Darkness. That was all I could see. The hazy blackness unfurled in every direction.

"Um… hello? Anyone here?"

Silence.

I pulled at my thoughts, trying to recall how I got here. But the memories were blurry, and kept slipping away, like a dream. After several minutes of reflecting, I was able to recall flashes of the past.

The elegant velvet carpet was painted crimson, seeping into the silken fabric. The rustic scent of blood. Unfamiliar, harsh voices. Then nothing. Just darkness.

"So am I dead now? I wondered out loud. Then I recoiled in surprise as I got a response.

"Dead?"

"Not yet. Your fine."

"You summoned us, saying to assist you."

"I'm sorry, I don't know you… or see you."

There was a pause, then three people stepped out of the darkness, clearly triplets. But the first jolt stirred up when I scanned their eyes. Red, blue and green.

"We apologize, Miss." The red eyed one said.

"My name is Timber. That's Thompson, and Cantebury."

The ones on the right and left slightly inclined their heads.

"Pleasure to meet you. My name's Adria." I replied, then added, "Do you know where I can leave this place? It's very… cheerless."

They regarded each other, contemplating, then turned to me.

"Alright, we'll help."

I averted my eyes as radiant light cut through the darkness. Looking the other way, I saw a bright circle drawing nearer. I squinted my eyes.

What is that? Looks like a-

"That-" Timber said, "-Is your contract."

For a moment, I was at a complete loss for words.

"Um, I'm afraid I don't exactly know what you're talking about."

"A contract is a covenant, binding a demon to a person-"

I cut him off. "A demon?"

"That is correct."

"You're telling me you're a demon."

"Yes. When you summoned us, you asked for help. So we helped, but before you arrived here, we promised to stay by your side until your mission is complete."

"And then?"

"Uh…"

"Then?"

An apologetic smile touched his lips.

"It's better that you do not know."

"What?"

Bowing slightly, he stepped away. His silhouette vanished, swallowed by the blinding light. After what seemed for hours, the light dimmed and faded. I slowly took my hands away from my eyes and looked around. The bright azure sky and snow white clouds were above me. I could feel the polished cobblestone street under my fingertips.

I'm back home. Finally. Everything is so colorful!

Canterbury helped me up, but as he did, I caught sight of the contract Timber mentioned earlier. It was a deep red, with intricate symbols inside. He saw me staring at it.

"You know, you have one too."

"I do not."

"Yes, you do."

"I don't."

"Sure?"

"Don't argue with me."

To my surprise, he subsided. I dusted my hands off, and the four of us headed toward the family mansion, it's shadow shaded us from the intense heat of the midday sun.

When we finally reached the oak door, I was instantly hit by a wave of sorrow.

The house felt empty and somber, the painted glass windows throwing nostalgic colors on the earth.

I desperately wished that it was all a nightmare, but I knew in my heart that when I eased open the door, I would find myself all alone.

I sighed and lifted my hand to the brass doorknob, but stopped cold when I saw a flash of brilliant red out of the corner of my eye. Thompson reacted first.

"Hey-"

I gasped and felt a sliver of cold run down my back as I heard a low whisper in my ear.

"My, my… This house is rather empty, isn't? All the residents painted that lovely red color. This is one house of… death~"