Mary lay on her bed, arms akimbo. Her full white skirts stood out starkly from the crimson red bed spread. The diamonds on her gown twinkled and danced. Quivering candles threw gentle shadows over the warm burgundy walls. Beautiful and luminous in her white gown, Mary looked like an angel. Her eyes flickered open and ran over her body. She noted to her dismay that she was still dressed.
Even if she could bring herself to ring for the maid to help her undress, she simply couldn't get up to unlock the door. So she would have to spend the night in this gargantuan ball gown. Mary groaned. It was a foolish plan. As stunning as she looked, her head still pounded from the weight of the wig and her wretched corset was ridiculously tight. She shifted slightly, trying to get comfortable. She groaned again. As tired as she was, she just couldn't spend the night in the corset.
She pushed herself from her bed; grimacing, and stumbled over to her dressing table. She grabbed her letter knife. Clinging on the edge of the table, she wriggled her arms out of the gauzy puff sleeves and slit open the laces. Mary took in a deep breath, eager to get her lungs working again.
Something was wrong.
Mary looked at her chest in horror. Her pristine white gown was rapidly turning red as blood seeped through the floaty fabric. She clutched her stomach in panic, her dark eyes growing wide in horror. She lifted her hand and saw it painted red. A warm droplet of blood trickled down her arm.
She collapsed to the floor, terrified eyes flashing wildly.
"Oh God," she gasped, "What's happening to me? What's happening to me? Oh God!"
