The Dreaded Ritual

The heavy oak floorboards groaned under Celeste’s bare feet. She paced the length of the guest room. Back and forth. Wall to wall. Her lungs burned, struggling to pull in enough oxygen as paralyzing panic seized her chest. The word 'ritual' echoed in her mind, a mocking chant that froze her thoughts. The grand, luxurious decor of the guest room felt like the walls of an ornate prison cell. The plu