Finishing the glass, the sharp liquid scorched its way down her throat. It had been a long time since she’d had a drink, and the room spun in response as Alicia’s slender fingers worked to extinguish each light in turn as she stumbled towards the bathroom.

The pressing silence sickened her.

Despite bracing herself, the roar of the faucet startled the young woman as she drew her bath. It was then that she caught her reflection in the mirror.

She took a moment to stare. Not long ago, she had been beautiful. Alicia still felt the ghost of her once long, amber locks – the way they’d curled about her face and slid down her back. She remembered when her full, luscious lips had evenly framed any smile she’d chosen to share. But such memories only made her current visage even more abominable.

In three lithe motions, the attacker entirely erased the woman she’d known, leaving only ghastly reminders etched upon her face. Alone in the dark, she wished the monster had at least killed her.

“Aren’t you a lucky one?”