On the night of the Halloween party, Evie arrived at the grand mansion, transported graciously by the town's public carriage. As she stepped out, she was struck by the imposing structure and dark roses trailing down its sides, the mansion was breath taking to Evie who had never seen something like it before.
As she walked towards the entrance, she saw the tall butler standing at the door, dressed in a suit and wearing a black mask on his face. He stood straight and still, like a mannequin in Mr. Thomy's shop. Evie felt a shiver run down her spine as she approached him.
"Welcome to the soiree," he said, his voice cold and detached. "May I have the pleasure of seeing your invitation?"
Evie handed over her invitation, and the butler checked it before opening the door and summoning a maid to escort her to the party.
As she followed the maid through the long corridor, Evie couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the grandeur of the mansion. The walls were adorned with dark red tapestries, and the atmosphere was formal. When they reached the entrance to the reception room, the maid reminded Evie to put on her mask.
"Pardon me, madam, but it's time to don your mask," the maid said.
Evie quickly secured the simple gold mask to her face and thanked the maid.
As Evie stepped into the grand ballroom, she was enveloped by a sea of faces, each one radiating an aura of opulence and refinement. The room was ablaze with the soft glow of candelabras, casting a warm, golden light over the assembled guests. They seemed to be bathed in a splendor of wealth, as if they had been showered with a cascade of precious coins.
Evie's eyes widened as she took in the spectacle before her. The guests were a kaleidoscope of colors, with some sporting black and brown eyes that seemed to blend seamlessly into the shadows. But it was the others who truly caught her attention - those with eyes that shone like polished gold, others with eyes that gleamed like burnished copper, and a select few with eyes that seemed to dance between red and yellow, like the vibrant hues of a sunset.
The air was alive with the hum of conversation, the tinkling of glasses, and the soft strains of music. Evie felt as though she had entered a different world, one where the boundaries of reality were stretched and the impossible became possible.
As she gazed around the room, Evie's eyes landed on a group of guests who seemed to be laughing and chatting with an ease that she could only dream of. They were the epitome of sophistication, their movements fluid and confident. Evie felt a pang of self-doubt, wondering if she truly belonged in this world of elegance and refinement.
But as she looked around, she noticed a young girl approaching her with a tray of drinks. "Might you wish for a drink, milady?" the girl asked, her voice soft and melodious.
Evie smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the girl. "Yes, thank you," she replied, taking a glass of water from the tray.
As she sipped her drink, Evie felt a sense of calm wash over her. She began to relax, taking in the sights and sounds of the party with a newfound sense of wonder.
As Evie continued to mingle, her mind wandered back to the fantasies she had of dancing with a handsome man. But for now, she found herself turning down not one, not two, but three different men who had asked her to dance. Feeling out of place and unsure why she wasn't clicking with these people, feeling out of place Evie slipped out of the ballroom.
Evie stepped into the cool hallway, the muffled sound of the party fading behind her. The contrast between the lavish ballroom and the quiet, almost eerie, solitude of the corridor made her feel like an intruder in a world she didn't fully understand. The mansion seemed alive in a way that unsettled her, its darkened corners holding secrets she wasn't sure she wanted to uncover.
She wandered aimlessly, her footsteps echoing through the long, ornate halls. As she passed a large mirror, she caught a glimpse of her reflection her mask now feeling heavier than before. The elegant gown she had chosen seemed to betray her in this unfamiliar space, no longer fitting her comfort zone. Her heartbeat quickened as a sudden chill swept through the air, making the ornate fixtures and shadowy alcoves feel all the more imposing.
Turning a corner, she stumbled upon a small, secluded parlor. The door creaked open with a soft groan, revealing a room that seemed untouched by the festivities. The furniture was draped in heavy velvet, and the only light came from a lone candelabra on a side table, casting eerie shadows along the walls.
In the center of the room stood an old piano, its keys seemingly beckoning. Drawn to it as though by some unseen force, Evie crossed the room, her fingers grazing the surface of the instrument. She hesitated, unsure whether it was the right moment to disturb the quiet. But the pull was too strong, and before she could second guess herself, she sat down at the piano bench.
Her fingers hovered over the keys for a moment before she began to play a soft, haunting melody. The sound echoed through the room, filling the space with a tension that had previously been absent. As she played, she couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to the mansion, as though the walls themselves were listening, responding.
Just as she played the final note, a voice broke the silence.
"You play beautifully."
Evie jumped, her hand slipping off the keys. She turned sharply, her heart racing, and saw a figure standing in the doorway—tall, with a mask as dark and mysterious as the night itself.
"Forgive me," the figure continued, his tone smooth and almost hypnotic. "I didn't mean to startle you."
Evie's breath caught in her throat, her mind spinning. She couldn't make out his features beneath the mask, but his presence was undeniable, like a shadow that had been cast across the room.
"Who... who are you?" Evie asked, her voice trembling slightly.
The man smiled, though the gesture didn't quite reach his eyes. "A guest, just like you."
There was something unsettling in his tone, something that didn't quite match the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the party. Evie's instincts told her to leave, to run back to the ballroom where she could blend in with the others, but she remained frozen, inexplicably drawn to the stranger.
"Would you care for a dance?" he asked, his eyes glinting beneath his mask.
Evie swallowed hard. Something about his offer felt different from the others, as though it held more weight than a mere social gesture. For a moment, she hesitated, unsure whether to trust him. But there was a quiet urgency in his gaze, something that whispered to her, urging her to step closer into the unknown.
Before she could respond, he took a step forward, his hand extending toward her. "I promise you, there is no one here who will make you feel as alive as I will."
And despite every warning bell in her mind, Evie found herself reaching out, her fingers brushing his with an inexplicable sense of fate.