The journey back to the mansion was a blur for Eloise, her mind racing with the horrifying images of what had just transpired. Each step she took felt heavy, as if the weight of the evening's events clung to her feet. The usually familiar path to the mansion now seemed foreign, the surroundings distorted by her fear and confusion. Clara's grip on her arm was firm yet gentle, guiding her through the hallways that now seemed menacing and oppressive. Every ornate detail of the mansion, from the intricate moldings to the grand chandeliers, now appeared as twisted and sinister as her thoughts.
"Eloise, breathe," Clara whispered, her voice soft yet commanding. It cut through the haze of Eloise's panic like a beacon in the dark.
Eloise nodded mechanically, trying to steady her racing heart. She
