Heart Of Stone. [Book 1]

Someone was coming. Layna could hear the footsteps approaching her door. The sound of the metal slot being slid open had her glancing over waiting. Layna watched as her food tray was pushed into her room along with her water. Who ever they were never came in. She hadn't seen a soul in the 10 years shes been imprisoned here. Everyday food was pushed through. Once a week new toiletries. They never spoke a word to her or gave any indication who they were. Layna waited for the slot to close before getting up from her mat and grabbing her food. Sitting back down she ate her food glancing around the cell shes called home for so long. The Stone walls cracked and dirty. No longer grey but black from years of dust and dirt. The single small window high on the wall her only indication of the passing days. The scratches and scapes under the window proof of the many times she tried to get to the window to look out but failed. Her only source of running water from the lone water valve jutting form the wall above a small drain in the floor. She had done her best to bath every night but she never felt clean. The mat she slept on long ago lost any comfort, covered in holes and flat as cardboard. She covered it every now and then with clothes she'd out grown to give it at least some padding. She barely remembered her bed before this. She barely remembered much of anything before this. The memories of her parents faded and uncertain. The few books they had given her stacked next to her mat. Those were her only escape. Tales of adventure and heros. Layna adored her books. Having read them hundreds of times. She knew them word for word. A distant bell chiming some where in the distance snapped Layna from her thoughts. Getting up she placed her empty tray by the slot knowing they would be coming for it. Grabbing one of her books she decided to use the last of the days light to read before night fell. She wanted to stay awake tonight. Knowing the next time the bell sounded it would be her 18th birthday. Another year come and gone and nothing has changed. Layna read until she could no longer see the words. Sighing she gently placed the book down and laid back staring into the darkness waiting. After a few hours passed she finally heard it. The bells ringing for midnight. "Happy birthday Layna" she whispered to her self, letting her tears fall. Before the last ring of the bells sounded pressure hard and intense began to build in her head. Sitting up Layna cradled her head. It was getting worse, her head felt like it was about to break apart. Spiking with each beat of her heart. Her breathing picked up and tears flowed freely. What was happening? Layna pushed at the sides of her head. Attempting to ease the pressure and keep her head from exploding. Only seconds had passed but the pain grew. She couldn't handle it any longer and began to scream. Over and over her screams filled her cell. "Stop! Please stop!" Black spots began to form in her vision. Getting bigger with each spike of pain coursing through her head. The door to her cell burst open, dark figures rushed in grabbing both her arms. No they never came in! She began to struggle in their hold trying to dig her bare feet into the floor. Bucking back to break free but it was useless. The pain was blinding her and years of neglect left her weak. The pain in her head finally exploded and Layna went limp in her captures arms and fell into oblivion. Its dark here. Was she back in her cell? She couldn't feel anything. No stone floor or walls. Not the cold air of the night coming through the window. Nothing at all. Was she dead? Did the pain from her head or her captures kill her? She tried to move but it felt like she was stuck in the darkness. Unable to move she began to truly panic. Was this it? The end of it all? Nothing but endless oblivion? Layna stayed suspended for what felt like a lifetime. Waiting for anything to change. Warmth, it started light just a hint at her toes, then began to spread working its way to the soles of her feet. Wrapping up and around her ankles. The warmth was soft and welcoming. Oh how long it had been since she felt warm like this. Layna sighed as it worked its way up through her body. Curling around her like a blanket. Trying again to move she wiggled her toes and realized she was no longer stuck. Lights began to flash in the darkness. Beautiful whisp of blue and yellow. Then burst of red and green, purple, orange and pink exploding all around her. She watched in awe as the colors moved faster and faster spiraling in and out of view. When they all suddenly collided an image appeared. A man and a woman stood looking at Layna with love and happiness. They looked so familiar, was that her parents? She could barely remember what they looked like. The image faded to reveal a new one. A small girl laughing and running down the hall of her home. Squealing in delight as her father finally caught her. Kissing the top of her head. These were her memories. The memories of her home and parents that had faded in the darkness of her cell. Tears began to fall as she watched images flash before her eyes. She gasped as the memory of the night she was taken on her 8th birthday began to unfold. Watched as men stormed her home. Saw her mother taking her to hide. Saw herself scream for her father as she watched him fight men off so they could flee. But they never made it. They were ambushed and she was snatched from her mother. Watched in horror as they killed her mother in front of her. Then dragged her away. Layna cried for her mother. Pain and anguish filled her heart. The images that followed Layna knew all to well. The years upon years in the dark and dirty cell. The cold and fear of not knowing anything. Not knowing who took her, why or where in the world she was. Layna watched as it got to the night of her 18th birthday and saw herself pass out in the arms of her captures. The final image faded and and the streams of color began to swirl around. Much slower now as if waiting. "Layna". The voice sounded like it was behind her but she saw nothing but the colors. "Hello?". "Layna" The voice was soft and definitely female. But still she saw no one around. "Layna, you have a block up, you need to take it down." A block? What did she mean a block? "Hello? Who are you? I don't understand. Where am I?" Layna waited for an answer but none came. "Are you there?" she called out but still was met with silence. Scared of being left alone again Layna tried to figure out what a block meant and how to take it down. The only block shes ever heard of was in one of her books. About a witch that could put up mental barriers to protect her mind. Was that what the person was talking about? Layna was no witch. Getting frustrated she called out again " I don't know what you mean. Like a mental block?". No answer but the warmth wrapped around her body heated up like a caress across her back. Was that a yes? She didn't know. None of this made any sense. Thinking back to her stories she tried to remove the block like the witch did. Layna pictured a large stone wall protecting her mind. She began to take it down stone by stone. The warmth around her grew the more stones she removed. Growing almost too hot. Layna hesitated removing the last stone. Unsure if she should really be opening her mind up to some unknown voice. But the fear of being stuck here forever always alone came back to her. Removing the last of her mental block. Light exploded all around her and out stepped the most beautiful white wolf she had ever imagined. Clear green eyes the color of fresh pine. Stunning white fur pure and thick. The wolf gazed at Layna and stopped only a few feet from her. "It is truly an honor to finally meet you Layna. My name is Mercury. I am your wolf. The other half of your soul."