Journal, I've come back. My heart is pounding so hard right now, and not in a cheerful manner. Things are much worse than I expected...

If you do have eyes, you'll realize that you and I are not in my house. We're in a rundown but crowded restaurant.

I had to continue this day on a completely different page. What I feared the most has become true; there's an intruder in my house. And they've been watching me that whole time. How will I go back? Should I call the police?

I'll have to think about it. For now, I'll write about what happened at Tara's mansion.

My intention was to walk there. But by mere coincidence, I ran into Jeffrey the Stagecoach whilst crossing the street. Quite literally. The man almost ran me over!

He didn't even apologize. He simply glared at me, as if it was my fault.

As usual, I ignored his rude looks and greeted him.

"What do you want?" He snapped. "I've got to get back to the mansion!"

"It appears that we're heading towards the same place! Be a gentleman and give me a ride over there, won't you?"

Jeffrey sneered. "Miss Tara didn't mention having any guests over."

"It's a surprise visit," I replied.

"No."

"Yes."

"Why must you be such a pain in the ass? Get in," he finally gave in.

"Thank you, Sir Jeffrey," I grinned.

"Bah, just Jeffrey's enough."

"Alright," I hopped into the carriage. And on we went- past the buzzing city to the peaceful mansion.

I watched as deers skittered into the overgrowth of evergreen trees and birds flew over a small clear blue lake. A picnic would be nice there, I thought.

Finally, we arrived. The mansion was seated at the top of a hill, which explains how we could see the fireworks over the tall evergreens.

"Thank you Jeffrey," I said as I hopped off.

"Wait," he motioned me closer.

"What is it?"

"I don't think it's a good time," his eyes flitted from the house to me.

"Why not?" I put my hands on my waist and tried not to tap my foot.

"It's.. dangerous."

"But why?"

"It just is! Stop being so impudent," he scowled as he took hold of his reins.

"Wait!" I quickly put my hands out in front of me, as if that would stop him.

"What?!" He glared.

I scratched my head nervously. "You wouldn't happen to know why Miss Tara has a rope on her balcony, would you?"

Jeffrey stretched his neck so far forward whilst squinting, I was sure his head would fall off.

...

"NO!"

"My bad... I shouldn't have asked," I turned away.

"...hush... will probably kill you..." he muttered while staring into the nothingness.

"What?"

"I said HUSH YOUR TATUR-TRAP! Samson will kill me and make me into bow wow mutton if I don't hurry up and meet him! YA!" The horses carried him and the carriage away.

Once again, I was more lost than ever. At least the old coachman would unknowingly distract Samson while I interrogated Tara. I thought my luck had changed for the better. Boy, was I wrong.

I snuck in through a window. I fell in the most disgraceful way possible, landing upside down. It's not my fault their first story windows are so high up!

I was in a parlor, though I couldn't quite tell since the ceiling was on the floor and the floor on the ceiling.

A maid shrieked when she saw me.

"Shh!" I put a finger to my lips.

"A thief!"

"No! A lover," I said suavely.

"You wouldn't be the first one to say that this week."

"What?" I finally lost my balance, wobbled and flipped over.

"I didn't say anything!" She scurried away, reminding me of the deers in the forest.

I stood up and dusted off my clothes. Their house is always clean and polished, so there really wasn't a point in dusting myself off.

"Tara's going to have a lot of explaining to do," I huffed.

Had Tara dirty-puzzled all this time? She didn't seem like the type of woman to do that.. but then again, who knows? This mansion and its people are very strange.

I entered the hall of portraits. The only people were the ones occupying the frames, their faces frozen in time. I glanced at Tara's picture, but something caught my eye and made me walk back.

No, it was just a normal picture. I thought I saw blood splattered on her face, but it must have been a deception of my eyes.

I continued walking. I stopped. Was that odd noise coming from my boots? It sounded like something was squeaking softly on the floor.

Looking down, I realized that there were red footprints behind me. I followed the trail with my eyes, and it led to a puddle directly under Tara's portrait. Blood. It was scarlet red.

What in tarnation happened here?! I ran across the hall as silently as I could and again up the stairs.

I ascended to the third story and made a left. I looked left and right before entering what I remembered to be Tara's bedroom.

I debated whether to knock or to barge in, but my gentlemanly manners urged me to knock.

So then I knocked lightly. The door opened immediately and I was pulled in.

Tara shut the door behind me. Let's just say she didn't look too excited to see me.

"Are you out of your mind? What would you have done if my father saw you?" She hissed.

"I hope you'll pardon my intrusion, but I have some serious questions. And I need to ask them now."

She sighed. "Go ahead. Have a seat."

I pulled out a chair from behind her desk and moved it so I would sit in front of her. She sat on the bed.

I took a deep breath. Where to start...

"Tara. Have you been writing in my journal?"

She blinked. "Journal?"

"Yes. My journal. There's a story about.. about... Well a story! But everything else is my writing. I didn't write the part with the story."

Tara eyed me curiously. "I wasn't even aware you had a journal." Suddenly, she smirked. "Perhaps you could lend it to me... I'm curious about this story. And your writing."

I blushed and looked away. "I don't think so. It's.. private."

"Don't be like that," she frowned. She looked so cute, I almost wanted to give in. Instead, I shook my head.

"One more question. Why do you have a rope on your balcony?"

"To help you escape, remember?"

"Yes but... You said your father would be gone for 3 days. You can't tell me you had it just in case."

Tara fidgeted with her curls, avoiding my intense stare. "What are you insinuating?"

"Have you brought other people into your room?"

She turned to me swiftly, a shocked expression on her face.

"Ken! I would never... How could you contemplate such a thing?"

I bit my lip. It was as if my brain and heart were competing against each-other. My heart wanted to believe her words, yet my brain doubted any of it was true.

Knowing I wouldn't say anything, Tara performed another motion that surprised me. She got off her bed and fell on her knees in front of me.

My eyes widened. She placed her soft hands on my knees and bowed her head.

"I'm sorry..." she laid her head on my lap, hiding her face.

My heart beat fast. "Why?" I gulped.

"I'm sorry for making you think I brought other people. I was just trying to protect you," she raised her head, tiny droplets on her dark eyelashes. Her tears reminded me of dewdrops on a rose on a cold morning.

That one look was all it took to tug on my heartstrings.

"Get up," I whispered.

We rose up simultaneously. I took her face in my hands and tilted her head up.

"I'm sorry for doubting you," I submitted.

She wrapped her arms around me and buried her head in my chest. I hugged her back.

Looking back, I don't think I trust her. But her eyes held a promise, some sort of desperation begging for my presence. I didn't have the heart to turn around.

Fortunately, I never ran into her father. Jeffrey was even kind enough to drive me back to my house. Only because he almost ran me over again.

I arrived home with a light sensation, like a feather drifting through the wind. Gone from my mind was the possibility of an intruder.

I made myself some tea and sketched a scarlet rose with morning dew.

It wasn't until I'd colored half of it with oil pastels that I remembered you.

Journal, you had writing. Why can't you give me a sign? As soon as I read the odd font, I closed you and bolted towards the door. I didn't wait to see who was inside. I couldn't do it.

Damn it.

I'll admit it.

I saw it.

Not who, it.

How long can I survive this?

How long unt——————-//