Daz sighed in relief as the woman seemed to slow, but didn't leave. She was going to help him.<br/><br/>Maybe he had been right, that this maze wasn't just a personal punishment, and was designed for members of the rebellion. It gave him hope to think that they at least were still alive. He closed his eyes and saw several familiar faces. Daisy, Nox, and Peter had all escaped the humiliating battle. If they were caught like Daz, maybe they were in the maze.<br/><br/>But there were so many that were already dead. Some Daz had seen shot or stabbed in the attack, others killed in the streets as 'examples' even before it had even happened.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Cora</span>. There was no significance to the name in Daz's mind. He'd say it was a nice name, if pleasantries weren't a waste of energy in his situation.<br/><br/>The ground above Daz seemed to stop cracking. Cora must have found a way to crawl over. He couldn't help but admire this unseen person. She was smart, and was staying when she easily could have run the other way. He tried to imagine himself looking down at a stranger, and was terrified at the thought of selfishness.<br/><br/>"Daz, my name." He began to speak more thoughtfully now that he had a lifeline to cling to, but it was still squeezed through his throat in panic. "I think I did something to my foot. I don't know what, but it hurts like a bitch." Daz bent his injured foot towards himself, holding his calf just above his ankle to keep it from touching the ground or bending. His shoe covered his full ankle, and he couldn't will himself to take it off to see the injury.<br/><br/>Daz raised his eyes back up to the hole and saw a face peering over the edge. Choppy red hair, a round face, and full lips. He was surprised to feel that it was familiar. He had seen it before, somewhere else, but he couldn't place it.<br/><br/>Compared to the rotting corpse, at least, it was a beautiful sight. Tears began to fill Daz's eyes, to his own shock. His canthi began to burn as he rubbed the moisture away with his dirty green sleeve.<br/><br/>"I've seen you," he began, "somewhere befo-" Daz's voice trailed off as he realized where he had seen her face. Up on a balcony, smiling and waving. Looking down at a crowd where some clapped with enthusiasm, others shouted curses and were carted away. Sure, she had been younger, but it was unmistakably her.<br/><br/>Shaking with anger, Daz began shouting and pointing above his head. "What the hell are they planning? Is this a joke, some sort of sick trick? Did they think I wouldn't know your face? Well I do,<span style="font-style: italic">Cora</span>! Your father is a monster, and so are you!" Daz tried to stand, but sank back down, breathing heavily. His eyes didn't stray from Cora's face.<br/><br/>"Well then, are you going to play with me, put my corpse on a stick? I'm honestly surprised that they'd send the daughter of a council member to do it. Makes a better show, hmm?" Daz laughed, wiping the spit from shouting off his cheek.<br/><br/>Daz abruptly scrambled to find his bag, rifling through it to reach the bottom. Ration packs spilled out, but Daz didn't seem to notice or care as he drew out his hunting knife.<br/><br/>"I will fight." Daz raised the weapon in front of his face. He was unable to hide his eyes, which resembled that of a frightened, trapped animal's.