Erica took handfuls of her dress, trying to pull it above her ankles. The pink dress's hem lightly brushed against the top of the glistening water that flooded the old castle. This castle had been abandoned for many years, ever since the owner's death...

Erica, princess to the king, knew better than to go inside the bedeviled old castle, its ghastly tales forever being retold. But Erica couldn't contain the curiosity whispering for her to go to the haunted palace and find the gold and jewels hidden inside. Heart thumping, Erica slowly trudged forward, the cold water rolling over her feet, chilling her. The air felt thin, the used-to-be white walls covered in old water stains and moss. Black birds nestled in the rafters cried out with eerie songs of dispair as Erica continued on.

A drop of water fell from the high, arching ceiling onto her bare shoulder, sending a screech out of her quivering lips, white puffs of air escaping. Erica shook her head, irritated, then went forward to the winding stairs that led to the next floor. As Erica headed closer to the stairs, giant pieces of stone from the ceiling littered the ground around her, making it hard to keep her balance as she slipped on the slime-coated rocks. Finally, Erica made it to the old stairs. As Erica took hold of the railing, she looked up at the shining, vine-drapped chandelier. Erica took careful steps upwards. Placing her foot on the last step, the birds fell silent. A chill rattled Erica's spine, but not from the cold.

One bird sang a few notes, reminding Erica about the story of the castle. The murder.

The prince that lived there had only been nineteen. Only ninteen when rumors were told that he murdered his parents so he could be king, having all the riches. He had cut off their heads with the gardener's ax. After he had done his killing he went mad, locking himself in his room while placing his parents heads in their own chairs. He would sit and talk to them, laughing as if drunk. No one dared to go to him, thinking he was possessed and his evil would seize them if they got near. So, everyone left the castle, not one re-entering.

Rumors also told that he died in that room, drowning in his own madness, with birds singing praise. The birds flew through the broken windows, feasting on the dead inside. And now because of his greed, the prince's spirit would be forever cursed to wander the castle, appearing when all the birds became silent and only one would sing.

Erica's stomach clenched from the horrid memories. She flexed her hands, heart pounding, feeling eyes upon her. Slowly she turned around. The figure of a man stood at the bottom of the winding stairs. He was clothed in black, face hidden by a shadow as he kept his head low. Erica jumped back, full of fear. The dead prince lifted his head slightly. With piercing blue eyes and a wicked grin stitched on his face, he radiated insanity. A dry, rough, laugh escaped from his lips, growing louder as his head fell back, taunting her. Erica couldn't move, or make a sound, or even breathe. This couldn't be real, and yet to her suprise it was.

The dead prince collected himself, settling his gaze back on Erica, another chill rattling her body. The prince tilted his head, quiet laughter continuing. He then raised up his bloodied hands. In both he held the heads of his parents.

With a blood-curdling scream, Erica watched him vanish. He re-appeared in front of her, this time holding the ax. With a flash, Erica's head had been severed. Because of her own selfishness and greed, Erica was now another treasure added to the dead prince's madness.