I shut my eyes and buried my face in my hands. I had just witnessed Claude's death—his murder—by his brother's hand. I was shaken to the core, unable to move or think. As the door clicked shut behind Alastair, a pressing silence followed. I slowly raised my eyes, staring blankly at the empty room.

It was only moments ago when this place shone brightly with Claude's presence as he played on the piano, filling the air with his otherworldly music. Now the room's stark emptiness was palpable. Shadows lurked from every corner, threatening to engulf the chamber in darkness.

I prayed that whatever purpose this spell or sorcery had brought me here had been fulfilled, and that any time now I would be taken back to the present. I desperately wanted to find Claude and tell him what I've learned. But I wasn't sure how knowing his brother was responsible for his death would help him or our cause. I can only hope.

I was expecting it to happen soon, but the room did not fade nor the surroundings disappear like the scene before. Was there something else I had to witness? I rubbed my arms briskly as panic started to overwhelm my already raw emotions.

I can't be stuck here forever in God knows where. Think, Jess, think!

My gaze traveled to the door as my thoughts raced.

Something isn't right... The authorities found Claude's body in this room. Why would Alastair and his men take him somewhere, if he was already dead or near death?

Because he wasn't. 

Claude was still alive.

Cursing, I rushed to open the door, stepping into the hallway. My breath immediately hitched at the pitch-black path before me. 

This house is going to be the death of me!  Groaning, I stretched my arms out before me.

There was a faint speck of light at what I assumed was the end of the hall. Blindly, I walked toward the light, my right hand brushing the wall.

My next step met thin air as the floor vanished beneath me. I couldn't even scream as terror robbed me of my voice. I fell into a deep, dark abyss, and just as I found the strength to cry out, the darkness closed in, dragging me into oblivion.

"Jessica... "

"Jessica!" A voice called out, insistent, urgent and—

"JESSICA!" —loud and annoying.

My eyes snapped open, squinting at the bright sun and the silhouette of a boy standing above me. In the distance, the hulking shape of the orphanage loomed atop the hill, the only home I've known ever since my ten-year-old self can remember.

"Ah, you're finally awake, thank God!" the boy cried in relief as he brushed a lock of dark hair from his eyes, where large drops of tears brimmed at the corners. He looked to be around eleven or twelve years old, with a slim, almost delicate frame, and skin as pale as porcelain.

Who is this kid? I've never seen him at the orphanage before.

"I saw you fall off the tree." The boy pointed at the sycamore tree above us. "I really thought you had died," he added tremulously.

He held his hand out and I grasped it, managing to sit up. Fortunately, the soft, thick grass had cushioned my fall.

He was unusually, richly dressed. He wore a white silk shirt with a ruffled collar and long billowy sleeves, tan breeches, and black riding boots. Honestly, he looked like a prince who had stepped out of a different time period altogether.

"Who—are you? And how do you know my name?"

"Well—um—f-forgive my impertinence." The boy's face reddened, gesturing at my gray uniform before glancing away.

Impert- what? Even his speech was weird. 

"Oh." I looked down at my name tag. Silly me. I had forgotten to take it off after sneaking out of school to climb my favorite tree. "You haven't answered my—er, first question." I leaned forward curiously. He had the most peculiar eyes, almost like glass, or silver.

Sadness flashed briefly in those eyes. "I cannot— I mean, I'm not supposed to give my name out to strangers." The boy stared at the ground, fidgeting in place.

This brat. "That's not fair. I gave you my name." Well, I kind of did.

"I—I have to go." Reluctantly, the boy turned toward the rolling hills, but not before glancing back at me with an impish smile. "I'm glad you're alright, Jessica."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he had already dashed down the hill, quickly disappearing from my view.

I scrambled to my feet to follow him, but when I looked down from my position on the slope, all I could see was the grassy glade below. There was no sign of the boy, as if he had vanished into thin air.

I sat up abruptly from the hard stone floor where I had lain, momentarily confused by my surroundings. Remembering my horrifying fall into that abysmal darkness, I shivered involuntarily. To my surprise, I felt no pain.

Right. I let out a relieved sigh as my mind started to clear. Nothing can hurt me here, which means I'm still stuck in this dream of the past, or whatever this place is.

However, the strange boy I had met thirteen years ago lingered in my thoughts. How could I have forgotten him? The mind is indeed a fickle thing. But why did the memory of that boy resurface now, all of a sudden?

Could it be...? I shook my head. Claude died over a century ago, yet his soul remained trapped in the mortal plane. Is it possible that the child I met was Claude's soul? Why would he seek me out at the orphanage?

Nothing made sense anymore. But then again, nothing made sense where my gift was concerned.

Pushing the confounding thought away, I took stock of my surroundings.

The first thing I noticed as I picked myself up from the ground was a musty odor, the air cold and damp. There was a soft, steady sound, like dripping water. Light illuminated the sparse room from iron torches spaced evenly along the rough-hewn walls. Off to the right, the far end of the chamber led to another room or passage, the lights beyond flickering as if beckoning me toward them.

My steps echoed in the unnatural silence as I crossed the room. As I drew closer, muffled voices drifted from around the corner. My heart hammered in my chest as cold dread washed over me.

Something else permeated the stale air—the unmistakable scent of blood.