The Red Rose of War

Chapter 1: Early Morning Murder

She looked at the alarm clock; 02:03a.m.

Shit...

The day hadn't gotten off to a good start, and it only started two hours ago! The small nightlight flooded her room with a crimson glow. She sighed. She knew what was in store later on if she didn't complete her work, but she couldn't bring herself to move from her warm, cozy bed. An audible groan escaped her lips. She had to; she'd regret it in the morning.

The young girl swung her legs over the edge of the bed and slipped her feet into her slippers. She hated the itchy woollen bastards, but the kitchen tiles were icy cold at this time. She crept across the hallway, careful not to make much noise. Her feet waltzed and tiptoed down the hall until she finally reached the stairs. Knowing that the stairs would give her away, she climbed up onto the banister and shimmied down. Relief washed over her when she reached the bottom.

The rest was going to be a piece of cake.

She made her way to the kitchen. When she got to the mirror in the hallway, she stopped and stared at her reflection. This is who she was. This is what she had become. The old Ivy Redsray was about to take her final breath.
Ivy pushed the door open and stepped inside the kitchen. The cold air hit her like a tonne of bricks. She shivered as her hair stood up. She was freezing cold, but at least she was safe for now.
She glanced around the room, her eyes adjusting to the dim light of the moon seeping through the window. She quietly closed the kitchen door and released a long exhale.

This was the easiest part; getting it set up.

She took a small briefcase from behind the fridge. The freezing cold leather made her skin crawl. Ivy unhooked the latches and opened up the case carefully. Inside was a miniature vial of purple liquid. She removed it from the case and closed her eyes. Soon, she reassured herself, it'll all be over.

She crept over to the vents by the front door, a rucksack slung over her shoulder and tears leaking from her eyes. She pried off the metal casing, opened the vial and threw it inside. Inaudible sobs escaped her lips as she rushed out the front door hastily. It was over. She had finished her job.

Her parents would be dead before the sun came up.