“Here’s what's going to happen once we cross this bridge,” The Petrifier began, standing at the edge of the bridge that hung over the bck pit.

  Three more days have passed since their departure.

  “From this point on, you are to only listen to me. Got it?” He said firmly, waving his tail as his eyes glittered in excitement.

  Lyre’s pupils widened as he felt the stone object around his neck.

  He smiled. “Good.”

  Without another word, both of them crossed the bridge, and the moment they stepped foot on the other side, Lyre nearly jumped back in surprise as everything- from the grass to the vibrant green leaves on the trees- immediately began losing color, the desaturation oozing over to contaminate nearby and far pnts.

  Even the light around them seemed to be affected, as everything around them began darkening.

  The Petrifier’s tail-tip twitched as a distant cry of arm quickly transformed into that of pain before a clunk was heard. “You hear that? Free prey!” He rushed over to the sound, completely disregarding the surrounding area already covered in stone.

  Lyre colpsed onto the ground, realizing what he’s done. But I didn’t have a choice…what else could I do? Stuffing his face into the ground, he opened his mouth to wail like a desperate kitten, cry and whine like Cricket, and screech in agony…like Splinter.

  Nothing came out, not even a soft sob. No tears. Just a bnk, gzed look that wanted to reflect defeat, but instead was hopelessness.

  He id there, taking a moment to let his brain process what's happening.

  Struggling himself upwards after regaining energy, the light tan tom gazed around, his gaze grazing over the petrified pnts. There’s no turning back from this. Was it worth it, Lyre? He asked himself as he walked down the hill, slowly feeling the pressure releasing.

  As the sky bckened into a very dark shade of blue, the tom speed walked past the rge pond, emotion draining from his face as memories of staying there with Quartz repyed in his mind. He didn’t care about the other two; he used them the same way The Petrifier used him.

  Lyre’s pace slowed; not because the still olive green grass was making his paws more itchy every step, but because he was now trailing along the fern walls. As he did so, he dared to peer inside the area where Calico, Quartz, and Soot lived.

  His eyes had to squint as he gnced at the looming shadows that had an eerily simir approaching speed as the grayness in the distance.

  Everything still looked retively normal, except the stone clearing.

  Was it even affected by my taking off the- …wait. Lyre stopped in his tracks to raise a paw and reach for the same thing he’s been touching for the second time already. The rock solid texture shifted. He held his breath as the smooth and roughness slowly changed to a softer, lighter one.

  After the object turned completely normal, Lyre shook it off and quickly took several pawsteps back. He stared at it in a mixture of disbelief and…was that the slightest bit of accomplishment?

  I…I did it…did I? Hope fred in his chest. He slowly walked past the faded-purple object, which was fully engulfed in shadows.

  Yes, you did! Congratutions, Lyre! I’m so proud of you.

  A voice. A sarcastic voice. A sarcastic voice that had the same tone it’s always had.

  Lyre froze as his body ran cold. So cold, his trembling legs made his body follow into a crouch so it could start shivering, shivering more.

  Lyre…why did you do that? You said you’d help me. The voice sounded hurt. You promised. You wouldn’t break a promise, that’s not the real you. The real you would stay true to that promise. So show me who you really are.

  Regret swallowed up his hopeful pride as his body warmed again, but with shame and embarrassment. Yes, I’m sorry. Is what he wanted to say. But his fur began prickling. His brow furrowed as though he were to think hard about something, but he knew he couldn't- he shouldn't think about it. But he had to. There needed to be at least someone he can talk to.

  But that had to wait. I shouldn't have impulsively taken off that thing like that. I was overwhelmed about what's happening, and stressed about what going to happen, and I…and I…I…

  I forgive you. Don’t let it happen again.

  Lyre wished he could do something about what The Petrifier was doing. He wished he- …no. He doesn’t need that.

  Lyre slowly rose to his paws and stepped towards the object, bnk-faced and expression-less like the bck wolf.

  No one’s going to forget a stare as creepy as that one. The voice did a terrible joke attempt.

  The object wrapped around his neck once he lifted the object to it. The voice was gone now, but he knew the cat where it came from wasn't.

  Lyre circled back around and sulked along the fern wall until he approached the entrance. I don’t know what he wants me to do, but Quartz…and maybe Soot…I’m sorry.

  And he stepped inside.