1 Prologue

What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smells as sweet.

- William Shakespeare

The room was dark and quiet, except for the constant whimpers of the child sitting on the couch. She was searching for any sign of her parents, continuously gazing outside the window. She was afraid to look at the room. Afraid of the shadows lurking in the darkness, but most scared of him. He would come again, she thought, and would kill her as he always threatened. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she started praying with all her soul; wishing childishly that God strike a miracle and he won't come, when suddenly she heard footsteps outside her room. She held her breath and fought back panic. She quickly ran to her bed and slid under the covers as a key turned in the lock.....