Page 1 of Sins of the Stone

Ursulette

I nky shadows were peering out from behind every corner, peeking from the branches of trees and seeping through the chill of the night. There was a looming darkness everywhere, and the moon’s glow only accentuated them. Sometimes, they would be shaped like a set of spined wings. Other times, it would be a withered, humanoid form. In a handful of instances, there was a bulky figure that Ursulette dared not wonder about, but it was always there.

Something like that could only spell danger, and that was something no one could afford. Once more, those same frightening shadows made her heart drum against her ribcage as she raced through the paved trails. Fear ripped through her body as she wove through the thatched roofs and glowing torches.

Each ragged lungful was like embers in her chest, quickly sparking to form a fire. There was a creature behind her, but she would not look back. Its jagged claws scraped against the ground like the melody of a dirge. Every time she heard that sound, the urge to cry out for help increased, adding to the growing angst bubbling in her throat.

Even with her soft feet bounding down the stone path, each step she took felt increasingly pointless. There was little distance between her and the wicked creature on her tail, slowly closing the already small space between them.

The simple glance she caught of the pale thing before it leaped for her through the bushes just a moment before was enough to brand the sight into her mind for the remainder of her days. When she turned back to view its pallid grimace again, her dark hair whipped across her face, obscuring her vision.

While she was distracted, a raised stone caught on her shoe, breaking her speed and sending her to a grinding halt as she plummeted to the ground below. Her palms slapped against the stone, sending a stinging pain through her nerves. But that would not be the only anguish she would have to worry about if she could not bring herself to her feet again.

When she looked up, a twin set of nooses was illuminated in the moonlight, swaying at the gallows. She remarked how fitting it was that she would be torn apart and consumed when something so merciful was just a few feet away.

It was an irony that was not lost on her as the shadows of the nooses stretched along each side of her, locking her and the creature between them. It had been a decade and a half since their last execution, but there was no less hunger for blood. Her death would have to satiate that primal need for now.

“Running will get you nowhere,” the creature chattered with a sinister grin. Its teeth tapped together with its threatening words. Yellowed, jagged, and sharp, they lined its maw like a wicked torture device. Its skeletal head obscured the soft moonlight, adding another shadow to the myriad already draping the lands.

The only thing that contrasted the shade of the darkness was its beady, piercing eyes that could burn holes into her soul. Perhaps it would be the last sight she would see before she perished. Most of the village was already sleeping. No help would come, even if she screamed.

“Gods have mercy on me,” she said under her breath in one last desperate plea for leniency from this world. Of course, it would have none as the creature closed in on her crumpled form, fear freezing her in place as she tucked her soft thighs to her chest. If only nature had not instilled such a defense mechanism in its children.

“They never have,” the creature said. It was now a breath away from her, down on all fours, its hands stretched out and ready to pounce. “And they never will.” Ursulette took another breath, holding it in her lungs, knowing it would be her last. It was one last thing to experience before her life was so cruelly snuffed out. Just like so many before, she would now fall victim to the predators of the lands.

Pinching her eyes shut, she awaited the inevitable, expecting the ashen creature to leap upon her at any second. But that moment did not come, and the satisfied chortle she expected before being ripped to shreds was replaced with a strange flapping sound and a shriek from her attacker.

The noise was enough for her eyes to shoot open, and she took in the chaos before her. A massive, winged creature tackled her assailant and struggled with it in a bundle of thin white limbs and muscular gray ones.

The cries from the much smaller thing were choked, while the larger one barely grunted. Her stomach turned with worry, snapping her out of her glacial state and prompting her to rush to her feet. For all she knew, she was left for an after-meal snack. This was a mere chance that she was saved, not something to rescue her out of the kindness of their heart. That compassion did not exist in this world.

Varying types of beings resided here, but all the ones Ursulette met were cruel at best and vicious at worst. Not that she encountered many while safely tucked away in her home, but attacks were becoming more prevalent as the days went on.

The other creature was not human either, but it wasn’t like she would stick around to find out. Hoping to put enough distance between the turmoil behind her, she sprinted, glancing through the small number of places that could hide her until the creatures were gone. The only thing that could be open was the humble library, so she headed in that direction, hoping Maritza hadn’t taken a personal evening.

Her legs trembled beneath her, still shaken by the encounter and weak from running for the slim chance to save her life. She got lucky this time. Not many people got second chances like that.

Despite her muscles burning, she finally saw the library come into view and felt the weight of the evening lift from her shoulders. It was a sight that set her heart aflutter regularly, but this time, it was for a much different reason. Not simple enjoyment, but a chance for safety.

Ursulette dared not slow down as she slammed against the door, which fell open with her weight. She stumbled inside and slapped it shut. There was always the possibility that her assailant could be not far behind.

Letting out a breath and hoping to regain some semblance of normalcy, she glanced at Maritza behind the counter, who was eyeing her from above her glasses. Even if she wore a mask, it could never hide her disdain. Peeking out from the book she had her nose buried in, there was not a shred of concern etched into the hollow lines of her face. The most emotion she received was the slight arching of her brow, but even that was dismissive.

“Ursulette,” Maritza said flatly. Ursulette’s chest rose and fell with her labored breaths as she leaned against the door until she finally choked out a response.

“There were creatures, demons, something ,” she said quickly. “Attacking me.”

Maritza returned her gaze to the pages before her, not even granting Ursulette a shrug. Had she been a creature and not human, her frame would fit the sinewy builds of whatever attempted to attack her. Her unfriendly attitude was also a step in the right direction, but Ursulette would never admit that.

“They’ve been doing that quite a bit,” Maritza said without looking up. “Omar and Kent killed three of them the other day. Whatever they are. Demons, I’m sure.” Every ounce of fear she felt just moments before drained away with the mention of her human tormentors.

They were something extra she had to deal with besides the creatures, being alone, and the general cruelty of the world. Sometimes, she thought about what life would have been like had she not rejected Omar, but now it was too little, too late.

“I’m sure they did.” Ursulette had a hard time hiding her attitude. Maritza gave her another pointed look before returning to the tome before her.

“That’s what I heard,” she said with a breath. “Why don’t you have a look around so you stop pestering me? You know as much as I do how tedious it is when people interrupt your reading.” Ursulette opened her mouth but quickly closed it, deciding the argument was not worth it. Not when she could be tossed back out to whatever was out there.

“Strange girl,” she heard her mutter beneath her breath. “At least she’s talking today.” Ignoring Maritza’s bitter words, Ursulette made her way deeper into the library, hoping to find something new and exciting to read to take her mind off everything happening. It was one of the very few things of entertainment in the village besides slaying creatures and spreading falsehoods like Maritza was so keen on doing.

She had to settle on getting lost in the world of fiction, going through each book individually. Ursulette dreaded the day she would finally read everything in the library. Sewing could only keep her entertained for so long.

She could feel Maritza’s prying eyes glued to her back as she approached the uneven shelves, making her stomach twist. Ursulette ran her fingers along the tips of the spines, the soft leather cool to the touch. Taking a breath, she inhaled the pleasant, musty scent permeating the room, alleviating the heat in her stomach. She wished she could experience the tranquility of getting lost in fantasy more frequently. Maybe then she wouldn’t feel so anxious.

Ursulette took in a breath, finally feeling the remnants of her fears dissipate. Once enough time passed, and the creatures were gone, she could head back home and cozy up in bed before dozing off for another eventful day. There were orders that needed to be filled, things to gather, and people to greet, even if they whispered when they thought she couldn’t hear. That was the folly of being the only one left in your family. People begin to outcast you.

It happened after her parents passed. Her mother from illness, and shortly after, her father was slaughtered in a demon attack. She was old enough to care for herself, but it wasn’t easy. Ursulette was already quiet to begin with, and her silence afterward made the others wary. It didn’t help that her parents sheltered her from the others. It only made their divide worse. But that was long ago, and she had plenty of time to grieve and cope with the consequences .

Sighing, she paused on a colorful spine that caught her eye. She plucked it from the shelf, raising an eyebrow. A cloud of dust followed as she placed it in her hands. Viewing the cover, she noticed a woman in the arms of some non-human creature, seemingly in a loving embrace. The unusual nature of the etched printing made her slip a smirk.

How fitting for the ‘strange woman,’ she thought. Strange book, strange woman.

Flipping it open, the binding creaked beneath the pressure as her fingers left imprints in the dust caked on the sides. She leafed through them as if they were made of glass. She hadn’t damaged a book yet. Today was not the day to break that streak and earn more of Maritza’s ire. Her eyes skimmed the words, thoroughly entranced by the strange story.

It seemed to be a romance novel, though she wasn’t sure why it hadn’t been enjoyed in a while. At the very least, she knew Maritza was a fan of the genre, if not another handful of those associated with her. Even though it wasn’t Ursulette’s favorite, the fact that it appeared untouched intrigued her.

“Thinking of settling down and finding a partner?” Maritza piped up, eyeing the tome from across the room. “You’re pretty much the only one without.” Ursulette curled her fists. She didn’t need a reminder, not when she hadn’t found the perfect person. Perhaps that was part of the reason everyone thought she was strange. She was reserved, not actively seeking a partner, and she surely didn’t mourn not having one.

Just because I won’t settle for something less and I’m quiet makes me strange? Because I don’t have someone beside me?

A mischievous smile crossed Maritza’s expression, and Ursulette’s stomach curdled with emotion. This was just another request for information to spread unjustly, and any response she gave would be muddled with half-truths.

“Not really. Just looking to read something new,” she responded blankly. Maritza’s jovial smile faded.

“Pity,” she said with a slight pout. “If you don’t, people will think you’re strange.” Then she added: “More strange.” Ursulette suppressed a sigh and wandered to the counter, the floor creaking beneath her soundless feet. It was a stark contrast to the heavy steps she had taken earlier. Maritza looked up from her book, her notched nose practically stuffed in the crease.

“I’ll try this one today,” Ursulette murmured, setting the book on the counter, hoping to avoid more questions. There was a chair across the room she could sit in to pass the time, thankfully further away from the prying librarian.

“This is what you’re picking today?” she chided. She nodded, her dark hair swaying with the movement to affirm her selection. Maritza quickly tsked, making Ursulette’s face shade.

“I just need something new to read.”

“Just as I expected,” Maritza said blankly, diving behind the counter and grabbing a quill. She scribbled down something in her near illegible handwriting, her eyes still mischievous. After setting the utensil down, she placed her wrinkled fingertip onto the book, sliding it across the counter to create the most distance between the tome and her as possible. Ursulette reached forward, scooping up the book and wandering back to the furthest chair.

“Isn’t it funny how there are things that exist in fiction that are perfectly fine, but in the real world, they’re criminal?” she said as Ursulette sat down. “You were there for that execution when you were just a little thing.”

Ursulette recalled that fateful moment vividly. When she was at the mere age of five, a woman was hung at the gallows until her tongue protruded from her lips. She watched in horror, not quite understanding what was happening until someone whisked her away.

It was many years later before she learned the reasoning behind the woman’s death. Supposedly, she was accused of a relationship with a monster. But the only monsters she knew were the demons. Then again, there were many things beyond their comprehension, and some of the creatures exhibited more intelligence than she would like to admit. She wondered if there were any monsters out there capable of such things, and her face began to heat.

She shook away the thought and cracked open the book, beginning to scan it. But her brain could not process the words, and each sentence was repeated in her mind, distracted by the unusual events of the evening and mulling over just how close she was to being eviscerated. Sometimes, the demons didn’t even eat. They just destroyed.

It wasn’t the first time she encountered a predator, but something in such proximity to the village was out of character for the carnivores that preyed on them. And what of that other creature?

It was unlike anything she had seen before, but there was a familiarity to it. She was sure she had read about something like that in the past, but it was something she couldn’t put her finger on. There were many beings, both fiction and non-fiction, of which she had knowledge. She just had to wait until her mind cleared up from her brief encounter with death. Maybe then she could figure out what it was.