Sparks Fly

Chapter 14

Sparks Fly

Chapter 14

No. Magic is one thing but walking statues is another.

The reptilian creature in front of me is in fact a gargoyle. A gargoyle. A gargoyle. A gargoyle.

I don’t believe what I see in front of me.

No one moves.

It starts to pour.

Lorcan pouts from behind me, putting a shaky hand on my shoulder. I flinch at his sudden touch. Idiot, I think. Don’t move, it’ll take our contact as an advantage and probably lunge when we’re least prepared.

I never imagined, or even tried to imagine how a gargoyle would look if it was real and alive. The skin of the creature looks rusty and cracked, like blood can come surging out at any second. The tongue sticking out of its big mouth is grey and full of gravel. I cringe at the thought of having a tongue in that condition.

The paws of the gargoyle are relaxing and tensing, like a cat’s paw does. Its eyes are almost yellow and glowing.

As it takes slow step towards us, I notice it makes no noise. Its mouth opens in a growl but also makes no noise.  

There must be others. Three more.

Should I cry out for help? Would Cliff hear me? No. Crying out is never the right thing to do. I should stall until Cliff somehow finds us. Has Cliff found out about the gargoyles yet? Should I yell a warning to him? No. Any animal would be frightened if I yelled and most likely attack out of fear. But this isn’t an animal.

It opens its mouth wickedly.

Gargoyles are mythical creatures. I haven’t exactly studied them and their actions. I never knew one would be there sitting in front of me, staring me down.

What a hideous thing.

For a second, I forget that Lorcan is standing behind me. Lorcan can’t possibly be such a coward in this situation. It seems I’ve overestimated him.

Just when my respect for Lorcan hits rock bottom, he grabs me, throws me behind him and stares at the gargoyle intensely. What is he doing?

Then I remember.

Lorcan has the power to freeze people or things. In this case, I don’t know if the creature’s either, but it’s always better to try.

The gargoyle lowers its thick head, getting in level with Lorcan who is crouching down. Their staring contest lasts for about thirty seconds until Lorcan looks to me.

I pray. And pray. And pray.

I give him a warning glare. What if the gargoyle attacks him when he’s turned looking at me? I signal for him to turn back around. He gives me a worried look saying, “It doesn’t work”. Of course it wouldn’t work.

“Run,” I say suddenly, flying through the fog, not hearing Lorcan’s reply.

I don’t hear anything as I run into the mist, and my mind is set on Cliff. Cliff has to be around. He said he would come to our gargoyle. But he must’ve realized by now that they’re alive. Cliff’s smart enough. I have to get into his mentality.

He’s probably hiding behind some tall gravestone, listening silently.

A scream rises from my left. Jordan.

Cliff will surely go to get her, if he isn’t with her already, being the protector he is. The other gargoyles, if they had human mentality, will probably go towards the noise, expecting us there. Hoping the gargoyles are smart, I stay put, my feet sinking into the earth.