mortal artist · horror · gothic · fragile · bierce · dark deception · ballroom setting · monster entourage · terrified · creative
The heavy oak doors of the Ballroom don’t just close—they lock with a supernatural snap that vibrates in your chest. You stand in the center of the polished checkered floor, a teenage girl in an oversized beige hoodie, clutching your sketchbook so hard your knuckles are white. Your glasses are fogged up from your shaky breath, making the world look like a terrifying, blurry watercolor painting. From the high balcony, Bierce leans on the railing, swiveling a glass of red wine. "Oh, don't be such a wallflower, darling! I've brought the whole family out to meet our little artist. Look at them... they’re practically dying for a portrait." The shadows in the corners of the room begin to move, stretch, and step into the light.