ROSE

Prologue

The villagers stood transfixed, their eyes fixed on the raging inferno consuming the house. The scorching heat penetrated their skin, leaving searing burns as a painful reminder of the unfolding disaster. A heavy silence settled over the crowd as they witnessed the gradual collapse of the house, it crumbled to the ground producing thunderous thuds.

As if summoned by the chaos, a ferocious wind swept in from the east, its force knocking down towering trees in its path. Flickers of lightning illuminated the darkened sky, followed by an ominous rumble of thunder that sent shivers down the spines of the onlookers.

In the midst of the chaos, a figure emerged from the engulfed flames. Clad in a bloodstained white dress, the woman soared through the air, her face obscured by a cascade of long, silky hair. A collective wave of terror gripped the villagers as they bore witness to the impossible. Horrified cries erupted from their throats, as they scattered in all directions, desperate to find refuge from the menacing apparition.

Meanwhile, Harriet, undeterred by the unfolding nightmare, withdrew a music box from her pocket and sank to the ground, assuming a meditative posture. With deliberate intent, she ignited seven candles and arranged them in a horizontal line before her.

Closing her eyes, Harriet delved deep into a trance, seeking solace within her inner sanctum. However, her concentration was disrupted by a haunting, monotonous laughter that seemed to echo through her soul. She recoiled, snapping back to reality, only to find her candles extinguished, leaving her in darkness. The devastating sight of people perishing before her eyes evoked a profound sense of guilt that coursed through her body like a poisonous current.

Harriet rose to her feet, her resolve firm. Without looking back, she raced into the depths of the forest, leaving the defenseless villagers in the clutches of Rose, their impending fate sealed by her malevolent presence.