The Maze The Lost Labyrinth

CHAPTER 34



There were no games left for me to play. No tasks to complete. No riddles to solve. There was only the overwhelming need to get to my house as quickly as possible. In retrospect, I think killing Cerberus was easier.

I gunned the engine, racing out of the apartment complex parking lot, and was dismayed to find myself behind a slow-moving late model Buick. I tailgated the car, noting with a detached eye how the blue paint was oxidizing and how the left signal light dangled by its wires. A bumper sticker read “Of all the things I’ve lost I miss my mind the most.” At the moment, I could sympathize with that all too well.

I veered into the lane of oncoming traffic with the intent to pass when the Buick abruptly made a left hand turn, nearly forcing me off the road. I wrenched the wheel wildly to the left, only narrowly managing to keep my own vehicle under control. My heart thudded in my chest, and it took a few deep breaths to calm myself down. The road ahead of me was clear now. I hit the gas and hoped there would be no additional obstacles in my way.

“God, please protect my family!” I prayed as I rushed through a flashing yellow light. “Keep them safe.” I wasn’t sure what I would do if any of them got hurt because of my selfishness. The thought made me sick to my stomach.

The distance from Karen’s apartment to my house gave me plenty of time to think of all the horrible things that could happen. It wasn’t fair that I had placed my family in this situation. Of course, I wasn’t the one in control of Darrell Gene-something far darker than any minotaur influenced his behavior. But, if I hadn’t gone to see Karen, I would have never gotten trapped in the maze. And if I hadn’t gotten trapped in the maze, I would have been there to protect Amy and Peter and Judith and Carl from the madman that was holding my home under siege.

In a roundabout way, this was all my fault. Of course, I didn’t have the trials and tribulations of the labyrinth anymore to show me the error of my ways, but I didn’t need them now. I could see the direct result of my sins without having to face Barabbas in a mirrored hallway.

I had so many things to be sorry for. I only hoped that Amy would forgive me.

I almost pulled into my driveway with a frantic squealing of tires then thought better of it at the last minute. The last thing I needed to do at this point was alert Darrell Gene to my presence. The only advantage I had at the moment was the element of surprise.

I drove down the block and parked on the curb. It wouldn’t have surprised me if my car got towed, but that was the least of my worries. I ran the length of the block to my house and cut through the yard to get to the back door. I listened for screaming all the way, and was relieved not to hear any. I took that as a good sign.

I didn’t know what precautions Darrell Gene had taken against intruders, but I prayed he had neglected to check the sliding glass door leading into the laundry room. Before I tried the door, I peered through the window in the den, searching for any clue as to what was happening.

The first thing I saw was blood.