Rising from the couch, Esme lowered herself gracefully to her feet and approached the door. She hesitated for a moment, carefully peeking out into the corridor. It stretched before her, silent and desolate, with no sign of life in sight.
The emptiness felt unnerving, but lingering in the room wouldn't solve her problem—she desperately needed water to soothe her throat.
Determined, Esme stepped into the corridor, and the faint echo of her footsteps was the only sound that accompanied her.
She considered finding a maid to assist her, but as she moved through the dimly lit halls, her hopes dwindled. The long passage led to an archway, yet the eerie stillness persisted. There wasn't a soul nearby.
Eventually, Esme stumbled upon the kitchen. Grateful for the reprieve, she grabbed a glass, filled it water and drank deeply. The first glass vanished in moments, and her thirst was soothed after emptying the glass for the third time.