Labyrinth Wall (9780991531219) (30 page)

“I completely understand,” I agree. “That’s why I hadn’t mentioned to anyone that I heard the guards talk about Kathar when I rescued Korun. Where was Kathar on the map?”

“Far away,” she tells me. “Our labyrinth is within two that wrap around us and ours is small by comparison. It’s completely on the other side of the other two. And I don’t even know for sure I could remember enough to get us there. For that matter, who knows what we’ll find there?”

We sit quietly for a moment as we observe the landscape. I sigh. It takes a good ten minutes to mull it all over and decide what to do next. She’s deep in thought as well.

“I don’t think we should tell them about Kathar yet,” I say to her, “if we tell them at all.”

She nods, seeming as reluctant as I am to deal with the heavy information we have exchanged.

“To think, the Creators would have kept us caged in that dark labyrinth. Your description of the map sounds almost unbelievable.” I glance around us at the muddy ground and occasional bushes. This place may not be pretty but we can hunt our own food. We have shelter. The Creators may not come after us here. There’s no guarantee we’ll find another place like this.

“Simul’s dead now.” Relief blows through me as I say that statement out loud. I look at the tall roots where the others sleep, and Saige follows my gaze. “Enough of our group perished trying to get us here. I say we explore this place and stay settled. Maybe sometime I’ll talk to Korun about Kathar, but not now. We finally escaped the Creators, and you three need to mend things.” I point at Keelie and Soll, who are now emerging from our shelter.

“Thank you, Araina” she responds with a slight hint of happiness in her tone. “You really are a good person.”

Goosebumps rise up on my neck and arms. Never did I imagine someone saying that to any Mahk. I shrug. “If I am, then you all helped me become that way.” My eyes gesture not only at her but the whole group. “Thank you.”

I walk over to Blue, who has curled up beside Darith of all people. He’s propped against a tree, lounging like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“I don’t know what she sees in you,” I tease as I approach.

“Better breath than you, I think,” he jabs back.

“I can’t believe we made it,” I confess with a smile across my face. “We actually got through the wall.”

He nods. One eyebrow is raised like usual as he pats Blue’s head. “Yep, Araina. We made it together. Ya still haven’t darted off yet. I’m surprised.”

“Someone told me that our actions define us. That got me thinking,” I admit.

“Thinking what?” he inquires.

For a man I took to be a completely heartless killer, he can be extremely profound at times. “You say I should know you, Darith, but I can’t actually base my knowledge of you on what I knew before because I never saw the details behind your actions. I think now I can understand the reasons for your actions and start to know you better.”

He smirks. “Hmm, I guess that’s somethin’ for me to think on.”

I exhale deeply as I settle in next to Blue. She lies between the two of us, her head still on Darith’s lap. I pick at her pretty blue feathers. I would never trade the time I spent with just Blue, but I realize now that we’re both happier to have found some friends. I survey the others closely. Some relationships need mending. Some of us still have much to learn about ourselves. I look at Darith then down at Blue again, and I’m grateful that, amidst all the pain and confusion, at least we have each other.

We’re safe from the Creators for the moment. That is, unless they come after us again. Together, we’re stronger than when we are apart. Tomorrow is another day, filled with a new hope. Tomorrow holds promise. The strings are cut; the puppet masters only a memory. I’m free, and I’m ready for tomorrow.
 

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Notes from the Author

First of all, thank you so much to my readers. Writing is tough, because you don’t even know if and when someone will pick up your book. When you decided to read my book, you fulfilled my mission and dreams. Again, thank you.

Acknowledgements to the Editors

Special thanks to
Nicole Zoltack
, my fabulous editor. You truly did wonders to bring this work into its full potential, Nicole. I appreciate your belief in my work and the amazing touches. This story needed you to come in to its own. Thank you so much.

James Allen, Sr., thank you for your diligent work on this story. You’ve got a sharp eye and treated the story like your own work. The Labyrinth Wall world benefited greatly from your input.

Continued Acknowledgements
Thank you to my husband, Justin Girdner, you have been patient and incredibly supportive of my writing. Without your input and advice, I might never have been able to transport the world in my mind to paper.

Thank you to my family and dear friends. Everyone has been incredibly supportive of my work and pushed me to grow.
Thank you Mom, Dad, Henry, and James. You’ve all invested so much love through the years and it means so much. Henry, you are just absolutely amazing. Your investment of time and love in your little sister’s writing must be some kind of record breaker. In fact, all readers who enjoyed this work should thank Henry, too. Without his honest and encouraging feedback, I may not even have had the confidence to come this far. James, you’ve always been a voice of wisdom. I truly appreciate every late night talk and time of laughter. I love you, brothers. Thank you, Mom. You are one of two people to whom I’ve told the entire series concept. Your fascination and support kept me motivated. Dad, you were one of the first people to read the entire first draft of The Labyrinth Wall. Your encouragement spurred me on. Thank you so much. You’ve always encouraged my writing and kept me on track. I love you all.

To my aunt, Bonnie Varble, your work on my first novel taught me so much, which enabled to move forward to this point. Thank you so much for the sacrifice of time, the encouragement, and the wisdom you have given me.

Specifically a huge thank you to all friends and family who read and gave me feedback on my unpublished novel or the beta version of The Labyrinth Wall:
Henry Allen, Bonnie Varble, Jocelyn Kessinger, Sumar Foster, Michaela Dehning, Katie Grabowski, James Allen Sr., Tenzin Paldon Kahler, Tiffany Girdner, and Angie Kahler.

To my writing, blogging and social media friends, thank you for being constant sources of encouragement and inspiration. It is truly appreciated. A specific shout out to
Rachel Morgan
and
Cherie Reich
who have been kind mentors during my journey.

All the way back in high school, wonderful mentors and teachers gave me inspiration and confidence. I thank each of you and my college professors. You guided my creativity and inspired me to pursue my passion, not what the world would have me pursue.

About the Author
 

Born in Germany and raised in Turkey until the age of five, Emilyann Girdner discovered early on she had a love for stories. Reading books and watching movies and then acting them out with friends or toys gave living an extra flavor. This is likely why she spent the first part of her college career studying Creative Writing before switching to Graphic Design and then graduating with a BFA in Digital Art (2012). She’s now living and working in Florida.

Given her three focus transitions as an undergraduate, it isn’t a shock that she is a multi-medium lover, exploring writing, digital art, photography, and design. She finds that her creativity is most fluent when given the opportunity to bounce between artistic outlets.

To truly understand this author, there are two things to know about her. Emilyann hopes to share a love for God and others in all she does. She believes that imagination sparks beauty in the soul.

“The more you learn,
the more you grow.
One day you will change the world,
with all you know.”
~Emilyann
 

Connect with Emilyann:
www.
EmilyannGirdner.com
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Author’s Credits

Writing and Publications:
 
Easter Seals Florida
Blog Co-Author (2013)
Center for Work Life
Blog Co-Author (2013)
Publication highlighted by West Orange Chamber of Commerce
Examiner.com
Vegetarian Food Examiner
(2012)
MU Museum of Art & Archaeology
Paper Author
(2008)

Awards:
Sunshine Blog Award
Liebster Blog Award
Gardner-Nettleton Award in Graphic Design (Stephens College)

The Labyrinth Wall

Second Edition

This story is fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents
are either the product of the Author’s imagination
or fictitious adaptations.

No portions of this book may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the Author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied
in articles and reviews.