Part 33

"Well, I thought about the coming out again. If you'll kindly hold the end of this rope I'll take the other end in with me. And when I'm ready to come out I'll just follow the rope right back to here. No way I can get lost if you'll just hold on to the trusty rope."

After some discussion the guards admitted Demo to the entranceway. The chief guard held the rope end in his own hands, and Demo proceeded to follow the maze. Every so often he pulled on the rope. The tension in the line gave him a feeling of confidence.

But circumstances outside the maze did not bode well for his escapade.

"Ah, good evening again, ladies. Oh, you dropped your handkerchief, miss. Let me get it for you." The chief guard politely stepped forward to help the damsel in distress, in the process laying down the rope.

Unfortunately, at that moment Demo tugged at the rope, to insure his path to safety continued in place.

Tensionless, the rope lay loose on the smooth floor!

He frowned. Perhaps, he thought, I've left too much slack in it. This time he pulled harder. The rope moved easily, coiled at his feet. Demo's face whitened.

The chief guard turned in time to see the end of the rope snaking into the maze. He rushed forward to grab it, reached the entranceway in time to see it disappear down one of the many openings that seemed to appear and then vanish before his startled eyes.

He placed his hand on the entranceway, took a tentative step inside, then quickly withdrew his foot.

"Ah, what a nice young lad he was! I wonder where he can be. I do hope he starts back quickly, before the rope's end has completely slipped within. Oh, well, time for supper. Do hope the wife included a sip of wine. Relaxes one."

Demo looked dazedly at the rope coiled at his feet. The entire length was there, even the grappling hook that the chief guard had held so firmly in hand.

He sat down, stared at the walls that now seemed to press upon him ever closer. Finally he stood up, used the rope to measure their separation. After a while he measured it again. No, just imagination. They hadn't moved. The narrow corridors maintained a constant width, half a man's height.

All the same the appearance that the corridor became more and more narrow stayed with him. Is there truly no escape from the maze? How many had gone before, never to return. Did they die here? Or does it lead to another land, another world? Well, I shall not remain here. And I will escape this maze. But how? How?

He bowed his head, eventually fell into a disturbed sleep. He dreamed of searching for Athena, hidden in the middle of an impossible maze.

At times he dreamt he had found her, held her in his arms, as she whispered in his ear. Love words? Or something else. What was she saying?

Demo woke, glanced around.

Day was breaking and the sky above was brightening. Nevertheless, something was wrong. This wasn't his home! This was - ah, the maze. Slowly he stood up.

Athena. She had been trying to tell him something. Something very important. She had whispered so low the words were unclear. He shook his head, started to wander off in search of the entranceway.

Then he stopped.

It was something about the rope. She whispered something about the rope. I better take it with me.

The guards huddled around the fire, talking dispiritedly.

I suppose they'll transfer us back to headquarters. Can't stand that place! Too many brass. Too much spick and polish."

"You may not be so lucky. Remember, the minotaur escaped. They just might cut off our heads!"

"It wasn't our fault! How could we know it was coming out? Cut off our heads? Do you really think so?"

"Hello. Would you share me a bite of bread?"

Startled, they quickly looked around.

The chief guard stood up in amazement as Demo leaped to his side. "Are you real, sir. This is an experience. I've known none who successfully navigated that maze. Tell me sir, how were you able to do what none has done before you?"

Demo took the proffered loaf, tore off a section, and began to eat.