1

She awoke to total silence. She hadn't meant to fall asleep when she had laid down. She now realised she was more weary than she had first assumed. The day had faded into night and the lively sounds of the Manor had ceased some hours before. She sat up slowly and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She reached for the wick candle on the bedside table and lit it, casting eerie shadow  figures on the walls. Cautiously she perused the room, staring intently into the shadows, watching for even the tiniest of movement. Taking a deep calming breath, she tossed back the bed linens from her legs and slid them over the side, her toes touching thecold hardwood floor as they searched for her slippers. With a slight jump , she slid from the bed and quickly crossed the room to the door. As the stood encircled by the light of the candle,she pressed her ear to the door and listened for any sound. When at last reassured that the other occupants of the third floor were not stirring she crept across the room to a darkened corner and removed a heavy painting from the wall. Turning with it , she slid it to the floor and propped it against the wall. Turning back to face the wall, she reached up and hesitently caressed the lock on the ancient safe. Reaching into the bodice of her nightgown , she withdrew the key hanging from the silver necklace aroung her neck. Slowly she inserted it into the lock of the safe, wincing as the door opened with a small groan. She stood perfectly still for a moment, her heart racing as she listened for any sound of movement. Hearing nothing, she exhaled the breath she held and softly laughed to herself for being so paranoid. Raising up on her tiptoes she peered into the dark hole filled with the treasured objects she had collected throughout the years. carefully she moved the things around, stopping only to run her fingertips over the soft velveteen fabric of a tunic. Painful memories flooded her mind ,taking her breath away and she had to shake her head fiercely to bring herself back to the important task at hand. Roughly she thrust the tunic aside and with grim determination she closed her fingers around an object at the back which was covered in a heavy canvas. Pulling it toward her. shepicked it up and cradled it against her chest as she stepped back and crossed the room toward her bed. Even through the thick canvas she could feel the vibration of the object  she held. The visions came to her again, blinding her for a moment. She felt the burning greed and desire of the evil one, heard his raspy whispers again. The room chilled several degrees and she trembled for she knew her task was inevitable. She lay the package on the bed slowly and carefully pulled the canvas away. At first,she kept her eyes averted, afraid of the power , but slowly she turned toward it, feeling the cold wickedness overtake her. Unable to resist  its call to her she lifted it. As the cold porcelain of the mask tounched her face her mind was cast into a whirlwind of chaotic feelings and images. Slowly cold thoughts of  unmerciful retribution for aggreived sins ate at the very core of her being. Searing flames of furious need to exact vengeance coursed through her veins. Faces of those who in past times had hurt or wronged her flooded her vision. Then suddenly, only one face stood out from them all. The casual stance, the lurid grin, the cold blue eyes, she shuddered at first, then white hot fury burned bright. The Masque of the evil one knew what to do, and in her slowly twisting mind, she heard his maniacal laughter.

Reviews

[Twilight]

This is the first piece of your writing, which I have reviewed. I noticed that there is no reference to the time or place, in which this tale is set? That adds an element of mystery to a writing of this type, sometimes. And, I believe that it works here. At the end of this opening chapter, I was reminded of Poe's short story, "The Mask Of The Red Death". Also, I liked your closing reference to the diabolic nature of insanity.

It was effective, how you expressed the emotional angst and powerful emotions of the protagonist. Perhaps, it would be worth adding a little more detail, about the experiences which have reduced her to this terrible state of mind? A promising start. Nice writing!

[KhelticRyder]

You have captured me and have pulled me into this world that you have weaved, I await what may come next.