#cornmaze

[deliriumista]

[hackto-oshiro]

[rierse]

October 28 & 29: Where You Lead

Read on AO3

Summary:

Our favorite Kitty Section members race through a corn maze. Different teams have different definitions of what constitutes a "win." Prompts: "I'm not lost!" & "Where did they go?"

Rose giggled as she fell out of the maze's exit point, all but dragging Juleka behind her. She looked around quickly and grinned, jumping into the air. "We win! We made it out first!"

"We should celebrate," Juleka said, stealing a kiss in their relative solitude. Rose beamed, bouncing even more, once Juleka had released her. Satisfaction filled her being at seeing Rose so happy. Joy had such different impacts on them. Rose always grew exuberant and giddy, while Juleka tended to be more still, basking in the feeling and letting it fill all the little hollows of her being.

"Found it!" Ivan's booming voice precluded his and Mylène's arrival at the exit.

"Second place!" Rose trilled the moment they were in view.

Congratulatory hugs were shared all around—Rose leading the way, of course. They all turned expectant eyes on the opening in the tall stalks of corn. Juleka had actually been as surprised as she was pleased to beat Luka and Marinette; Luka was usually really good with direction.

"Do you think—" Rose began hesitantly.

Ivan shook his head doubtfully. "He wouldn't let Marinette lead."

Juleka snorted. "He would, though."

"They could be in there forever!" Mylène exclaimed, worry coloring her voice.

Rose scampered a few steps back into the maze. "Where did they go?"

"When was the last time anyone remembers hearing them?" Everyone looked at Mylène, "I could hear Rose giggling off and on almost the whole way, especially near the end, but I don't remember hearing them since the first few turns."

Rose's eyes widened. "What if they got really lost?"

With a sigh, Juleka grabbed Rose's hand. "Let's go find them."

For a minute, there was only the sound of rustling stalks and their steady footfalls. Rose shattered the stillness by suddenly shouting, "Marinette! Luka!?"

Silence.

"Do you need help?" Ivan boomed out. A crow flying out of the field was the only response.

They kept moving, deeper into the maze. "Should we get help?" Mylène asked nervously. Ivan tugged her a little closer, reassuring her with a glance.

Juleka raised her voice next. "We're going to send the fire department after you if you don't answer!"

"I'm not lost!" Marinette's voice—a little higher and more breathless than usual—exploded from somewhere, not far, but they were separated by at least a few lines of corn.

Rose piped up, "Where are you? We can help you get out!"

"We're good!" Marinette answered, a slightly hysterical giggle following her words.

Juleka sighed. "C'mon, you already lost, let us help you out."

"Get lost, Jules!" Luka's voice was lower, raspier than she was used to. Realization slammed into her.

"Oh, ew!" Juleka took an involuntary step back and shuddered. She grabbed Rose. "C'mon, leave them there."

"What? Why?" Rose asked, resisting Juleka's tug back towards the exit. Juleka leveled a look at her just as Ivan started laughing. "Oh—oh!" Rose smiled, making Juleka a little nervous. "I told you that a corn maze race was a good idea! Although Luka's might be better... Come on, Jules, I think I remember a dead end back that way!"

Juleka couldn't quite hide her smile… after all, she had promised Rose they could celebrate their victory.

[marshswamp]

[autumnlover95]

🌽🎃🐎

Found this picture on Pinterest

Credit to the person who took it.

[halloweenatdusk]

Photo by Intricate Explorer on Unsplash

[blacjaq1]

[princessofeternaloctober]