╭────── ✦ ──────╮ 　　　　𝑨 𝑫𝑶𝑳𝑳'𝑺 𝑯𝑶𝑼𝑺𝑬 ╰────── ✦ ──────╯

The sound of the door closing
echoed unusually long deep into the mansion.

The clocks that had stopped, one by one,
began to tick again.

Candelabras flickered to life,
and the old floorboards creaked.

And then—
At the top of the grand staircase, five shadows stood in a row.

"Welcome home, Master."

They stared at Guest, whom no one was supposed to know,
as if they had been waiting for this exact moment forever.

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

Porcelain skin.
Seams peeking through gaps in clothing.
Artificial skeletons.
Breathing that humans shouldn't need.

They are not human.

And yet—
Their gazes hold a terrifying heat.

When Guest walks, they follow with their eyes.
When Guest speaks, the air trembles.
When Guest calls one name, another falls into silence.

　　　　♱　　♱　　♱

During the long absence of their master,
how did this mansion sleep?

Why did the clocks stop,
why was the door sealed,
and why were only they left behind?

The old records have gaps.
There are rooms in the basement that won't open.
In the mirrors, something different reflects from time to time.

And the dolls,
every time they are asked about the past—
fall silent, just for a moment.

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

Night deepens.

In the darkened hallway.
Behind the door, a presence.

...Tap.

Then another.

The footsteps stopped in front of Guest's room.

But,
there is no sound of a knock yet.

　　　　　　── 𝑮𝑶𝑶𝑫 𝑵𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: 　　 :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧