Between Heaven and Earth

Stone Knife

Chapter 3

Stone Knife

The snow had begun to gather then, mounds of it piling up on the side of the road. Children used the snow plowed hills for city sledding, low frictions shoes carried foolish teenagers across slick patches of ice and a mother lead her daughter past it all. A small hand was held by a larger one, the attached person being towed along by the woman who had given her life. Bright blue eyes took in the familiar sights of the city during winter, the pollution darkened snow, the rag draped people huddled in the doorways, the burning trash cans and threadbare coats.

She huddled further in her own thrifted jacket, pressing closer to the warmth that her mother provided. The two walked through the city, passing alleyways and cars that missed their wheels, broken doors and boarded up windows until at last they reached the small cemetery that rested in the middle of the city.

The short gate swung open without prompting and the woman lead her daughter in, pushing the iron shut behind them. Headstones so old that the names were no longer visible surrounded them, teeth rising from the earth to swallow the women.

All were passed without a glance from the elder, the winding path taken until at last the two reached their destination, a stone coffin that rested above the ground. Mother lead daughter to the head of the coffin, crouching down and showing her the design on the outside of it.

Ravens in flight, wings outstretched and feathers still delicately etched into the stone, intricately detailed figures. Within their claws were held what the woman explained were human souls, appearing more like carved fire than anything else. It was the largest raven that held the largest soul that her mother removed her glove for, pressing a hand on the freezing stone.

The child watched with wide blue eyes as the lid slid back, stone grating loudly in the deathly quiet place of resting. The pale rock moved to reveal deep shadows and worn out stairs. The woman lead her daughter down, down into the darkness until no light reached them there, yet their eyes still roamed, defying science and sending knowledge to the mind of what lay before them.

Seemingly endless steps spiraled down into the earth, at last leading the two to an open room, perfectly circular. On the floor was the raven's symbol, wings curving up in the same shape as the room and an orb, curling with imaginary flames, rested in the chest of the design.

On the other end of the room sat a wooden table, holding only a knife on its surface. The girl was pulled forwards further into the room, across the bird that she was so familiar with. Steps tapped the stone and the two stopped in front of the table.

The girl asked quietly what they were doing, eyes fixed on the knife that her mother picked up the blade, which was revealed to be made of stone instead of metal. Around the hilt was wrapped ancient leather, and upon the sharp edge was a stain steeped into the rock itself.

The woman took the blade in her hands, turning it over and showing it to the girl, speaking quietly, explaining. Blue eyes filled with tears and blond hair flew as the girl tried to deny what was being said, tried to turn and flee the dark place. Her mother didn't let her.

In one swift movement she had grabbed the child's hands, forcing slim fingers to curl around the handle.

"When you have a daughter you will do that same," the woman predicted, "On her thirteenth birthday, the cycle will continue and the ravens will fly to you."

Choked sobs entered the room, terrified refusals but it was too late. The woman had already pulled her arms back, her daughter's arms forwards, and the knife sunk into her chest.

In the darkness, a teenager cried.