Sarah Weeks was realizing a little too late that maybe it wasn't the best idea to travel at night, especially when having to trek through the creepy woods; every little sound made her jump and hold the reins just a little bit tighter.
"Just keep going, Philippe," she whispered, trying to calm herself more than the horse, who trotted to a stop at a crossroad. Sarah frowned and studied both ways before, not completely certain, ordering Philippe to head right. As they began down the winding path, Sarah became a little more weary, especially when it began to snow. "Snow? In July? This is absurd; Philippe, let's turn back. Something's not -"
She froze as a wolf's snarl came from behind her, and another one joined it just up on a ledge right above her head. Stealing one quick glance back, she snapped the reins at the sight of the wolf's bared teeth.
"Go Philippe! Go!" The horse took off, Sarah constantly snapping the reins in a panic. More wolves joined the first two, completely blocking the way back; the only way was forward, and forward soon came to an end at a tall metal gate. The doors swung open as they approached it, and as they passed through, the wolves stopped and growled before retreating back into the forest.
"This night is getting odder and odder by the second, Philippe," Sarah murmured, stroking the horse's mane as he trotted through a rather ignored garden full of white, snow-kissed roses. "My, what a beautiful place this is! I do think we could use a rest, don't you agree, Philippe? Look, there's some shelter and water. Come on, boy." Sarah slid off Philippe's back and led him to the stables, where he drank the water gratefully. Sarah rested a hand on his flank for a second before starting for the staircase.
"I'll just go and greet our ... unaware host of our presence," she said to no one in particular as she ascended the stairs, minding her step as she practiced a small conversation in her head to try and suppress her nerves. As she stood in front of the castle's towering doors, her nerves sparked up again. Part of her wanted to run back down the stairs and head home, but the better part of her - the one more concerned with Cade - got the better of her and she knocked on the door, which swung open instantly. Hurrying inside, Sarah peeked around the door to thank whoever had let her in but, to her confusion, nobody was there. In fact, the entire castle seemed deserted; cobwebs adorned everything the eye could see, and the floors were grimy and unused.
"Hello?" Sarah called, and for a split second, it seemed like there was something accompanying her, watching her. Hastily, she went and grabbed the candelabra - the only source of light - and whirled around to see she was alone yet again. "Is anyone there?" Peering around the grand staircase in the middle of the room, she noticed an open door that beckoned her wordlessly. Sarah, curious, set the candelabra back down next to the clock where she had found it.
While peeking into the new room, Sarah noticed a solitary place mat set out surrounded by delicious-looking food. She hadn't realized how hungry she had become until she took another step in, as all the food she had brought had been lost in the wolf chase.
"I hope I'm not intruding," she called, taking a seat and picking up a fruit tart. "Thank you." One bite and she was hooked; one tart lead to three and Sarah felt as if she was in heaven. That is, until the furniture began to move. Clenching the arms of her chair, Sarah fought ever urge to scream as the clock and the candelabra, alongside a feather duster and a tea pot and tea cup duo, came towards her. It was when the tea cup spoke did Sarah fall out of her chair.
"Ah, no, do not worry mademoiselle," the candelabra reassured, peeking over the edge of the table at Sarah, who moved away in fear. "We are here to make you feel at -"
The room became cold, and all friendliness from the candelabra and his companions; in fact, they all cowered together, murmuring apologies towards the door.
"I don't want to hear it," a voice, garbled and cold, hissed, and all was silent again. Sarah started to pull herself up, but was harshly yanked to her feet by her cloak by none other than a beast. "Who are you? What're you doing here, trespasser?"
"I-I-I'm sorry," Sarah managed, trying to pry herself free, but to no avail.
"You shall have to pay for your crime," the beast roared, dragging Sarah into the depths of the dark, dreary castle.
