The Winter Phoenix (WAYHAUGHT)

The crossing

A moment of truth had arrived. As much as Nicole wanted out of this situation, to not be standing in a cemetery on a cold winter's night, a part of her wanted to know what might be on the other side. Someone was drawing her back to a world she supposedly should have left, never to return. That person was Waverly.

"Okay, we go with you," she said to the soothsayer. So going to regret this. Then again, not a lot to hang onto here.

Derek pulled her to one side. "If we get separated," he whispered, "make your way to Mandruth. We'll meet you there."

"Wait, wait. Where, and more importantly why would we get separated?"

Derek pulled her a little further away. "I've heard of these back tunnels. They have a tendency to spit you out in different places."

"So, do we do this, or not?" Nicole said. "I'm relying on you to make this decision for me."

"If the main crossing is guarded, we don't have any other option."

"We do," Nicole replied, sensing Derek was equally wary of this proposed option. "We simply turn around, and walk away." She waited for an answer. "Well?"

"If that is what you want to do."

"Yes. Definitely yes."

"Even though you will be at a disadvantage in this world."

"Less than I am over there. Look, you and Gloria go. Go, I'll be fine. Honestly."

Before Derek could reply, a flash of blue light shot past, followed by another. "Over here," someone shouted. "I heard voices."

The soothsayer grabbed the back of Nicole's hoodie, pushing her to the ground. "They know we're here. Your choice. Stay and fight, or come with me."

"We go with you," Nicole replied, as more flashes of blue shot past their heads.

The prospect of fighting those with spears galvanised Nicole's thinking process. Keeping low, trying not to make too much noise, the soothsayer guided them to a row of stone mausoleums standing proud against the night sky. Stopping in front of one, Nicole studied the outline of the house-like construction, tall enough, and wide enough for double doors, a name etched in gold above the entrance. HANGES. Whoever this Hanges was, they were standing before their final resting place seeking not to join them.

The soothsayer placed his right hand against one of the ornate door carvings, whispering a string of incomprehensible words in quick succession. The groan of rusty hinges had Nicole wincing, all her senses heightened, eyes darting left and right, ears alert for any movement that might signal trouble. Darkness greeted them, and a smell similar to that of old, musty churches. Her foot struck something hard as she entered, clenching her lips together as pain seared through her big toe.

The closing of the door told Nicole this was it, no way back, the only way being forward, if only she could see where that was. The soothsayer muttered more words, the confined space suddenly illuminated by two burning torches hung on the side walls. The space was bare save for one stone block she had managed to locate with her foot. No coffins, no bones, not even recesses where they might be placed.

"We need to keep moving," the soothsayer advised, handing one of the torches to Derek. "I go first. Watch out for creepers."

Nicole didn't want to ask, really didn't want to ask. "Creepers?"

"In the cracks of the walls. Fearsome bite."

"Good to know. Err, anything else I should know?"

The soothsayer held the other torch in front of his face allowing Nicole to see his features for the first time. A bushy, black moustache covered their upper lip, piercing blue eyes staring directly at her. "The tunnel usually emerges by the Old Ford. It's a fair distance from the nearest town which will aid us."