Hours passed. They crawled through tunnels, climbed walls, and solved riddles. Each time someone felt tired, the others encouraged them. When Lucas slipped into a mud hole, everyone helped pull him out, laughing.
By late afternoon, they finally reached the center of the maze. A tall wooden pole stood in the middle, and at its base was a box with their team's name.
Zoe opened the box and pulled out a red flag with an eagle on it. "This is it!"
Annah held the pole steady while Lucas climbed up and planted the flag at the top. Everyone cheered.
"We did it!" Sarah shouted.
They hugged, sweaty and tired, but proud.
Coach Mike met them at the entrance of the maze when they came out. "Great teamwork, Team Eagle. You were the second group to finish. Not bad for your first day."
That night, they sat around the campfire roasting marshmallows. Annah looked around at her new friends and felt something warm in her heart.
"I didn't think I could do something like this," she said softly.
Zoe looked at her. "Why not?"
"I was scared. New place, new people…"
"But you helped us find our way in the maze," Raj said. "You're smart and brave."
Annah smiled. Maybe she was brave. Maybe she just needed a chance to show it.