THE MAZE

Prologue

Each candidate received their invitation on the first of May at precisely 11:00 A.M. The invitations, rolled up scrolls of parchment tied with a red ribbon, were anonymously placed in each candidate's mailbox (except for the one who didn't have a mailbox, his was taped to his front door). It was a bright, sunny day; one of those days where there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. Not too hot or cold. Just right.

Each candidate went through the motions of that seemingly typical day just like any other Monday, unaware of the importance of what lay in their mailbox (or in one case, on their front door). It was only when they arrived home, whether from school or work, did they grudgingly go retrieve their mail and discover their invitation.

With raised eyebrows, each candidate untied the red ribbon and unfurled their scroll. They carefully read the letter. Then they read it again. And again.

Each letter, with the exception of the addressee's name, read exactly the same. It looked something like this:

Dear _____,

You are cordially invited to enter The Maze.

You, along with nineteen other candidates, have been carefully selected from across the country to participate in this challenge. Your attributes and high intelligence make you the perfect candidate for The Maze.

Now, you may be wondering, what exactly is "The Maze?" The answer to this question is not as simple as it seems. But, I can assure you that The Maze will change you.

Whichever candidate finds their way to the center of The Maze and back to the beginning in the quickest amount of time will receive the grand prize of one million dollars.

If this is a challenge that interests you, I personally invite you to come to The Maze exactly six days from today on Sunday, May 7th at eleven o'clock in the morning. The address is on the back of this piece of parchment. and you need not worry about travel expenses, for they are all covered by me.

I hope to see you next Sunday. And as one last reminder, please refrain from bringing any guests with you.

-T.D.

I decided not to sign my full name.

I didn't want to scare anyone.

Not yet.