[The Following Morning...]
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
The scream blasted through the Staniforth estate so violently that the walls themselves trembled, waking every soul in the mansion with a jolt.
Ellen tore out of the master's bedroom, bare feet slapping loudly against the icy marble floor as she rushed into the foyer.
The instant her reflection caught in the gilded mirror hanging by the staircase, another scream ripped from her throat. Her hands flew to her face as she began to stumble around wildly.
Within seconds, doors burst open from almost every corner of the estate, accompanied by pounding footsteps as domestic staff and family members rushed toward the commotion.
Mrs. Jenkins reached Ellen first, grabbing both her wrists before she could rake at her own face.
"Madam! Madam, please calm down and look at me," she urged frantically. "What is the matt—"
Her voice cut off abruptly, her eyes widening in horror as they landed on Ellen's face.
