welcome to the new age ; the 9th labyrinth game [Aubergines]

[kendall]

T E M E R I T Y R O S E

"I H E A R T H E B I R D S
O N T H E
S U M M E R B R E E Z E"
_____________________________

Every day I go back to a time when I was free. Free of my family and their games, free to to whatever I wanted to do. Just the word makes shivers go down my spine. Sparking a fire inside my heart that has never been burned out. No matter what happens, I will still have a glowing ember which will one day ignite into a roaring fire that once picked me up and took me to figure our who I really am.

Who am I?

I certainly wasn't this stupid girl who listens to everyone wishes and puts aside her own. That girl was gone. I had been by myself and the only reason why I came back was because I was being begged to come home. And it made me feel wanted. They made it seem like they cared. That was one thing I felt on my trip on the road. I learned that you can't feel whole until someone wants you just as much as you want yourself.

Those faces and laughs were the people that kept me going. I wasn't sure where any of those people were but just imagining them smiling, laughing, crying helped me. At the same time it tore me apart. But I liked the pain and sorrow it brought. Such sweet sorrow.

These Labyrinth Games were absolute bullshit. I got so tired of them I like to think that's why I ran away but I came back and here I am just ready to beat the crap out of the family that so called loved me. I had never been very good at the Labyrinth. No matter how much I hate my family I could never bring myself to kill any of their precious little egos. Because that's all my family had. I knew better.

As I figure out the maze I am in deep thought. It was as though the turns and dead ends marked and symbolized times in my life. I hum alone to the patterns of my footsteps so the journey wasn't so lonely and creepily quiet. I was a singer, not a very popular one. But I sang my heart out to the people that would listen. Not many people stop and listen these days. It's amazing how much you can gather from just listening.

So I stop and listen.

template by chelsey

mNGljOp|1-49

[finds fourth class item]1-49

[Deleted]

DAY TWO: TURN TWO
No points were deducted or added from Kendall's Charm and Temerity since Kendall's dice broke. Once she fixes it, I will add up the points. For now, what you see are the scores without Charm and Temerity.

Scoreboard:

Glory	55 points
Nirvana	35 points
Liberty	35 points
Wallflower	15 points
Jubilant	15 points
Victory	5 points
Temerity	5 points
Shy	-5 points
Charm	-15 points
Dread	-10 points
Valor	-20 points
Zeal	-20 points
Lithe	-25 points

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[presto][/presto]

[presto][/presto]

I wonder when this day will end.

It seems longer than usual. The days are long like the pathways in the labyrinth. They seem endless, like you go on forever and ever until you pass out, but you awaken to more endless pathways and more endless days. I am tired from walking, but I trudge through the dark halls anyway. My legs feel like they are about to collapse under me, like old pillars.

And then I see it.

For the first time in about two days, I am not alone. Although the silver labyrinth charm of a necklace that lies before me in the dim light does not breathe or have a heartbeat, it assures me that I am not the only delicate thing roaming this labyrinth. It is not a good companion (and it can't really be considered a companion), but it's something.

It is not the ideal company, but I'll take what I can get. "Forty points for Glory," I whisper to myself as I pick up the necklace and fasten it around my neck. This mere piece of silver can win me the Labyrinth Game. Small, seemingly pointless things can work wonders.

I wear my necklace (it feels like a medal) proudly as I strut through the labyrinth, my head held high. For the first time in a long time, I feel something different, something that is almost alien to me.

Pride.

PTWVe47Y1-49
[finds Class Four item: orange ribbon]

Template by Margie @ Adoxography

FOURTEEN & FEMALE

DISTRICT TWO

GLORY AUBERGINE

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[Deleted]

N I R V A N A A U B E R G I N E These walls are looking like an all to good place for me to bash my head in, at this point. I allow nibbles on crackers as my only food, half-sips of water, just enough to get my stomach to tighten again so I can get up and keep moving. I do not sleep, I do not relax muscles. I do not count sheep like a child. Instead, I count all my past years in this stinking, wretched place. Five years ago was my first year. I remember blonde locks of hair being pulled and twisted by shadows in the form of my family members and I remember the iron taste of blood when my lip was split open and I remember stumbling falling out of the labyrinth when the games had ended. Four years ago I remember bruises and bumps giving texture to my skin, I remember my body being a canvas for an art brush in the form of my cousin's fist to paint whatever designs it pleased. I remember stopping at the exit, not letting myself fall out of that wretched place because I wanted some sense of pride in the fact that I hadn't come in dead last like the year prior. Three years ago I remember hatred bubbling up in my stomach, my face turned into a scowl as I marched through the Labyrinth with enough force to blow down any wall, any obstacle they threw at me. My father's fist drove me those games, the undying stench of fear masked by false anger. I remember being pulled into my father's hug even though every muscle every part of my body wanted to resist and smack him in his failure ridden face. Two years ago I can recall anger giving way to determination, the fact that I wanted glory and damn right I was going to get glory. I remember stamping my cousins with more force than necessary, shoving past them even though my muscles were nothing but thin strands of spaghetti at that point. One year ago I remember hitting stone cold rock and hearing the bones snap in my arm even though I couldn't feel it. I remember feeling nothing, no pain, no emotion, no hatred or anger or determination. I'd collapsed to the ground, eyes locked onto the hardly visible brick wall that stood before me as footsteps scampered off into the unknown. I remember that same iron taste of blood, and I remember looking down at my arm and seeing it bent and twisted in all different directions like it was a curvy road. And then I remember everything going black. And now, as I stare at the wall before me, jaw clenched tightly and bandana licking up each sweat droplet that dare threatened to slide down my face, for the first time I can't describe what i'm feeling. All these things swirling around in the cauldron that was my mind. Hatred, anger, desire, determination all mashed into one giant thing that was spreading through my veins and through my being. The next person that threatened to lay a finger on me would be sorry. h2cWsRwK1-49 template by chelsey

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[Ella]

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After slipping the eagle feather onto my head, I venture away back into the darkness, so that I can hide from every living thing. Or dead thing, because I'm not sure if they are living. They could be, though. Undead? I'm not sure. Blackness pulls at me like a force, and I can't resist it. Not that I'd want to though, anyhow. Abruptly I stop walking, for a reason I'm not sure of. I think it's something to do with hunger, though. My legs pull me down and in a moment, I'm taking small sips of water out of my canteen. It falls in rivulets over my tongue and down my throat like a stream. It feels nice, but I know it won't last. I'll have to get up eventually and continue on my seemingly never-ending trek through the labyrinth, and finish the canteen of water. It seems like my moment of paradise, but that won't happen. That is, until I win. Until I win something.

In a flash, a demon runs into the picture. I can see it faintly in the light. Big flaming horns and bared fangs. I'm not sure what it is, but I know it can't be good. My hair jumps up and spins along with my head as I frantically run through the narrow path. My legs are moving fast and my surroundings are almost blurred. I'm not sure how long I had run for, following the curves of the path before I come to a halt and catch my breath. When I turn back around, nothing is there. Just emptiness, not a person in sight. A sigh comes out of me as I slouch back down onto the ground. ready for whatever will come to me next. I feel like it'll only go uphill from now, even if we don't have much time left. Though still, I feel it in my bones.

xrFuP4Es1-49

The feeling comes to me quickly. The feeling of being watched. It runs through me, and I dart my eyes around. I don't see anything, but I know someone must be there, just waiting for the perfect time to stamp me. The thing that everyone dreads, and probably one of the worst things that can happen to you other then the traps. A white tooth bites down on my cotton candy pink lips, and I recline a bit, still examining my surroundings. Somebody is watching me.

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LIBERTY AUBERGINE
ELEVEN FEMALE DISTRICT 2
template by anzie

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[kendall]

T E M E R I T Y R O S E

"I H E A R T H E B I R D S
O N T H E
S U M M E R B R E E Z E"
_____________________________

I used to train. I used to train long and hard. I felt like it was the only thing that would save me. Maybe if I trained hard enough I would be able to save myself in the long run. But as I grew older and the people I faced got tougher and the more scars I got I asked myself every day if it was worth all the work. Was it work all the pain and the fatigue. And I sat and thought about it until I would fall asleep in the woods and I finally decided that it wasn't. It truly wasn't worth all my energy.

Something I loved was worth all my time and effort.

Then a new question popped into my mind. What did I love. I loved my parents and my siblings or at least I thought I did. But I loved to sing and feel the wind in my hair. I would die to be free. I would die to feel what it was like to have no one stopping you from doing anything you. I have the love for something I can not do.

As I walk through the Labyrinth, my footsteps don't leave behind a mark. I look around making sure I do not spot anyone. The worst is to be found. It means if this was the real hunger games you would have to suck it out and fight till the death. And dying was the last thing I wanted to do.

My cousins and siblings would die for the hunger games. I know they would. They take everything so seriously. People in this maze would probably kill me if they were allowed too. I can't wait until I am too old for these stupid games. Only one more year after this and I am gone.

template by chelsey

0nl|Zjxy1-49 1-49

[kendall]

C H A R M A U B E R G I N E

B E A U T Y Q U E E N
O N A
S I L V E R S C R E E N
_____________________________

The darkness overlapped me as I squirmed to be set free. My heart raced and I thought it was going to run straight out of my chest. I frantically searched for somewhere to go. But I knew I couldn't go anywhere. I was trapped. My foot slipped through the net and I wailed quietly. The tears threatened and a voice in my head told me I wasn't good enough. It told me I was only ten. That I was too young to be faced with the task of facing my huge fear.

I trembled and I thought of giving in but I managed to start breathing at a normal pace. Ripping the net I fall to the ground and I look up. Smiling I ran as fast as I could away from the voice that was still trapped in the netting. It hung there dead and tangled.

Shaking off the pangs of nervousness, I watch my feet walk in front of me. The trees and weeds surround me and I feel trapped. This wasn't what all of my cousins and parents make it out to be. It was scary and dark not fun and exciting. Then again, they didn't freak out every time they were alone in a shit room.

bSTGI5SF1-49

template by chelsey

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[lyss]

Jubilant Aubergine

It had to be noon by now. I had trekked up and down the dirt paths of this labyrinth until my shoes began to slice my feet open. I was a fighter, though, and I wasn't going to let a little bit of pain and bloodshed stop me from sweeping my victory. As much as it hurt, I would kick my feet along the path, hoping to uncover an item hidden in the dusty dirt somewhere. So far, my method had produced no fruit, but I was still hopeful. There was still time.

That's just what I had to keep telling myself. There's still time; no need to give up. I paced myself, walking laps around the twisting greens, only stopping when necessary. My water supply was being depleted my the need to rinse out the shallow cuts lacing my ankles and outer edges of my feet. So much blood, I thought. And all of it mine.

aVR60Kzl1-49
[goes straight]

1-49

[Deleted]

victory aubergine

fourteen plot fourteen district two

A left turn takes me further into the labyrinth. I'm sure that I must be halfway through the labyrinth. It is the second day of the Labyrinth Game. It has to be, because I saw the scarlet and gold hues of dawn a few hours ago through the roof. I have lost my sense of time, but it can't be day one. (If I was still day one, I would dig myself out of here with my bare hands. I can't stand this for much longer.) If I don't trudge further into the labyrinth, I will never get out. I wonder if anyone got lost in the maze and never emerged. Is that even possible? Surely, our family would seek us out of the labyrinth we didn't come out. (Do even they care that much?) I try not the submerge myself further into these grim thoughts, but it is difficult to resurface once you're in too deep. The pitter patter of feet (I can't tell if they're human or animal feet or if they're large or small) startles me enough to break into a run. Manic fear courses through my veins as I dart into the darkness, my matted hair swaying as I run. I am a bullet with no target, a horse without a rider. (Swift but aimless.) I don't look back in fear that I will be seen by the eyes of one of my twelve opponents.

credit to alisha of adoxography.

I0eUDADj1-49
[moves straight ahead]

1-49

[Deleted]

As they day starts to turn to night, Shy stares out at the sunset. Earlier it was just a squirrel he heard and he cursed himself. How could he think that a Squirrel would be someone. Maybe he was just jumpy. He found a small whole in the Labyrinth wall he thought he could rest in. Shy sat down carefully inspecting for traps. Finding nothing he relaxed then immediately got his guard up. No relaxing in this!

It had been two days of pure torture now. He hadn't seen anyone for a while now.


oD21_r9c1-49


Shy shrieked in horror as the tree trap lifted him up. He cursed himself. He didn't check closely enough. His father, Isidorus was definitely going to give him a thrashing.1-49

[Deleted]

I'M WAKING UP

I FEEL IT IN MY BONES

I do not turn when I see another path branching away from the one I am on. Many hours have passed in this second day and there has been nothing but one turn, which I refused to take. But what lies in that second pathway? A trap? Another seeker? An item? I don't want to risk getting points deducted.

My feet echo as I walk forwards. I am not afraid anymore. I would rather not get my foot stuck in a fox trap or be seen by another seeker (I actually want to win), but I am not scared of the dark or scared of the possibility that I could be lost in here forever. I'm on an adventure. In adventures, dangers await and so do new enemies and old friends.

I wish that I was dreaming instead of wandering through the labyrinth. The day is coming to a close, and I haven't slept yet. It's been two days, judging by the sun rise I saw many hours ago. My eyes are about to close and my body is heavy with drowsiness. There is nowhere comfortable to sleep. I would have to curl up on the cold, hard, dirty ground. I am not one to care about getting dirty, but I would rather sleep somewhere comfortable. Unfortunately, that is not an option in the Labyrinth Game.

Whilst I fight the drowsiness, I push myself to keep moving. Dream later, Wallie, I tell myself as a yawn escapes my mouth.

IhWyxMxn1-49
[finds a Class Four item: dreamcatcher]

Wallflower Aubergine. Female. Ten years old. District Two.

X

1-49

[Deleted]

DAY THREE: TURN ONE
The first turn of day three will end on Wednesday, April 23rd. The final turn starts on Wednesday, April 23rd and ends on Saturday, April 26th.

Scoreboard:

Glory	90 points
Wallflower	50 points
Liberty	35 points
Jubilant	30 points
Nirvana	30 points
Temerity	25 points
Victory	15 points
Charm	15 points
Shy	-15 points
Dread	-30 points
Valor	-30 points
Zeal	-30 points
Lithe	-35 points

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

victory aubergine

fourteen plot fourteen district two

As the final day approaches, I am filled with relief. I saw the sun go down before I collapsed onto the dirty ground and drifted off into sleep. I awakened and saw the light pink and yellow hues in the sky, marking the time of day dawn. I have found nothing so far. I have only walked for miles, wondering what lies ahead. There were no perils, no tricks. Only darkness. Even in my dreams, all I saw was myself wandering forever and ever through the dark, dirt halls of the labyrinth, finding nothing for decades until I had white hair and wrinkled skin, and I found light. But as soon as I escaped from the dank labyrinth, I died. I won't let that dream come true. I will get myself out of here, even if I pass out afterwards. I won't spend the rest of my life in here. I keep walking straight, refusing to take the pathways that branch out from the one I'm on. I can't risk anything. I'm playing it safe this year. I am avoiding getting the cold metal teeth of a fox trap stuck in my foot or getting tangled up in a net. So far I am trap-free, but that could change. The labyrinth is unpredictable each year. They move around the traps so we can't remember them, and they even build new pathways and demolish old ones so we can't memorize the labyrinth. Sometimes they'll put more fox traps than usual in the labyrinth, or take away items. I tremble just thinking of the nasty surprise that could possibly be awaiting me.

credit to alisha of adoxography.

2LUjzswZ1-49
[turn left]

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[Ella]

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As it turns out, there was nobody lurking in the shadows. I was completely alone. I think, at least. But it's the last day. I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad, though. Happy because this hell on earth is finally over. Sad, though, because I'd need a miracle to win. I'd be paraded with glory if I won, but that's a miracle away. The person who's lucky will get all of that glory. How ironic if the winner is Glory. She always wins things, really. It bugs me. I'm a loser, not a winner though. I guess it's just my nature. 

Glancing around, I also get up. My legs ache and my throat is dry. I should drink my water, but I should also save it. It's still morning (I think) and I still have all day. Stretching my muscles, a yawn escapes my mouth and my face probably looks sunken. It is, though. Dad would be embarrassed to have me as a daughter. He wants his children to be brave fighters. But I'm not brave, nor am I a fighter. I am a coward. Afraid of the things that haunt my nightmares, when I should make them afraid of me. But they're the fearless ones. I am not.

5gWWDkGw1-49

[attr="class","anzbox"]

LIBERTY AUBERGINE
ELEVEN FEMALE DISTRICT 2
template by anzie

1-49

[kendall]

T E M E R I T Y R O S E

"I H E A R T H E B I R D S
O N T H E
S U M M E R B R E E Z E"
_____________________________

Sometimes I like to think I wasn't crying when I was born. When all my siblings were born they made a horrible wailing noise that was just plain annoying. I thought that since I had such a beautiful voice, or so they said, that I the first sound I made in the world was a sweet harmony. I used to tell anyone who would listen it was so until I got to about age 10 and people started calling me out.

Every baby cried. 

That's how crying is viewed. Only babies cried when they were upset or wanted something. And if you weren't a baby but still cried it was some sort of demeaning thing to do. How dare you cry? Stand up and be a man. A crying is just a baby in a man's body. I used to think that. Only the weak cried. But you need to be strong enough to admit you are sad and need help. 

I never cried when I was younger. If I was cut by a training knife, I would push back the burning tears and fight harder. But now, I was smarter then that. I cried for the first time in years when I finally admitted I was strong enough to admit I wasn't strong enough to have no emotions. And once one tear rolled down my cheek it was a waterfall. All my failure, success, memories and achievements poorer down the crane of my neck onto my shirt. 

Ever since I have gotten back, ever since I stepped into the door of my house, it was like I turned the light switch off. All of my emotions were shut down. It was how I tried to fill the void or how much I missed everything I didn't have. Sometimes I liked it, sometimes I didn't. I was an ever changing person. I didn't like just one thing, I wanted a taste of every meal not just one. 

The twigs and branches started to become familiar, it all coming back to me from 7 years ago. How scared I was. Now it meant nothing to me. 

template by chelsey

5SIwu1og1-49
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[kendall]

C H A R M A U B E R G I N E

B E A U T Y Q U E E N
O N A
S I L V E R S C R E E N
_____________________________

I try to image how my cousin, Wallflower is pushing on right now. Probably 20 times stronger then I could ever be. I was so far behind, I felt like giving up. But this voice inside my head was echoing me to not give up. Was this what was going to happen when I am in danger in a situation where I could actually die? This was just practice for the real thing. If I never did get into the real thing.

Maybe my sister was right, this was just stupid. But I don't ever want to be like her. She was a disgrace, or I was told anyways. I was going to be the pride and joy of the family. And every foot step I take I feel like my fear is holding me back from being that person. Being the best was for the best, but not everyone was perfect. Maybe I could use my fear for the better good. Accept, I am not very sure how yet. But by the time it comes, I better damn well know what ti do.
5GVmAgIm1-49

template by chelsey

1-49

[Deleted]

Shy felt the need to scream, but he didn't. He held back the urge. This place was so annoying. He ran into two traps one on each day. When he got home he knew I'd father would beat him up for not being careful enough. Well, at least he will beat Shy if he could catch him. Shy smiled at that thought. Maybe he could just run from Isidorus the whole time he is angry.

Shy knew Isidorus was watching. There was hidden camera's everywhere. Now he thought he could finally rest. Maybe he could just close his eyes for a second. Dark lines formed under his eyes and he knew his father would object but he didn't care. Shy lay down and slept.

kFX_S9cz1-49


Shy awoke to find himself in a net trap. His face turned red and blood pounded in his ears. He was just so annoyed and fed up with this. What was the point of it all. Then he did something not like him at all. He looked up at the sky and yelled, "HOLY RIPRED FUCK YOU PEOPLE!"1-49