grimaced, but Arya shook his head. "No. I'm fine. I was just caught off guard.I can handle a little pain." She wiped at the blood streaking down her temple, smearing it across her cheek. 

Zack exhaled, relieved. He looked at Arya's wound again, examining it carefully. His medical instincts kicked in despite the chaos around them. "Head wounds bleed a lot because of the blood vessels present there. But, it doesn't look too deep." 

He tore off a piece of his sleeve and pressed it against her forehead. "Hold this and put pressure on it."

Zack noticed a blood smear on Arya's cheek. Without thinking, he reached out, his thumb brushing against her skin as he wiped it away. 

Arya froze at the unexpected touch, as a woman who has a lot to say, she found herself, for once, at a loss for words. 

She looked at Zack, and for the first time, he appreciated how attractive he is. The brown eyes, the sharp jawline, the way his messy hair somehow suited him amidst the chaos.

Her gaze snapped to his, their eyes met, and for a brief second, they just looked at each other. 

Zack's fingers lingered for half a second before he realized what he was doing, and immediately pulled his hand back.

They both looked away. The air felt tense. There was an awkward silence. 

Zack, not knowing what to do or say, looked up at the timer. 

[07:59…07:58…07:57…]

Zack cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh blood…Just…I figured…I should…" He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Never mind. The clock's ticking, come on."

Arya blinked, then scoffed slightly. "I…Uh—Right." Zack helped her walk towards Mark,who was still leaning on the pile of rock.

Neither of them spoke about it as they walked. 

But, Arya couldn't ignore the way her heart was still beating just a little too fast.

—

"Ambrose! Go to your left…distract him there! Then, Ellie will attack him from behind, so it will turn away from you, and knock the rest of the walls down!" Jake ducked as the claw of the beast swiped just inches above his head.

"On it!" Ambrose replied. He darted left. "Hey!!! Come and get me, you stupid beast!" He yelled as the creature walked towards his way. 

Ellie positioned on the center, a few feet away behind the monster, gripping tightly the sword in her left hand and a piece of debris on her right hand. She threw it towards the beast. 

The rock struck the back of the middle head of the creature. It wasn't enough to wound it, but it was enough to make it angrier. The beast snarled, whipping its heads around in search of the new threat. 

Jake, still crouched low, met her gaze and gave up a sharp nod.

With a deep breath, Ellie sprinted towards the beast, aiming for its exposed chest.

 She swung the sword with all her strength. 

The blade sliced through its rough skin.

The monster shrieked and twisted violently, its massive tail sweeping through the air. Ellie barely had time to react. She threw herself to the side as the force of the swing shattered the remaining wall behind them. 

Ellie couldn't believe her eyes. She did it. 

They could see the path towards the exit. Arya, Zack and Mark were already a few feet away from the exit. But Ellie remembered what the voice said:

[Objective: Find your team. Escape TOGETHER.]

[Warning: No individual escape allowed. Termination will be enforced upon violation of the rules.]

Arya, Zack and Mark are gesturing to them to get to the end of the hallway, so they could escape together. 

"Jake! Ambrose! You're close to them. RUN! NOW!" Ellie yelled as she dodged the claws of the monster. Jake hesitated, he doesn't want to leave anyone behind. It's not who he is. He looked around to see how Ellie could escape. He saw an opening between its legs. The monster could not look down there because of its massive head.

 'That should do it,'' he muttered to himself. 

"Ellie! You have to slide between its legs! It cannot look further down! It's the fastest way you could get here!" Jake shouted.

"Yes, yes! That's smart!" Ellie exclaimed.

"Ok. Move back a little. So that when you run, you'll have some momentum and be able to slide quickly!" Ellie moved further back, a few feet away from her place before. 

She took a deep breath. 

"NOW!" Jake yelled.

Ellie ran as fast as she could. She ran like hell. Her heart pounded in her chest as if it's going to burst. 

The beast roared, snapping its jaw in her direction. 

The timer beeped, glowing red:

[01:30…01:29:..01:28…]

As she approached the opening, she dropped low, tucking her shoulder to the ground.The wind rushed past her as she slid, her body skimming across the rough floor, narrowly avoiding the beast's claws that swiped dangerously. 

She felt the sharp sting of rocks scraping against her skin. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to endure the pain. 

The world seemed to slow as she glided between its massive legs, she opened her eyes, focusing solely on the exit ahead.

'I'm almost there. If I survive living with my mother, I can survive this.' she muttered. She shot out from underneath it, standing to her feet and sprinting the last few feet towards Jake and Ambrose. 

"Jake! Ellie! Ambrose!" Hurry!" Arya shouted from a distance. 

[00:45…00:44…00:43…]

Without another word, they sprinted towards Arya, Zack and Mark's location. Her legs were trembling, her body was still stinging from pain, but she couldn't afford to slow down. 

She glanced ahead. They were just a few feet away, their eyes wide, urging them to move faster. 

They reached the final stretch. But just as they thought they were safe. 

Ellie tripped and fell to the ground, unable to move.

Jake was a few yards in front of her, but Ambrose was right behind her. 

"ELLIE!" Mark yelled. 

"I…I can't…I can't move" She said on the brink of her tears. 

[00:15…00:14…00:13…]

Before Jake could run back and pick her up. Ambrose, without a second thought, scooped her up effortlessly, lifting her into his arms in a bridal carry.

[00:08…00:07…00:06…]

 As the final seconds ticked away, together, they stepped outside.

[00:03…00:02…00:01…]

The walls shimmered and dissolved like smoke, and with one final burst of energy, the light swallowed them whole as the timer hit zero.

And just like that, they were back at the Northwood Medical Center.