Chapter 3: Which Way?

 

Aleena's legs feel as though they are weighed down by lead, and the fatigue is dragging her further down. She knows that if she stops, even for a moment, the maze will change, potentially leading her to a place she dreads. With a resigned breath, she continues her journey.

 "Where am I?" she pondered aloud. As she turned another corner, she found herself in a hallway that revealed an extraordinary sight.

"This can't be real," she whispered, her gaze fixed on a pool situated right in the center of the corridor. As she navigated the perplexing non-Euclidean maze, its very presence left her questioning its purpose. The hallway stretched endlessly before her, and when she glanced back, she was taken aback by the shifting walls that altered her surroundings. "What the hell," she whispered, contemplating her options to either forge ahead or retreat. Opting to go back, she turned a corner and unexpectedly entered a grand room filled with towering columns, the maze itself a riddle. With a heavy sigh, she admitted, "I have no idea where I’m going." After what felt like an interminable journey, she spotted a wooden crate in the distance, its lid slightly ajar. With considerable effort, she managed to open it, and as it fell to the side, an unsettling feeling washed over her, as if unseen eyes were watching her. She peered into the crate and discovered a collection of bottles.

“Almond water,” she mused, examining the liquid as she grasped the bottle.

The bottle was reminiscent of a Snapple tea bottle, featuring a straightforward front label that read "almond water," with no details on the back. She reflected on her growing thirst.

 "Well, here goes nothing," she remarked as she unscrewed the cap. The liquid flowed smoothly down her throat and its gentle sweetness delightful. She felt lucky that peanuts didn’t trigger her allergies; otherwise, she would be in a dangerous situation. After finishing the bottle, she decided to pick up another for her journey. Following a brief pause, she continued navigating the seemingly endless maze, hoping that she would find someone who can help her.

Chapter 4