Immobile
Pushing a branch from her path Susan stumbled from the uneven ground onto a flatter surface, a clearing of sorts. When she looked around though her whole body stilled, eyes widening.
She couldn't find it in her to move away from the scene infront of her.
The animals were frozen, like a still from a movie, an older movie in black and white. The various shades of gray identified the texture of fur that should have been blowing in the wind. If not for their positions she would have thought it to be a stone garden. Each one looked frightened, as if they had been trying to get away before becoming timeless.
There was a growl to her left and she looked to see Maugrim was back at her side now, probably having circled around after she had failed to stay in his line of sight.
"Is this... what the Witch does?"
"Yes," came his answering growl. "now keep moving."
She stared at him for a second then looked back to the stone enclosed animals. "How could you support this? It... it's monstrous. Don't you care at all about what happens to them?"
"No."
The answer was instant and she had to look at him, not quite believing her own ears. "Some of them must be your own kin."
A deep growl sounded from his throat, "I don't have need for kin." The wolf's tail lashed to the side. "They were fools to get caught." His head turned to look at her. "You will not end up like them if you follow my orders. The Queen could be looking for you even now, it is best if you hurry."
"And leave them like this? Are you hearing yoursel-"
"Of course!" he barked, jumping up so his paws hit her side, though not using enough force to topple her over. "You're in danger if you stay out here Susan. The Queen has been here before she will come again to find you eventually. As long as I live I will not see you handed over to her like a slice of meat!" His paws hit the ground once again as he backed off. "Now follow me or I will drag you by your ankle if I have to."
