The rain hammered against the attic window, a relentless percussion that mirrored the frantic beat of my heart. Dust motes danced in the gloom, illuminated only by the flickering gaslight. Cobwebs, like macabre lace, draped dusty furniture, and the air hung heavy with the scent of neglect and forgotten memories. I shouldn't be here. Reason screamed at me to flee this oppressive chamber, yet I remained rooted to the creaking floorboards, a fly mesmerized by a spider's web