You throw the covers off of you and pull on your boots. You tiptoe to the door which opens with a soft creaakkk. You peer out into the empty corridor, wondering about those magical hands. Would they come rushing to your room and slam the door...? And if you resisted, would they come and strangle you...? Those cold hands at your throat, crushing your windpipe as you struggle for one last breath...? You gulp, and step out into the hall.

You wait.

Nothing.

You take a step forward.

Still nothing.

Another step.

Absolutely positively nothing.

You break out into a cold sweat and begin sprinting down the hall, silent as a fog on a little cat's feet. You turn the corner and dash down the next hallway, then stop, panting. You catch your breath, then continue until you reach the courtyard awash in the light of the full moon. You look up and around, relaxing as the soft cool breeze gently kisses your skin. An odd shape atop one of the towers catches your eye. You frown and squint, sensing something amiss.

As you stare up, the figure whirls around and disappears. You think he (or is it she?) must have gone into the tower itself. You look around the quiet courtyard, with the wind gently ruffling the leaves of the limberry trees.

You review your choices. You could turn around and go back to bed. You could go up to the tower to investigate. Or you could look around the rest of the castle. That little insinuating voice is at it again, whispering in your ear to go on, to explore while you still have a chance...


Back to bed for me

I wonder who that was in the tower...