Scared, lost and alone she slumped against a tree, feeling breathless and defeated. She knew staying still for too long meant the beast would be upon her but dread has a way of making legs heavy. This was not a good situation to be in. How could she have been so stupid? Why didn’t she mark the trees or drop a trail of breadcrumbs?
“I can’t stay here,” she encouraged herself. “Come on girl. Try to find a road or...”
Her words faltered as an unexpected sound greeted her above the rain-splatter. Close by two voices were sharing a muffled conversation. At first she felt a whoosh of relief. Salvation was at hand! She stood up and made her way toward the speakers. However, as she drew closer her initial joy quickly gave way to alarm. Their conversation was muffled for a very good reason...
“This skin doesn't fit properly,” said a high-pitched voice belonging to a man.
“It looks fine. So stop your moaning,” a second shrill-man replied.
“Tell me what I gotta do again.”
“How many times do I have to explain it, Folliver? All you need to do is smile and give the key to the mundaine,” informed the second speaker. “And no biting this time. She won’t be happy if they arrive full of holes again. Got it?”
“Oh please, Gickle. Just let me have a little nibble. No one will notice if I take a finger or two,” Folliver pleaded. He sounded disappointed, like a petulant child bereft of their desire.
“No. Not a finger nor an ear, nose or any other body part. If you do then she’ll be after you and you don't want that do you?” Gickle warned menacingly.
“No, I don’t want to anger her. Smile and give the key. That's all. I promise,” Folliver recited. He sounded a dash more cheerful. “Maybe when we finish up we can go find a spare? We can eat them can’t we?”
“Ok. If there’s time after we bag ‘em we can pilfer another. Goodness knows we need to eat too.”
“Yummy!” Folliver clapped excitedly.
“Right then let’s get moving,” Gickle snapped. “We haven't much time left. They’re due to arrive any time now.”
Thinking it wise to remain hidden Harmony crawled forward to the edge of a clearing. She swept aside the thicket of ferns just in time to see the last of the two men leaving. The gent was very tall and thin. He wore a black suit and long, black coat. Harmony thought his attire was both a strange and unwise choice for a stroll in the woods.
She sat nestled in the undergrowth, somewhat shaken by the conversation. The rain had stopped falling; save for the odd flurry of drops loosened from the canopy. The two creepy men were far away now, a fact she found comforting. Their chatter of ill-fitting skin and snacking on fingers was unnerving.
Regardless of the weirdness she intended to follow the pair from a safe distance. They seemed the most likely route to civilisation providing she kept her distance.
Harmony stood up and made to follow but as she did she noticed something rather odd. At the edge of the clearing an unusual tree stood apart from the others.
As she neared she observed some odd details. The tree was noticeably different from those around it. The bark was soot-black and it reflected light as if it were glass. The branches were leafless; twig-fingers frozen in cruel, wicked gestures.
Harmony crept towards the odd tree, curious as to what genus it was. She was by no means an expert but she could identify most species of tree found in Britain.
She walked around the wide trunk, stepping in between massive roots that protruded through the mossy ground. It was when she had completed a full circle that Harmony became aware of a large spider’s web stretched between two branches. The gossamer threads glistened in the sunlight and she was sure it was making a soft, musical sound...
CHAPTER 13
The Webway
Harmony moved closer to the singing web. The weave of delicate strands hummed softly as a little of her hair brushed the billowing surface. A thought bothered her a little; a web this size must have an equally large spider living in it. Not that she had a fear of spiders, she didn’t. All the same she wasn't keen on them getting close to her face.
The web sang louder as she moved away and a draft stirred the weave. An iridescent shimmer rippled across the fine strings of spider silk. It was beautiful.
Attempting to replicate the effect Harmony took a deep breath and exhaled gently into the centre. The web responded aggressively. The soft, tinkling song was instantly replaced by a high pitched whine which shredded the tranquillity she felt.
Harmony ceased the breath and covered her ears but the netting did not halt its new song. Quite the contrary, the shrill-melody grew louder. All of a sudden the translucent filaments began to shine. Dim at first they quickly became as radiant as the noon sun.
Fearful she attempted to back away; her feet were stuck fast. She tried with all her might to move, but it was no use. She was trapped.
Without warning the web exploded outwards. She screamed as the effulgent cobweb ensnared her, binding her limbs in the net. As a fish caught for supper she was entangled. Time appeared to dwindle into a meander. Lethargic seconds allowed her to seek help from her surroundings.
A spear of horror impaled her as her panicked gaze fell upon the wolf’s red, vicious stare. The beast of nightmare prowled along the clearing’s edge. The monstrous-wolf snarled and scratched the ground; gouging the mud with thorn-claws. A howl called out and the beast, unfettered by the time dilation, charged toward her.
Harmony closed her eyes. She didn’t want to see the monster savage her. She couldn’t bear the thought of those vile, yellow fangs piercing her flesh. There was only one person to blame for her life ending like this...Nova.
Without warning time lurched back into a steady stream. The ground under her feet fell away. Harmony opened her eyes just in time to comprehend what was happening.
Just as the web had exploded outward to catch her up, now it began to retract. Harmony watched as the world, the wolf and everything else began to spin away. She closed her eyes again as the dizzying blur turned her stomach.
Her eyes were still firmly shut when she became aware of a strange sensation. It felt like she was floating. Daring to peek with one eye she attempted to ascertain if she was correct. The sight that greeted her was astounding. Hastily she opened her other eye and gasped.
As suspected, Harmony was floating. Though, truth be told, that was not the cause of her astonishment. She wasn’t in the forest any longer. Likewise the monstrous wolf was absent too.
Harmony was travelling in an transluscent bubble. The sphere was roaming at incredible speeds along a network of pathways. Each track interconnected with those around it so that a lattice was formed.
Beyond the webbing of bridges a vast expanse of emptiness stretched off for eternity. She looked to the other bridges and paths, numbering in their thousands, as they reached across the endless expanse. As she watched she noticed specks of light traversing the plethora of avenues. Were other people doing as she was? Come to think of it what was she doing?
Harmony was suddenly overcome by a sickening thought. Was she dead? Was this the afterlife? Perhaps the wolf had eaten her? Perhaps her mind had created this dream to ease her passing?
The nauseating thoughts intensified as an image of Rose burned across her mind. She cursed that their last conversation was an argument. Rose would come back to find the cottage ablaze and Harmony gone... She would have no idea about the room, the wolf, the odd gentlemen or the singing web. Rose would just think Harmony had become an arsonist and a runaway. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Harmony had never felt so sad. She was only a week away from being fourteen; far too young to die. There were so many things she wanted to do. She had yet to kiss a boy and fall in love. She wanted to climb mountains and scuba-dive in crystal waters.
“I don’t want to be dead,” she sobbed. “Anything would be better than that.”
; Lost in her misery time seemed to drift away. Harmony floated along in her little bubble, moving ever closer to the centre where all lanes converged.
She had no idea where she was going and felt no passion to get there in a hurry. The bubble was doing its own thing anyway. It’s not like there was a steering wheel or instructions.
The bubble suddenly changed trails and veered off down a separate path. Unease replaced her woe as she witnessed the bulk of the webbing retreat.
Without warning the path began to spiral downwards. The bubble increased its speed as it descended into the blackness. Harmony wanted the ride to be over. She wasn’t having fun any longer.
As if answering her thoughts the sphere jolted as a wave of light washed over it. A second and then third flashed slowed her even more. The fourth flash brought with it a familiar sound. A high-pitched melody began to bombard her ears as outside shimmers of gold swirled around her. The flashes of brilliance grew in intensity and frequency until, in a sudden wrenching crescendo, the journey ended with one final almighty flash. The light retreated. The noise ceased. The bubble popped and Harmony was ejected into total darkness.
***
She sailed through the air unable to stop herself, not even a scream managing to escape her lips before she landed softly on a damp patch of ground.
Harmony laughed. The merry-echo rang out into the darkness. The laugh was partly to release her fear but mostly because of an exhilarating rush of euphoria. She was alive!
As her eyes adjusted to the surroundings she picked herself up and attempted to figure out which way the cottage was.
“Wait a moment,” she uttered, scratching her head. “This is the wrong forest.”
She was correct. The forest she was standing in looked different to where she had escaped the wolf. Similarly her journey had taken no longer than an hour, yet night blanketed the firmament above.
“Well. Where ever I am I can’t stay here,” she reasoned aloud. She glanced upward.
The sky beyond the tree tops was strewn with silvery clouds. Behind the drifts of grey a crescent moon offered a scant amount of light for her to see by.
She didn't much fancy sleeping in the woods with just her tattered cape for warmth. No, it was a better idea to start finding an adult to help her. Perhaps if she could locate a road or a river then it would lead her to a town. Surely someone there would help a lost child get home to her mother.
With a plan decided, and a growing wish to leave the dark, creepy forest behind, Harmony stepped out of the mossy patch.
She took look around. It definitely wasn't where she had been when the web grabbed her. All the trees here were twisted and gnarled. Their bark was black and shiny like glass. She paused as a realisation took hold of her mind. The forest was formed of trees like the one which housed the strange web.
A thought erupted. She quickly searched the trees. Then she spotted what she had suspected. A short distance from where she landed Harmony noticed a huge web.
The webbing was almost completely circular, just like the one which ensnared her. The branches of an oak tree, an oddity amongst the black, glass forest, formed a frame for it to sit in.
The web itself was noticeably different too. The design was infinitely more complex. The threads were intricately woven into an elaborate mandala. The fibres shone intensely and pulsed with a gentle hum. Harmony was astounded once again by the beauty, however this time she kept her distance; a wise choice given its explosive nature.
Harmony backed away just as the web began to pulse more aggressively. The threads’ shine increased and a high-pitched whine sounded out. Harmony covered her ears.
Fearful of what was about to happen she ran and hid behind the thick trunk of a nearby tree. She watched from her hiding place terror-struck as, seconds later, the wolf appeared from the web’s glowing centre. The beast flew through the air and landed on the same moss-patch she had.
Harmony held her breath as the monster sniffed the wet, verdant landing spot. It raised its head and looked about, searching for her. For a moment she thought it looked at her, their eyes meeting for a brief second.
The beast snarled as it tried to discern her scent amongst the forest’s aroma. The wolf growled and the sticks protruding from its back stiffened, like a porcupine warning an enemy not to come close. Slowly the creature inched toward her. Then, inexplicably he changed his mind. The monster snorted its dissatisfaction, gave a low growl and then turned its back on her.
Harmony guessed he couldn’t sense her. Her presence somehow obscured from the wolf’s nose. In a few bounding leaps he vanished into the darkness.
She took a deep breath and immediately regretted it. The stench from the wolf was still thick in the air and it entered her throat causing her to gag. She doubled over, her hand resting on the tree trunk she had been hiding behind.
As she straightened up, regaining some control over her stomach, she looked at the tree. It too was different from the others. The bark was brown and dull and looked almost normal, though it did seem to have hairs on it.
The roots at the bottom curled under, forming a rounded shape, much like a ball. Or was it a foot? With care and interest she walked the tree’s circumference. She looked toward the canopy in the hopes of identifying the variety.
Some distance about the tree top Harmony saw two large, yellow balls of light floating amongst the branches. At first they remained still. Then as she watched they began to drift closer.
Harmony froze as the nature of the orbs became apparent. These were not merely floating lights. They were giant eyes. Harmony backed away as the head of a enormous lion lowered and focused on her. His thick mane, bizarrely made of brown leaves, framed his ancient face.
As his lips parted, teeth the size of swords glistened in the moonlight. His gigantic paw trapped the edge of her cloak as she made an attempt to flee.
“Name yourself, witch,” he growled in a threatening tone.
“I, I’m not a witch,” Harmony stammered, her knees giving way to an overwhelming sense of doom. She collapsed on the ground.
He moved his head closer and sniffed at her. His hot breath smelt as sweet and pleasant as a forest on a summer’s day. The rush of air warmed her cold limbs.
“If you lie to me again I will kill you,” he warned, massive fangs inches from her face. “Now answer me. To which coven do you belong?”
“Coven? What are you talking about?”
The lion narrowed his eyes and then seemingly noticed the cloak on her back. “Can it be? Are you a daughter of Eve?” he questioned. He brandished his teeth again, encouraging her to speak the truth.
“Eve? N…no,” she squeaked. “My mum’s n...name is Rose.”
He paused for a moment, his brow indicating he was confused. “Do not test my patience, girl,” he replied in a low, rumbling snarl. His mane rustled in the breeze. “Are you mundaine? Have you come from the other world?”
“I don't understand. What other world?” Harmony replied standing up. “I’m just a normal girl, a human. I’m nothing special. Please let me go.”
The massive tree-lion rose to his full height, towering over her cowering form. Harmony guessed he must have been taller than a double-decker bus. His belly only just touched the black, twisted treetops surrounding them.
The monster looked down at her, narrowing his intense, yellow eyes. Then with enough force to shake the entire forest and knock her to the ground again he roared into the sky. The booming power of his voice scattered flocks of squawking birds and even parted the clouds.
When his call subsided Harmony dared to glance upwards. She couldn’t believe her luck, he wasn’t looking at her. Seizing the opportunity she leapt to her feet and attempted to run. She knew it was pointless really. He was so big that he would catch her without difficulty but she had no intention of being an easy meal. No, he was going to have to work if he wanted to munch on her f
or his supper.
Harmony's fleeing did not go, as she had hoped, unnoticed. The lion was upon her in seconds, one massive paw slammed down a few feet in front of her. She skidded to a halt, screamed from fright and then changed direction.
“Enough!” he bellowed, knocking Harmony down once again with his voice. “You must come with me, daughter of Eve.”
“I’ve already told you I’m not Eve’s daughter! I’ve never even heard of her!” Harmony shouted. She was beginning to get angry now. She didn’t like being knocked over repeatedly. Giant lion or not she wasn’t about to be pushed around by anyone.
“Come. Your fate is waiting.”
“Then it can keep on waiting. I’m not going anywhere with you. I want to go home. That’s the only destiny I’m interested in.”
“Rarely are we the coxswain of our allotted path. You have been chosen. Sadly there is no escaping that which is.”
“I’m not doing whatever it is that you want,” Harmony refused. She folded her arms defiantly. “Go on all you like. It ain’t gonna happen. Now if you’ll just point me in the direction of Bellflower I’ll find my own way home.”
“Bellflower?” he repeated.
“Yes. It’s in The Lake District.”
“I know of no such place,” the lion admitted.
“I can’t say I’m surprised really,” she agreed. “I’ve never seen a giant lion in Britain either.”
The lion surveyed her. His thoughts looked to be as deep and turbulent as any ocean. After a long moment he spoke. “Come with me, girl. This world has many more wonders beyond my humble form.”
“The only way I’m leaving with you is if you eat me. I have...”
“Very well,” the lion interrupted. In a flash of teeth his mouth closed around her. The great lion threw his head back and swallowed her small frame without chewing.
To be continued...
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Book 2 – Sanctorium