Wolf of Stone novel Chapter 4

I appraised the artist who had such a vivid imagination that he created these that could almost classify as real. The pained and agonized look in their eyes pulled at my heart and I couldn't help grazing my fingers across their faces. Feeling the rough exterior of the cement structure as the moss clung to my hand as I pulled away.

Deep fascination raged within me as I watched a statue of a woman clinging on to the baby that resided in her arms. Her eyes were brimmed with tears as she rushed along. The more I gazed at her face the more I saw. The depth of her eyes was speaking of never-ending sorrow and imprisonment of her sanity. I didn't know where it came from, but I somehow yearned to help her even though I knew she wasn't real.

Then it happened. She blinked. Or at least I thought she did.

I yelped in surprise and retreated away from her, fear clutching my heart and increasing its pace. I shook the image from my mind as the unease slowly filtered back. The curiosity that once surrounded me was now gone. My awareness came back in full swing.

I turned my back on the statue and rushed away, in search of Liza so that we could get the hell out of here. There was this ominous feeling that clung to my shadow as I went through rows upon rows of statues searching for my best friend.

"Witch."

I froze as a voice echoed throughout my head, my spine standing at attention and gathering tension in each part of my body.

I listened for the voice again, but it never came.

The urge to continue walking hit me with force and I couldn't resist the temptation as my limbs betrayed me and continued my path through all the various positions of these statues. Each step I took was laced with anticipation and I couldn't find it in myself to mutter a word throughout all this silence. Something told me not to. Something urged me on ahead and I listened without reason, finding it incredibly hard to resist the smooth, calming aroma that washed over me as my heart sang in utmost joy and excitement.

I came to a stop before a towering wolf that stood tall on all fours. Unlike the other statues, this wolf stood with pride, his chest puffed out with dominance and his eyes glancing at the scene before him, bright with determination.

I stepped closer, curious. My hands urging me to touch its fur that I knew would be bristling with power if he was real. I glanced at his powerful paws and slowly trailed my eyes across his clean and moss free body. Unlike the others, his statue looked completely new. There were no cracks, no moss or dirt. Just smooth cement.

When my eyes met his, this calm feeling cascaded throughout my entire body and I felt the tension slowly slipping away, my mind at peace. I could see myself in those eyes. My deep brown eyes stared back at me with mild fascination and curiosity. It never occurred to me that something was off about me seeing my own reflection.

"What. The. Fuck. Is. Happening?" Liza whispered in astonishment and disbelief.

"Witch."

The voice echoed in my head again.

I took a step back and grabbed a hold of Liza's hand, "I don't know about you but I'm leaving this fucked up place."

Without waiting for her response, I turned and tugged her along and luckily, she followed without complaint, both of us running back to the entrance of the cave.

As we left, a loud and threatening growl sounded, urging us to go faster. Our breathing was shallow as we ran, and my legs burned in exhaustion at the speed we were going but adrenaline was high, and fear was my determination to get back to the safety of my home and away from the unknown.