She Danced in the Night
Part One: Marked for Death
Prologue
Death in the Garden
She danced in the night like a star dances in the glittering night sky. She hummed an eerily playful tune, she spread her arms out spinning around in blissful circles, laughing as she twirled along. Her emerald eyes glazed over, her smiled wide, bright and delirious. Anyone who came upon her right now would be horrified at the empty expression on the young girl’s face. The silvery moon lit the garden with a soft veil of light as she danced along the brick pathway. She had removed her shoes when she reached the door that led to the outside of the extensive manor and its grounds. Her footsteps made no sound, just a soft plunking as she moved along the path. The air was so warm, so sweet, no breeze to move the trees, while the crickets chirped along to her eerie song. She was blissfully unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows nearby. A pair of sharp, cunning, evil eyes watched from behind a dense hedge. They watched her spin and play like a careless child. The monster salivated watching its prey seductively dance towards the fountain.
She sat along the edge of the towering fountain and smiled as the cool droplets of water splashed on her hair and face. She casually dipped her fingers into the clear liquid and glided her hand playfully through. She splashed the palm of her hand onto the surface giggling like a fool as the water rippled from the disturbance. She once again stood and twirled her way over to a wide bench near the fountain. Her sparkling burgundy dress drooped over the side of the bench as she sat and looked around at the moonlit gardens. The eyes continued to watch and crept closer. She began to hum the eerie tune louder this time and she placed her head on the armrest of the bench. She could not smell the rotting stench of death creeping closer. The wreaking smell of decaying flesh filled the air, making it heavy and musty. The danger crept nearer and still she felt no fear, unaware in her trance. She threaded her fingers through her silky auburn hair, smiling as it tickled her skin. She twirled the ends of it in between her fingers and she began to sing her haunting tune. The shadow moved from the bushes and slid silently towards her like a viper stalking its prey. She closed her eyes, still unaware of the growing peril creeping upon her. A twig snapped under the shadow’s weight as it stood on the stone path and loomed over her. She opened her eyes at the noise. She was paralyzed with fear, terrified at the sight before her, the blissful feeling gone and replaced by mortal terror. The shadow dropped forward onto her as she felt the first claw dig into her body, she screamed.