by Eulalia Prynn

Created on: July 21, 2010

Chapter 1 - Snapshot

The field of clover and wild lupine seemed to roll and wander for miles. Clover blossoms swept up past Lexa’s waist. Her hands drifted out on either side of her and brushed the tops of the flowers as she went. Above, the sky was a patchwork of brilliant blue interrupted by thick purple clouds. The wind skipped across the field, pulling at her angle length summer dress. The wind’s whisper and the rasping of Lexa’s dress were the only sounds in the meadow. Nothing occupied the endless sea of dancing blossoms with the exception of a few lone trees.

Lexa walked slowly without a clear direction for some time. Despite the peaceful swish that floated around her, she felt anxious; her heart beat erratically in her chest and her palms dewed with sweat. She began to job, not sure where she was going. A crash split the sky and a shot of lightning blazed white in the clouds. Lexa put her little hands over her ears and closed her eyes, stumbling to a hault. When the angry rumble subsided, she felt it linger in her body, vibrating through her bones. Slowly, she forced her hands to her sides, her fists balled defiantly against the illogical panic rising in her. She opened her eyes and stared, fear mingled with confusion as she tried to comprehend the door standing in front of her.

It was a sturdy oak door with a brass knob and a large lion head high up, a ring knocker clenched in its brassy jaws. She peered at it suspiciously. The door stood alone. There was no house attached, no foundation to hold it. The door simply stood there seeming to guard something unseen. It was so close that she could have reached out and touched the smooth finish had she tried.

Unsure, she simply stared and waited. Nothing happened. Her heartbeat began to even out into a rhythmic thud in her ears, but the anxious prickling in her arms and legs didn’t quite leave her. As she stood contemplating, she heard a soft knocking from the other side of the door. Her heart jumped and broke into a sprint. Fear rooted her, but curiosity pulled at her fingertips. She leaned to one side and tried to peek around the door without touching it or moving closer. Behind the door, the clover swayed peacefully in the breeze. There was no one there. The knocking persisted, lulling from time to time; but it always came again after a few heartbeats.

Another clap of thunder ripped the air making Lexa start and close her eyes again. The thunder grumbled and seemed to vibrate through her bones. Above the sound of the thunder, the gentle knocking continued.

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