Past - 70

Regina turned around and examined the contents of her room. There were shelves full of classic books and a pile of magazines on the shelf underneath the table. She spotted the case with a single red rose.

It was fresh, just picked that morning. Underneath it was a handwritten note.

"Do not run?"

There was no name below it, but she knew who left it.

She left the bedroom and approached the doors that closed off her bedroom from the rest of the house. If the bedroom window was open, then she assumed that meant she could venture into the house.

She opened the doors and stepped into the hallway. A grand staircase was to her right, while the hallway continued to the left.

"Good morning, miss." Suddenly a voice appeared out of nowhere and a butler appeared in a full suit. He held himself with grace despite his older age, and friendliness lingered in his eyes. He seemed harmless, even sweet.

"Who are you?" She blurted.