Why? The only question I can muster up right now is this, for I know where I am and how I got here. I just need to know why. With every crack of lightning I shuddered, as the room was illuminated but for an instant. I kept expecting any sort of spectre or demon to appear with the introduction of each burst of light, but nothing ever did. I was alone it seemed, and stood up to observe my surroundings further.

The cloistered ceiling was high above my head, and the curved support ran from ceiling to floor like the inside of a giant’s ribcage. I was at the heart, which was appropriate as mine was about to leap out of my chest. I wasn’t entirely sure how I got here, although a few blurry memories brought me to the entirely unfounded conclusion that I had been abducted and left here to die. Or live? I wouldn’t know until I knew where ‘here’ was. A flashlight rolled across the stone floor as I shifted my foot to stand up, startling me. I grabbed it and rose.

The beam of light revealed how much dust was falling around me:

None.

The room was practically sterilized, which seemed uncommon for a place resembling a historical society. I flooded the tapestries that hung on the walls with my torch, and discovered the vibrant colors of majesty weaving from long-since past. The circular room was also lined with bookshelves, glass display cases full of pottery and crystal, and two armchairs. One red, mahogany leather (almost maroon), and the other a worn sort of brown. Once that the chair might have been a radiant gold, with a shine it’s new leather could easily boast. Today it no longer did, but although worn it was spotless like the rest of the room. Curiosity got the better of me, and I strode over to the once-gold armchair. I swept my finger on the armrest and examined the outcome.

Not a speck.

How could a place full of so many ancient things be so…clean? As if it were just constructed? I asked myself all of this as I turned my beam to the long, wide hallway leading away from the circular room, and strode forth to find answers.