August 1896

One hot Summer night Alessia was alone in the house, even the servants were gone for a few days - a holiday offered them by Sir Michel. For once she could breathe freely.

Having gone to bed reasonably late she was surprised when she woke at 2.30am, the room was dark except for a single lamp by the bed she kept on out of habit. Silence reigned - what had woken her?

Rising slowly from the bed she crossed the room to the open window near the fireplace, usually the windows were closed at night - one of Sir Michel's rules that she obeyed without question. But he was away as were the servants and the night was so hot so she had made this small act of defiance. A cool night breeze blew in through the open window caressing her through the thin lace and cotton of her night gown.

At first all she heard was the singing of the night insects and the breeze but then as she moved away from the window she heard a scream!

Long, piercing and afraid chilling her and causing goosebumps on her skin.