Escape

Julie Marie Balabat

I found myself staring at the ceiling of my room. And suddenly I heard my mom's voice
near the door. "Shawn, get up, honey! You'll be late for school," she shouted. I sigh and stand
up and walk directly to the restroom. I took a bath and then immediately wear my clothes on.
I sat at my favorite sofa and check my school bag. After checking my school bag, I hurriedly
run towards the kitchen. I looked at the time on my phone. I sighed again and rolled my eyes.
It's just 7am in the morning and my class starts at exactly eight.

I hear my dad's voice as soon as I sat beside my brother, Caspian, who's busy on his
phone while tapping his left fingers on the table and white earphones on his ear. "Darling, eat
up. You'll be late for school," dad said in a low voice. He looked stressed out and hasn’t taken
any sleep. I smile sweetly at him and said, "My class starts at 8am, mom, dad. But since I'm
already up. I have no choice but go to school. But first, I'm going to eat breakfast so don't bother
me."

I took the spoon beside the plate and started eating my breakfast which is Ham, Bacon
and rice. "What are your plans for college, Shawn?" Mom asked. I was stunned for a second. I
looked at my mom; I couldn't utter any word from my mouth. I don't know what to say. My
mom, Cris Fariss is a sweet, loving and caring mother that I ever had. And dad, Arron Fariss
is strict but in a good way and he always make sure that we're safe and grant our wishes.
Caspian Fariss, my seven year old brother, who loves music and playing online games,
hardheaded but sweet and loving brother of mine. I'm very lucky to have them. While me, I am
Shawn Fariss, eighteen years of age and I could say that I am different from my family. Yes, I
am very different because I'm the silent type of person and cold. Sometimes mom would scold
me for being cold towards them. I don't care but deep inside I care for them.

I hurriedly finish my breakfast and give mom and dad a goodbye kiss and a high five
for my brother. I hear the beeping sound of my best friends' car, Jay Flynn, outside our house.
He's my best friend since I was five. And we're so closed to each other. I run outside the house
and immediately open the front door of his car. "Rumors are spreading everywhere, Shawn.
You broke up with Xymon and even posted a video of him, having sex with his cousin," Jay
complained as soon as I sat beside the driver seat. I looked at him with an annoyed face, "I just
want to get even. You know me when I'm mad," I said using my cold voice.

After that small conversation. We headed to Socrates Academy. It just 2 kilometers

away from our village. Yes, we live in a small village. Jay and I are neighbors that are why it
is easy for me to go to his house when I feel bored and stressed. Jay Park his car near the
parking lot of our school. I check my phone to find out the time. It is 7:45am. "Hey, Shawn?
Prom is near. Who will be your date?" Jay asked. I put my phone inside my bag and look at
him. "None," I answered in a low voice and open the door. I step outside and look at him once
again "But you can be my date. Would you?" I said and then gave him my sweetest smile that
made him stunned for a second. I silently laugh at him and slammed the door of his car and
walked towards the entrance of the school.

I was looking down. Holding my books and fixing my hair. Suddenly, someone bump
me on purpose. I raise my head to look at the person who bump me. My eyes widened when I
see the color of his eyes its mint green and it's creeping me out. I was stunned and my hands
are cold because of his creepy stare and presence. I was taken aback when he smiled at me. An
evil smile. A smile that made me shivers. I came to my senses when someone tap my back.
"You okay, Shawn? You look pale," Arra asked. She is my classmate and a nerd. I nodded and
said, "I'm fine." I tried to look for that scary person but I couldn't see him. Students were rushing
inside the entrance. It’s almost time for the class start.

We headed inside the classroom and sat down to our assigned seats. Arra is my seatmate
and I don't usually talk to her. And few minutes past, the class started and I found myself bored
and couldn't focus on the discussion. I feel bothered because of that creepy guy. Who is he? Is
he a student or a professor of our school? He doesn't look like a student or a professor to me
because I notice that he's wearing a creepy lab gown outfit. He looks like a scientist.

Hours past and the bell rang and echoed inside our classroom. The professor dismissed
us. I immediately headed to the school cafeteria. But I stop by the restroom to fix myself. I
looked at my reflection on the mirror. I wore black ripped jeans, grey cardigan and a white tank
top shirt. And my blonde long layered hair is tied into a bon. I have a round face, pointed nose,
thin lips and dark brown eyes. I rubbed my palm on my face because of frustration. My heart
beat so fast and I had a bad feeling, something bad is going to happen today. I just nodded my
head. I was about to go outside the restroom when I heard the voice on the sound speaker. "All
students please proceed to the school's Hall. I repeat, all students please proceed to the school's
Hall," the announcer said.

I roamed around the hall to find my best friend but he's nowhere to be found. So, I
decided to sit down in the wooden chair. Minutes passed by, the principal of our school declared
that we will be heading home early. They will be calling our parents to pick us here at Socrates
Academy.

I took my phone from my backpack and tried to call Jay but it made me feel sad because
he's cannot be reached. And it looks like his phone is off. "Where are you, Jay?" I whispered
while staring at his name on my phone. I hope he's okay and safe. I know there is something
going on around the city. It looks like we're being attack by an Unknown army. I just found out
that few minutes ago. I heard two students’ talks about a mystery and an unknown army
attacking the people in the city. Bomb explodes every corner of the city that's why the Army
of our city made their move to save the people.

I was about to turn my back when I suddenly saw my mom and dad running towards
my direction with their worried face. Mom hugs me tightly and kiss my forehead. We hurriedly
run towards the exist of the school. I tried to look back and look for my best friend. But I didn’t
saw him.
 I was catching my breath. I feel nervous and afraid of what's going on the city of
Sivthore. People on the streets became wild and keep on throwing things to the vehicles passing
by in front of them. I was about to get my phone from my backpack when I heard my mom
scream in fear and dad shouted, "Oh God!" I heard a long beeping sound. I raise my head and
I saw a truck coming towards our direction. I trembled in fear and close my eyes. I immediately
hug my brother who is seating beside me. I saw how Dad tried to avoid the incoming car in
front of us.

A loud crashing sound echoed in the middle of the dark road near the bridge of our
village. I could feel that the car tilted side wards and stuck on a big tree. I never knew that it
will be the last moment that I will see my family. "Mom. Dad. Caspian," I called them with my
wheezy voice but no respond from them. And slowly I lose my consciousness.

Memories keep on flashing through my mind. Happy memories with my family. The
memories I treasured so much. My family. My best friend. I was standing in a dark room. So
dark and I was the only inside the dark room. I tried to open my mouth and utter a word but I
can't. I feel numb and tears where falling down from my cheeks. And suddenly I felt something
on my feet. It swallowing me and I tried to hold on but the floor keeps on swallowing me.

I opened my eyes and took a deep breath. I was catching my breath and found myself
lying in a rough and dried grass of a hill. I blinked three times. Where am I? I stood up and
take a look of my surroundings. I'm standing in the middle of a Hill. I look at my clothes. I am
wearing a black leather jacket, a black fitted shirt and a cargo pants. I looked like a survivor.
And my blonde hair is being tied into a fish tail braid.

I was still in shock and don't know what to do. What am I doing in the hill? And how
did I get here? My eyes widened when I saw words flashing from the sky, it says "Welcome to
the Unknown," a voice of a woman echoed in the hill. "You are now inside the maze and you're
one of the twenty survivors. This is a game of survival. You need to survive and escape. In
order to escape, you need to win the survival game. And gain points from every strikes. There
will be four strikes in the game. Good luck, survivor and enjoy the game," she continued.

I was stunned and shocked of what I've heard. I am inside the Unknown Maze. No!
This is not happening. I rubbed my face with my palm and took a deep breath again. I need to
find my family. Mom, Dad and Caspian. They will be waiting for me. They are still alive. I
know they are alive.

I run towards the forest. I keep on running and running. Until I feel tired of running. I
sat down and lean my back on the small tree. I was catching my breath and look around. I could
see tall and small trees, birds, plants and flower that are new to my eyes and the sound of the
singing birds up above the branches of the tall trees. The cold wind and the sound of raindrops
from the leaves of the trees.

I close my eyes. A tear fell down from my eyes. I quickly whipped my tears away. I
need to be brave and be strong. I need to escape. I knew a lot about survival activities. Dad
used to take me in different places for camping activities every summer. But I can't handle
myself being friendly towards everyone. My hands are still shaking. I hug myself and look at
the sky. I stayed still and feel the presence of someone around me. Good thing there's a tree
behind my back that covers me.

I took out a small knife from my pocket. I hold the knife tightly and gulped. I move
three steps away from the tree and turn my body to face the person behind the tree. I raise the
knife and point it on him. But eyes widen when I saw a white dear. The dear stared at me but
suddenly turn his head down sniffing the grass. Then I notice what he wanted to show me, there
is something buried in the grass. I walk directly to his place. I check the grass and I was right
there is something buried in the grass. I immediately dig the grass. I touch something rough. I
continued digging. I pulled the bag out of the grass. Without hesitation I open the bag and
check what's inside. Bandage Box, First-aid Kit, wrist compass, three pairs of clothes, water
bags, lighter, flashlight, a machete, a space blanket and a poncho. Things that can be used for
surviving in the wild. This must be the Survival Kit. I felt relieved and look at the dear. He
nodded his head and run towards the bush.

I carried the bag. Now, I need to find a weapon. A weapon that I can use for protecting
myself from danger. I walked towards the east side of the forest. Maybe on my way O could
find a weapon I could use. I held the wrist compass from my right hand and read its arrow. The
arrow pointed the left side of the east of the forest.

I almost forgot that I need to find shelter for me to rest for the night. I roamed my eyes
around and decide to build a tent. I took out the poncho from my backpack and started
assembling the tent. I used my knowledge on creating a poncho tent from the summer camp
activities I learned before. I still remember it that's why I didn't have a hard time building the
poncho tent.

A poncho tent provides a low silhouette. And it is easy to build. After building the
poncho tent. I gather some dry tinder branches from the trees not far from my shelter. After
gathering the woods, I run towards my shelter and start building a tepee fire. I arrange the tinder
and a few sticks of kindling in the shape of a tepee. I took out the metal match from my pants
pocket and light the center of the tepee. Few seconds pass by, the tepee fire slowly burns. I sat
down the grass and place the metal match back to my pants pocket. I notice that forest looks
like a maze. There are walls in every part of the forest. The walls came out when the first strike
started earlier. I look at the sky, its getting dark and the tepee fire lights the dark and quit forest.
I took out the space blanket from my backpack. I lay down on it and stared at the fire in front
of me. I feel tired and maybe I just overthink of what's happening to me right now. My eyes
slowly fell down and fall asleep.

"Sir, she's breathing deeply," I heard a woman voice.

"She'll survive the game," and a man voice answered the woman.

"Watch her carefully. She might do something against us," the man continued.

Those voices are not familiar to me. I feel numb but I still manage to open my eyes
slowly. I saw two unfamiliar persons wearing a lab gown. The woman suddenly panic and run
towards me. I saw her took a syringe from the table beside my bed and thrust it on my left
pulse. I tried moving my hand but I can't move any part of my body. I couldn’t utter any words
from my mouth. Fear was rushing through my vein and I felt scared. Where am I exactly? I
was about to open my mouth and utter a word when my eyes slowly fell down. I lost my
consciousness.

I open my eyes. My breathing became deep. I touch my chest and inhaled deeply to
calm myself. I look up and look around my surrounding. I'm still in the forest. I rubbed my face
using my palm. There is only one thing that I am sure of, I am trap inside an Unknown maze
and those people, I am sure that they're controlling me and the other survivors inside the maze.
But how? How will I know that they are really controlling us?

I stood up and fix myself. I carried my backpack behind my back and started walking.
I followed the wrist compass. This time it pointed in the Westside of the forest. I sighed. I was
walking silently and then suddenly the woman's voice echoed in the forest. "Strike two, you
need to hide. Walkers are now release!" The woman announces and in just a snap, the sunny
weather became tropical rain weather. I felt the raindrops coming from up above. I immediately
put the hood of my leather jacket on my head.

I heard a loud growling sound behind my back and it made me shivers in fear. I was
about to turn my back to face the beast when my body suddenly slammed on a tree. I ached in
pain. My left arm got hit by the sharp nails of the beast and it starts bleeding. Before I could
stand up and run away. I saw the beast with black haired skin and the color of his eyes are
bloody red, sharp teeth’s and nails. The beast slowly walks towards my direction. I was holding
my left arm to cover the bleeding of blood from my arm. I'm losing my strength. It feels like
the wound on my left arm is consuming my strength. It was a deep wound. "Shit!" I
cursed in an undertone voice. The beast growled loudly and it made me shivers in fear again.
"God!" I screamed in pain. The bleeding never stopped. I could the footsteps of the beast
walking towards me. It looks like his ready to attack me in no time. I sat down leaning my back
from tree and still holding my left wounded arm. The beast growled again and again. Slowly
my eyes begun to fall. No! Please! I don't want to die! I still need to escape. I urge to move my
body but no to avail.

I close my eyes and scream in pain. "Help! Please!" I shouted in pain hoping that
someone could hear me. But before I lost my consciousness I heard three gunshots came out
of nowhere.

I could someone's hands caressing my forehead down to my cheeks. I opened my eyes

and raise my arms. "Ouch!" I ached in pain when I tried to raise my left arm. I saw a guy sat
down in front of me. His hair was dark and cut into that shaggy hairstyle. His eyes were grey.
I gazed at his thin lips that formed into a smile. He wore a leather jacket and a leather pants
with black boots. He was at least two heads taller than me and broad shoulders. His handsome
face made me distracted. "You've been poisoned by that beast earlier. You should thank me for
saving your ass out there," the guy said with his baritone voice. His handsomeness is
captivating me. I just stared at him and didn't utter any word. My eyes roamed around the place.
We were inside a small cave. A tepee fire gleamed the cave and I found myself lying in a
hammock bed. It’s still raining outside the cave. The tropical rain in the forest didn't vanish
that easily. And the darkness blinded the forest. If it weren't for the fire, the cave would also
be blinded with darkness.

I face the guy who is staring at me. "Who are you?" I asked him with a low voice. He
shocked his head and smiled at me. "My name is Noah, and I am the person who saved you
from that beast earlier. Good thing I heard your scream, if weren't, you'd be a dead meat right
now," he answered and let out a small giggle sound.

I nodded and bow down because of embarrassment. This is a survival game and it
depends on the player or survivor whether he will help someone or not. "Why did you save
me?" I asked still in a low voice. He stood up and walk towards my direction. He sat beside me
in the hammock bed. "We're humans. And I have the right to save someone I want to save," he
said. I greeted my teeth and clinch my fist. I snap at him and said, "I want to escape! I will find
a way to escape this place,”

"How did we get here?" Talking to a stranger isn't so bad after all. I heard him sigh and
he rubbed his fingers through his hair. "Tell me your name. If you tell me your name, I will
answer your question," he playfully said and smiled at me. I rolled my eyes at him. He might
know something about this Unknown Maze thingy. And those people who brought us here.
The ones who's controlling us. "I'm Shawn,” I said.

"Okay, Shawn, the crazy scientists of our country kidnap each one of us and brought us
here in this freaking unknown maze, a survival game. Whoever their target is, they will find a
way to get him or her. And we're unlucky because we've been caught by them and trap inside
the maze," he explained. I didn't see any regrets on his face. He looks tamed of what’s
happening. I snap at him again, "How did you know that they were the ones who kidnap us and
brought us here?" I asked. "Why so grumpy, Shawn?" He exclaimed. I snap at him again and
hit his broad left shoulder with my right hand. "Just answer me, Noah, I need to know every
single detail about them," I exclaimed at Noah. He's starting to piss me off. "Will I was the first
person who came here, to this Unknown Maze, that why I am familiar with the whole system
of the game and the maze," he said, this time he say it seriously. "Listen, nobody wants to be
controlled by someone. Not me and not even you. I could say that they are controlling us.
Killing, surviving, and hiding that's what the game is all about," he added.

I was about to say something when I remembered the first time I came here. After I
completed the first strike. "Noah, I think they are really controlling us. I lost my consciousness
when I completed the first strike of the game. And when I woke up, I found myself lying in a
hospital bed in laboratory room. There was a nerve gear on my head and I also hear voices
came from a man and woman wearing a lab gown. But when they saw me awake and about to
say something, they panic and the woman hurriedly thrust a syringe on my left pulse. It made
me fall to sleep again and when I woke up I was inside the game again," I explained to him.
His eyes widened. "They are controlling us, Shawn. I knew it from the very beginning. They
used me as the first test that will enter the game. This is just an illusion. I was trying to make
you understand the situation that we are facing right now but since you've already mention it.
There's no doubt that they're really controlling every survivor in the maze," he said in a low
voice.

That's a relief. Now, I could think a way of escaping this place. "You okay?" Noah
asked after he finishes replacing the bandage. "I'm fine. I just thinking a way on how I will get
out of this illusion thingy," I annoyingly said. I saw Noah took out bottled water and a biscuit
from his backpack. He opens the bottled water and gave it to me. "You need this," he said and
smiled at me. I took the bottled water and biscuit from him. "Thank you for saving me, Noah,"
I said. He just nodded and sat beside again.

The rain was still pouring outside the cave. I let Noah slept beside me in the hammock
bed since is big and it suits for two person. Even though, it’s making uncomfortable for lying
beside a guy. Noah saves my life and I owe him. Noah was caressing my hair and I pretend to
be asleep. I could feel his breathing.

It’s been 2 days since I got here, trap in this unknown maze. Noah wanted me to come
with him. To stay beside him until the game ends. He promises me he will help me escape.
There were ten survivors left, the other ten died during the second strike. And now, the third
strike is next. The third strike is kill or die. You will kill the other survivors or let them kill
you. I'm scared and I can't kill the other survivors. I can't kill someone. I won't. That's why I
choose to stay Noah's side. But I am afraid that he might betray me. Now that I already gained
my strength back. I must think a way to end this game.

Here we are again, walking around the forest. We were walking in silence. I was about
to say something when he suddenly look at me. He held his left hand and covers my mouth.
"Shush," Noah said in a small voice. He pulled me closer to him and slowly walks towards the
bush behind a tree. We heard footsteps in front of the tree. It was a small footstep. It must be a
kid. "S-Show yourself! I...I'm not afraid of you!" That...That voice. It sounds familiar to me. I
knew that voice. His small and orotund voice. It could...No! It couldn't be. I started to panic
and shivered in fear. I was about to stand up and walk away. Suddenly, Noah grips my hand.
"Where do you think you’re going? It was just a kid. Come let's face him!" Noah said in his
low voice. I want to say No to him but no words came out from my mouth. I was stunned and
fear is rushing through me. Noah pulled me with force and slowly stood up and face the kid.

My eyes widened as I stared and keeping eye contact with the kid. There's no doubt! It
was my seven year old brother carrying a small backpack on his back and holding a small knife
on his tiny hands. "Shawn!" Caspian screamed with his wobbly voice. He hurriedly run towards
me and hug me tight. "Caspian," I cried out his name. I caress his hair and hug him tightly. "So,
he's your brother," Noah interrupted. I wipe my tears from my cheeks and look at Noah who's
standing behind me with his calm face. I took the small knife from my brother's tiny hands and
carried him in my arms. His still crying and hugging me tightly. "Who was with you, Caspian?"
I asked my brother while caressing his hair.

"I was with Gregory. He helps me and let me stay by his side but he suddenly
disappeared. I can't find him," Caspian answered.
 I was about to turn my head to face Noah when someone suddenly attack him with a
sharp machete knife. Noah dodges it and started to fight the wild and angry man. "Gregory!"
My brother shouted the man's name but the man never listened instead he slowly turn his head
towards our direction. "Stay behind my back, Caspian," I said to my brother who's now hiding
behind my back. Protecting him from the man who's slowly walk towards us with a merciless
face. His welling to kill. "Shawn, kill him! He's being controlled. You need to kill him!" Noah
shouted not far from my direction. My hands are now shivering in fear as I took the handy gun
from my leather jacket's pocket. I trembled in fear and pointed the gun on the man. My
breathing became insane and my heart beat so fast. "Shawn!" Noah shouted at me. I stared at
the man's angry face. And Noah was right he's being controlled. I close my eyes and pull the
trigger without hesitation and a loud gunshot echoed in the forest. I heard the man groaned in
pain. I shoot him in the chest. Blood came out from his mouth and with his wide eyes open. I
run towards Noah direction and check his wound. Good thing it was not deep and he can still
manage to stand up. We decided to take some rest near the lake. I sat beside Noah and starts
cleaning his wound. "You killed the man who's trying to kill you and your brother," he said in
his gentle voice. I raise my head to look at his eyes. I smiled at him which made him stunned.
"I will protect my brother, no matter what. I never knew that brother would be here in this
place," I said while putting the bandage on his wound. "There it’s done!" I added.

"What are you planning to do, Shawn?" Noah asked worriedly. I faced him and caress
his face with my hands. "Even if we won the game, there's a chance that they might kill us.
Now, I don't care of winning or losing in this freaking game. I want to escape, Noah," I cried
out.

"Then tell me, what exactly your plan is," he said. I sigh, "If we commit suicide in the
game, in the final strike. The Unknown will going to shut down the whole system. Noah, our
body is unconscious at this moment. We don't know what is happening to our body. But our
brain, they're controlling us. We are being played. This game is a test. Either we survive or die,
it doesn't matter because they have our body. Do you think those other survivors really died
some maybe dead because their brain cannot handle it anymore? But to us, who is still alive in
the game. They are now making their move on how will they finish us," I explained.

Noah shocked his head. "So, you want me to kill you and your brother?" He asked with
a toneless voice. I snap at him, "No! I want us to jump in that cliff," I stridently said. I pointed
the cliff near us. "If we jump at that cliff we will surely die in this game and woke up from
reality. And when we woke up! We could escape this place! That's my plan," I exclaimed at
Noah's face and punch his shoulder. And that made him smile like an idiot. "Smart ass. Okay,
I'm in," he joked. I rolled my eyes at him. I took Caspian's hands, "Don't worry, brother. We
will be leaving this place now and find mom and dad. There's still home once we woke up, now
hold my hand and never let go," I whispered to my brother's tiny ears. And hold his hand tightly.
I held my hand to Noah. "Let's do this, Noah," I said. Together we headed to the cliff. Together
we will escape this hell.

"The whole system is slowly crashing down, Sir,"

"They’re still alive, Sir,"

I could hear a beeping sound of a machine. I opened my eyes slowly and saw a group
of people wearing an army uniform. I trembled in fear. I want to run but I'm too weak. I felt
the emptiness in my body. I saw a woman holding my hand. "Don't worry, Baby. You have
been rescued," she said.

I look around. We are inside a tent, an army tent.

"M-My brother. W-Where's my brother?" I asked. The woman smiled at me and points
her finger on the other side of the tent. I saw my brother laying on a bed and sleeping peacefully.
"We already took out the nerve gear on him and don't worry your brother is safe now," the
woman said. I sigh in relief. I just nodded at her. "The Unknown scientists who created that
machine are in our hands now. And unluckily the other kids didn't make it. You and your
brother, is only one who survive the game," she added.

I stood up and walk towards my brother's bed and sat beside him. We escape. I and my
brother are now safe. I rubbed my face with my palm and let out a small laugh. My eyes watered
as I remember Noah's words. I know he is still out there. I will wait for him.

Sometimes life can be difficult as it is. You have to fight for what you believe in. You
encountered many trials and accept the reality. You will never expect the things that might
happen. You make your own choices and discover the consequences of the choice you made.

"Shawn! Caspian!" I heard my mom's voice rushing inside the tent. I saw mom and dad
with their worried face; they have wounds that they got from the car accident. They run towards
me and Caspian. They hug me tightly and Caspian who's still sleeping. I hug them back. Now,
this is home. I am home.