by Chris Babu
The pledges all dropped their backpacks. Charlie knelt in front of the nearest hole. “Man, that looks tight. How am I going to fit in there?”
Drayden averted his eyes from the tunnels. He could easily get stuck inside. What if they all got stuck behind Charlie?
“How do you do a maze without seeing it?” Alex asked. “Mazes on paper are tough enough, and you can see those.”
Charlie crossed his arms. “Yeah, how do you do that?”
Drayden closed his eyes for a moment. Don’t look at the tunnels yet. “There’s a trick to mazes.” He rubbed his hand on his forehead. “It’s called the right-hand method. Basically, imagine going through any maze. If you touch your right hand to the wall when you begin, and never pick it up, eventually you’ll find your way out.”
Catrice sat on the ground, scribbling on her paper. “If you never pick up your hand, you’ll automatically walk through every passageway,” she said. “At a dead end, you’ll turn around. Or think about, it’s like if you blew the whole maze out into a big circle, it’s like walking around the circle once.”
“It guarantees you’ll get out,” Drayden said. “Unfortunately, it’s not the fastest or most efficient way.”
Alex and Charlie’s faces went blank. Both held their right hands out to simulate touching a wall. Sidney stood alone off to the side, her shoulders slumped, looking uninterested.
“Finding our way through is only part of the problem,” Drayden said. “One, we have to do it fast. Two, there are three choices of where to start. And three, the biggest problem is those tunnels look extremely tight. It’s gonna be suffocating in there. No room to turn around. I’m not even sure we’ll be able to back up if we pick the wrong way.”
Drayden had no clue how to do this. They could go individually, each testing the different openings, or as a group. “Catrice, I need your help.”
She hustled over. “I’m trying to brainstorm the different ways we can get through,” she said. “I’m assuming we can back up, but not turn around.”
Drayden pulled off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know how I can do this at all. My claustrophobia.”
“You’ll get through this the same way I got through the pool,” she said firmly. “We’ll all help each other, help you.”
Drayden contemplated the fear she overcame in the water. “You’re right.” He stuffed his hat in his backpack. “So, we can’t do the maze individually, like every person for themselves. We’ll probably bump into each other, with people having to back up. We risk losing somebody in there for an hour. The problem with going as a group, single file, is winding up in a dead end. Everyone would have to back up together.”
Charlie knelt in front of the middle tunnel opening. “I gotta check this out for a sec.” He tried squeezing inside. His shoulders barely cleared the tube’s width. He shoved his upper body inside.
A wave of nausea crested over Drayden. He could almost feel the tight tube squeezing his body until he couldn’t move, or breathe.
Catrice tapped her pencil on the side of her head. “What if we go in a line but with one person as a scout, way ahead? The scout plots out the right course using the right-hand method. Everybody else waits until the scout says it’s not a dead end.”
Drayden’s eyes widened. “Great idea. Or have one person do the whole maze and then come back and show everyone the way. Wait, that might take too long. Plus, that person could forget the way. I think you’re right, a scout using the right-hand method. Let’s do that.”
“The other question,” she said, “is where do we start? There are three choices.”
Drayden eyed the tunnels. On all the challenges, the pledges reacted to whatever the Bureau threw at them. Presented with a problem, they solved it the best they could. They played defense; each problem had a solution. Picking the starting tunnel was a problem with no definitive solution. You couldn’t know you picked right until after you were inside.
He reflected on school, and how he always managed to excel on tests. It wasn’t that he knew all the answers. He didn’t. Nobody could have every answer. Still, he could make educated guesses. The best way to do that was to get inside the head of the test maker. To Drayden, that represented going on offense. It was about identifying which answers the test designer wanted you to pick.
“Why would they give us three choices?” Drayden asked. “Or, how about, what would you think if there were only two tunnel openings?”
“Probably one is the right way and the other is wrong.”
“Exactly. The other factor at play is the time. We only have an hour and a half to finish the Initiation, with, like, five challenges after this. The Bureau wouldn’t give us an hour and a half total if it took an hour to do the maze. I think the addition of a third choice was to make it easier, not harder. In other words, either two of the openings lead to the exit and one is a dead end, or they might all work. Maybe one of the ways is the fastest, like a straight shot.”
Catrice raised her eyebrows. “So…which one do we pick?”
Drayden tugged on his left earlobe. “If you designed this, which one would you expect the pledges to pick?”
“The middle one.”
“Yes. It’s too obvious. That might be the dead end, if there is one. Let’s not pick that one. After that, it’s pretty much a guess. Far one or near one. If I’m the Bureau, and I believe the pledges are smart enough to avoid the middle tunnel, I would expect their next choice to be the far one. Because they wouldn’t think the direct-shot tunnel would be right in front of them. In my opinion, we should pick the near opening, the one on the right. Again, it’s just a guess.”
“There’s no way to know for sure, and that’s certainly logical,” Catrice said. She stuffed her paper and pencil in her backpack and stood. “We need to move.”
“Wait,” Drayden said. “Who’s going to be the scout? I think I should do it. I’m responsible for us continuing, and I want to prove I can do this.”
Catrice cocked her head. “Drayden, the goal is to get through it, not prove something. I’ll be the scout, I’m the smallest, I can scoot backward the easiest. You’re way too big.”
She was right. “Everyone gather around!” Drayden shouted.
Charlie and Alex faced Drayden and Catrice, while Sidney lingered in the back.
Drayden explained how Catrice would go ahead as a scout using the right-hand method. “There’s still a chance that we run into a dead end. If we do, we’ll all have to back up. It’ll be dark in there, so let’s have our flashlights out. We’re not sure which entrance will be the correct one but we’ve decided to use this one.” He pointed to the nearest hole.
Alex glanced at the tunnels. “I think we should start in the middle one.”
Charlie chortled. “X in the center square!”
Drayden flashed a sly smile at Catrice. “I’m not surprised you do, Alex. You can do whatever you want, but if you’re stuck in the maze, we’re not waiting for you.”
Alex scoffed. “I’ve already learned you won’t wait for me, Dray.”
Drayden shook his head. How many times could Alex say that in one day? Alex hadn’t left him any other choice, all those years ago.
Charlie raised his hand. “Should I go last? In case I get stuck.”
“No,” Drayden said. “Even if you’re last, we may have to back up. We could all get stuck in front of you. Someone should go behind you in case they need to pull. This is the order: Catrice, me, Sidney, Charlie, and Alex.”
“I’m not going last,” Alex said. “Why do you get to go second?”
Drayden grunted in frustration. “I might need to communicate with Catrice, who’s the scout, and we need someone behind Charlie who’s strong enough to pull him.”
Alex grumbled but didn’t push it. They formed a line at the entrance to the right-most tunnel. Catrice touch
ed Drayden on the arm, and then snaked into the hole. She flipped on her flashlight.
Drayden knelt to peer inside the tunnel for the first time. He trembled.
Though it looked more “pipe” than “tunnel”, Catrice’s petite body left some space around her.
He aimed his flashlight past her.
It revealed a junction approximately fifteen feet further down, with options of going right, left, or straight.
Drayden shouted. “Remember, Catrice. Right-hand method! Yell when we should start following!”
“I got it!” she yelled back, her voiced muffled. She turned right at the junction and disappeared.
“What are you waiting for?” Alex asked Drayden. “Scared?”
God, he hated Alex. “I’m waiting for Catrice to tell us to follow, you flunk. I don’t feel like hanging out in the tunnel any more than I have to.” He glanced at the clock.
01:19:33, 01:19:32…
Catrice needed to hurry. He shined his flashlight in again.
At that junction, her feet appeared. They edged back into view from the right, in short bursts. She slinked back until her face was visible. Her cheeks glowed red, glistening with streaks of sweat. “That’s a dead end to the right! Right-hand method implies we need to go straight. It looks like it goes far, so you guys should start!”
Drayden’s tongue transformed into a dry sock. “It’s time,” he said to the others. “Everyone follow me, in order. I’ll be following Catrice.” He closed his eyes. What would Tim say? Just do it. Get it over with. Don’t think. He flipped on his flashlight and jammed his arms and head into the tube. His shoulders touched both rounded walls. He started to hyperventilate, each breath echoing off the walls. It was so tight, so enclosed. His chin touched the bottom, and if he lifted his head at all, it touched the top.
Someone kicked him in the butt.
He flinched and banged his head on the top of the tunnel. He snapped his head back as much as he could.
“Move it, chickenboy,” Alex taunted.
“Leave him alone, Alex,” Sidney said from somewhere behind. “And get in the back of the line, where you’re supposed to be.”
“Alex, don’t make me come out there and choke you unconscious,” Drayden said, standing up to him, like Tim would.
Sliding inside the tunnel proved challenging. He used his elbows to propel his body while lifting with his hips. On the first try, he advanced a few inches. After three further attempts, his entire body was inside. His back wound throbbed from the exertion. He looked up, down, left, and right. Panic set in.
I’m trapped.
“Let me out! Let me out of here!” He fought to slither backward.
“Drayden,” Sidney said, just behind him in the tunnel. “I’m here. Just keep talking to me. You’re not going to get stuck. It’s uncomfortable, but we can move just fine in here.”
Tears blurred Drayden’s vision. He couldn’t even move his hands to wipe them away. Why didn’t he quit when he had the chance?
“I’m sorry, Sid. You were right. We should have quit.”
“No. You were right. I was being weak. We’ve come too far to quit. I needed to remember that my goal is to get me and my sister into the Palace. I’m sorry I freaked. I just…I lost it for a minute. Push yourself, Dray. Move forward.”
He’d picked the right opening, he was sure of it. They could be out in ten minutes. His breathing slowed. He slid forward, and then did it again, and again. After passing that first junction, he continued straight.
Catrice was twenty feet straight ahead. “Drayden?” she called back. “There’s a tunnel to the left here, where I am. Straight up ahead of me, I can see it turns right. I’m going straight to see where that goes. You stop when you get to this tunnel to the left in case I find a dead end.”
“Okay!” he yelled. He slid forward a few inches, and peeked back. “Guys, we’re going to keep going about twenty more feet and then wait for instructions from Catrice.”
The other pledges lined up inside the tunnel behind him, their flashlights shining in his eyes. It was scorching hot.
He couldn’t slide back out now if he wanted. His heartrate picked up.
“Drayden, you all right?” Sidney asked.
He paused, closing his eyes. Breathe. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Shkatnuts!” Charlie yelled from behind. “I’d say I was a little scared, but there isn’t enough room for any emotions in here.”
Drayden stopped when he reached the tunnel to the left and awaited word from Catrice. She was currently out of sight. He shined his flashlight down that tunnel to the left.
It ran about fifteen feet and then turned right. If Catrice’s way was a dead end, this would be the next one they would try by the right-hand method.
“Charlie, did you fart?” Alex asked.
Charlie giggled.
“Goddammit, Charlie,” Alex said. “It’s uncomfortable enough in here. Hey, Dray, thanks again for making me go after Charlie!”
Catrice’s feet appeared up ahead. She inched backward, rounding the turn. “Dead end that way!” she yelled through heavy breaths, scooting back toward Drayden. “We need to go left where you are.”
“Crud,” Drayden said. He hadn’t left enough space for Catrice to execute the turn. “You guys! You all need to back up about eight feet!”
Groaning ensued in the back of the tunnel.
Drayden waited until Sidney moved. He propped up on his elbows, lifted his hips, and jerked backward. He did it again, and again. Sweat dripped into his eyes, stinging them. “Good to go, Catrice,” he huffed.
Catrice slid back and made the left turn.
Drayden crawled forward to follow her. Turning in here, with his rangy body, was like turning a bus inside the school hallway.
The corner of the intersection dug deep into his side. He got stuck.
He panicked again. “I’m stuck! I’m stuck!” he whimpered, and closed his eyes.
“Curl your knees up a little,” Sidney said. “Like you’re jumping over a basketball. Then walk on your elbows.”
He followed Sidney’s instructions, and freed himself. “Oh my God. Thanks, Sid.”
Catrice had already made the right turn ahead. “Drayden?” she yelled from out of sight, his name echoing throughout the maze.
“Yeah?”
“After you make the right turn in front of you, we can go left or straight! Wait at that spot. I’m going to go straight, like I’m supposed to, and see if that’s a dead end!”
“Got it!” Drayden scooted forward until he reached the right turn. He took a deep breath and made the turn by the Sidney-method, tucking his knees under him. He stopped at the tunnel to the left and shined his flashlight straight ahead.
Catrice slid twenty feet further, about to turn right again. While not conventionally athletic, she maneuvered like a mole inside the tunnels due to her size.
Drayden darted his eyes in every direction. From where he rested, no exit was in sight. The oppressive heat inside the tight tube drenched his body in sweat.
“You doing all right?” Sidney asked.
“Not really, but thanks for asking,” Drayden said.
“You know, I was thinking,” she said. “You were right. We can’t go back to the Dorms. The Dorms suck. I think you and I would be much happier together in the Palace.” She laughed. “Relax. I’m just joking.”
Drayden breathed a sigh of relief. Sidney was back. “Just so you know, I’m smiling right now,” he said.
“Hey, this right-finger thing sucks, smart guy!” Alex yelled. “Good plan.”
Charlie cracked up. “Dray, how’s that claustrophobia treating you right now?”
“It’s—”
Catrice yelled something indecipherable, the sound echoing throughout the tunnels.
“What?�
� Drayden shouted. “Catrice?”
She didn’t answer.
“Sid, stay here, I’m going to head in her direction and see what’s going on.” Drayden squeezed down the tunnel.
Catrice’s feet appeared at the right turn ahead. “Drayden! This is it! This is the way. I found the exit!”
“Oh thank God. Well done, Catrice!” He turned his head back. “Sid! This is it!”
Sidney hollered back to Charlie and Alex.
Drayden waited until Sidney caught up then slithered forward, following Catrice around the turn to the right.
The tunnel turned left fifteen feet ahead.
“It’s just after that next left turn!” Catrice yelled back. She surged ahead, disappearing after she turned left.
Drayden rounded the corner, executing the Sidney-turn one last time. His eyes widened. The exit was only ten feet away.
Light!
And Catrice’s skinny legs standing outside.
Drayden pulled and pushed harder and harder until he fell out of the hole. He broke the fall with his arms, biting his lip as hot daggers ripped through his back. “Yeah!” He sprung to his feet, shaking off the pain. He pulled Catrice into a warm, sweaty embrace.
She hugged back, squeezing tight before letting go.
Sidney emerged, bracing herself on the ground with her hands. She slid out like she’d practiced it a dozen times. Through reddened cheeks she gasped for breath, but she popped right up. She wrapped her arms around Drayden. “You did it! I never doubted you.”
Drayden held her close. “Thank you, Sid. I couldn’t have done that without you. I thought I might have a heart attack when I got stuck.”
She pulled back, leaving her hands draped on his shoulders. “The Bureau didn’t build that tunnel for big guys like you and Charlie.”
Charlie, and then Alex, fell out of the tunnel, both red-faced and dripping with sweat. Charlie bum-rushed Catrice and gripped her in a bear hug, hoisting her like a doll. She disappeared in his beefy arms, an embarrassed look on her face.
“Thank you,” Charlie said. “Thank you so much for finding the way out. You saved me. Man, I’m happier than a camel on Wednesday.”