Fog envelops me as the sultry scent of sorrow bitterness fills my nostrils. The crunch of dead leaves underneath my boots attacked my heart as I slowly ascended upon the hill, revealing a tall tower. Dark and all-knowing. Cursed.

I pushed my apprehension aside, forcing my limbs to move. I pulled my cloak around me tighter, masking my face in shadows.

The building only spoken of in lullabies, only told in false fairytales to coax children to sleep. But, here, standing before me, was the tower only revealed once every full moon.

Cursed. Tied to death. Fated for tragedy.

And here I was, walking straight into the terror.

_For Adelio. _I reminded myself. His face appeared suddenly in my head, like a vivid memory. A picture of his face, his brown eyes and his freckles to match.

With a strong nod, my spirits high, I pushed every ounce of fear aside and placed my hand on the rotting doorknob. The sounds of crows retreating from the trees made me jump.

It’s nothing. It’s nothing. I will not die—I won’t allow it.

I push open the creaking wooden door. A dark hallway greeted me. Pure darkness.