The Waters Secret

The Stone Boy - Pt. 1

Water started to close over his head as Tristan scrambled across the sand. His stone paws kept sinking deeper as the others raced further and further ahead. He tried to call out before he lost sight of them, slipping off the bridge and into the deep dark water. He struggled desperately to swim, to get to the surface, but the sunlight on the water above him merely laughed as it faded out.

Tristan woke with a start, panting heavily from the stress. He had had similar nightmares before, but never one that felt so real. He glanced around the room at all the sleeping figures before deciding he needed fresh air. He shifted awkwardly trying to figure out was wrong with him. 

His hind legs were much longer than his front legs and his paws were oddly misshapen. He hurried out of the clinic noticing that after the sun had set, glowing stones like the ones in the cave lit the streets so the city was never truly dark.

He wobbled to the river channel peering in to look at his reflection. He panicked when he saw the cold dark water moving slowly along its current. He fell back away from the edge, closing his eyes and trying to steady himself. After he caught his breath he paused, holding up his front paws, wiggling the fingers that hadn't been there yesterday. He got unsteadily to his feet smiling at his toes. He inspected his new stone form carefully, running his hands over his stone chiseled abs before pouting.

"I look like Simon. So, this must be a dream." Tristan sighed disappointed. Still, it was a better dream than drowning. He glanced around noticing how things seemed a lot shorter from the new perspective. Even the dear seemed smaller. Tristan smiled standing perfectly still. Letting the moment sink in. He closed his eyes, trying to see if he could will himself awake before he got too comfortable in this form he wasn't keeping. Becoming completely still as he waited.

* * * * * * *

Raven rolled over unable to calm the growing eagerness that had woken her. Real mermaids were sleeping in a pool not far from her. Maybe her own race wasn't far behind. She paused pouting at the empty space near the door.

Sitting up frowning, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Simon was still sleeping on the cot across from her as the twins slept in the pool near the back. She smiled brightly at their new companions though it was clear, Simon didn't quite trust them. Not that he trusted anyone.

Raven climbed out of bed slowly wondering where Tristan had run off too. She shivered slightly at the chilly atmosphere before, noticing that the cavern had gotten colder after the sun had set. She rubbed her arms stepping out into the night.

She smiled happily at the glowing lights that lit the forgotten kingdom. She spun around, pausing to stare at the naked statue near the water. Unlike the other statues, he was made from a white stone that seemed to glow in the soft blue lights. He stood over six feet tall, and like every other statue in this kingdom, he was carved with intricate detail and completely nude.

Raven glanced around before wandering over to him slowly. Her cheeks were a soft shade of pink as she circled the stone giant. The way the artists had carved him, left her in awe. Even the way his brow was furrowed with his eyes closed, made him look like he was deep in thought. 

Though his face gave off the feeling of youth, making Raven feel like he could be around her age. And the detail they put into each curl on the top of his head was stunning and life like. She smiled reaching out to pet it. Suddenly his eyes opened as he blinked at her.

"Raven? What are you doing in this dream?" He asked confused. Raven let out a startled scream jumping backwards. It was alive?! He paused watching her before he stepped forward, reaching for her. She stumbled backwards before losing her footing and falling into the channel.