Chapter XLXI:

The Civil War only lasted for four years. It was long enough to destroy everything that we could’ve had. On the outside, it was falling apart. Inside my head was worse.

There was reoccurring dream that I kept having. I was in a maze. Everything was white. I don’t remember how I got here. I don’t know where I am going. But I keep walking. Everything looks the same around me. I have the feeling that I was walking this maze before. It feels cold around me. I can see my breath at times.

However, I know that I am not alone.

In the distance, I hear it. Instinct tells me to keep walking. Don’t turn around. It’s caught up to me. Against my better judgement, I stop and glance over my shoulder. All I can see are the eyes. Very faint at first. But I know they can see me. I can see how this is going to play out if I get caught. I take off running as fast as I can.

Once I get far enough away, I can slow down. But I don’t know where I am. Nothing around me looks familiar. I can’t even see my own footsteps. I don’t know where I am going, but I know that I can’t stay here. I haven’t seen anyone else around. Why would I? I was put in this maze for punishment.

I slowed down my walking. Was I really? I couldn’t remember the reason. I just woke up here and I am just wandering around with no choice. It doesn’t seem to end. I just keep walking and walking. I don’t even see an end to this maze.

I can’t tell Maddie about this. She wouldn’t understand what is wrong with me. She’s already had to so much on her mind anyway. We’ve already lost two children. We can’t lose anymore. She stays by the kids as closely as she can nowadays. Maddie always has that worried look in her eyes when she looks up at me. I wish there was a way that I could help her.

I also have to look over my shoulder to make sure Luna isn’t after me. I couldn’t help but think that things were going to get worse. When winter came, things did get worse. For now, everything was quiet.

Too quiet.

I woke up back in that maze again. I have no choice, but to keep walking. What else can I do? I don’t have anywhere else to go. Could I turn around and go back? I don’t know. It just looks the same all around me. Just an endless sea of white. But all I can do is keep walking. I don’t have a way to go back or anywhere to go.

This time, I know that I am not alone again. It’s not that creature this time either.

Wait… what is that? I narrowed my eyes as I trained my ears in the white light. It sounded like… children’s laugher. My heart and stomach sank. Wait… Is that…?

I turned and started running in the maze. I have to find them. I have to find those children and bring them home. I would end up running and running until I woke up.

The next night would be the same thing.