Tulipfiction
PROLOGUE
The apartment was silent.
Too silent.
Not even the old wall clock dared to tick.
Moonlight seeped through the curtains, painting silver lines across the wooden floor.
A pair of bare feet stumbled backward.
Another step.
Then another.
Until her back struck the cold wall.
Her breath trembled.
"No..."
The word barely escaped her lips.
She wasn't looking at a monster.
She was looking at the man she loved.
He stood only a few feet away, his white shirt stained with dark crimson. In one hand, he held a black king chess piece, turning it slowly between his fingers as though it were nothing more than a harmless trinket.
His smile was gentle.
Almost comforting.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"You weren't supposed to find out."
Tears blurred her vision.
She searched desperately for the door.
Locked.
The windows.
Locked.
There was nowhere left to run.
The man took one slow step forward.
Then another.
"You know..." he said softly, "people always think monsters look frightening."
He smiled.
"They never imagine they're invited in."
A sharp sting pierced her neck.
The room tilted.
Her legs gave way beneath her.
As darkness swallowed her vision, the last thing she saw was the black king resting beside her hand...
...and his voice.
Calm.
Almost affectionate.
"Goodnight, Ruby."