A squeak of wooden wheels and a final, faint clop was heard from our horse as my father and I arrived at our destination. A castle loomed from behind dozens of trees, and lanterns lit the path heading towards it. We stepped out, and our servant, Leon, closed the door behind us and sent us off with a loyal "May your business go well, Monsieur Florbelle!"

We hurried up the path; my father walked briskly in front of me, taking long strides and leaving me behind. It seemed almost as if he didn't want to be seen with me. I couldn't blame him; I was far from beautiful, and he hadn't wanted to bring me in the first place. I'd begged, and he'd finally said yes. So, I was able to come and marvel at the castle Brennenburg.

We came to the door, and he rapped sharply twice at it. I stood a little ways back, slightly weary of what might answer. I toyed with my ebony hair, and fidgeted with my dress. Finally, the baron himself answered.

"Hello, my good sir!" Monsieur Florbelle said cheerfully. I examined the baron under my dark lashes. He seemed to be an alright fellow.

We proceeded indoors, and descended down some-odd flights of stairs. "Let me give you a warning, mademoiselle," the man said as he opened a door, ushering me through to another flight of stairs. "Be careful not to stray." His words fell on deaf ears; my own were trained on a strange, agonized sound coming from what seemed to be all around me. I thought better than to ask; onwards we went.

Behind a fine wood door lay an enormous room; it seemed almost green in light, and a strange sound came from a dark hallway to my right. My father and the baron chatted as they walked, talking about something psychotherapy-related. I didn't give a damn about their business; and against his warning, I dashed into the dark hallway, following the noise.

I wandered in and out of several rooms and hallways; the sound stopped and started up again. I crossed the threshold of another room, and came upon a key sitting on a desk. I took it, and found a locked door. The sound grew ever louder; I unlocked the door.

And I screamed.

There in front of me stood a gruesome creature, with its jaw hanging down to its chest. It had thick leathery skin, and seemed almost like it had been pieced together, man-made. Wispy clumps of hair were stuck to its scalp, and it had a bloodied claw instead of a hand. It spotted me, and growled.

I ran.

It chased after me, getting closer with every step. I shouted for help as I fled the scene. Surely this is a nightmare, I thought desperately, and dashed to push a door open. To my horror, it wouldn't budge. I slammed my thin body against it, willing it, god above, open. The creature got closer, and closer, and finally, it cornered me. It raised the bloodstained claw, and made to slash at me.

My father, and the baron, Alexander flung open the door.

"Leave!" He shouted at the monster, and it, to my surprise, obeyed. It gave a low grumble, as if complaining, and left us. I stared at its naked body as it stumbled away, and finally lowered my head

"Didn't I warn you," the baron said. "Not to stray?"

I thanked him in reply.