The Labyrinth

You are sitting in the dirt, your back straight against the stone wall. The ground is not hard nor soft.

"How will I ever get out of this labyrinth?" you ask yourself quietly.
Despite the fact that no one answers you, you are certain that you're not alone. You have heard other voices, so you believe that others must be trapped as well. Have they heard me?  You wonder.  Surely they must have. Yet, you've never actually run into another person, or even seen them here. It is as if everyone has their own maze, with personalized walls to fit the unique circumstances of this common predicament.

With a sigh of frustration, you get up off the ground. As you stand in the cool soil with your bare feet, you say again, "How will I ever get out of this labyrinth!"
The wind howls, and you could almost swear you can hear your name being carried in the breeze. You find yourself being tempted to respond, but feel like doing so would be surrendering your sanity. Instead, you turn to face the wall which separates you from freedom. Freedom from this prison that is far too painful to stay in.

You consider trying to climb out and lay your hands against the dark stone. However, you examine the wall's height and your heart sinks, for you begin to imagine how your skin and nails would become torn and bloody. No...As horrible as the labyrinth sometimes seems, it is better to stay put than to hurt yourself further by trying to escape. It may not be a shelter, but at the very least, it is a sanctuary. And it is very real.

Finally, you begin to walk, as you have many times before.  Despite the sensation of defeat, you find yourself smiling. "I will solve this intricate puzzle. I will reach the center of this maze," you announce to no one in particular. Perhaps you are right, or perhaps you are not. The only way to find out for sure is to walk through it. For, we will likely all find ourselves inside a labyrinth at one point or another in our lifetime. Maybe one grand labyrinth; full of beauty that we never want to leave, or maybe many; most of which we will not come out of unscathed.  

...But that's alright, because not all of us can be like Theseus, and take the Minotaur down in one blow.