To live or not to live

What was that thing?

Niverea dared not look up fully from her crouched position, but from what she could tell, this... being... was tall. So tall, she’d have to crane her neck all the way back just to see his face. But she didn’t dare.

Her breath came in small pants. Fear crawled like fire ants beneath her skin. Still, her eyes roamed the surroundings.

If she was going to die, might as well enjoy the view a little, right?

That’s when she saw it.

A castle. Huge, ancient-looking, sitting all alone at the far end of the road. She hadn’t noticed it earlier—who would, with a mysterious monster looming over them?

She forced a smile. A horrible, broken little smile.

“M-Mister Black Cloak... you, uh, look quite handsome, if I may say.” Her voice cracked under pressure, but she pushed on. “I mean, that jawline? Whew. Could slice bread with it.”