[3rd Level Maze]

  The dimly lit mirrors stretched into the distance like endless reflections of a fractured world. There, a crazy girl skipped along the cracked marble floor, her humming bouncing between the mirrored walls with eerie cheer.

  Behind her, a boy trailed silently, his bloodshot eyes flickering with hesitation.

  "Hmm?" Rona stopped mid-hop and spun around. "What's wrong? Is something bothering you? Tell Rona. Rona is friend!" She raised both arms and did a backflip with ease.

  The boy's cheek flushed pink. "Wh-Who's your friend? I'm not your friend," he mumbled.

  Rona tilted her head, genuinely confused. "Hmm? You're not Rona's friend? Then what are you?"

  He hesitated, eyes darting between the mirror and her grin. "Ugh... Never mind that. Look, erm..." His eyes skipped to the mirror, fingers trembling slightly. "There's something I wanted to tell you before, but I was too nervous."

  Rona gave him a dramatic nod. "Well, that is...?"

  He scratched the back of his neck, face redder. "I'm sorry about before. I-I... I was too caught up in the moment and got a bit... aggressive. No, too aggressive. I didn't mean to push you. I hope you'll forgive me."

  Rona beamed and bounced on her heels. "It's okay. It happens to everyone!"

  The edge of the boy's eyes glittered; he blinked a few times and rubbed them. "I don't think so... but thanks. And I'm also sorry for making you and your friend fight because of me."

  Rona, who was wiggling her butt in front of one of the mirrors, paused. Her face filled with question marks. "What fight?"

  He raised a brow. "You and the other boy fought, remember?"

  Rona stared blankly, rubbed her tummy, and laughed. "Nope!"

  No? The boy glanced at her from top to bottom. Could it be she doesn't remember a thing? Or she's tricking me?

  "But I heard you guys argued and didn't talk for days—"

  Rona cut him off with a cheerful shake of her head. "Isaac and I only talked. That's all."

  What is she talking about? Why can't I understand a word?

  Silence. Even the mirrors stopped vibrating.

  After a few seconds of peace, Rona broke it with a pout. "I'm Rona. What's your name?"

  "Ro-Ronald," he said quietly.

  "That's a nice name," Rona said without blinking. She moved close, her little frame tilted up towards his broad one.

  Their faces were an inch apart. Ronald stumbled back a step, his neck burning red as well. He looked away and stuttered. "W-well... You have a pre-pretty name, too."

  "Ehehehehehe," Rona giggled and did a ballerina twirl. Then leapt up and threw a kick in the air, with her arms stretched wide. "Ha Cha!"

  Ronald took another step back. What is she doing now? Is that a dance move? Or a battle move? I'm so confused. His chest tightened. A sharp pulse flared beneath the scar.

  He grabbed at it, fingers pressing into the old seam of skin. "Aah... The scar..."

  The sting faded, but a dull throb remained. Digging up the memory of dirt under his nails and stones striking his back. He shook his head. Stop. I... I'm not-

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  Rona held his hands and puffed out hot breath, "Cold, cold?"

  Ronald jolted. He saw his reflection in Rona's eyes. His pupils trembled, snatched his hands away, looked down, and mumbled, "... Are you sure you want to stay with me? It's better if you leave. I...I...!"

  A memory flashed by. Cruel and cold.

  A rural place. His home. His people, walking by. Spatting. Throwing objects at him. Cursed and whispered.

  "That one's the Devil's whelp, sure."

  "The Lord Himself hath turned His face from thee, wretch!"

  "Keep thy filth and thy whispers to thyself, spawn of sin."

  "Take thyself hence, devil's child, lest the Lord strike thee as He did Cain."

  Ronald squeezed his eyes shut, hands over his ears, trying hard to keep the memories away. Something wet gathered at the edge of his eyes as he muttered, "I'm... I'm bad luck. If you stay, you might get hurt."

  Rona yanked his hands towards her and shook her head violently. "I'll stay with you till the end and more! Besides, Lil also has super bad luck!"

  Ronald froze. His eyes stared at hers. The pressure on his chest eased, just a fraction. She's so nice. She's only comforting me. If only she knew. If only she...

  The tear fell. A splat hit the ground.

  [2nd Level Maze]

  "Achoo!" I sneezed hard and rubbed my nose. "Ugh... Is someone talking about me?"

  The little girl jumped in shock beside me, eyes wide. "You don't think those monsters are secretly planning to ambush us, rip our guts out, and chew on them slowly while savoring our blood, right?"

  I blew my nose goo halfway and stared. "Wh—what? Ew. No! What happened to your egoistic personality?!"

  The girl's hand flew to her mouth, and her lips quivered. "What are you talking about? I'm always like this…" Her body shrank, her chest closed. Suddenly, she threw her arms wide and pointed an accusatory finger at me. "Ah! You hate me, don't you?! I knew it. Everyone hates me!" She started bawling, tears streaming.

  I flailed my arms. "What? No! I don't hate you. How could I? You're a very beautiful and lovable girl!"

  And I'm the greatest liar.

  She peeked up through teary lashes. "Really?"

  I patted her head. "Really." I sighed as she clung to Mr. Bear again. Oui... What mess did I get myself into now?

  [3rd Level Maze]

  A brown-haired guy, brown eyes, buff but not as much as Ronald, hunched, eyes darting everywhere but front. Both hands crept closer to the grumpiest boy in the world's shoulder. Too close. He snarled.

  "Monsters are crawling everywhere... Ugh. I hate it." The brown-haired boy puffed out a shaky breath, his body trembling at the same time.

  Isaac tightened his fist, eyes dead front. Don't look behind. Suppress your anger. Recite the mantra. "Who doesn't? Quit yapping and focus. We wouldn't want an ambush."

  The boy nodded, tense, when suddenly a monster burst from the mirror; slick, sinewy skin, fangs gnashing.

  "Kisahh!"

  The boy yelled along with it and spun, cleaving the beast in two with a single swing of his newfound blade. The sickening sound of slicing flesh echoed through the corridor. His hand still covered his eyes, bracing for impact. When he felt nothing moving, he took a little peek and found the body on the ground. He slowly moved his hand down, his eyes moved between the monster's dead body and the sword. "Whoa..."

  Isaac's eyes focused on the monster’s body, then on the blood dripping from the sword. "...Thanks."

  How did he...? Hmm... Too clean. Too easy. His gut tightened, suspicion prickling at the back of his neck.

  The boy, oblivious, patted his chest confidently. "No worries. I’ll handle the monsters. You handle the navigation!"

  Isaac shook his head. Like a golden retriever with a weapon... Dangerous.

  Then the boy extended a hand, grinning. "I'm Dan!"

  Isaac glanced down at his hand and grunted. He wants me to touch him after what just happened?

  Looking up, Isaac’s right eye twitched at those wide, gleaming eyes. Those eyes. Tch!

  Isaac turned away, letting out a breath, and dashed forward, leaving Dan's hand hanging mid-air. "Isaac."

  Dan stretched his legs and caught up with one stride. He walked with Isaac side by side. "Hello, Isaac! I'm fifteen. What about you?"

  Isaac curled his fingers, nails digging into his palm. "Thirteen."

  Dan crossed his arms and nodded, eyes glinting. "Ohhh... Puberty hasn't hit yet, huh? No wonder you're still short."

  Isaac halted in his steps. He went very, very still. Then he grabbed Dan’s collar, voice low and firm. "Keep talking, and someone's going to lose a limb."

  "Hiiik!" Dan paled, both hands flew to his mouth. Isaac held his glare for a beat longer, then let go and exhaled in blissful silence. Finally.

  [Center of Second-Level Maze]

  "We're almost at the center," the little girl muttered.

  "Really? Thanks!" I threw my hands in the air and turned to smile at the girl. Better throw some sweets before she starts brawling. The girl smiled back.

  She may look sweet now, but later... Oui. My shoulders jerked up, and I rubbed my arms.

  The mirrored path grew colder as we advanced. The faint hum inside the mirrors deepened, vibrating through the floor.

  We stopped.

  At the center stood a circular platform. Metal ladders spiraled upward through the hollow core.

  "Wow! Have we reached it already? That was fast." I gave the girl a thumbs-up.

  The little girl giggled softly. "Now, let's climb the ladders."

  "Alri—"

  A mechanical click echoed from the left.

  Click.

  My stomach dropped.

  Eh...?!