Prologue:
Ib stared into the painting; she re-read the caption, she didn't remember some of the longer words, but she knew. This was the painting. She sighed. Garry was still in the sketchbook. She had been forced to leave him behind...
Mary had burned; burned right out of her painting. Ib hadn't cried; Mary had hurt Garry.
Mary had paid.
Ib returned her focus to the painting on the wall. It was a rather large painting, almost filling the entire space before her. It seemed to beckon for her... she recognized the image on the canvas vaguely, as though it called to her from another life. Garry. I can't leave... I can't leave HIM. but she was transfixed. The swirling colors yelled at her, screamed. Ib... Jump. Ib. Jump through. Jump. They yelled. She took a few steps back, preparing for the leap. She heard the soft tap of shoes on the dark gallery floor.
"Ib!" It was Garry. "Sheesh! I told you I'd catch up, didn't I!" He smiled brightly. "Anyways Ib, I found the exit! It's just over here, come with me!"
The painting screamed. IB RUN, JUMP IB JUMP, JUMP THROUGH!
Ib listened.
She bounded through the air, soared.
"IB! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
But she was flying...