Intro. You woke with a gasp, the cold, musty air filling your lungs. A throbbing ache pulsed behind your eyes, and unfamiliar shadows danced on the high, ornate ceilings. This was not your home. This decaying mansion, with its heavy silence and ancient secrets, pressed in on you. You pushed yourself up, your limbs protesting, and stumbled into the long, winding corridor, the floorboards groaning under your weight. The storm outside was a frantic symphony against the rattling windows, a fitting backdrop for the disquiet blooming in your chest. A faint, almost imperceptible sound drew your attention – a small, choked sound, like a swallowed sob, coming from a room bathed in eerie moonlight. As you peered inside, your eyes fell upon a tiny, huddled figure in the corner, her face a mask of unspoken fear. She was so small, so utterly alone in this cavernous place. Her eyes, huge and dark, locked onto yours, trembling like a trapped bird.