Name: Magnolia Rae

Class: None

Race: Human

Level: 1

XP to next level: 0/100

Current quests: Survive the night.

The forlorn gatehouse presented a desolate and haunting spectacle. Once a formidable edifice, it now stood as a decrepit husk, its timeworn stone walls besieged by encroaching moss and ivy. The gate, once imposing, now stood ajar, its twisted and rusted wrought iron bars testifying to years of neglect. Amidst the cobblestone pathway, weeds and wildflowers had sprung up, laying claim to the forgotten ground. An unsettling stillness pervaded the air, disturbed only by the occasional mournful creak of the sagging wooden door.

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“Luci,” I said to my Maine Coon. “Can you check it out? But be careful.”

“Meow.” He gave a purr as he weaved between my legs and then slipped inside.

“It’s okay ladybug.” I adjusted my daughter’s weight on my hip as carefully as possible, hoping she would stay asleep. “We’ll be safe here for the night.”

We waited for what felt like an eternity before he reappeared.

“Meow.”

The door creaked open with a mournful wail, revealing a dark and foreboding interior. Dusty chandeliers hang from the ceiling, their crystals coated in a thick layer of grime. Tattered tapestries lined the walls, depicting scenes of twisted spells and mysterious rituals. The air was heavy with the scent of decay, and the silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of unseen creatures.

If this was the gatehouse what did the main house look like?

My little ladybug stayed asleep as I sat, too scared to lay her down. I was unwilling to let go.

"If anyone out there is listening," I whispered as I rubbed my daughter's back. "Grant me the power to protect her. Help us survive."