18 The maze

Luna was on the salmon ladder when she received a notification to go to the activity hall.

She went and saw all the other maidens, some were still arriving.

"Welcome to the second test worth thirty points- the maze. You will be placed in the center of a maze and will have to find your way out, encountering many problems like ex boyfriends, siblings, mothers and many more. The time you spend in the maze determines your score."

Just then the floors started rising, forming walls which bordered the maidens till a gigantic enigma was formed. It was so large that all the maidens fit in the center.

The moment their timers began, all the maidens ran in all directions.

Luna and a few others stayed behind. Luna looked up, the walls were low enough to climb, but she decided to walk.

She didn't go far till she encountered a hologram of a woman who called her,'daughter'.

This is my mom?

"Daughter, I need some money. I know I shouldn't be begging you but I had no other choice."

"...m- m- mother, I will help you in every way I can."

"Thank you daughter!"

The hologram disappeared and she saw she had gained two points...full points.

The holograms are the real challenge...not the time!

I better stay as long as I can…

Luna encountered twelve holograms each more difficult than the last.

This was her score count:

Additional points:

#1. Time - 20 minutes and 40 seconds-1 point

#2. Walking- 6 pts

#3. Walking posture- 10 pts

Main points:

#1. Holograms encountered- 12 pts

#2. Dealing with the holograms- 14 pts

Total: 34½ pts_35 pts

She looked up and saw the guard, still looking at her with a smile.

Her lessons had already shown her what to do in this situation, even though she didn't like it.

"Excuse me? What is your problem?"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Why are you always staring at me? Just so you know I am going for the Prince, not a poor rowdy guard like you."

"Oh okay, I'm sorry again."

"Don't apologize, just don't stare."

She turned around and left, guilt eating her on the inside. She looked back from the crowd and he looked disappointed and sorry.

She checked the score board to take her mind off the guilt she felt, she was the second but not the first…

She checked the picture of the first maiden and saw her name Heidi Mörga. Luna searched for her and followed her…

Something about her was fishy...but…

"What are you doing?"

"Aaaah!"

She threw a dagger but he caught it right in front of his face.

"Selasi, you gave me a heart attack."

"Of course I did. ", He said sarcastically,"Why are you following her?"

"There's something about her that I don't like,I can feel it in my gut."

"Your gut? Aren't you supposed to have raw evidence?"

"I know I can't prove it but that woman is not fit for the prince."

"But you who want to marry him just so you can kill him are?"

She sighed but didn't reply. After several seconds of silence Selasi said,"Fine. I will keep an eye on her for you, is that okay?"

"Thank you thank you thank you thank you!", She said, trying to hug him.

He put his hand on her face to stop her then she said,"Right, no