Wednesday, January 4th 2023 - Orangeville, Ontario - 10:00 PM

Marina was walking back home after her workday. Her long, light brown hair tied up in a bun under her winter hat, she redid the tie for the third time since she left the studio. The deadline for the new animation project she had been working on was approaching fast, so she stayed late to wrap things up. She stopped at the local coffee shop and grabbed a coffee for the walk. The streets were mostly empty, a thin blanket of snow covering the sidewalks. Every now and then, a street lamp would flicker. She really wished the county would have them fixed already. She had her earbuds and listened to music as she walked towards home. It had become such a routine thing in the past few weeks that she didn't even need to think to find her way. Her body just made the motions on its own. This time, however, her gaze turned to the old McKinley manor, in the distance. It was about 15 minutes out of town. She'd always been curious as to what goes on there. Stories were plenty, but facts were not. Some said it was the residence of a serial killer. Others said it was a hideout for gangsters. More ridiculous stories said it was the home of an ancient vampire who kidnapped anyone foolish enough to step on the manor's grounds.

Something in her mind said she should check it out. And as she thought about it, she reached the doorsteps of her house.

I can't start wandering like that. It's getting late, and I need to sleep cause tomorrow's gonna be a bitch if I don't, thought Marina.

Thursday, January 5th 2023 - Orangeville, Ontario - 11:30 PM

Another long day, another walk back home in the dark. The project was finally delivered and Marina had been given an early weekend. She swore that job would eventually land her in the hospital, but she was doing something she loved and was well rewarded for it too. Hours may be insane, but the job itself was very gratifying, knowing the smiles on all the faces who would see her work.

As her thoughts were focused on this, without realizing it, she had walked to the McKinley's manor's front gates. This is not even on the way to my place...how did I wind up here? she thought.

The gates were a good 10 feet tall, cold black iron. They were partially open, leading up to a trail of about 100 meters to the front door. The grounds themselves seemed rather well kept. You would expect an abandoned place to be much more of a mess than this.

I really should be heading home. But...I guess a quick look wouldn't hurt? I could be the first to really know what goes down in there!

Unbeknownst to her, her body had already started moving towards the manor. She gingerly pushed open the door and took a quick peek inside. The only light she could see inside was from the moonlight shining through the large glass windows on the second floor. What little she could see showed a hallway going further inside, a few doors lining the left and right walls. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, light bulbs likely long dead.

I made it this far...might as well check it out. But this could really be dangerous though. What am I even doing here in the first place? What if the stories were true?

Again, her body moved of its own. She went up the stairs and to the second door on the left. Something was calling to her inside, and her body was happily being pulled in its direction. She slowly turned the knob on the door and pushed it open. The room on the other side was pitch black. She couldn't see a thing at all.

Wait...what's that?

A pair of bright red eyes was staring at her from inside the room. Someone was there!

Wait...red eyes? I need to run! Now!

And yet...her body remained still. Her mind was screaming to leave, and her body refused to obey her. A pale figure walked towards her. Long, black silky hair, a fancy red suit. She was tall, about 6 feet, probably in her mid-thirties. The sound her shoes made when hitting the floor echoed everywhere. 

"I have been waiting for you, Marina. Welcome to my estate."

How did she...who is this....very alluring...woman?

"Follow me, we will be more comfortable in my study"

Marina followed her. What was she to do at this point? Her curiosity was strong. She wanted to know how this woman she had never seen before knew her name. As they walked through the manor, lights were turning on. She could see just how big of a place this was. They walked across to the other side of the floor, through large french glass doors. The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled themselves with books. Four large chairs were placed in the middle of the room.

"Have a seat! I'm sure you have many questions for me. Would you like a drink?"

"No, thank you. Who are you?"

The dark lady sat in the chair opposed to Marina. She had poured herself a glass of red wine in a beautiful brass glass. She took a sip and set the glass on the table next to her.

"I am Eleonore McKinley. It is a pleasure to meet such a talented young woman as yourself."

"How do..."

"I know your name? I have been watching you for some time. Such a passionate, creative mind you have! I had not seen the likes in a very long time."

She had been watched? Wait...were the stories true? Was she going to meet her end here? As her mind came up with more questions, the anxiety was rising up, the panic was coming. The woman in front of her stared directly into her eyes. It felt like someone was peering right into her soul.

"Now now, no need for that. You are safe here and I will not harm you. That is not my intent at all. See...I'm a collector of sorts, and I would love to commission a piece from you for my gallery."

Marina felt her body relax. Is that all this was? She was safe after all and would not be harmed. That was a relief!

"Oh! When you meant you had been watching me, you meant my socials?"

"Among other things. Your style called out to me the moment I saw your work. Quite impressive, I must say. And it just wouldn't do if I couldn't brag about having a piece from a fantastic artist such as yourself, Marina."

Blood rushed to Marina's cheeks. My art isn't that good, but then again, it wouldn't hurt to make a little extra cash, right?

"You sell yourself short if you think your art is not worth my attention, young miss. I promise you, I only seek the best for my collections."

"Well...what did you have in mind?"

"I would love a full body portrait of myself. Mind you, I would change into something more comfortable first. I had just returned from a meeting when you arrived and was taking a nap."

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to intrude!"

"Nonsense! I feel like we were destined to meet, you and I. And I'm glad you visited tonight. I could use the company."

Eleonore finished her glass and stood up.

"I have prepared a studio space for you in this mansion. You can use it as you wish. I had it furnished with everything I could think of you might require. If you need more, you need only ask."

"But...we didn't even discuss..."

"Whatever price you ask, I will happily pay. All the supplies in the studio are yours to keep as well. Please, follow me."

At this point, Marina had to see this through. There were too many unknowns her curious mind was burning to uncover. She got up and followed the woman out of the study. They walked for a few minutes in silence until they reached a large room. A seat which reminded Marina of a throne fit for a queen dominated over the room where easels of various sizes were placed. Canvases of many sizes were lined up next to a large banquet-sized table on which various art supplies could be found. Paint brushes of all sizes, markers, pencils, crayons. Sketchbooks, rolls of paper, paint tubes of a wide variety of colors. 

"Wow...this is a lot! I can't accept all of this."

"You can, and you will. You see...no one refuses me."

There was a dangerous tone in Eleonore's voice that sent chills down Marina's spine. But...she was safe. She would not be harmed. She had said as much, after all. She could be trusted.

The mysterious dark woman traced her fingernails along Marina's collarbone and lifted her chin up with one finger so here eyes would be looking into hers. Such beautiful eyes, captivating her attention completely.

"Why don't you stay the night? I have plenty of guest rooms for you to rest in. I'm sure you must be exhausted after such a long day."

"I...yeah I kinda am. But...I probably should be going back home. I can come back tomorrow if you'd like and we can discuss what you want?"

"That would be lovely! Meet me here, tomorrow evening, at 7:00 PM. We can talk then."

"Thank you, miss McKinley."

"Please, call me Ellie! Have a good night, Marina"

As she left the mansion behind, Marina wondered what she got herself into. Most people would be freaked out by everything that just happened. And yet, she felt safe in the woman's presence. This mysterious Ellie had a certain charm about her that she couldn't quite figure out yet. By the time she got home and laid in her bed with her pajamas on, she knew the only way to unravel the McKinley mystery was to go along with the commission and visit again tomorrow. For now, Ellie was right, she needed rest.