CATASTROPHE OF DIADEM

how it all went

1998, it was a winter of despair of a young lady named Madeline. Winter breeze strikes through her body from an open window, sitting properly in front of it expecting something magical. The remaining months were the worst thing that ever passed off in Madeline's life. Her mother and father decided to transport out of their private flat in London to an unknown countryside close to Gloucestershire. However, she had no idea why is this such a place that every dream neglected, non-existence happiness, and the first thing that can be seen when entering the greyish settlement is the Hollow Mound Cemetery that has been around since the '40s. After a long time pondering on her couch, Madeline straight forward to her bed then took cover inside her comforter, unconsciously her mother and father fixed their gaze from behind the door to see her beloved daughter who was becoming increasingly quiet assuming she's pondering something that can ruin her childhood.

A new day has started, now no longer like regular ambiance in London, here, solar mild covered by the greyish fog, there is no sound of birds singing. This day will be forever till Madeline's old age and she needs to escape. Madeline decided to enjoy this town's gloomy Christmas atmosphere. Until she found an antique shop that caught her eyes, Borgin and Burkes. Madeline entered and took a detailed look at the antiques on display, then the owner appeared suddenly and offered a luxurious, sparkling diadem with a raven white gold and its leather box for free. At that time, Madeline was full of confusion, why would an ancient person offer her a valuable antique. The old man noticed that Madeline was being skeptical, so he offered more. The happiness that Madeline will not get from this horrible town. Of course, the 14 years old innocent young lady agrees. She immediately walked back to her house and sneaked into her room without the knowledge of her mother and father. Minutes passed, Madeline accidentally fell asleep holding it, and unexpectedly, she shifted. She heard sounds of cautions that informed her not to keep it, however, she disagreed. Then she arrived at Torquilstone Castle that stood around the 1700s to 1850s. Madeline already understood that it is all about that diadem. She will watch the background story of this lost diadem with a rule, she can't be seen by anyone which at that very moment she brought the diadem with her. Queen Rowena reigned at that time accompanied by the evil seduction and jealousy from her sister that wanted to usurp her throne. Days passed by Madeline at Torquilstone, she couldn't find the reason why many voices were telling her to throw away the diadem, like a road without its end. She continued sneaking in the castle hallway.

Madeline's ears caught a conversation of a royal princess and an old man, it's about... curse? The curse will be activated when the diadem is worn over the head. The diadem will be given to Queen Rowena tomorrow, on the night of her blessing. As she listened to the conversation her heartbeat pounding fast, because, on the other hand, the current owner of the diadem is Madeline. Without realizing, Madeline leaned against the door very firmly so that she was caught by those two persons, eavesdropped, and the most unlucky thing was that Madeline was holding the diadem. The royal princess screamed then the castle guards got ready to catch Madeline. Madeline ran away from the castle hallway and she got lost in this huge, enormous castle. She heard a beautiful humming coming from a room with a nearly closed door. With a beating heart race and her curiosity, she checked and found Queen Rowena without her maids. She took the time to talk about what would happen to the diadem, not introducing herself as it would create confusion and a sense of disbelief. She proved it by taking out the diadem from Madeline's purse. Madeline proposed to punish the suspected royal princess and destroy the diadem. Queen Rowena was very thankful to Madeline. Queen Rowena wanted to give a hug for Madeline when their skin touched, Madeline mysteriously disappeared from Torquilstone.

Madeline woke up breathless, sweaty, and panicked. She quickly checked her cracked watch, it all just happened for 5 minutes.. but she was sure that she had been there for 7 days. Her mother and father appeared at the edge of Madeline's bedroom door, panicked too. Her parents also got nightmares about an antique thing, then they hugged and caressed Madeline's head. "Oh sweetie, your father dreamed about being an old wizard and I was a royal princess," said Madeline's mother. Madeline was shocked, freezing and her eyes searched for the diadem. It vanished.