A voice could be heard as the young girl began to stir; the words were muffled and illegible.
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The sound of dripping water echoed through the room as tiny droplets splashed onto the face of a young girl lying on her back. The chill of the damp red rug beneath her added to the discomfort, rousing her from her slumber. Another droplet fell into her eye, prompting her to scramble to her feet. Hopefully, someone will turn off the water if there’s a bathroom above, she thought out loud, eyeing the dark spot of water damage on the ceiling above her. “Now then, where on earth am I?” She surveyed her surroundings with interest, brushing off her gray skirt. “Did I not hear a voice not long ago? I could have sworn. Oh, well, I can’t do anything about that now, can I?”
The grandeur of the manor in which she found herself was evident in the white marble floors, once pristine but now marred by nicks and cracks. The stone pillars had suffered the same fate. The red rug, which ran up the double-winged staircase, was old, covered in dust, and mildewed from water damage. It appeared as though the place was abandoned, but the girl couldn’t help but wonder who had lived there and what had led to its current state. Or if anyone still lived here. The possibility of someone still residing in the manor crossed the girl’s mind. Despite the neglected condition of the place, she couldn’t help but consider the slim chance someone might be roaming these halls despite the state of it.
With a slight chuckle, she commented, “Someone really needs to hire a cleaner around here. Or maybe I could be of service and help out as a thank you?” She paused for a moment, contemplating the state of the home. “It’s a shame to see such a lovely home fall into such a state. I mean, who could let this happen?” She quickly corrected herself, realizing it was not her place to judge the home’s owners. But then again, someone did bring me here. I wonder who that could be. I should be grateful for the help provided to me, but I dare not be a burden. I wonder, is my being here a burden? Oh, bother!
Turning around, the young girl took a moment to admire the grand double doors of the mansion. The beautiful stained glass within the white wood frames caught her eye. On the left side, a white rabbit was depicted in peaceful slumber, while on the right, a large cat was shown playing with a bird. They brought a sense of wonder to her, and she couldn’t help but appreciate the intricate artistry of the glasswork.
After realizing she had stayed too long, she approached the door and reached for the knob. The feeling of unwelcomeness was unmistakable, and she didn’t want to overstay her visit. “I think it’s time for me to go,” she murmured to herself. “I don’t want to intrude any further.” As she reached for the doorknob, she paused and considered her options. Should I leave now and avoid further intrusion, or should I search the home for any signs of a possible body? She felt torn, unsure what the right decision was.
“Thank you for your hospitality, but I must be going now!” she shouted her gratitude over her shoulder, hoping her words would reach any potential occupants of the house. Yet, she didn’t want to linger to see if anyone was there. She realized the doors were stuck and unopenable as she tried to open them by pushing down the levers. This unnerved her, leaving her feeling trapped. The nearby windows couldn’t be opened either, and it would have been tacky to climb out of them if she had indeed been saved. I need to find another door or someone who can help me out of here, she thought. As she scanned the room for possible exits, she spotted two hallways branching off from the top of the staircase. The stairs led to two large hallways — one shrouded in darkness and the other with flickering lights, hinting at the possibility of inhabitants. She pondered whether to stay put or explore further, wondering if it would be acceptable to venture through their home.
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“Excuse me? Is anyone here?” she called out, her voice echoing through the grand foyer. Still, there was no response. Undeterred, she walked toward the stairwell, her small heels clicking against the marble floor. The house’s silence was unnerving, making her feel like an unwelcome guest.
Upon entering the grand foyer, the girl’s footsteps kicked up a cloud of debris and dust, which tickled her throat and caused her to cough a few times. The tall ceiling loomed above her, and her gaze was drawn to the chandelier hanging from some chains, lopsided and coated in dust. The chandelier was adorned with white teapots and teacups, and small spoons dangled beneath the saucers. “What a beautiful chandelier. It looks like someone enjoyed their afternoon tea here. I wouldn’t mind a cup myself after this,” she mused as she made her way toward the stairwell.
As she moved toward the stairs slowly, she couldn’t help but notice the layers of dust and cobwebs that had accumulated in the corners of the pillars and noticeably on the stairway railings. Glancing toward the dark hallway on the left side of the first floor, the girl felt a chill run down her spine. It appeared ominous and uninviting, and the dreary atmosphere didn’t help. “I don’t think I’ll be exploring that way anytime soon, especially not alone,” she said, shivering melodramatically before reaching the stairs. She ascended as quietly as she could, but the floor creaking made her jump inside her skin, and it only added to the eerie ambiance.
Once she ascended to the mid-section of the stairs, they divided into the house’s east and west wings. A sizeable gold-framed painting caught the girl’s attention. The painting was black, as if it were an endless void staring back at her. The chilling ambiance of the home, combined with the cold from the icy water and floor, made the whole place feel ghostly and unsettling. The girl couldn’t shake off the feeling that if she were to touch the darkness in the painting, it would suck her in, so she dared not stare at it for too long, let alone touch it.
Learning and exploring never hurt anyone, and as they say… there is no time like the present! she thought as she approached the staircase. She stood at the bottom and raised her voice. “Hello? Is anyone home? I’m terribly sorry if I’m intruding; I assure you I’m not a burglar!” That statement sounds suspiciously similar to what a burglar would say, she thought. “My name is…” She paused and dwelled on the question. “Who exactly am I? If I’m not a burglar, and I sure do not think I am one, then who on earth am I? Odd. I can’t seem to put my finger on who I am.” Bewildered, she continued to look around, and rather than being scared about not remembering, she figured if she found someone, maybe they could help her. “Well, now I really need to find someone! Hello? Excuse me! I’m a person looking for some help! I think you or someone allowed me in here at least; if not, forgive my intrusion!” she exclaimed.
The sound of tiny feet echoed through the hallway, making it impossible not to hear. She felt nervous about who might be coming her way. Oh, please don’t think I am a burglar or a bad person, she thought, as this was a very pressing concern for her. The whole situation was frightening and unsettling, and she couldn’t help but worry that they would mistake her for a burglar. Her mind spun with anxious thoughts as she stood at the bottom of the staircase. “Still not a burglar, I assure you! I want to give my thanks!”
Nobody, however, was shaken to the core—their hearts didn’t just tremble, they threatened to shatter like fragile glass at the faintest breath of wind.