Chapter 0 - Alyssa - Petrification

The room smelled moldy and dank. She walked through the door and into the stone hallway. Alyssa couldn’t remember how she got here, she only recalled sitting at home; she remembered eating a muffin and watching the news and then… nothing until now. The damp stone floor was cold beneath her bare feet. All her clothes were gone now. She walked to the door at the end of the hall and opened it. The hinges creaked, echoing down the corridor behind her.

The dark room had five statues spread throughout – all women with different poses and expressions. She removed the torch from the wall and continued. One statue was a smiling woman, sitting with her back to the wall. One woman had been glancing over her shoulder, she looked frightened. The artist had really captured emotions in these sculptures. She padded along the floor, coming to another door. She opened it and continued on.

The next room was larger. There were more statues of naked women, most frozen in fear. She felt very self-conscious. They all looked so perfect compared to her. She looked down and lifted her breasts. “My stomach is huge and my tits are way too big. How could I ever match-up to them?” She spoke ruefully to the air. She sighed and continued, wondering why she was here and why she wasn’t more scared. The next doorway opened more easily and with less noise. She heard something – she dropped the torch and hurried backwards into the shadows. She waited for a few minutes before she saw the door open fully and a monster appeared. A bare-chested woman with a serpent’s body slithered past the torch. Her hair writhed in the low light. Snakes! It-it’s a medusa! Alyssa covered her mouth, trying desperately not to scream.
 
The creature scanned the darkened room slowly. Her gaze passed upon the area where Alyssa stood, but she knew not to look into the beast’s eyes. The creature opened its maw and came closer. It must hear me breathing! Alyssa held her breath for a moment. The medusa shrieked, causing Alyssa to gasp. The creature slithered toward her. Alyssa ran through the door, trying to recall the path she had taken. There was almost enough light to – *crack* Alyssa’s shoulder felt numb as she lay on the ground. She could see light coming closer. The monster carried the torch as it passed the doorway.
 
Alyssa clenched her eyes tightly, whimpering as she felt it nearby. She could hear hissing a few feet from her face. She felt a cold finger trace upon her nipple. The shock made her open her eyes to see a delicate hand moving upon her breast. Her eyes shifted up and she saw the woman’s beautiful face, without imperfection. The woman’s deep, chestnut eyes staring into hers - her soft, luscious lips - looking ready to be kissed. She was beautiful.
 
Alyssa could feel her feet tightening. She couldn’t think straight, though. She could only stare upon the marvelous woman in front of her. The snakes didn’t even bother her, now. They seemed docile and they somehow accented her beauty. My legs feel hard for some reason. Alyssa was completely transfixed. “Please kiss me.”
 
The woman smiled sadly, Alyssa smiled in kind, “Why would you care to touch me, human?”
Alyssa was shocked, “You are the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen. I would do anything for a kiss.” My loins feel numb with anticipation. 
 
The woman stared for a moment before her face crumpled with annoyance. “You are merely toying with me. You must think I am a fool to believe that!” She widened her eyes, gazing upon Alyssa who simply lied there. “I am hideous, I know!”
Alyssa was hurt, “I swear to you, I truly think your face is the most beautiful I have ever seen.” I feel butterflies in my belly, it feels so tense now.
 
“You mock me as they had! My mother told me that I would always be a wretched beast and that humans would try and deceive me.” The medusa sighed heavily, causing her breasts to bounce and the serpents to hiss. Her beautiful eyes narrowed. “I will not be duped by some simple human girl.”
 
Alyssa brought her hands up to hold the woman’s face. I’m so cold. The creature pulled back momentarily, but conceded and allowed her to touch her face. “I beg you for a kiss. It is no trick, I simply… want you.” She could feel her nipples rising.
 
The woman glared at her for a long while before her features softened and she brought her face lower. She closed her eyes as their lips traced one another. Their mouths opened and they softly kissed. Her velvet tongue is tracing upon mine, it feels euphoric! Her body was frozen in delight. She dared to look upon the woman’s deep brown eyes as they embraced. She held her chin in place with her hand… My hand feels numb. It is so pale; why would that be? She ruefully pulled away to look down. My whole body is pale. That is odd. Wait, I can’t move. Oh my god, am I turning into stone?!
 
Her mind pieced together the situation, as if a haze had been lifted. Medusa’s stare will turn people to stone. How could she have been so foolish to look into her eyes? Yet, it had been the best moment of her life - such a marvelous creature and such a gentle touch. The medusa must be cursed to be forever alone with such beauty. Or she was cursed after experiencing such a creature. Her mind raced through the possibilities.
--
For a moment she had believed her victim. She looked down upon yet another beautiful woman who had made the mistake of looking upon her hellish visage. She knew she was hideous, but for some strange reason the women had seen her as something else, someone who possessed ‘beauty.’ It had to be a human trick, as she had been taught. Yet, as with all of the others, there was nothing to be done now. The girl would be forever frozen, lying in place, looking horrified. She sighed and slithered back through the rooms. She was doomed to spend her days alone. But, at least she had experienced a few moments of something more.