Elena's POV
My eyes opened suddenly. For a moment, I didn't know where I was.
The warm torches still burned around the small room while the blanket remained draped across my body. Beside me, Hazel sat exactly where I had left her.
Then a strange scratching sound reached my ears.
My heart skipped. Slowly, I turned toward the glass door. My breath caught in my throat as dozens of pale hands slammed against the glass from the other side.
Their empty faces pressed against the transparent surface while their fingers clawed desperately at it. Some dragged their nails across the glass. Others pounded against it with both fists.
A chill ran through my entire body.
I scrambled to my feet immediately.
"What are they trying to do?" I whispered.
They continued staring at me with those lifeless eyes while they clawed at the glass door.
Suddenly, I felt someone watching me.
I turned sharply to see Hazel standing. I froze because I didn't hear her move. She simply stood there looking at me.
Something felt wrong.
Her head tilted slightly to one side while her eyes remained fixed on mine.
"Hazel?"
She didn't answer.
I hurried toward the locked door beside the hourglass.
The golden sand had completely finished pouring.
Not a single grain remained above.
"It should open now."
I grabbed the handle and twisted hard. Nothing happened. I tried again. Still nothing. The door refused to move.
Panic began rising inside me.
"No... no..."
I pulled harder. The lock remained shut. Then a deep growl echoed behind me. My body went still.
The sound didn't belong to a human. Slowly, I turned around.
Hazel stood several feet away.
Her body trembled violently as another growl escaped her throat.
My stomach dropped.
"Hazel?"
Her fingers curled unnaturally and a loud crack echoed through the room.
I stumbled backward as her body began changing.
Her arms lengthened and her legs twisted.
White fur spread across her skin while her spine bent at a horrifying angle. The sound of bones shifting filled the room.
Within seconds, a massive white wolf stood where Hazel had been. Its chest rose and fell heavily. Saliva dripped from its mouth as Its golden eyes locked with mine.
My heart beat quickened.
"Hazel..."
The wolf snarled. A low vicious sound vibrated through the room then it charged.
I barely managed to move before it slammed into me.
Pain exploded through my body as I crashed against the stone floor.
The wolf stood over me.
Its teeth gleamed beneath the torchlight.
"Hazel, please!"
The beast growled and sank it's teeth into my shoulder.
I screamed. Hot tears filled my eyes instantly.
The wolf released me only to growl again. I pressed a shaking hand against my wound.
"Hazel... wake up..."
The beast prowled around me. Its claws scraped across the floor then it rushed forward again.
I forced myself upright.
"We're friends!" I croaked.
The wolf hesitated for only a second.
"Friends don't hurt each other!"
Its ears twitched.
"Your grandfather will miss you."
The wolf growled again.
"You hear me, Hazel?"
My eyes burned with tears.
"Everyone back home will miss you."
The wolf stopped moving. Its breathing became uneven.
I stepped closer despite the pain shooting through my shoulder.
"I need you."
The words came out softly.
"I need you back."
The wolf lowered its head slightly.
"Hazel... you're strong."
My voice trembled.
"You're one of the strongest women I've ever met."
The golden eyes flickered.
"You can fight this."
The beast remained motionless.
I swallowed hard.
"Seraphina needs you."
Another flicker.
"And I'll always stand beside you."
Silence filled the room.
Then suddenly, the wolf staggered backward.
A painful sound escaped its throat. Its body shook violently.
Seconds later, Hazel collapsed onto her knees.
Beautiful brown hair spilled over her shoulders.
Her beautiful green eyes were back.
"Elena..."
My throat tightened instantly.
"Hazel."
She looked at me as though waking from a terrible nightmare.
Then she fell forward. I caught her immediately and both of us crashed to the floor.
Hazel wrapped her arms around me tightly while tears filled her eyes.
For a brief moment, neither of us spoke. We simply held each other.
Then a deafening crash shattered the silence. The glass door exploded inward.
Hazel and I jerked around.
The silent people were entering.
Their bodies staggered strangely as they flooded into the room.
"There is no leaving..."
"You belong here..."
"This is your home..."
Their voices echoed together.
The hairs on my body stood up.
Hazel quickly pulled me upright. My injured shoulder throbbed painfully.
The crowd continued advancing.
In an instant, a wooden staff struck the floor.
BOOM.
The room shook.
Greybeard appeared between us and the approaching figures.
His cloak billowed around him while his staff glowed faintly.
"Go!" he roared.
The people stopped momentarily.
Greybeard raised his staff which caused a wall of light to erupt before him.
I grabbed Hazel's hand immediately. We walked towards the previously locked door which was now slightly ajar.
"Enter now!" Greybeard yelled.
Hazel pulled me forward. Together we crossed the threshold.
The moment we entered, I slammed the door shut behind us, everything disappeared.
My eyes flew open.