Shattered - By Sophia Sharp Page 0,39

they were headed the right way or not.

Unexpectedly, they stumbled into a clearing. Laura’s jaw dropped. Hidden deep in the seclusion of the woods stood a polished white tower. It looked like a marking of sorts, or perhaps a monument. A narrow base converged into a point high in the sky, doubling the height of any nearby trees. Laura thought if she wrapped her arms around the structure, her fingers could nearly meet on the other side.

“What is it?” Laura asked.

“I… don’t know,” Logan answered. Cautiously, he walked up to it. By the overgrowth in the clearing, Laura guessed they were the first ones to come upon it in generations. She followed Logan.

As they got closer, Laura started to make out symbols inscribed in the marble. They looked like hieroglyphics, and twirled all the way up to the top. Logan was studying them intently.

“Do you know what they are?” she asked.

“They’re hard for me to see, but… I think they’re here to ward against intruders.”

“A warning?” Laura asked.

“Maybe. I think this tower may have a twin around here somewhere.” He looked around. “You can see better in the light – see if you can spot another reflection.”

Laura looked around them. The clearing in which they stood appeared to be isolated from the growth of trees and vegetation around them. Then her eyes caught something: a twinkle, from not too far away. Had she not been consciously looking for it, she thought she would have missed it.

“Over there,” she told him pointing in its direction. “I saw a glimmer there.”

“Ok.” Logan started walking in the direction she pointed. Instead of going with him, Laura walked closer to the tower. Its vibrant shine called out to her, its pure white surface begging for her touch. She reached out to put a hand on it…

And she knew danger. Terrible images of death flashed in her mind. Danger! Humans being carved like pigs on a sacrificial stone, children hanging by their necks in chains with blood streaming out of their eyes. Danger! Women being skinned alive, their tortuous screams unaffecting their hooded captors. Danger! Danger!

Laura ripped her hand away from the stone, and the images died. She looked around wildly, searching for Logan. She was alone. “Logan?” she cried out. No answer. “Logan, where are you!?”

She ran in the direction she thought he went. “Logan? Logan!” She tripped on a root, and started to fall forward, right on her face – when a pair of strong hands caught her.

“There you are,” Logan said as he helped her up. “What’s going on?”

“Logan, the tower,” she began breathlessly, “I touched it, and there were images, images of death, and suffering, all the bodies, nobody was safe!” She collapsed sobbing into him, and he held her tight.

“There, there,” he said soothingly, “nobody’s going to hurt you. Not when you’re with me.” Laura felt the sincerity in his words, and gripped him even tighter. For better or for worse, he was all she had.

“Now, you said you saw images?” She nodded vigorously. “And they came when you touched the tower?” Again, more nodding. “I want to see for myself.”

He held her close as he walked towards the tower. She stopped a good ten yards short, not wanting to come any closer. Logan, however, marched right up to it. He reached out to place a hand on it…

And nothing happened. He looked back to her quizzically. He took his hand off, and placed it on again. He tried a few more times, but then shook his head and came back to her.

“Are you sure, Laura? Perhaps the travel is getting to you.”

“I’m sure.”

“I felt nothing.”

“I felt… danger. A warning. For me to stay away. Far away from this place.”

“That’s interesting,” Logan mused.

“Interesting? It’s terrifying! Have you ever heard of anything like it before?”

“My own gift,” he said absentmindedly. “I have a suspicion…” he trailed off. Then he grabbed her hand and led her away.

“The other tower,” he explained. “I got sight of it when I heard your cries, and rushed back. But I have a feeling… well, you’ll see.” He led her through the dense forest, around thick trees and right through heavy shrubs. Finally, another clearing appeared ahead of them.

This one was smaller; much more compact. But a near-identical tower stood right in the middle. Except that this one was pure black. Again, the stone gleamed in a marvelous luster.

“I don’t want to come any closer,” Laura said.

Logan looked at her, and nodded. “I understand.” Leaving her at