[art by kipine on tumblr]

Within the dead of night you find yourself soaked to the bone from a blustery tempest. Spasmodically the jet black sky crackles to life with a flashing roar that rumbles into your very guts and bones.

Ahead you see the only available shelter, a towering gothic mansion nestled in this twisted thicket. Hurriedly you make your way up to the imposing entrance, before you can even thud your knuckle on the door it rasps open as if it had anticipated your arrival.

Once you’ve stepped inside the twin doors that parted for you without delay draw shut. The thunderstorm raging outside was now smothered behind these baroque walls. A murky figure you hadn’t distinguished startles you when they advance toward you.

“Welcome wayward soul.” Their dulcet tone suffused your ears in a soothing manner.