The Changing

Epilouge

I woke up sweating. I was locked in this metal cage. I tried to remember why I was there, but nothing came to me. I couldn't remember anything before... this, what ever was happening. All I could remember was my name as well as common knowledge. My name is Isabella. What's my last name? I looked around for something else in the cage; maybe a knife or some food... even a clue to why I was here. But, after 10 minutes of continuous searching, I found nothing. I just rested there and listened.

After a while, I realized I could hear something. It wasn't loud, but it was something. It sounded like... voices. Yes, definitely voices. I started to bang my hands on the top of the... box? Cage? Prison? After five minutes of punching the roof of the box, I decided to try a new tactic. I looked up. I had made dents in the metal. I must be strong. I grabbed the slit in the middle of the roof. I gathered up all of my strength I had left (I had used up quite a bit injuring the roof) and tried to pry it open. It worked! I was surprised about the light levels. It looked overcast, yet there were no clouds or rain.

I hopped out of the box. There were a few people walking around. They didn't seem to take notice of me. I looked around at my surroundings. The place I was standing was bordered by towering, grey, ivy-covered walls.

In one corner there was what looked like a miniature version of a forest. Some of the trees were healthy, and others looked dead.

In another corner there was an old barn as well as a few farm animals. Farm animals. How do I know that? I thought to myself. I had a flash of a memory, very quick. I remembered the animals but not the location or who I was with. The memory gave me a pang of depression. What happened to me? Did it happen to anyone else? I ignored the sudden knowledge but didn't forget it.

In the closest corner there was a makeshift looking building that had been partially destroyed. Why? I didn't know... yet. As I went closer to look I saw what looked like ragged beds all around. This must be where everyone slept.

In the last corner was a small shed. Around it were crops such as tomato and carrot and a few others. There were two people working there, planting seeds. Most of the plants were dead. I wonder if it's because of the lack of sun today. But then again, wouldn't it rain? I questioned, confused.

I started to walk over towards them, eager to learn what was going on and where I was. But, before I could go over to the people and ask any questions, I heard the yelling again. I looked around to find a large group of boys, about 40 of them, standing near a huge gap in the walls. I suddenly changed my direction. I started to walk over to the boys. Then, they started to move. I knew I had to run to catch up. Where are they going? I wondered yet again. I finally made it to the gap. I peered inside of the... maze! It was a maze! Another memory came back this time. It seemed clearer. It was me. I was in a maze.  It wasn't as big as this, but it was still a maze. I still couldn't remember where it was or who was with me at the time, but the memory gave me hope, even if it was only a little bit. Finally, after questioning whether or not I should go in there, I decided.

I took a deep breath... and stepped inside.