A Foreboding Allure

Chapter 1 - Part II

Notes from the Author: This is the second and final part to the prologue. I apologize, once again, for it's length but after this I'll be posting chapters which I'm sure will be quite long so keep reading for more of the story! Thanks so much those of you that have already read and will continue reading. xoxo

------

Nadia had changed from her plane black skirts and cloak to a romantic gold silk gown complete with a boned,lace-back bodice, and ivory lace flounces. Her previously braided hair had been effortlessly swept into a simple but elegant twist and pinned at the nape of her neck. She look absolutely stunning. Nadia beamed at me, and I averted my eyes, instantly feeling stupid for being caught staring.

"Come, I'm sure you must be tired. Let me show you to your room where you can rest for the night." she said. I merely nodded and followed her through the maze-like manor. I'd never actually expressed in staying the night and she had never made a formal offer but in all truthfulness, I was exhausted, and the last time I slept in a warm bed had escaped my memories so I wasn't about to decline the offer.

Silently, we climbed two flights of stone stairs and walked through lonely corridors until finally she stopped in front of a arched wooden door. Compared to the many ornate rooms and features of the mansion I had seen as we passed, this particular room seemed rather meek. Nadia pushed open the door and gently urged me into the room. "Sleep well my dear." she whispered as she closed the door.

A polished mahogany bed was made up to perfection. A lit kerosene lamp sat on a silver accented night stand and a matching dresser and mirror faced the bed on the opposite side of the room. The hardwood floor was covered by an ivory persian-like rug. As I looked over the room, my eyelids felt heavier and heavier and the fluffy, down bedding looked oh-so-inviting. I made my way - almost in a dreamlike state- to the bed and collapsed. As soon as my head touched the pillow I was asleep.

---Wood. It was what I felt...smelled...tasted even. Pine, to be more exact. I was laying on my back, but the air around me was dark...and still. I couldn't tell where I was. Attempting to feel out my surroundings, I lifted my hands above my head, instantly feeling the rebound of my wrists hitting a firm surface. I hit it again, nothing happened. The top wouldn't budge. Top...or lid? "Oh Blessed Mother"I thought...I was trapped. In a box. A pine box. I felt my throat closing, my brain was a wurr of electricity as I kicked, punched, and screamed from inside the my prison. I was claustrophobic and hyperventilating; no help seemed to coming but I refused to give up. How had I gotten myself trapped? The last thing I remembered was laying down on the bed in Nadia's house. What had I missed? The edges of my vision were rapidly fading to black. The last thing my senses registered before I went unconscious was a woman...cruelly laughing. Then everything went black....---