Shadows in the Stone

by Diane Lynn McGyver

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  Isla waited in the darkness, watching the woman until she lay still in her bed. Then she slid from the chair and picked her way across the floor to the cupboards where she hoped to find food and drink. She climbed onto the counter and found it bare of food. She eyed bottles containing colourful liquids, picked up one and removed the cork. It smelt different than the liquids her das had. Her thirst impelled her to drink until she emptied the bottle then she returned to her makeshift bed.

  A tingling sensation, similar to the reaction her das’ liquids created, stirred in Isla’s tummy. She pushed the feeling aside and snuggled beneath the blanket. As sleep overwhelmed her, she felt the downy softness of wool against her cheek.