The ongoing collection Volume XXVI 

By J. R. Wagner

TheNeverChronicles.com

       

                               J. R. Wagner TheNeverChronicles.com

Volume 26 The Twenty-second day of October The year is unknown Unlike my passage through the previous archway and the travel that followed, my journey today was brief. It was but a few steps until I reached a wooden door. Bronchio and Swat had already somehow managed to push it open and were in the room beyond by the time I passed through. As my eyes adjusted to the light blazing from the chandeliers, I realized to my horror where I was. This was the very room I had seen in my vision when I touched the watch. The fireplaces lining the walls all blazed with light, as did the twenty or more chandeliers strung from the exposed A-frame trusses. Both birds were perched on the dark roughly hewn wood just above the chandeliers. I could tell by their body posture they were searching for something –hunting. I moved further into the room –closer to the wooden table that was still nearly one hundred yards away. I could see no other door –no entry, save the one we passed through a moment ago. A flash of movement out of the corner of my eye sent Bronchio diving from the rafter. Before I could identify that it was, he had it. The small creature died silently as he tore it apart. Moving on, I felt drawn to the table. Unlike in my vision, the table was fully set –prepared for a large meal. Swat dove, swooping over my head and managed to snatch up his prey and return to the beam where he began his meal. Blood dripped to the floor as he pulled it apart. Quite effective at keeping the rats away, your birds, a woman’s voice said. The voice came from the direction of the table. I squinted in attempt to get a better view of whoever was speaking -even though I wasn’t sure they were really there at all. When I saw no one, I continued with more caution toward the table. I paused now just a few feet away. Do not be afraid, Sorin, I am right here, the woman’s voice said. I noticed movement in front of the high-backed chair that occupied the lone spot at the end of the table. I froze. The chair pushed away, its heavy legs grinding against the

       

                               J. R. Wagner TheNeverChronicles.com

stone floor sending a chilling echo across the hall. The woman stood. From behind she gave off a vague sense of familiarity. In fact, her voice had a familiar sound to it -one that I could not quite place. She turned and I knew I was looking at a ghost.