"Well, that's how it happened. My entire family hates me… even some of the maids. They all think it was my fault that Emelda disappeared. I left her alone… I was too scared. I was only six years old at that time, while Emelda was a year older than me. Still, why does Father hate me so much? Am I not his daughter? Am I not their child? Hmm… I miss you, Emelda. It has been twelve years without you. You were my only friend… That's all for now, dear diary."
A young woman sat at the edge of her balcony, holding a small notebook decorated with pressed flowers. It was Emily. She gazed at the view outside her chamber, where the morning was beautiful and calm. Birds were singing, and their sweet echoes brushed against her ears.
Suddenly, a loud voice broke the serenity.
"Emily! Come down here at once!"
It was her mother's voice.
"Wait, Mama, I'm coming!" Emily shouted back. She ran out of her chamber and hurried down the grand staircase of the mansion. The air inside was cold and silent, heavy with tension.
"There you are. Come here," her mother ordered. "I want you to go to the village and deliver this letter to the old lady."
Emily accepted the letter, confused.
"Old lady? Mama, I've never been to the village before… I've been locked up in this mansion for so long."
Her mother let out a heavy sigh, her chest rising and falling with restrained anger.
"Are you trying to argue with me, your own mother? Do you think it's my fault you've been locked away all these years? It's all your fault! You ruined this family! Your father left to search for your sister, and now I'm the one managing everything in his absence!" she yelled, her voice sharp with fury.
"But Mama, why can't the maids or guards deliver this letter instead?" Emily asked, her voice breaking. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Enough! Go now, before night comes," her mother snapped.
Emily had no choice. She put on her coat and small hat, closed the heavy mansion doors, and asked a servant to take her to the village.
After an hour of travel, the servant finally spoke.
"Lady Emily, we are here."
Emily stepped down from the carriage.
"Do you know where the old lady lives?" she asked.
"There's only one woman everyone calls 'the old lady.' I'm sorry, my lady, but perhaps you should ask the villagers," the servant replied, tipping his hat.
Emily nodded and quietly walked into the lively village. A wooden sign read: Windale Village. She whispered the name to herself as she entered the marketplace, where vendors were busy with customers.
She began asking around about the old lady. After several minutes, one seller responded, "Oh, are you looking for the old lady who used to work with Duke Edmund's wife?"
Emily froze for a moment. Worked with Mother? What does that mean…?
"Yes, I'm looking for her. Do you know where she lives?" Emily asked.
The seller gave her a confused look but eventually pointed her to a small, crooked house at the edge of the village.
Emily knocked on the door. No answer. She knocked again, and suddenly the door creaked open on its own. The inside was dim—not too dark, but shadowed.
"Come in, child," a frail voice called from within.
Emily stepped cautiously inside. As soon as she passed the threshold, the door slammed shut with a loud thud. She gasped. There was no wind—yet it closed so suddenly. She tried to steady her breath, but then—
A cold hand touched her shoulder.
Emily spun around and her eyes widened in shock. Before she could scream, her vision darkened, and she fainted.
---
When she opened her eyes, her head felt dizzy. "Ugh… what was that?" she whispered, rubbing her temple.
"Oh, dear, you're awake. Here, drink this water. You'll feel better," said the old woman's voice.
Emily accepted the glass and finally looked at her host.
"Old lady…?"
The woman chuckled. "Yes, that's me. Now, what brings you here, Emily?"
Emily's eyes widened. "H-how do you know my name? Never mind. My mother sent me to deliver this letter. Here."
The old woman took it gently. "Ah, it's from Sabella. I hope she is well. I will read it tonight."
Emily sat quietly, glancing around the room. The walls were filled with strange, fascinating artifacts. A large frame caught her eye. She stood to look closer.
"Why are the people in this painting wearing such strange clothes?" she asked.
The old woman laughed softly. "Do you like magical things… or mysteries?"
Emily shook her head. "No. Those things are frightening. Wait—what is that?!" Her finger trembled as she pointed at the painting. "Is that… a human with a horse's body?"
"Yes," the old woman said gently. "And Emily, I am truly sorry for what happened to your sister."
Emily's heart sank. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have left her behind…"
The old woman took her hands firmly. "No, child. Do not speak that way. Only you know where your sister truly is."
Emily's eyes filled with tears. "Where can I find her? I have no clue… the last I saw, she vanished into the mirror in the basement chamber."
The woman hugged her. "Don't worry, dear. There is someone who can lead you to her. But remember—your sister can only return if she chooses to. If she decides to stay… fate will take a different path."
Emily looked at her, confused. "What? How do you know all of this? Who are you, really?"
The woman only smiled. "That is not important right now. The answers you seek lie in another dimension. Alma!"
The sound of hooves echoed from upstairs. Slowly, a shadow descended the creaking stairs. Emily widened her eyes in disbelief and screamed.
"Is that… a human with a horse's body?!"
The woman smiled warmly. "This is Alma. He will guide you. Do not be afraid—he is kind. Right, Alma?"
"Yes, Lady Elen," the creature replied.
Emily blinked rapidly. "How can he help me? What if the villagers see him? What will my family say if I bring back… this?"
The old woman laughed harder. "Oh, Emily… ordinary people cannot see Alma unless he wills it. To others, he is invisible."
"But—"
"No buts. Alma will be your guide. Remember, child, all of this is fate. You will find your answers in another dimension. Good luck, Emily."
---
On the way back to the mansion, Alma sat beside her. To everyone else, the seat was empty.
"You can do this, Emily," Alma whispered.
She looked at him and nodded. "Come, follow me."
When they arrived at Grimshaw Hall, Emily stepped down from the carriage. The servant looked puzzled, hearing her speak.
"What is it, my lady?" the servant asked.
Emily flushed. "Ah—nothing. I was talking to myself," she said quickly before rushing inside.
As she was about to climb the stairs, the sound of shattering glass came from the living room.
"Papa?" Her heart skipped. "Is Father back?" She turned to Alma. "Wait here—I'll be back!"
She rushed into the living room and froze. Her father stood there, dripping wet, his hands bleeding. Her mother stood nearby, pale and tense.
"Papa… what happened?" Emily asked, her voice trembling.
Duke Edmund turned, his face twisted with rage.
"Emily! What have you done to this family? I should never have brought you into this world! If not for you—!"
"Papa, please! I did nothing wrong! The mansion is cursed! It took Emelda! Please, just believe me once!" Emily cried.
But her father's eyes burned with hatred, and her mother shouted, "It should have been you! Why did it have to be Emelda?!"
Suddenly, a storm erupted inside the room—wind, rain, thunder, all within the walls. The maids and guards turned rigid, their bodies hardening like stone.
"What's happening?!" Emily screamed. Her heart pounded with fear and despair.
"Emily! Only you can fix this!" Alma called.
She turned, only to see her parents' bodies solidified into statues. Tears streamed down her face. The mansion walls cracked as roots and flowers burst forth, aging the hall into ruins in seconds.
"Why is this happening? Why me? Who am I?!" Emily sobbed.
Alma caught her in his arms. "You will know the truth once we cross. Come, Emily—it is time."
The old mirror in the basement shimmered, no longer broken and dusty, but glowing like a pool of liquid silver.
"This mirror… it's the same one from twelve years ago," Emily whispered. "But it was cracked before…"
Alma nodded. "The mirror is the heart of the mansion. It is a portal. Step through, Emily. The answers lie beyond."
The mirror rippled like water, calling to her. With a final breath, Emily and Alma stepped inside.