Oletus Manor

"Kyah!"

Mallory let out a squeak as soon as another thunder struck. She then cowered in fear, her arms wrapping around her head. She felt a raindrop falling on her skin and looked up at the sky. Her eyes widened in realization. "Uh-oh..."

Before she could run, a pool of rain splashed on her, soaking her entirely. She shivered at the sudden cold and felt a tickle coming from her nose. "A...ACHOO!"

I need to hurry up and find a shelter before I get sick, Mallory thought, sniffling. She was completely lost in the middle of the woods, although she has been following the directions mentioned in her letter. She scurried through the bushes and arrived upon a path made of stones. She then looked up to see a huge mansion being surrounded by the gate. 

"Finally, a shelter!!" Mallory exclaimed before dashing to take the cover. She squeezed the excessive water out of her blue-purple ombre hair while standing under the exterior ceiling. She then pulled her yellow sewn dog out of her small backpack to check if it's damp. Fortunately, it's not, much to her relief. "I am glad that you are alright, Caroline!"

Mallory pulled the string from Caroline's back and let go. The robotic voice emerged from within its body. "Thank you, Mallory!!"

Creeeaakk!

The doors opened a bit. Mallory's head jerked to the right as she stared in alarm. She tightened her grip on Caroline and took a step closer cautiously. She whispered, "Hello...? Anyone there?"

Nobody responded. Mallory gulped, feeling the dread crawling on her back. She took another step, this time, inside the mansion. She was welcomed with a foul scent of death and a gloomy scene of double-sided grand staircase with a statue of an elegant woman in the center. She nearly gagged and pinched her nose while walking even further in the foyer. "Hello? Can someone answer me?"

In the corner of her eyes, Mallory saw a silhouette zooming past by. She gasped, now frightened, "W-What was that...?!"

Unbeknownst to her, the very same silhouette now was behind her, hovering above her. Mallory recognized when its shadow stretched far across the floor. She quickly turned around and was met with a gun. Her face drained at the realization that her life is on the line at this very moment. "W-Wh..."

Mallory was absolutely at a loss for words. Her eyes slowly moved from the gun to the shooter. It was a brunette woman about the same age as her. Maybe, a few years older. That same woman commanded with her deadly glare, "Who are you? What is your purpose in this manor?"

Words were stuck in her throat no matters how much Mallory tried to speak. Her legs then gave out, and she collapsed on the floor. That woman didn't spare an ounce of mercy and still demanded, "Answer my question."

"I-I..." Mallory stuttered, feeling an incredible pressure. She could feel her heart thumping wildly not in a good way. A bump inside her throat began to swell. She then choked on her sobs, "D-Don't kill me please... I did nothing wrong!"

"Maya, put your gun down. Using the weapons in this manor is prohibited."

Another voice sternly spoke, putting Maya in a halt. Mallory could hear Maya scoffing in distaste, "Tsk, whatever."

"Dear, are you alright? You are safe right now."

With teary eyes, Mallory glanced up to see a woman with a bird mask extending her hand out. She took the woman's hand and stood up before hiding behind her. Mallory stared at Maya warily, and in return, Maya only rolled her eyes and was about to shove her gun back in her pocket. The woman interrupted, "You absolutely can't. Give me your gun, Maya."

"What?! You can't do that to me," Maya shouted, "I am using this for my defense because I don't trust a bunch of shady people like you."

"That doesn't justify your actions," the woman calmly responded, "Carrying your gun with you will endanger other guests here. If you are not willing to follow the rules, I'd be more than glad to evict you out of the manor."

Maya clenched her jaws at the threat. She then tossed her gun towards the woman and walked off to the door from the left of the foyer, muttering under her breath. Mallory swore she could hear Maya cursing about the woman. 

"I apologize about Maya's rudeness. She is one of my newest guests, so please understand," the woman let out a polite smile. "You must be Mallory Paterson, am I correct?"

Mallory blinked in surprise, "How did you know my name?"

"Do you not know about this...?" the woman questioned confusedly, "I believed that you got an invitation letter from the Oletus Manor."

"Oh... Oh!"

Mallory began to take in all of the puzzles she has put together. The very place she stood at was the destination she has been looking for. What a coincidence, Mallory thought. She nodded quickly, "Yes, yes! I do! I didn't know that this was the place."

"Is that so..." the woman nodded, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Miss Nightingale, and I am the co-owner of this manor. I shall give you the tour once I have gathered other new guests."

"That sounds exciting," said Mallory cheerfully. She then looked at Caroline, "Don't you agree with me, Caroline?!"

"It is indeed very exciting!!"

"Oh my, who is this adorable doll of yours?" Miss Nightingale said. Mallory smiled, "This is Caroline, and it is my bestest of friend!"

"Say hello to Miss Nightingale," Mallory turned Caroline to face Miss Nightingale. It spoke, "Nice to meet you, Miss Nightingale!!"

"Caroline is quite an interesting fellow you have," Miss Nightingale replied before glancing at the window. The sun was already set down. She then gestured, "The day is about to end. Shall I take you to your room, Mallory?"

"Yes, please do," Mallory began to yawn, "I am actually exhausted from searching all over place for this manor."

"As you wish. Please follow me."

Mallory trailed behind Miss Nightingale who headed in the same path Maya previously took. They went past the dining hall and to the hallway. After across several rooms, they have arrived at Mallory's assigned room, 1F34. 

Miss Nightingale turned around to face Mallory and placed a golden key in Mallory's hand, "This is your room you will be using from now on. In order to call me, there is a bell on the desk for you to use when necessary. Enjoy your stay, Mallory."

Mallory stared at the golden key with a smile, "Thank you, Miss Nightinga--"

She looked up only to see nobody around her nor in the hallway. She blinked in confusion and saw a navy blue feather fluttering on the red carpet. Picking it up, she admired the sight while entering her room with Caroline. "How beautiful..."

She then placed it on the desk and plopped into the bed. She then looked at Caroline, "I am so glad that we have a home now. We don't need to worry about food and everything."

"We won't be starved anymore!!"

Mallory let out another yawn and felt her eyes becoming heavy. She whispered, "Good night, Caroline..."

"Goodnight, Mallory!! Sweet dreams!!"

With that, her eyes shut down.