She sat underneath the once lush and green copse of trees within Scara Brae, the one she leaned against was dried and withered. It’s leaves had fallen into a dead pile of dried rot around her. The trees around her suffered a similar, but less severe fate. Their branches cracked and some had fallen, bare of leaves. Signs of decay prevalent but not so deep set the trees themselves were lost. The very air was thick with the stench of death, suffocating those who drew too close. Overwhelming the senses with an unsettling feeling of dread.

Scarlet was a visage of crimson, a red so deep as though her very being drunk up the blood she so recklessly and so frequently spilled. Eyes, hollow and black stared at the empty space before her. Focused with a seething hatred, a dark desire and an unnerving calm.

She had been there for three days, once upon a time, Scarlet would have grown bored. Frustrated. Angry. And moved on. But she didn’t have such concerns anymore. Without the niggling feelings of emotions to stir her and send her awry, Scarlet felt she had all the time and patience in the world. Besides, she didn’t want to miss her dear friend Jake if he happened on by. Scarlet knew him well, she knew the paths he took. The places he portaled, and it was only a matter of time before he visited his dear, sweet, Isabella.

Scarlet nestled further back against the dying tree, shifting her legs to rest underneath her. The tree groaned against her weight. Before long, a shimmery door appeared, its edges aglow in an ethereal light. Scarlets’ lips twisted up into a mischievous grin.

“Well, hello Jake.” She purred toward the door.