The Labyrinth Pt. 1

You know, papa always wanted boys. Me being born a girl though wasn't so bad, I was even told I would one day look like my beautiful mother with her small fragile looking body. The nightmare was that I was born with the brains my younger brother should have, I had courage and curiosity that did not benefit a girl. I was everything but, a boy. My dad did get a son, one to succeed him.  But we all knew, even before his personality was formed, he would be no solider. Now, papa loved us no doubt, but worry and disappointment loomed over us high as the gods mountain.  
  I walked on. Thinking of papa made my eyes water with tears. He had been speared through the back by a horrid coward before the eyes of me and my brother. Worse yet, they had taken the young boys of our village. Mother was already grieving for a son not yet dead. Not me. My younger brother would take his place as the head of the family, it would be his job to protect me and mother, cruel as that was, I would not let mother be hurt by this. My brother would have to come home. So I snuck onto one of their ships, and came all the way here to Crete.  
  There they were. Thirty young boys between three and twelve, marched in a line to a small hole under that palace to their deaths. Everyone knew, that King Minos of Crete gave his minotaur son young boys as sports. And everyone knew, boys younger than nine never made it out alive. My brother was seven.  
  There he was! My sweet little brother! His jut black curls framed his small cheeks, his bright blue eyes shined beautify even in this cruel time. There he was, being pushed down the hole of death.  
  "Stop! Please sirs stop!" I yelled to the Crete soldiers.  
  They turned around, swords aimed, got a good look at me, and laughed. I looked at them, these grown men dressed in the red of soldiers, dark tanned skin, faces hidden by shadows; and I blushed. Why not laugh? I was a nine year old girl, not yet reached my growth spurt, my fathers sword strapped to my back, to big for my hand, and a small dagger strapped to my side by a leather string. Of course they would laugh.  
  "Sister! Please help me!" My younger brother cried out. "I'm scarred." His tanned skin streaked in dirt and tears.  
  I turned to the guards, keeping my voice even. "Let him go. I will take him home and tell no one. Who will miss one kid out of thirty?" 'Sorry' I thought silently to the others there, hands clenched at my side.  
  "Oh really?" One guard chuckled cruelly, starring at me intently. "Why don't you go with him then?"  
  I gasped and stared at him.  
  "An extra kid wont hurt," He mocked, "If you make it out, you and your brother may go home."  
  "Sister..." My brother whimpered.  
  I clutched my dagger in anger, how badly I wished I could stab this man with it. "Deal," I said through clenched teeth. This was my only hope.  
  "Then let the game begin!" He laughed joyfully.  
  "Help me sister!" My brother screamed as he was pushed into the hole, his curly hair disappearing into darkness. I crawled in after him, plummeting down into cold darkness, and the outside world shut out.  
  "Sister, sister," My brother cried. I couldn't see him, couldn't see a thing, not even the hand in front of my face. But I could hear the sounds of young boys screaming for help and the gurgling sound of the dying, sounds of ripping, breaking bones and the sound of beating hooves... Quickly I reached out my hand to find my brothers. 'Forget it and focus.'  
  "I'm here, grab my hand." I reached out tentatively and found his soft small hand. I grasped it tightly as if he were a fleeting spirit. "There, don't let go. "  
  I pushed the small dagger into his other hand. "Protection," I told him.  
he let out a small whimper but took firm hold of the knife. I took out my fathers sword and placed the tip near the ground. It would work as a guide.  
  "Sister!" My brothers urgent frightened whisper croaked out.  
  "Yes?" It was all I could do to hold my voice steady.  
  "Will we get out? I'm so scared," He was crying. "I don't...I don't want to be k...killed by that!" He yelled. A resounding huffing rumble sounded throughout the labyrinth in answer.  
  "Come on." I pulled his and and using the sword to like a cane, we walked onwards. We kept quiet, while the screams of pain from others and inhuman growls echoed around us.  
  My brothers hand was shaking, or maybe it was mine.  
  'Listen," I said to home earnestly, urgently, "I'll get us home, with you there mama will be safe, we'll all be safe."  
 "But.." He added, he knew me so well.  
  I squeezed his hand. "if the gods have doomed us to die down here, I will make sure that beast wont lay a finger on you. I'll kill ourselves."  
  The labyrinth got eerily quiet when all of a sudden the sword clanged against a wall. It was like a battle cry on a field of death.   
  "Lets find a way out, gods help us and father grant us passage." I squeezed the sword tightly with sweaty palms.  
  A loud scream of painful agony sounded. It was so close, but who could really tell? This dark place echoed like the cave by my village. I shuddered and bit my lip to keep from crying out in fear. Pulling my brothers hand, we walked faster, trying not to hit a wall as we went.  
  He sniffled, "Sister," his voice wavering, "I will not let that touch you either."  
  I could not see his face, but I imagined he had that determined look that papa had. Papa would be proud.  
  "Will meet him in Tartarus then," I stated, "Hecate please guied us."