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I popped the coin back into my pocket and contemplated the symbol while I searched for any sign of other Potentials as I walked through the maze.

Despite not seeing anyone, there was a growing feeling that I wasn’t alone.

Never thought I was one to be scared of what I couldn’t see, but fear crept in, nonetheless.

Someone or something was watching, and it wasn’t the bugs. At one point, I felt a light caress of warm air on the back of my neck, like a breath, and quickly spun around only to find no one there.

I was tempted to use my invisibility but the idea of roaming around naked purely because I was paranoid seemed like a bad idea.

Not to mention I didn’t want to exhaust my already lacklustre energy supplies.

We weren’t supposed to have the use of our magic in this trial.

I guess the Masters hadn’t thought to check my chip when I was knocked out, not that they would have examined my person.

As far as I could tell, they’d merely removed our cuffs so we couldn’t communicate with each other.

I suppose one gets careless with repetition.

The chips were programmed remotely so that a simple flick of a switch from a control point meant the Potentials’ magic and metahuman traits were effectively blocked.

So, their lack of diligence meant I still had my invisibility and healing powers.

It was a careless mistake on their part.

Their loss was my gain.

I pushed on, determined to get out of the increasingly creepy maze and be done with the trial. I’d come so far and I wasn’t about to let a bit of fear keep me from finishing what I’d started. There was too much at stake.

Left, right, left again… the maze continued in a seemingly endless configuration.

The hedges towered beside me, leaving me with only the purple sky above and the ground beneath my feet to look at.

Black birds flew overhead, squawking as they passed.

Their appearance was ominous; harbingers for what the trial held in store for us no doubt.

Yet nothing had happened to me since the bugs.

Still, the expectation of something to come kept me on edge, my senses heightened, and the blood in my veins pumping hard.

Would there be monsters? Magic? Both? The Trial of the Mind could bring any form of obstacle to overcome.

It was only a matter of time until I knew what.

“Run!” A voice cracked through the air, startling me.

I scanned my surroundings, eyes wide. Despite my instincts telling me to do as the voice said, I held my ground.

I would get naked and use my invisibility but hold my ground, nonetheless.

I quickly stripped and then let my power flow over me, pressing my back to the hedge while I waited.

I realised my discarded clothes were too conspicuous and quickly kicked them under the hedge.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

More shouts echoed from the direction I had just come, the sound of fear and desperation increasing with each second. My heart rate and breathing increased as I listened.

Thud, thud.

Thud, thud.

Thud, thud.

The pounding of feet drew closer, footsteps getting faster and faster like a sickening drum beat counting down to whatever awaited me. The maze twisted and turned, prohibiting me from seeing who was coming. But I didn’t need to see. My ears heard each step as they got closer.

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud.

“Run!”

The shrill scream was close. Sweat beaded on my forehead and trickled down my spine.

Whoever it was, they were moving closer still.

I pressed deeper into the hedge. Twigs scratched at my back as the branches dug into my skin and drew pinpricks of blood.

It wasn’t the smartest choice. Anyone who took the time to notice would have seen my imprint in the hedge, and any animal could have smelled my blood.

But I counted on the Potential and whatever gave chase as being too occupied to catch those details.

Seconds passed. No one came.

The path remained empty with not a soul in sight.

The shouts and footsteps faded into the air and an eerie quiet settled over me.

They must have taken a different turn than I had. But which way did they go?

Steadying my breath and easing the adrenaline coursing through my veins, I breathed deeply. The smart thing to do would be to continue on my current path, but curiosity got the better of me and I decided to grab my clothes and investigate. It would be better to know what we’re up against.

I donned my gear and took a few steps when suddenly, something restrained me.

Branches encircled my legs, waist, and chest, holding fast, like the hedge had embraced me from behind.

“Fuck,” I hissed, trying to break the branches and shove myself forward. How had I not noticed? I couldn’t let this thing trap me. I needed to find Fallon and the guys.

Alarm rose like bile in my throat as my calculated attempts to unfold myself turned to panicked thrashing.

The hedge held tight as more branches slid around me like wooden snakes.

I tried to scream, but no sound came out.

Fear stormed inside me as I was suddenly dragged backwards into the hedge.

I wrenched at my bindings one final time, breaking the branch holding my torso and fell forward, dragged now by my legs.

I dug my fingers into the gravel, where tiny stones lodged beneath my nails.

I gritted my teeth as blood spilled from my fingertips.

There was no way I was going to let this fucked-up hedge get the better of me.

I had too much to live for and a long, long list of things I needed to do before my time came.

Fear and rage fought inside me, fuelling my desperation.

This was not the end of my story.

I wouldn’t let it be.