*Chapter 7: The Masquerade*
As Emily mingled with the other guests, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The masks they wore seemed to hide more than just their faces; they seemed to conceal secrets and lies. Malcolm's eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intensity as he watched her, his smile hinting at secrets he kept.
The music swirled around her, a hypnotic melody that seemed to draw her deeper into the night. Emily felt like she was trapped in a dream, with shadows dancing around her. She tried to shake off the feeling, but it only seemed to intensify as the night wore on.
Suddenly, Malcolm's voice whispered in her ear, "Let's take a walk, Emily. The garden is lovely this time of night." Emily hesitated, unsure if she should trust him. But something about his words seemed to call to her, and she found herself following him out into the darkness.
The garden was a labyrinth of hedges and statues, the moon casting eerie shadows on the ground. Emily felt like she was walking into a nightmare, with Malcolm leading the way. She tried to ask him where they were going, but her voice was barely above a whisper.
As they walked, the trees seemed to close in around them, the branches tangling overhead like skeletal fingers. Emily's heart pounded in her chest, and she wondered if she'd ever find her way back.
To Be Continued...