Enchanted: The Labyrinth

by Marie-France Leger

  “Who are you?” I heard a male voice.

  “Daddy, you’re hurting them.” A small, gentle tone spoke.

  Moments later my lungs came to, and I could speak again, barely. I stood up and saw a little boy, probably around ten with dark hair. I tried to look clearly and saw my father. As I fell backwards, I caught a glimpse of a man standing beside him. He also had dark hair wearing my father’s face. My mother stood, back arched assisting my sisters until she froze, staring at the man beside the boy. I expected her to turn away but she didn’t, she just stared.

  “Mom, are you okay?” Mable asked, tugging on her fingers.

  She shook her head and looked once at all three of us. “What? Yes, of course.” She ran her fingers through Mable’s hair. She looked back at the man, and then returned her attention to Mable. I wanted to know what that was, because I had never seen my mother in such a trance. It was usually always me. Should I ask? Or leave it for later? I mean, I almost died just now so maybe this wasn’t the time to talk about anything.

  Lore helped his wife to her feet and coughed.

  “Paul, do you remember me?” Lore asked, avoiding his face.

  115

  “Who’s speaking?” The man replied.

  “I’m from the Coperton clan. We knew each other before we got placed into our sectors.” He showed his tattoo. “My name is Lore.”

  The man’s toned seem to soften. “Lore,” he began. “It’s been too long, friend. Sorry about this, come in.”

  “You could have killed us.” Marrow spat.

  “I’m aware.” The male, Paul, laughed. I walked beside my mother as we entered the sector. The interior was the same as all of our homes. Same firewood, same blankets, pots, ponds and open spaces. I noticed Paul’s head facing my mother again so now I was genuinely curious to know what history they shared. I didn’t think my mom knew anyone from the outside. None that she talked about, anyway.

  “Mom,” I called. Was I about to do this? Yes.

  “Yes?” She turned to me, seemingly distracted.

  “Do you know Paul?”

  She swallowed and turned to look at him. “I don’t.”

  Dishonesty again, I thought. “Mom, you know you can tell me.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say, Kaylin. I don’t know Paul.”

  I shook my head. “Then what aren’t you telling me because I’ve been around you long enough to know you’re a really bad liar.”

  She shook her head and stared at me for a few seconds before speaking. I tossed her a look of content, knowing she was going to give in.

  “I don’t want this getting around to your siblings just yet. Ann and Mabe, they aren’t old enough to understand, they’ll question-,”

  116

  I cut her off. “What is it mom?”

  She sucked in her cheeks, “I see Paul, just like you see Nate.”

  Kaylin…

  I heard the voice again. It had this way of coming back in times I least expected it too, didn’t want it to, and giving no information. It still puzzled me every time I heard it, though. Who are you, what do you want?

  “You see him?” I asked again, confused, pushing out the inner dialogue.

  “Yes Kaylin, yes.”

  I scrunched my eyebrows. “But the Tamara member said it was only destiny or love that you could see-,”

  Now she cut me off. “It can’t be. I only ever saw Paul once, and that was when we were called for the sector splits in the beginning. I never thought I’d see him again.”

  “But-,”

  And once again, she interrupted me. “Kaylin, you don’t love Nate, do you?”

  I stepped back, horrified that I was having this talk with my mother, and hearing it myself. “No, of course not.” I spoke defensively.

  “Exactly, I don’t either. I feel nothing for Paul. I don’t know him, it can’t be this way. It’s another one of her games, The Enchantress.”

  Maybe it was? Maybe none of this made sense because it wasn’t supposed to. Either way, I was one step closer to finding out. I moved to the center of the sector where everyone was gathered, my mother falling close

  117

  behind me. “Now you know how I have been feeling ever since I met Nate.”

  I sat down next to Devon, leaning on him for support. Paul sat down next to his son and held out a pot, raising a shield. “Can I offer anyone some grey sprout?”

  Annabelle scrunched her face. “What is that?”

  “A grey leaf mixed with white vine and water.” He answered. Never heard of it, sounds disgusting.

  We all shook our heads and smiled politely, when Devon lifted his hand. “I’m kind of in the mood for anything right now, so I’ll give it a shot.”

  Paul handed him a transparent pot. He put his lips to the side as he drank.

  “How is it?” I asked in disgust.

  “It’s actually not bad.” He turned to Paul, “If it doesn’t bother you, I might go for seconds.”

  I could sense him smiling. “It’s no bother.” He replied.

  Lore was right, they were friendly. Well, more friendly than the Tamara clan.

  “For those who don’t know, I’m Paul, and this is my son Ethan.” He turned his forearm to us showing his tattoo. “What did you all come here for?”

  Devon offered me some grey sprout but I declined. Liz cleared her throat and spoke for all of us. “

  Paul, we found an escape out of The Labyrinth. Also, we found the Enchantress. She’s located in a town where we think the curse is lifted.”

  “How did you find The Enchantress?” Paul’s tone was confused. Been there.

  “We found her location in the process of finding the escape. It took a lot of time, but we managed.” Nate

  118

  spoke, showing the map on his arm. I looked over at him, admiring his high cheekbones and jawline. He really was quite, beautiful. What the hell Kaylin, stop. Don’t let this get to you. I shrugged off any sensitivity towards Nate, any attraction that didn’t need to be there and cleared my throat.

  “Lore,” Paul began. “You know I would have helped you back then, but I have a son now. My life died by The Enchantress games.” He paused briefly, and looked towards his son. “She sent a wolf to the forest when my wife was hunting, and she wasn’t ready.” His voice was shaken. I didn’t even need to ask, I knew what happened. “Don’t say I don’t want to escape. I would more than anything but if it means losing the only thing left that’s important to me, I won’t.”

  Everyone kept silent, especially myself. The Enchantress was an awful, morbid, waste of a creation. Whatever she was created by. How could someone do such a thing? For fun? It’s sick, all of it is sick. I felt the blood rush to my veins, fire travelling faster than a current. “I’m sorry to hear that,” Liz started. “But we all have children too. We just know they are worth fighting for, and they will protect us just as much as we will protect them.” She grabbed the hands of both her sons. That point, very valid.

  “Daddy, let’s go. Maybe we can find mommy?” An innocent voice spoke. I figured it belonged to Ethan.

  Tears rested at my waterline, but I didn’t cry, I couldn’t. Ethan reminded me of myself when I thought my father was still alive, but I was young. He wasn’t coming back. Maybe he’s out there, Kaylin, remember why you’re doing this.

  119

  “Maybe.” Paul kissed Ethan’s forehead softly.

  “We tried to talk to the Tamara clan, but they wouldn’t budge. Please, Paul.” Lore begged.

  This was our only hope. We would die if they didn’t agree to come, and that I knew. If she sent a wolf out to murder an innocent Enchanted, what did she have in store for us deeper in this Labyrinth? For minutes we were looking amongst our families when Paul finally stood up. “I will protect you.” Paul said to his son.

  “And I will protect you.” His son whispered back, hugging him.

  I couldn’t help but smile, at the compassion, but mostly the prog
ress. “I’ll go with you and your clans,” Paul spoke, taking out his clan knife. “When do we leave?”

  “We’re going to the Crescent. We were thinking of resting and then beginning tomorrow.”

  “Where is the Crescent located?”

  “We will show you when it’s time.” Replied Lore.

  “Well you might as well rest in my sector. I have plenty of blankets and it appears,” I could sense he saw our bags stuffed with cloth. “So do you.”

  ***

  No one socialized throughout the day. My mother and sisters were cooking some vegetables with Paul, while Devon, Marrow and Nate were out hunting and Liz and Lore were tracing the map on Ethan’s arm. Then there was me, playing with a ball of fire as I rested against the wall. I caught a glimpse of Paul’s arm which was already decorated with dark lines and squared corners as he brushed hands with my mother while picking some

  120

  carrots. I could see her blush and he moved away quickly, but the look on his face made me realize he wanted her hand to stay on top of his. Ew, just stop analyzing them so closely, you might vomit. He isn’t your dad. I looked over at Ethan who was holding his wrist down as Liz finished marking him. A few moments after, she whispered something to him and moved away with Lore. I decided to talk to Ethan because he did save my lungs from exploding.

  “Hi,” I moved beside him. “I’m Kaylin.”

  His voice was quiet yet kind, “I’m Ethan.” His innocence made me smile, even though I couldn’t see his face. I imagined he looked like a younger version his father with the glimpse of dark hair I saw.

  “How’s your arm?” I avoided eye contact as he did. His father must have told him not to look at anyone other than him and his mother. Smart move.

  “It feels like one hundred bug bites.”

  “I know, the burn is pretty bad at first, but you’re strong. You’ll be okay.”

  I put up a shield and smiled at him, watching the corner of his mouth turn up into a grin. “I am?”

  “Of course, what kind of eight year old can handle a burn like this?” I pointed to his arm, “I couldn’t when I was your age.”

  He jumped up and faced me, holding a shield. I knew it wouldn’t last for him, he had so much more to learn but at least I could see those violet eyes clearer. “How old are you?”

  “Seventeen.” I smiled trying to hold the shield myself. I couldn’t imagine how difficult it was for him to hold his.

  121

  Just like I thought, he dropped the shield in breaths, sighing. “My daddy says I can’t look at your face, but you must be beautiful.”

  I blushed. I don’t know why, but an eight year old boy saying that meant more to me than anything. Someone who hasn’t even seen anyone else, someone who can’t see anyone else, has the kindest heart.

  “How can you tell if you can’t see my face?”

  “Well you have the voice of my mother and she was beautiful,” his voice was soft. My heart felt full, for the first time in a long time, I felt at peace. “I hope we can find her so I can hear her voice again.”

  It was truly something to see. He really did believe that he would find his mother again and I didn’t want to ruin his hope, I couldn’t, because that meant ruining mine as well.

  “You know,” I rubbed my fingers through the dirt, “My father was lost for a very long time, but I hope I can find him too.”

  He moved towards me and grabbed my pointer finger, “We’ll find them together.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at him, “Promise?” He asked before I could answer. In that moment, I could feel all my happiness towards this one little boy who I now knew I would protect with my life. It was a weird feeling to feel such an obligatory mission towards someone. I knew that he was a part of me now.

  “I promise,” I said.

  “Pinkie promise?”

  I lifted my pinkie as he curled his with mine. He laughed and released my hand. “Can you show me a

  122

  trick?” He asked. “My daddy says you’re from the fire parts?”

  “Of course.” I moved back and grinned at him. I thought of a fire spell I could use to impress him, or at least make him smile. I thought of hard spells and way easy spells, and then one hit me. I blew out a ball of fire and began to form shapes. I made a diamond, a heart, a triangle, and then turned the ashes into little black stars. Something my dad always use to do before bed.

  “That’s amazing.” He grabbed a few of the star ashes, “I can only do this.” He opened his small palm and directed it to the vines along the wall. Moments later, the vines came undone and drifted into the air, as if they were flying. For a boy his age, it wasn’t a bad practice and he seemed proud of it, so I was.

  “Wow, that’s awesome. I wish I could do that.” At this point I couldn’t hold my shield anymore. I smiled to the ground as he turned his head upwards.

  He laughed and continued spiralling the vines until one almost hit someone entering the passageway; a blonde hair, crystal eyed, Nate.

  “Whoa, great job sport.” Nate smiled blocking the vine with a water wall.

  Devon and Marrow carried a deer while Nate walked in, cleaning his knife. I could see Marrow’s features again. His dark blonde hair was curling around his ears, and his deep blue eyes were staring at me. Devon looked at me once and walked to my family with Marrow.

  “Hey little guy.” Nate walked towards me grinning before turning his attention to Ethan.

  123

  “That was really cool what you did with the water, I’m Ethan.” He jumped up to shake his hand, looking at Nate’s feet.

  “Thanks buddy, I’m Nate. But what you did with those vines…way cooler. Where’d you learn that?” Nate sat on my free side, slouching closer towards me.

  “My mommy taught me.”

  “Well your mom must have been very bright.” Nate was good with him, and it made me happy. He smiled and waddled in front of us, putting both his arms around our necks to give us a hug. I patted his back as Nate’s hand overlapped mine. I blushed. He released and ran to Paul leaving me alone with Nate.

  “Cute kid,” Nate laughed.

  “He is.” I smiled watching from a distance as Ethan hugged his father.

  Nate focused on me and looked into my eyes, then my lower face, “So are you.”

  I blushed and snorted loudly. Okay, gross. “I’m not a kid.”

  “Yes you are.”

  “Well, so are you,” I countered back.

  He laughed, extending his legs. “Best kids I know.” He leaned back, moving his fingertips to mine. I looked into his eyes. He really was beautiful, I almost lost myself. Wait, I did lose myself. I would never think like that, never in a million years. For that second, I felt myself feeling for Nate, something about him. I couldn’t though, not when we were about to embark on a suicide mission. Not like this. I stopped my thoughts, and stood up. “It’s getting dark, shouldn’t we be eating?”

  124

  His blue eyes flashed, “When it’s ready.” He stood up, “I’ll help Marrow out. I don’t think he’s getting along with your brother.”

  I glanced over at Devon whose hand was sparking while Marrow’s fists were clenched. I shook my head and Nate laughed, placing his hand on my back pushing me forward. I didn’t want to know what I was about to get myself into. Upon reaching them, Devon’s words startled me.

  “You are an inconsiderate bastard, you know that? You don’t just toss a whole pot of seasoning unless you want our mouths to burn,” Devon snatched the pot away from Marrow.

  “Oh no, Devon you’re mistaken. I don’t want to burn everyone’s mouth, just yours.”

  “Go ahead. You control fish and I control volcanoes, let’s see who wins.”

  Nate pulled Marrow back and Liz and Lore came to stop them. I grabbed Devon’s shoulder and pulled him to the passageway. I didn’t want to have a lecture, but it didn’t make sense to me how he could be so stupid to start a fight over something so little g
iven all the circumstances around us.

  “What’s with you?” I asked dragging him out.

  “Let go,” he demanded.

  “No, we’re going for a walk.”

  “I can handle myself Kaylin, let go.” I let go of his arm, but he didn’t run off. I knew he wouldn’t. We were a little outside of the passageway when I peered in to see Marrow kneeling with Nate, Liz and Lore.

  “What?” He snapped.

  “Want to tell me what happened?”

  125

  “No,” he started. “It doesn’t concern you.”

  “Don’t do it again, Devon.”

  He laughed walking back in. “Okay mom.” I shook my head, pushing fallen strands of hair over my ear. How was Devon going to be around Marrow when it comes time to entering the Crescent? They can’t even get along. I mean, I guess I didn’t blame them. We were fighting side by side with our nightmare. I just, had it differently I guess since I could see practically everyone.

  Liz held Marrow’s shoulder as he turned to Devon then stood up, Nate standing up with him. He extended a hand to Devon as he stared to the ground.

  “For real?” Devon asked.

  Marrow rolled his eyes. “Just accept the damn truce.” He sounded irritated, but I would’ve been as well. Devon was quite hard to deal with; although, they both were at times. Couldn’t agree more.

  “Whatever.” He took his hand and fidgeted back, jumping.

  “What the hell?” Devon’s voice rose.

  “Marrow, what did you do?” Liz questioned, exasperated.

  “Your demon child pulled my fire vein.”

  “Quit being a wimp, it was just a water shock.”

  Before Devon could move towards Marrow, I caught his arm. “I don’t want to hurt you Kaylin.” He didn’t look at me, but froze.