Unease grows. Miss Eleni, our chaperone, has been gone some time.
I scan the grove. “We should go look.” My betrothed agrees.
Ahead, a statue. “It’s like Miss Eleni,” remarks my betrothed.
“Very like,” I agree. “In stone. Alarmed.”
“A gorgon?” The thought chills.
“No. These woods are safe. Kalliope always brings lovers here. Or so I’ve heard.”
Further, another statue. Philomena. My missing cousin, pure of heart.
Something clicks: a gorgon, crossed with a unicorn? Seen only by the virginal?
“Close your eyes.” I pull my betrothed close. Kiss deep. “We must save ourselves.”
“By not saving ourselves?”
“Exactly.”
Author’s Note: The Gorgon is possibly my favorite mythological creature. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s a nominative fascination with the idea of ‘petrification’? The trick, as always, is to find a new wrinkle.
While I do not condone the action implied at the end of this story, I must admit the idea is brilliant.