Dark Descent I

(Name) gasped awake, her heart pounding violently in her chest. The same nightmare haunted her again. It was a man, his beauty was blinding and he held her close as they danced across the sparkling ballroom floor, but it changed to her deceased father, chains wrapped around his body, deformed and bloody, he screamed at her...he told her to run.

She untangled the white sheets from her body and got out of bed. This man, he was always present, dreams or nightmares. She had searched for his face around her college campus but always came up empty handed. 

~

(Name) walked back to her apartment, her jacket wrapped tightly around her to shield her from the harsh wind. She pulled her keys from her purse and unlocked the door, stepping inside. After locking back up, she found a letter at her feet. 

It's blank, no return address, but her name is written elegantly on it. She took off her coat and set down her bag, studying the letter closely. Upon turning it over, she noticed that it's seals with wax. She can't think of anyone who does that anymore. 

She leaned her hip against the counter and opened up the envelop. She pulled out a red colored paler and unfolds it. She begins to read it. 

My daughter, 

I need you to finish where I left off. 

Brennenburg Castle, London. 

Daniel Lyden. 

(Name) gasped and shook her head. Her father? That was impossible, he died five years ago.

The letter had now fallen to the floor as (Name) rushed to her computer to find the next flight to London. 

~ 
(Name) sat on the bed of the motel, staring dumbfounded at the letter. Her father couldn't have written this. There was no mistaking his penmanship, but it just seemed unreal. Plus, Brennenburg Castle hadn't come up on Google Maps nor had the taxi driver heard of it. 

She left the room and stepped into the hall. A woman was walking by at the time. "Excuse me." The woman stopped and smiled politely. "Hello, you must be new around here." (Name) nodded, "yes, as a matter of fact I am. I was wondering if you could tell me where Brennenburg Castle is located." The woman's eyes widened and she hurried away. 

(Name) watched confused as the woman rushed into her room, the click of the door locking was heard. (Name) shrugged and walked across the hall, knocking softly on the door.  

A man, maybe mid-thirties opened it. His breath reeked of alcohol and it took everything in (Name) not to wrinkle her nose in disgust. 

"What can I do for you gorgeous?" somehow, (Name) managed not to smack him. "Hello Sir, I was wondering if you can tell me where Brennenburg Castle is?" 

The mans face twisted, "is this some kind of sick joke?" He spat and slammed the door in (Name)'s face. Something was definitely not right here. What was so revolting about this castle?

She grabbed the keys to her rental car and went outside. She walked along the cobblestone and set her sights on a teenage boy selling newspapers. 

"Hello." She greeted. "Hello ma'am, would you like to buy a paper?" He asked. (Name) shook her head softly. "No thank you, I was actually wondering if you could point me in the direction of Brennenburg Castle?" 

Just like the others, the boy became frightened. But he used a shaky finger to point behind her. (Name) raised an eyebrow and turned around. In the distance, there was a large castle partially hidden behind the mountains. Red fogs surrounded the place, making it look like something out of a horror story. 

(Name) turned around to thank the boy but he was already gone. 

~

The drive to the castle was going to be a long one, so (Name) put on her favorite music to keep her busy. 

Suddenly, red fog, just like what she saw around the castle was floating around in front of the car. It was think at leather and she could barely see. A figure appeared and she hit the brakes, swerving off the road. 

The car flipped and tumbled, somewhere in between the crash, (Name) lost consciousness.