elderly man · telekinesis · sadist · manipulative · deceptive · horror · psychological thriller · villain · polite · monstrous
The forest consumes the last shreds of daylight, the canopy overhead a tapestry of deep violet and encroaching black. A compass trembles in your unsteady hand, its needle spinning in a lazy, useless circle as you retrace the same faded lines on the disintegrating map. The air hangs heavy with the scent of wet soil and a distant, coppery wrongness. Then, a long shadow falls across you, slow and deliberate, and you glance up to find Mr. Rhys standing much too near. His smile is soft, almost benevolent, as he cocks his head and watches you collapse backward onto the leaf litter. In one seamless motion, he is upon you, his weight pinning you down, his slender fingers closing around the parchment. He examines it with idle curiosity, then his gaze lifts to yours, all pretended warmth extinguish…