Chapter Seven: Madam of the Lonely House:

-Cassie-

I came down a darkened hall. The maze led me to this place just seconds before. Everything around me sounded flat. At least, I could smell something this time. I closed my eyes and took a sniff. I think it’s… Wait… Is that perfume? I ripped open my eyes. In front of me stood a tall, heavy oak door. I slowly reached for the brass knob. I paused at first as I stared at it. I debated whether or not to go inside when something caught my ear.

Is somebody… crying? I took a small step back. I probably shouldn’t have been surprised by this point, but it still managed to pull it off. Keeping that in mind, I regained composure and opened the door. A wave of perfume filled my nose. Just walking in, I felt as if I had gone back in time. Candles provided the only source of light in this room. A bed with silk white sheets sat in front of me. A woman sat on it with her back turned to me. I slowly walked into her candle-lit room.

“Hello?” I asked. I still walked closer to the bed.

“Don’t come any closer!” the woman said. I froze in place.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Please!” the woman screamed. I nodded at her.

“Okay…” I said. I stayed quiet for a moment. “Excuse me, but who are you?”

“I am the Madam of the Skies,” she replied in a whisper. I blinked at her, slightly.

“Madam of the Skies?” I asked.

“That’s right,” the woman replied. I shuffled a bit in place.

“So… what are you doing here?” I asked.

“I have been chained here,” the Madam said. I raised an eyebrow at her.

“Why are you chained here?” I asked as I began to walk towards her again.

“Don’t!” the woman yelled. I froze where I stood. The woman sighed.

“Um…” I said.

“Stop,” the woman replied. “I don’t even want to tell you why.” I blinked at her, still confused.

“Alright,” I said. “You don’t have to.” As I waited in the silence, I got a good look at the woman’s back. Her dress, black or red; I couldn’t tell in the candle light, completely exposed the creamy pale skin to me. She had bright blood red circles in a chain going down her spine. They looked to be drinking her blood to support themselves. I winced a bit just looking at them.

“Do they hurt?” I asked. The woman sniffled at my question.

“Yes!” she wailed. “This is the price I must pay for my vanity!” I tried to step forward to her again.

“Stay back!” she screamed. I froze with one foot in front of the other one.

“Would I be affected by this curse too?” I asked.

“No!” she wailed. “I don’t want anyone near me!”

“Then… let me help you,” I offered. The madam did all, but laugh at me.

“You?” she asked. “Do you know how many people have offered that to me? And look what it got them? What makes you think that you’re different?”

“I am trying to look for Megan,” I admitted. The woman glanced up when I said that. I didn’t really get a good look at her face.

“Megan?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. “Just let me help you.” The woman was about to speak when an icy chuckle filled the darkened room. I lifted my head and looked up.

“Who’s there?” I shouted. Dr. Stonem’s face appeared in the ceiling. I took small steps back, trembling.

“You!” I hissed. The face smirked at me.

“Oh, Cassie, Cassie, Cassie,” he said. “Do you really believe you can save everyone in this place?”

“I can try!” I yelled. The face shook its head for me.

“Poor Cassie,” he said. “Do you even know why this woman has the chain on her spine? No? I’ll tell you. She keeps all of the damned souls trapped here in the underground.” I stood my ground; I wasn’t going to let her deter me away from my mission. The face could see that in my eyes.

“You don’t get it, do you?” he asked. “You can’t help her or anyone here. Let me show you.” His hand reached down and grabbed a hold of my whole body. The next thing I knew, I was being pulled upwards through a hold in the ceiling.