She certainly wasn’t safe at the moment. Somewhere in the clammy darkness a monster was stalking her. She was sure of it. And whenever she lost the singing, she could hear it, growling and snuffling as it tracked her. Almost as bad as being hunted was being trapped in this fog. Though she seemed to possess a faint glow, it didn’t help her see any better. She would wander endlessly in the fog and never know what her surroundings were like.
A sharp, echoing snort broke the darkness, bringing Liliana to a halt as she tried not to scream. It was close. Whatever it was, it was close and she was helpless.
Or am I?
Maybe she did have a means of escaping the monster. For a moment, she stood motionless, debating silently with herself. Then, before she could choose otherwise, she transformed, the warmth of the henshin energy a shock after the cold dampness of the fog. In the space of a breath, Cruithne stood where Liliana had been seconds before. And then, as if in reaction to her transformation, the monster let a shrieking howl loose.
Turning, Cruithne ran, hearing something big crashing through what sounded like dead wood and leaves. Was she in a forest? Must be, she thought, willing her limbs to move faster. As she ran, she could hear the singing again. Only now, she could make out a word here and there. And she could tell that the singer was female. A slow warmth touched her heart and Cruithne found herself heading for the voice. Deep down, she knew that the singer would keep her safe.
And even as the thought flickered across her mind, the fog suddenly gave way to a soft, sickly golden light. And in that light stood a woman who raised her head to smile at Cruithne.
“Hello, young one. Hurry now, the beast is close.”
The woman’s voice echoed strangely, as if comprised of the voices of several women that Cruithne knew. Still, she didn’t hesitate to throw herself towards the woman. Surely the light and odd echo meant that this was the Lady! The Lady would protect her! She’d be safe. Cruithne felt cold arms wrap around her and hold her close. Heard the howl of the beast nearby and risked a look over her shoulder to see if she could spot it. Only to see… nothing but swirling mist.
Turning back, she felt her heart leap into her throat. Threads of glistening black tar were winding their way up the woman’s form, hungrily reaching out to twine around Cruithne’s arms, holding her fast. Before her horrified eyes, the Lady’s face altered, becoming that of Amytis. And Amytis was being devoured by tar until only her eyes stared out from behind a skeletal mask made of living, moving tar.
“We’ve been waiting for you,” came an echoing whisper from within the tar. Cruithne opened her mouth to scream and felt the rar rush to choke her, to blind her…
...
“Lili!” a frantic voice was calling her as she thrashed and screamed. “Lili, wake up! You’re having a nightmare, it’s all right, you’re safe!”
Gasping, Liliana jerked up, eyes open, expecting to see a tarry golem. Instead, her father crouched beside her bed, gently shaking her shoulder.
“C’mon, honey, it’s okay. I’ve got you, you’re safe.”
Face crumpling, she threw herself into his waiting shoulder and sobbed brokenly. As he stroked her hair and murmured soothing platitudes, it took every ounce of will in her body to not correct him. She wasn’t safe. None of them were. It was only a matter of time.
