In a quaint, mist-cloaked village nestled amidst the rolling hills of England’s countryside, an ominous tale began to unfold. The village of Windermere, known for its peaceful charm, had become a place of whispered dread. One by one, the children began to vanish, leaving behind only echoes of laughter that once filled the cobbled streets. Yet, no trace of them could be found. Fear gripped the hearts of the villagers, but none dared speak of it.

And so, our tale begins with Rosé, a young woman with eyes sharp as a hawk’s, and a mind twice as keen. Sent by the crown under mysterious circumstances, she arrived in Windermere not for leisure, but to unravel the enigma of the missing children.

Rose: The Missing Children

The air in Windermere was thick with a silence that carried the weight of despair. Though the villagers had survived the first trial, the victory felt hollow, like a flickering candle in the maw of a tempest. The child’s safety had been secured, but the cost was an ever-tightening noose around their collective necks. 


Rosé stood in the square, her hand clutching the shard she had retrieved, its jagged edge glinting faintly in the dim light. Her shoulders sagged under the burden of what was to come. Around her, the villagers moved like specters, their eyes downcast, their faces lined with sorrow. 


The bell’s chime came again, soft but insistent, cutting through the stillness like a blade. The villagers froze, their breaths catching as the sound reverberated through the mist-laden air. 


Rosé turned sharply, her heart pounding. Helene, standing beside her, flinched, her lone arm tightening around the hilt of her blade. Her face was pale, her lips pressed into a thin line. 


CHAPTER FIFTEEN: THE SECOND RIDDLE