In a quiet town nestled among rolling hills, the Johnson family ran a cozy tea shop called "Rose Petal Delights." Known for its fragrant teas and warm atmosphere, the shop was a beloved gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
The Johnsons, a tight-knit family, consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, along with their two children, Lily and Ethan. They poured their love into every cup of tea they served, creating a sense of comfort that enveloped the shop.
However, beneath the surface of their picturesque life, a darkness loomed. Strange occurrences plagued the tea shop after the arrival of a mysterious box of antique toys. The toys, collected from distant lands, possessed an unsettling aura.
As the days passed, the Johnsons noticed a subtle change in their once lively tea shop. The fragrant rose flowers that adorned the tables began to wither, their vibrant colors fading into darkness. The cheerful chatter of customers grew muffled, replaced by an eerie silence.
One evening, as the family gathered for dinner, the air thickened with an inexplicable tension. The aroma of Mrs. Johnson's famous roasted chicken was tainted by an unpleasant smell. Unease settled in their hearts as they struggled to ignore the growing sense of dread.
Late that night, when darkness blanketed the town, Lily, unable to sleep, ventured downstairs. She discovered the antique toys in the corner, their eyes gleaming with an eerie light. Against her better judgment, she picked up a porcelain doll with a haunting smile.
Emmy's life is going just as she'd planned: She's living in her own apartment, dancing every day and is just leaps away from being named her company's next Prima ballerina. And she's only 17. But all of Emmy's plans come to a screeching halt when the FBI shows up at her door to let her know that she's being stalked by a serial killer. Suddenly, the safe, insulated world she created for herself is riddled with violence, fear...and a growing pile of dead bodies. At first Emmy wants nothing more than to forget her chilling new reality - but her admirer isn't finished with her yet, and before she knows it, Emmy's stuck in a nightmare she can't dance her way out of.
Content and/or trigger warning: This story contains detailed scenes of murder, rape, torture, sex and stalking, which may be triggering for some readers.
[[word count: 80,000-90,000 words]]