Disclaimer: I own nothing (unfortunately)! Also, I blame you for reading this, it's rated T for a reason, don't get too excited over it :P

Author Note:

And thus, the long awaited update came, almost a year later. Yep, I suck at this, I know, but sit back and enjoy the show, cuz I'm gonna try to stick with this one and finally get another book done X3

~Scar

Chapter 1:

Upon further explorations, Mary still hadn't found much out. The room she was in was interesting enough to hold her attention, and yet, there was so little to look at. "So... this is wood?" She murmured to herself as she smoothed her fingertips across the grainy surface of the dresser, before opening it and peering inside. "And this is fabric?" It felt soft and silky to the touch, a bright blue short, frilly dress, made for a girl just her size. She pulled the costume Guertana had chose for her off with a loud rip, and settled the new, soft, delicate clothing over her body. I wonder how I got here... She looked around for a painting, or some other reminder of her own home, but there was nothing; just a blackened window which stared at her almost angrily from its post on the wall.

"You're a greedy little one, now, aren't you?" The voice was soft, but still held a sharp tone, that shocked little Mary so much she quite jumped at the sound of it. Behind her, she heard the creak of an opening door, and the padding of footsteps closer towards her. With a deep, shaky breath, she managed to turn around, her eyes darting to all corners of the room. Huh? I know I'm not hallucinating when I say I heard something... it even spoke too...

"Where are you hiding, coward?" She said in the most bitter, harsh tone of voice she could manage. "Show yourself, you have a lot of nerve to call me greedy when you're nothing but a stupid coward!" She laughed, her voice never wavering once with the sway of fear.

"I've been 'showing myself' this whole time, not only are you greedy, but stupid too!" At this point, Mary felt something wet and cold brush against her skin, which twinged with irritation and disgust. She shivered, looking down at where the object seemed to have been. Sitting pompously at her feet, as if it hadn't a care in the world, was a black cat. "You don't look tasty at all."

"What's that supposed to mean? Stupid cat," she gave it a sharp kick, which displaced its furry body 5 feet across the room.

"You'll regret that later," it said plainly, as it stood, licking itself for a bit, and walked out of the open door, leaving Mary behind in the unfamiliar room.

"Stupid bastard. What an annoying cat!" Mary exclaimed, balling her hands into little fists. "I'll find my way out of this stupid house for sure! Stupid, stupid, stupid!" She, at this point, kicked the wardrobe she had taken her nice new dress from, which shook it rather hardly. Clink! The sound of metal against wood surprised Mary, as she stooped down to look at the curious object that had fallen from high up on top of the wardrobe where she could neither reach or see. It was small, and nicely decorated with an impressive flowery pattern. Maybe I'd better old onto this, it might come in handy... She shoved the little key in her pocket, and twisted her hair up into a messy bun, out of her face. Daddy doesn't like it when I put my hair up, but these ringlets do so often get in my way... Alright! Now, to get myself out of here... She took hesitant steps towards the door, following the trail of red right up to it, and resting her hand on the knob. Why am I so on edge? For all I know, this is that stupid cat's house, there's nothing to be scared of. And with that, she plunged through the doorway and into the unfamiliar upper corridor of the house. There seemed to be nothing out of place in this room, as opposed to the one of Mary's origin. The only sign of distress was a slight rumple in the carpet and a red trail to where there appeared to be a staircase entrance tucked away in the corner. On the table, a lonely rose was blooming in a gloomy vase, all by itself. "Poor flower, how lonely you must be," She stopped, and picked it up, kissing its soft petals with the rosy lips of a child; something strange happened then, the rose bled, it bled the color yellow, all over Mary's hands. She dropped it in shock, where it filled its little vase with yellow blood, Mary lifted her fingers to her mouth, tasting the strange fluid, and was happy to find it to be distinctly paint flavored. The taste comforted her, she felt an odd, sudden desire to bring the rose with her bloom in her breast, and picked up the vase with shaky hands. "Huh? Was that always there?" In the place where the vase had just stood, a single printed note on a thick white cardstock, staring back at her with hurriedly written cursive black writing.

"Do you like roses, Mary?"

In the distance, a lonely, loud gunshot fired, as Mary picked up the note with angry fingers, and dipped it into the paint until it was completely inundated, before removing it and smoothing it down on the table. She traced the letters with her fingertip, fire burning in her mind.

"Yes."

She left it there, and took her first step down the staircase, an inexplicable anger still held in her frame. "We'll see where this leads me, I suppose. I hope it's to somewhere safe, somewhere where I can see daddy again."

A second gunshot, this one echoed even louder than the first, followed by the sound of creaking footsteps up the stairs... coming in her direction.

Gonna try to keep them over 1,000 words to make them worth your time, haha :P if you've got somethin' to say about the story, say it! I love hearing your opinions! PM me if there's something that's confusing you or if you're interested in the next (estimated) release date, thanks guys :*