As I waited in the parlor, I noticed something strange. From the corner of my eye, I saw a shadow dart by in the hallway. Thinking it was Charles, I followed it into the kitchen, only to find a gruesome scene – the chef was preparing a meal, but the ingredients were horrifyingly human. My heart pounded as I backed away, accidentally kicking something on the floor. It was a human head.
I ran from the kitchen, hiding in a cupboard in the dining room as the chef entered, searching for me. His footsteps grew closer, and I held my breath. Just when I thought he'd find me, a noise from elsewhere in the mansion distracted him, and he rushed out. I carefully stepped out, but before I could relax, the chef appeared again, knife in hand. "Found you!" he snarled. I bolted out of the room, crashing into Charles in the hallway. "Charles, the chef... he's... killing people!" I stammered, terrified. Charles remained calm but serious. "I know. We need to get you out of here before dawn," he warned.