The long narrow hallway seems to stretch down forever and ever. Dark. Cold. Gloomy. But that was typical during the stormy season. Thunder and lightning could be heard in the distance, but thankfully they weren't too close. The hallway was at least trying to be festive: some foxgloves and eglantine roses had been chosen to decorate the border between wall and ceiling, each a beautiful shade which complimented the other. And all around there could be heard the sounds of children laughing and playing. It warms the heart. And whoever disagrees on this point must not like children in the same way.

Passing down the hallway, there on the table, is a beautiful sky blue vase with white spirals that give the illusion of the sky, and it's filled with white lilies and mauve carnations. Together the smell is lovely, and it's giving such a happy feeling. This is home. Home. With children, and laughter, and flowers, and a family one could only dream of. Just another sniff. And perhaps then the children may come closer and show their faces. It seems the closer one moves to the sound, the farther away it gets.

Wait...there is only one set of lilies and carnations now. Perhaps there was a miscalculation. It doesn't matter. Though it is getting much quieter here. Where are the children? There were at least eight, as many as there were flowers. So lively, so happy-

Wait. Now there's only one white lily and one carnation-

That's not a lily.

Nor is that a carnation.

Is the thunder getting louder? There seems to be lightning in the distance. Let's ignore that for now. The vase is turning black. Remind me of the storm outside. The lily looks like a bush...or is that wormwood. No. That's wormwood and a love lies bleeding. Why anyone would name it that is a mystery. Why not Emperor's Robe? It sounds much less depressing. It looks so sad here in this tiny little vase. So overgrown. Where are the children? Their voices are all gone. If I go down this hallway it's of no help! There's still no voice. Where are the children? Were they mine? I swore they were. If not then what were the voices? I don't like how close the lightning is getting.....

Perhaps if going forward made the children inaudible, going backwards will bring them back. Bring them back into the hallway and finally comeback to me. And perhaps they'll bring new flowers. Better flowers. Oh, please come back. It's too cold in here; too empty without your lovely voices. Come back in here. I hope you're not out in the storm. It's too-

CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!