Carved in Stone: Monochrome Destiny

by T L Blake

  Robyn’s vision was filled with a white face. Soulless and expressionless, it stood right in front of the window and moved forwards until it was inches from the glass. It mirrored Robyn’s stance in some sick kind of mimicry. The bright kitchen lights projected Robyn’s own reflection onto its smooth featureless mask so that she was staring at herself, her own face, her own eyes.

  Ice crystallised up her spine as her heart hiccupped, spluttered and then began to pound. She stared at the morphed picture of herself as it stared back unmoving, unrelenting.

  The spectre tilted its head. The white oval face tilted to the side and Robyn’s features no longer fit onto its façade. Then two black hands slammed onto the glass and the sound in the still silence jolted her to action.

  Robyn screamed as the bang crashed into her ears and then she turned and ran.

  For the first time since setting her eyes on the cottage, she regretted the remoteness of it. Its position, well away from other houses, from anybody or anything had attracted her to it, yet now it sealed her fate. Somewhere, outside in the dark of the night, were five creatures, intent, she was sure, on doing her harm. She was locked in this little cottage, sealed in her own tomb. The quaint wooden windows, made up of many little squares of glass, crooked with age, now seemed so easily breakable. The wooden door, with its one lock, felt terribly flimsy. The back door, half glass and half thin wooden panel, appeared easily accessible. The house would provide little safety if someone really wanted to get in. Robyn needed to get out.

  She ran straight to the door, grabbing her keys off of the kitchen counter as she passed.

  Yanking the door open, barely losing any momentum, Robyn tore out into the night and ran for her car. It offered little protection, the soft roof could be easily cut open with a knife and then she would be exposed, but she wasn’t planning on hanging around long enough for that to happen.

  Robyn ran out into the lane. She didn’t know or care if the door closed and locked behind her. She was totally focused on getting to the car and getting away. Her hand shook but she managed to get the key in the lock and to open the door.

  Jumping in, forgetting all about seat belts, Robyn put her left hand on the wheel depressed the clutch and went to put the key in the ignition.

  Glancing up, an involuntary action, something she always did, she saw them, all five, standing inhumanly still by the trees, close to the house. Shoulder to shoulder, with the unity of a spectral regiment, they all faced her, watching through the black soulless sockets of the masks.

  Robyn yelled out, a spontaneous frightened shout, and jumped in her seat. The keys fell from her hand and clattered onto the floor. Panic had her gasp out a cry as the keys tumbled and she reached down immediately, her shaky hand sliding across the floor, fingers pawing at the carpet, searching.

  Robyn’s heart pounded against her breastbone, like a fist banging out a beat against her sternum, she could feel it and hear it. It beat out time as she gasped and sobbed, trying desperately to find the keys before the figures came for her. Adulthood had been stripped away, her years eroded through fear to leave only the frightened child within.

  An eternity passed, the feeling of dread becoming ever more apparent, and all the time Robyn’s heart pounded out the beat. Strong and violent, the relentless rhythm began to hurt, but her fingers brushed the leather key fob. Grasping, yanking, she pulled the bunch out from under the seat.

  Robyn jabbed the key at the ignition. Again and again, she tried to get the key into the hole but she couldn’t get it right as the spectres glided over grit and dirt and came to the road. She didn’t want to avert her gaze from the figures, she needed to know exactly where they were, but she had to glance at the ignition to get the right angle.

  Key engaged securely, Robyn turned it. The car roared to a start as she looked up to see that the spectres were moving onto the road, so close, too close. No! no! no! her internal voice yelled.

  Releasing the handbrake, Robyn floored the accelerator and sharply let up the clutch. The rear wheels span on the loose stones and mud that made up the little parking space in front of the house. The back end of the car slithered about, skittish. Finding no traction, the tyres ripped up the dirt as the power of the engine rotated them too fast.

  The screeching tyres and screaming engine did nothing to stop the approach of the spectres. They drifted into the road and began to spread across it, trying to block her path.

  The wheels finally found grip, they bit down and the car lurched wildly forwards. Twisting the wheel, not quite in full control as the back snaked, Robyn aimed for the far side of the road. It was the only gap large enough to pass through before they closed it and had her trapped.

  She didn’t hit them. She could have, easily, as they slid across the lane in front of the speeding car but she swerved around and squeezed past. She had the terrifying thought that if she drove at the spectres she would discover that they were mere ectoplasm, smoke and mist. She was chilled by the idea that they would merely stand, statue still, as the car passed through them. She had an unsettling and horrifying theory that as she passed through the entities, they would be able to touch her, invade her. She swerved away unwilling to find out the truth.

  Stones and dust flew off the tyre treads in her wake, leaving a cloud of debris behind the car. The back end settled as Robyn gunned up the hill, leaving the house behind. As her heart raced and her shaky hands gripped the leather wheel, she peeled off into the night, flicking on the headlamps to light the way.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Robyn’s hands shook so violently that she struggled to pull the keys from the ignition. She took two deep breaths before warily looking around. She had become certain that the spirit like figures had followed her despite her breakneck speed and studied the shadows to see if they lay in wait.

  Frightened, she hurried out of the car and cringed when each footstep crunched on the gravel underfoot, sending comparatively thunderous sounds into the quiet night. At any second, she expected the figures to drift out from the treeline so she glanced left, right, behind and ran headlong for the front door.

  The porch was unlit, allowing black shadows to live and breathe under its roof and Robyn slid to a halt uncertain about entering. In the grip of fear, she was terrorised by those shadows. She became certain that within the recesses of darkness in front of her, one of the figures stood, predatory and waiting to ensnare; but danger was everywhere. Her only chance was to make it inside.

  Desperation drove Robyn’s feet forwards and she hit the door with urgent, pounding fists. Her head turned to look behind her. She was convinced that at any minute a hand would reach for her.

  Metal slid on metal, as the chain was thrown aside and the lock disengaged, but it could not happen fast enough for Robyn. The handle turned and the door opened, flooding the porch area with warm exuberant light but she had no time to bathe in it. Instead, she ran headlong for the perfect silhouette of the man in front of her. He was her warmth, her safety, her hope and as she fell into him, his arms wrapped tightly around her. Relief swam through her veins. Robyn clung to Andrew with the last of her remaining strength.

  He hadn’t been expecting anyone, least of all Robyn. When she’d left him earlier she’d been so full of sorrow and remorse that nothing he could say could help her. She blamed herself for Kat leaving. Kat and Robyn had been close, any fool could have seen that, but the guilt that she carried over Kat’s absence was not Robyn’s burden. People left. They made decisions without a thought for others. It had taken Andrew years to realise that and he knew that it would take her time.

  He hadn’t expected her to come to him so soon, if at all.

  Robyn now clung to him as if her life depended on it. Her heart was racing and her breath coming in ragged pants.

  “What . . . ?” Fear prickled in his spine. He needed to know what had occurred, but Robyn shook her head against him and clung tighter. She wasn’t ready to speak and she was not the kind who could be coerced. And
rew kicked the door closed and just held her as her body shuddered.

  When Robyn could finally take her own weight, she began to feel something other than fear. The numbness of her shredded emotions subsided as pressure receptors all over her body started firing simultaneously. She clung around Andrew’s waist tightly, her face pressed to his chest. He felt sleek, firm and warm. Her breathing deepened. His scent was a glorious mix of spice and man. She wanted to purr in the aroma, fill her lungs and bathe. Her heart kicked, fluttered. She pressed her hand to Andrew’s chest and felt the comforting beat of his heart under her fingertips. She splayed her fingers and flattened her palm against him. He shuddered.

  Heat pooled deep within her core. It was hot and hollow and urgent as Robyn slid her hand up, over Andrew’s chest to the unbuttoned collar of his shirt. She let her fingertips slowly trace across the exposed smooth skin at his collar and she felt a slight, empowering tremble from him as her fingers touched his skin. She watched in fascination as the, now familiar, warmth flowed into her fingertips.

  Andrew’s chest heaved up and down as he responded to her delicate touch emboldening her to sweep her palm gently up his neck. She traced her path slowly, bathing in the sensations of his body against hers. When she reached his jaw, Andrew held his breath. Robyn, awash with need, traced a thumb over his lower lip and looked up into what could only be described as desperate eyes. He was battling concern, alarm and need.

  She traced his lips again, this time running her thumb over first the upper then the lower. He was smooth silk and hot temptation. She curled her fingers into his thick black mane of hair and pulled his face to hers.

  Robyn needed this, needed him. She now knew why she had run here. Andrew was the only one who could take away her fear.

  Andrew bent slowly and locked his lips to Robyn’s. Their kiss was tender at first, allowing the warmth to flow but as Robyn parted her lips in expectation, Andrew responded with fervour. His tongue slid between her lips, licking and tasting as he crushed her to him. Warmth became heat and heat became fire as their bodies began to meld to each other. His arm settled against the small of her back, fingers splayed and he dragged her toward him, away from the door.

  This had been inevitable from the start, from that first touch. Robyn knew that clearly as Andrew’s breath came in gasps and he pulled away from her lips to kiss her jawline and trace a line down the curve of her neck. They were drawn to each other with a force stronger than either could resist.

  Andrew’s lips found the lobes of her ears and he sucked and bit them before tracing a line down her neck to her collar bone. Fire burned in her belly and she desperately needed him to douse the flames. She let her head roll back to expose her throat to his ravishing tongue and felt her core clench tightly as her breath rushed out in surrender. Everywhere he kissed he left a hot memory where blood rushed to the surface to be warmed and consumed.

  God, what was she doing to him? His mind reeled with alarm knowing that this wasn’t right, it shouldn’t be now. She’d come to him for protection, for comfort and she needed assurance, not to be ravaged by him as if he were some savage unable to control himself. But the taste of her, the delicious sweet fruity flavour that clung to her skin, he couldn’t get enough. She leaned into him, compliant and trusting even though he couldn’t trust himself, not with her. Oh God she pushed him. More than anyone ever had. He’d known that he should stay away, known that she would pull at his control but he’d succumbed and now he couldn’t get enough.

  She moaned deep in her throat as he nibbled her earlobe and that made his already hard cock, stiffen further. The urge to take her was painful.

  “Take me to bed.” Her voice was husky, sexy and needy. Andrew pulled back, holding her at arms-length.

  “No.” She deserved more than this. She deserved dinner and wine and God, anything.

  “Andrew. I want you.” The words were a breath on her swollen, kiss-ravaged, lips and they spoke only to his cock. It kicked in his jeans, needing to bury itself in her molten core. Andrew shook his head desperately.

  “Robyn.” He hadn’t planned for this. She wasn’t ready, but he strained against his own desires in his attempt to stop her.

  “I need you, Andrew. I need you now, tonight.” Her voice was breathless with desire and thick with need. “Take me to bed.”

  Tumultuous emotions rushed through him but her eyes were so deep and filled with desire that he lost the battle within himself. He reached down and swept her legs up into his arms. He sought her mouth and kissed her as he climbed the stairs.

  Andrew placed Robyn on her feet, in a dimly lit bedroom. Then he kissed her again with more urgency, his hands fisting in the tangles of her hair. She could feel his tight control slipping as he feasted on her mouth. His urge to give in to reckless abandon was overpowering him, but he pulled back before succumbing and stood before her, his eyes wide and wild.

  Terrified that he would turn from her, Robyn stepped forward and reached up to trace the collar of his shirt. When she came to the open top button she placed her palm against the small area of exposed skin and undid the next button. The heat that came from him was as fascinating as it was enthralling. It should not be possible for such a sensation to exist and she was certain that he was unaware of it. Robyn didn’t know if this was some wonderful biological magic or simply a hallucination, but she didn’t care. Slowly, one button at a time, Robyn undid Andrew’s shirt, her palm tracing his torso further down with each open fastening.

  When the shirt hung open, Robyn’s hands roamed greedily against Andrew’s chest. He had unbelievable definition of long, lean muscle and it made her groan. Her fingers traced every undulation, every dip and every mound as Andrew’s muscles tensed under her touch, hardening beneath her fingertips and then relaxing once again as he drew a deep calculated breath. She could have touched him that way for all eternity and bathed in the power of it.

  Her hands found their way up to his broad shoulders and, without losing the connection between her skin and his, she pushed the loose shirt over the top of his shoulders and down his long, muscular arms to the floor.

  Standing bare-chested, in the light of one small lamp, Andrew was perfection before her. She could see all the definition; the thin track of hair, dark against the pale skin that led down under his jeans; his muscular arms, not thick like body builders but lean and strong. He was the most beautiful, striking man she had ever seen.

  Andrew looked upon her with burning intensity. His eyes, usually so bright and luminous, were now darkened with desire. He stepped forwards, held her in a tight embrace and kissed her again. This time there was no urgency. He tasted deeply but without greed as his hands drifted to her waist and slipped underneath the fabric of her top. She shuddered under his touch as heat made her blood flow faster.

  Robyn fell into the kiss, dove into the warm embrace as desire and passion guided her needs. She gripped Andrew and kissed him back, hard, her hunger for him, for his touch increasing but he brought his hands to her shoulders and broke their kiss by holding her firmly and stepping back.

  “There’s no hurry.” His voice was rich and deep. It washed over her like luxurious velvet as Andrew pushed her top up, his hands drifting firmly up her sides.

  Andrew forced his breathing to calm as he pushed Robyn’s flimsy top up her curvaceous body. He’d told her that there was no hurry, but truthfully he was only holding on by a thread. He wanted nothing more than to strip her jeans and panties off her and dive into her slick core. He didn’t know what had come over him. He’d never felt such rampant need to take a woman before.

  His hands skimmed up her smooth creamy skin and his palms grazed the sides of her breasts as they trailed upwards. He moaned at the feel of her as he pulled the top over her head and threw it behind her. Christ she was beautiful. Her pale skin glowed even in the dim light, luscious and waiting to be savoured and suckled. Her ample breasts were covered in black lace and he found himself desperate to touch and taste. He wanted to s
tare, to study, to touch, but he knew that his control was on the ragged edge, so instead he circled behind her. He let his hands glide over her shoulders, his fingers kneading her soft skin and then he let his hands trail down her spine to find the clasp to her bra. With one swift flick the black band loosened and he proceeded to slide the straps from her arms. Looking down upon her, over her shoulder, he gloried in the sight of her perfect round orbs. Robyn had pale round breasts that despite their size resisted gravity in a pert upswing, setting her hard nipples pointing forwards. Andrew found his hands sweeping around to claim those twin orbs before his mind fully thought of it.

  Oh she was soft, malleable, real, beneath his hands and she moaned as he gently squeezed. He liked her sensitivity and took both of her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers and squeezed and rolled them to stiff peaks. Robyn arched into his palms delighting him further. He ducked down to suckle and nibble on her neck whilst he did it again.

  Oh, what was he doing to her? She felt like she was coming undone. Each tweak of her nipple and simultaneous bite of her neck sent such heavy shocks into her core that she was certain she could orgasm from this touch alone. She could feel her sex becoming incredibly wet and she wanted him desperately.

  Andrew walked around to stand once again in front of her, coming full circle and this time he studied and stared. Robyn stood exposed to Andrew’s eyes and to his touch. No inch of her was spared in his slow quest to feel and taste, and everywhere he moved, his warmth seeped and soaked into her body. The building desire was almost excruciating.

  Andrew dropped to his knees, his hands quickly undoing Robyn’s jeans and dragging them down her legs to the floor. Cupping her buttocks, he pulled her to him and feasted on her stomach. She was almost unaware when his hands drifted down her legs taking her underwear with them, but when his fingers drew apart her soft folds allowing his tongue to lick her, she cried out.