Once upon a time there lived a lumberjack, his wife, and their two children in a small house outside the village Limdæl. The wife was expecting another child to be born that winter. The baby was born, and all was well…for a time. The baby took sick first, and then the wife, and then one of the two children. Three weeks later, on the brink of spring, the wife and baby died. The other child survived, but the sickness had left her blind. The lumberjack had no time to grieve his loss, for his remaining children suffered terribly without a mother, and as he could not mother them his self, He married a young widow who had a daughter of own. And all was well…for a time.

Chapter I

And The Darkness Was Their Only Companion.

The long, thin wires slapped each other dully with each step as the tall woman advanced. Behind her, an equally tall girl couldn't help but giggle a little at the sound. Everyday she secretly hoped she would hear the ominous sound of all those pretty metal wires. Sometimes she went to bed disappointed, but now and again she would hear the cupboard squeal on its rusted hinges and the wires scraping the shelf as it was removed.

Quietly she peeked over the woman's shoulder and peered into the darkened corner. She could hear a low moan and the raking of chains as they no doubt curled into a fetal position. Eagerly she urged the woman forward.

"Patience, Rachel." The woman told her. "Now, leave us. We have things that need to be…resolved."

Rachel was crestfallen. 'Still I can't stay?' She wanted to argue, but one look at the wires shut her right up, and with a respectful "Yes Mama," she retreated. She was not yet to the door when she heard her mother's quiet voice stabbing accusations in the direction of the dark corner, and by the time she shut the door behind her, she heard those lovely metal wires striking flesh, and delicious shrieks of protest. Rachel laughed, and skipped out of the house to go pick some flowers.

Wren listened to his stepmothers footsteps exit the cellar before he dared move. As quickly as his wounded body would allow, he crawled across the earthen floor to the small figure of his younger sister. "Evie…Evie, are you alright?" He whispered. The figure did not move, except for her chest that rose and fell with each labored breath. Gently, Wren laid her head on his lap. Stroking her grimy hair, he tried again. "Are you alright? Evie?"

"hmmm…" was the reply.

Wren sighed in relief. "Everything is alright. She's gone. Sleep for a little while, okay? Evelyn."

Evelyn stirred a little in acknowledgement and grew still. As she drifted, the pain subsided, and she dreamed in colors. But mostly she dreamed in red.