He lay at the bottom of the cliff, too tired and exhausted to move. The small energy he had was draining out with his blood. However, his pain wasn’t his first concern. He needed to make sure that she was still alive.

Slowly shambling his way to the top of the cliff, he had time to think. Why did this happen? Who caused it? Is everyone alright? What will happen now? He desperately asked the questions, but no answer was given. Except, there was a response.

“How do you expect me to know?”  The ghost following him asked. “I wasn’t asking you,” He groaned, talking becoming difficult. As he stumbled, snow began to fall, slowing him further. 

Despite the odds, he reached the top of the cliff. By now, all the fires that were started had gone out, and the attackers were nowhere to be found. The academy was in ruins, and bodies were strewn across the floor. Frantically, he began to run through the building. 

He knew where she was, he just needed to know if she was fine. As he ran, he began to notice, none of the teachers were among the student bodies, but he didn’t have time to think about it. He got back outside, this is where they both were when it happened, sitting under a tree, on the edge of the cliff. 

He found his arm, it was still there. However, she was nowhere to be found. Other than his arm, the cliffside was empty. 

He fell to the ground, no longer able to keep himself upright. 

“Hey, don’t go dying on me,” The ghost panicked. She really annoyed him, all he was doing was getting some rest. He was tired.

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It was dark. Entirely void of any light. I wasn't sure if I was awake, but I was conscious, so that was a plus. A few seconds -or maybe a minute- later, dull aches and throbbing resonated from my entire body. It was as if all my bones were broken.

As my eyes opened, the light of a flame came into focus. It was blinding, like I had never opened my eyes before. Although the pain through my body had yet to fade, I tried to sit up.

Any muscle in use flared to life, and shot pain to my head. At first I tried to just say ouch, but all that came out was a croak -or a groan? All that matters is that I was sitting upright. Though my head was throbbing and my back protested, I eventually got to my feet.

"Where am I?" I questioned myself, after all, I had no memory of going into a…. Labyrinth? It was like a cave, but there were torches lining the irregularly smooth walls.

Wait, I had no memory of coming here. It wasn't just that, I had no memory whatsoever. I could think, and I knew what things were, I just couldn't remember learning any of it.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Ah. Ahh." Panic overtook me. I didn't know who I was. My parents, friends, did I even exist?

Who am I?

Once my composure was regained, I realized something. I needed to get out of this maze. The structure was weird. The walls weren't chiseled, it was as if the cave naturally formed smooth walls. There were also 90° bends in the hallway. That wasn't natural, yet there were no markings indicating that it was man-made.

The ground was moist, so I needed to leave soon, or the area might flood. The air was thick, I could feel it weighing on my shoulders, and sticking to my skin. It wasn't hot, quite the opposite actually, it was freezing.

I was thankful that I had actual clothes on. I was wearing an unflattering black shirt, and regular blue jeans. I didn't have any shoes or socks though, which made me careful to walk. I didn't want to step on a rock.

I grabbed one of the torches off the wall, and chose a direction. Many of the paths I walked down were the same, or very similar. Long hallways with torches along the wall.

Hours passed, and I had yet to find anything of value. Until I noticed a bit of red mixed in with a puddle on the ground. It was definitely blood. There were a few more drops ahead.

Thinking I might find another person, I followed the trail. As it went on, more blood appeared in the puddles. My hopes of finding a living person diminished.

Around a corner, I saw it. The upper half of a human body. She was still alive, as the head turned to me.

After trying to speak, and failing, she groaned. She tried again.

"Please help me." She mumbled. "I don't think I can," I looked on in horror.

She looked to the ceiling. She seemed to accept her fate. 

"Why are you here?.. you don't seem like an explorer." Her words were drawn out, she was close to death. I kneeled next to her and answered.

"I'm not, I just woke up in here."

"You look no older than 18, how sad."

"Why is it sad?"

"How do you think this happened to me?" She said, seemingly a little frustrated. "The monsters in here are tough for experienced explorers, yet you're just a kid."

I caught on. Monsters. I couldn't picture anything. When I looked at the wall, I knew it was a wall. I have experienced things before but don't have the memory of it. However, when it came to monsters, my mind drew a blank. I must have never experienced one before.

"The thing that did this to me is still nearby, you need to get out, quick." She was urgent. She must've wanted to get at least me out of here alive.

"I don't know where to go, or how to get out." I was scared. I didn't want to be left alone, especially after learning there were monsters here.

"Take my bag," She looked at it, "It has a map, and some other supplies."

I grabbed it and sifted through the items. A map, some food, bottles containing different colored liquid, a mirror, and a book.

"Here, use this." She handed me a black dagger. Her hands were shaking.

"Use it for what?" I asked nervously.

"Please, please kill me." She began to cry. "It hurts so much, I want it to be over."

"What? I… I can't….." She didn't respond to me, she just gazed past me. I gave in.

With shaky hands, I pushed the dark blade into her chest, hitting her heart. She died instantly.