Chapter 2: Sudden Happenings
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The town lay shrouded in gloom as Lady Marina approached the parlour house. A sense of foreboding enveloped her, matching the stormy skies overhead. The gusts of wind carried with them whispers of despair and confusion from the townsfolk.
As Lady Marina pushed through the crowds of the townspeople, their expressions painted a grim picture of what awaited her. The air was thick with tension as she made her way closer to the scene, the anxious chatter of the townspeople adding to the eerie atmosphere. Her heart pounded with a mix of dread and determination.
Finally, she reached the entrance of the parlour house, her footsteps heavy with apprehension. Her hand trembled as she pushed open the creaking door, revealing a nightmarish scene that would haunt her for years to come. The room was a maelstrom of chaos and destruction, with overturned furniture, shattered glass, and the strong scent of iron.
And in the center of this gruesome tableau lay her father, Lord Gabriel Thorn, lifeless and pale against the dark wood floor. His once-vibrant green eyes now stared blankly at the ceiling, forever deprived of the light that once danced within them. For a moment, her entire world seemed to crumble, and a guttural cry of grief and disbelief escaped her trembling lips.
The room bore the scars of violence, with crimson stains painting a macabre tapestry on the floor. It was impossible for her to reconcile the image of her father, a man of knowledge and wisdom, with the tragic figure who lay motionless before her. As her tears flowed freely and she fell to her knees, she wept not only for the loss of her beloved father but also for the shattered innocence she had once held dear.
As the initial shock began to subside, Lady Marina's emotions spiraled through a whirlwind of feelings. Denial gave way to anger, a burning rage at the cruel hands that had snatched her father from her life. She clenched her fists, vowing to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrator to justice. It was a promise she made to her father's memory, and it fueled her newfound determination.
Yet, as she began to regain her composure and rose to her feet, something drew her attention. Her eyes fixated on the markings etched into the wooden floor beneath her father's body. Runes, ancient and intricate, formed a mysterious Runic circle of purpose unknown to her. This was no crime of passion or random act of violence. It was a premeditated murder, executed with chilling precision.
The realization sent shivers down her spine, and the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her. She knew that her journey to uncover the truth had only just begun. With newfound determination and a sense of purpose that burned brighter than ever, Lady Marina vowed to investigate her father's death and bring justice to her family.