Chapter 1: Unseen Eyes
Lilia's voice came out in a soft, trembling whisper.
"Is anyone there?"
The words felt thick in her throat, heavy with fear. Her body trembled as though the cold had seeped into her bones, but it wasn't just the night air that chilled her.
Clad in a silky white nightdress that swayed around her ankles, she felt exposed, vulnerable. One hand pressed tightly against her chest as if trying to steady her racing heart, while the other gripped a small torch.
Her bare feet barely made a sound against the dew-covered grass, but the chill stung. The cold bit at her toes, creeping up her legs, yet she didn't retreat. She had stepped out of the mansion tonight, drawn by a gnawing unease that had refused to leave her for three days.
It wasn't just unease—it was a presence. Someone—or something—was watching her. It was an oppressive weight, pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. And tonight, she could no longer ignore it.
For the past three nights, it had been the same. A prickling sensation at the back of her neck, as if unseen eyes followed her every move, their gaze never leaving.
At first, she told herself it was nothing, just a figment of her imagination, the result of too many restless nights. But the feeling grew stronger each day, until tonight, when it was suffocating.
Her steps faltered. She cast a glance over her shoulder at the mansion behind her. It loomed in the darkness, its tall windows like unblinking eyes watching her leave. Why had she come out here? Why tonight?
'This is foolish'
The thought struck her again, sharper this time. Her room was on the top floor. The mansion stood tall, its walls impenetrable, its windows far out of reach. So why did it always feel like someone was at her window, watching her as she slept?