A Dance With Darkness ~ Where Darkness Meets Desires

𝒫𝓇𝑜𝓁𝑜𝑔𝓊𝑒

This was my chance. The perfect moment that I might never get again. A golden opportunity that I had to seize, or I’d be trapped here forever. My heart pounded in my chest like a drumbeat as I stood in the dimly lit room, the silence almost suffocating. I reached for the small bag I had carefully packed and hidden days ago, ensuring everything I would need was within reach. It wasn’t much, just a few clothes, my favorite dress—one that held memories of a time when life was simpler, happier. The thought of leaving it behind had been unbearable.

I slung the bag over my shoulder, pulling it close to my chest as if it could shield me from what lay ahead. With a deep breath, I tiptoed out of the walk-in closet, each step measured and calculated. I had to be silent—like a whisper in the wind—because any sound, even the faintest creak of the floorboards, could ruin everything.

There he was, lying on the grand, king-sized bed, his figure barely illuminated by the moonlight filtering through the heavy curtains. His face was serene, peaceful even, a stark contrast to the monster I knew him to be. Alessandro Santangelo. The name alone could send shivers down anyone’s spine, but right now, he was dead to the world, knocked out cold. I had been meticulous, putting the sleeping pills into his food at dinner. Enough to ensure he wouldn't wake up for at least 12 to 15 hours. He was a heavy sleeper, especially after a long day, but I couldn’t take any chances. Tonight, I needed him to stay in that deep, drug-induced slumber.

The room was vast, an extravagant display of wealth with high ceilings adorned with golden chandeliers, silk curtains, and intricately designed furniture that screamed opulence. The Santangelo family, after all, had a reputation for flaunting their power and riches. The walls, covered in dark mahogany, echoed even the faintest of sounds. If a pin dropped, it would reverberate through the entire mansion like a shot fired. My heart raced at the thought. I couldn’t afford to be careless.

I slipped past the bed, my breath caught in my throat as I held it, inching toward the door. My fingers trembled slightly as I turned the handle ever so slowly, praying it wouldn’t creak. The heavy door gave way, opening just wide enough for me to slip through. I was almost there. Almost free.

For months, since the very first day I arrived at the Santangelo estate—this gilded prison—I had been planning my escape. Eight months of carefully biding my time, pretending to be obedient, never letting him suspect my true intentions. I knew he enjoyed the game, the control he held over me, but I was no longer willing to be his pawn. I had to leave, had to break free from this gilded cage before it consumed what was left of my spirit.

The hallways were eerily silent, every shadow threatening to reveal me. I moved quickly, my feet barely touching the ground as I made my way toward the back of the mansion. Tonight was New Year’s Eve, a time for celebration, and most of the household staff had been given the night off. Only a few guards remained, stationed at their usual posts. I had timed everything perfectly.

I slipped into the kitchen, where the back door led to the servants’ entrance. This part of the estate was less guarded, a small oversight in their otherwise impenetrable security. The door was old, slightly rusted, and I had made sure it would not squeak when opened. I pushed it open and stepped into the cold night air, the chill biting into my skin, but it was a welcome sensation—a reminder that I was finally outside the walls that had confined me.

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, a mix of relief and fear as they cascaded down my cheeks. My hands shook as I pulled the hood of my coat over my head, trying to cover as much of my face as possible. I wasn’t out of danger yet. I ran, clutching my bag to my chest, every muscle in my body screaming at me to go faster, to not look back. The gravel crunched beneath my feet as I sprinted down the narrow alley behind the estate, my breaths coming out in harsh, ragged gasps.