In a pitch black room, in a dark corner, the young girl holds the black rose in her hands. She sits as if staring into space.Her eyes look into the night, no light or movement catching her eye. She is still as she spins the rose in her hands round and round, her mind lost from the world around her. Shadows are cast on the wall in front of her where a small light peeks through the door. When the dark, sharpened figures approach her she cowers in the corner, holding the rose tightly to her chest and scrunching up into a ball. Fear strikes her soul as the windows swing open. The cool, dark winds call her name softly, like a sweet lullaby, calming her and compelling her to come forward. The moon casts a white shimmering light on her face and her fears melt away like ice on a hot summer’s day.

As she pulls herself to her bare feet the bottom of her long, silk, red dress tumbles to the floor. She stands still for a moment, clutching the black rose ever so tightly against her chest. She walks across to the window, the stone floor ice cold against her bare feet. The shutters sway in the bitter cold winds. Her violet eyes stare as if she is in a trance. She puts her hands on the windowsill and lifts herself over onto the cold, icy grass. Once her feet hit the frozen ground she begins to run. As she runs, her pale hand lets go of the black rose, letting it fall to the frost covered grass. A dark forest looms up in front of her as she runs faster and faster. The moon shines bright in front of her as the haunting tune continues to lead her onwards. Without pausing she vanishes into the forest, the mists and shadows closing behind her.

Running, running, running that is all that she can think of. Her mind had been taken over by darkness which was compelling her to move onward. But, what is in the darkness? What is calling her in the dark night? It calls her name over and over, her mind drawn to the sweet blackness. Whatever is in the darkness wants her, but its purpose was unknown. As she runs deeper and deeper into the forest the shadows begin to fill in the path around her causing more and more of it to disappear. Once deep within the woods the pounding in her head stops. The driving desire to run comes to an end. She looks around her and sees that she is enclosed in darkness. One question floods her mind: Why am I here? But her thoughts are interrupted as a sharp pain fills her mind and she falls to the ground, her hands gripping her head.

All of the sudden she hears a strong, raspy voice say, “I brought you here.” Again all goes silent. The pain moves away she removes her hands from her head. Not understanding what just happened she sits still. Her head pounds and her heart races; she is frightened. Glowing red eyes appear all around her, like blazing red stars in a pitch black sky.

Not knowing what to do or where to go she wanders around the forest. There is something, even though she is frightened, that gives her warmth. She does not know why but there is something appealing here. Even the voice that she heard in her mind seemed familiar. It made her frightened yes but it brought a sense of peace as well, a sense of protection. Back there in that house she felt trapped. Parties that she did not want to have anything to do with. People she would rather not see. There was a reason why she was in that dark room; she was hiding from the world and she preferred in that way. Would anyone notice that she was missing?

Probably not. She thought.
There is something here that she desired and something, though she did not know what, desired her. She breathes in the darkness, letting it cool and calm her mind, looking to make this place her home. She walks for what feels like miles in the blackness wondering if she could find a place to stay. As she walks she notices another path cut into the woods leading off towards the center of the forest.

As she continues deeper into the forest the branches of the dark and twisted trees lining both sides of the path reach out for her, grasping and clawing. The wind rushes past her, whispering and moaning in an icy cold voice.

Yet what should have been seen as something to stay away from and dangerous, she saw as something guiding her along the mysterious path. All was calm; the trees were like arms guiding her to a warm and soft embrace. The howling winds were the gentle, sweet call of a mother calling to her child. All felt right, nothing was astray. She was finally heading to a place where she would find what her heart had desired for so long. That which seemed to be denied her for most of her life: “love.”

The path eventually leads her to a large clearing that contains a very old log cabin. As she approaches the darkened front door her fears melt away and all becomes calm. She had finally found a place where she felt safe, her desire for freedom had finally been fulfilled. She opens the door, steps inside, and allows the darkness to embrace her. As the door closes behind her the echoes of her laughter and joy were heard throughout the small town.

Back at the mansion, where the pale girl had last been seen, a young man walks down the corridor to a door that stands open just a crack. He hesitates, not sure whether it is a good idea to go in. Finally after some time he knocks gently on the door. To his dismay there is no answer. He pushes the door open and slowly walks in. The room is cold and a light frost covers the floor. Rushing to the open window he sees the moon glowing bright in the night’s sky and lying on the frost covered grass a black rose with a crimson bow tied around its stem.