SHORT STORIES

the corrupt

I advanced further into the dark and eery forest, trepidation igniting each of my nerves with immense anxiety.

A frigid wind blew against my skin, causing a small shiver to run up my spine. I pulled my jacket tighter around myself. Pure white snow drifted downward from the leaden sky and the tall pine trees surrounding me contrasted starkly to the endless white snow on the forest's floor.

The scenery around me was beautiful. Magical, even.

Another forceful wind collided into me, nearly knocking me down to the ground. Reflexively, my fingers tightened around the single sheet of paper I was holding and I pulled it close to my chest.

My gaze sought the sky and I thought, Would it be so hard to shine a little sunlight down here? Why can't this place be more like Kentucky?

Warm or not, though, this area was breathtaking. Had to give it that.

Without warning, my foot caught onto a stray branch lying in the snow and I tripped, falling hard onto the soft snow. The note that I had been holding flew away into the dark sky, never to be seen again, lost to me forever.

I allowed myself a few seconds to wallow in momentary despair and afterward, was just about to get up when something caught my eye.

A single red rose was laying in the snow, a startling splash of color amidst the pure whiteness.

How could a beautiful, delicate rose like this be found in such a harsh, cold atmosphere?

I slowly got to my feet and walked towards the flower, bending down to pick it up. I felt a small chill ran up my spine. The bad type. A small note was attached to the thorny stem and I carefully took it, opened it, and read the three simple words written on it in elegant handwriting.

Follow the roses.

Well. Who was I to disobey a piece of paper?

I followed the roses. Each one lead me in the direction where the darker part of the forest was. I had the feeling I was supposed to be scared. But honestly, I wasn't. On the contrary, I was quite enchanted.

The final red rose led me to a large mansion. When I saw it's sheer beauty, I gasped.

The mighty establishment spread out as far as the eye could see, disappeared behind the forest trees at the edge of the vast clearing. Its walls were painted pitch black. The large windows on the walls allowed me to catch a glimpse of what was inside.

As if in a trance, I started walking toward the grand front doors. It took me a while to cross the wide lawn, decorated with bushes trimmed into appealing geometric shapes and a surplus of flowers and vegetation.

Slowly, I opened one of the double doors, that towered over me at fifteen feet high, a small crack and slipped inside, forcefully pushing back my fear.

The inside of the mansion was black, resembling its outward appearance. It was dangerlously stunning. For some reason I didn't know of, I found myself liking its interior.

And I walked further into the vast space.

The first room I entered had a long black couch facing a sleek flatscreen television. Stairs surrounded the place on both sides leading up into the second floor. The walls were painted black and a dark red, making the room seem like a dark abyss.