In a small village, the villagers celebrated the end of the rat plague. The air was filled with joy, and the aroma of freshly baked bread mingled with the scent of fermenting barley.
In the center of the square, Johann Adler stood out. His gray hair reflected the torchlight, and the robe with golden edges he wore gleamed under the flames’ glow. Leaning on a gold-adorned cane, he rose with an imposing posture.
“My dear villagers,” he said, with a calculated smile, “let us celebrate the end of this great plague. We must all rejoice… of course, only those who deserve it.”
He raised his cup of barley high. The golden liquid swayed gently, reflecting the torchlight.
“Let us celebrate!” he added.
People began to dance and toast, the barley foaming in their cups and the strong, sweet aroma filling the air. Johann sat in his chair, observing the scene with sharp eyes.
A servant, dressed in fine clothing, approached carrying a tray.
“The special guests have arrived, sir,” he announced.
Johann smiled even wider, his eyes glinting with satisfaction.
“Yes! Take my treasures and prepare everything. I want to observe their looks of greed and envy. Nothing gives me more pleasure.”
“Of course, sir!” replied the servant, bowing quickly.
The servant opened the large wooden doors with gold details. A metallic scent filled his nostrils.
So much gold… if only I could have a little of this… I would be rich… if only I could take Johann’s place… he thought.
He began organizing the bags of coins and, among them, found a golden flute. It shone as if reflecting the light of running water.
Why would Mr. Adler have a flute? How strange… he murmured to himself.
He put the flute back in its place, arranged the scrolls carefully, and prepared to leave the room. But then a chilling sound filled the air, a cold melody like the waves of the sea on a winter night. The servant shuddered.
“Where is that sound coming from?” he whispered, his heart racing. “I must be imagining things…”
The servant hurried out of the room.
A shiver ran down his spine as he remembered the sound of the flute — a cold, insistent melody that still seemed to vibrate inside his ears.
He quickly walked to the inner square, where Johann was seated, surrounded by the special guests.
In front of them stood a young woman with brown hair and intense green eyes. She wore an elegant hat and extravagant clothing, clearly designed to attract attention. She smiled with calculated politeness.
“Pleasure,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “My name is Isabella von Harten. I heard that the plague of those cursed rats has finally ended in this town. In mine, they are still spreading to this day.”
She bit her lower lip. For a moment, her smile faltered. Her eyes changed — becoming cold, overly alert.
“How were you able to do that?” she asked, in a low tone.
Johann only smiled. His gaze, however, hid something dense, indecipherable.
“With leadership,” he replied. “Unity… and power. That’s how we expelled those filthy creatures.”
Isabella held his gaze for a few seconds, then smiled again.
“I see…” she said. “Later, I want to hear more details.”
Next to the young woman stood a middle-aged man. His fingers were covered in rings and heavy jewels, and a dark beret rested on his head. He was a well-known pastor.
“Ah, my old friend Johann,” said Matthias Grünewald, opening his arms. “I came to witness your great victory over that plague. All thanks to God!”
Johann frowned briefly, a nearly imperceptible sign of irritation.
“Of course,” he replied, forcing cordiality. “Let us toast together to this great victory, old friend.”
Matthias smiled broadly, genuinely.
“Let’s drink until we can drink no more! The wine here is excellent,” he said, laughing. “Refined like few others!”
Johann turned sharply.
“Servant! Bring him a glass, now.”
“Of course, sir,” replied the servant, hurrying.
As voices mixed and the wine was served, a new man approached. He walked with the aid of an ornate cane, a clear inheritance from an old lineage of mayors. His smile was restrained, almost timid.
Johann raised an eyebrow.
“Ah… wouldn’t it be your father, Sebastian I, who should be here?” he asked. “Don’t tell me he died.”
The young man took a deep breath before replying, sadness in his eyes.
“Yes…” said Sebastian II Falkenreich. “He passed away recently. A sudden fever. The city is now under my responsibility. I hope we can be good allies.”
Johann tilted his head and smiled. A false, well-trained smile.
“Of course we can help each other,” he replied.
Johann thought:
Hahaha… now that the old man is dead, it won’t be hard to deceive this useless young man.
Johann smiled, opening his arms like a generous host.
“Let’s go inside my house.” He turned to the servant. “Take them to the hall.”
The servant bowed.
“Of course. Follow me, gentlemen… and lady.”
Isabella smiled delicately.
“With pleasure.”
Matthias let out a loud laugh.
“Hahaha! Upon entering, I hope you have prepared even finer wines for special guests like us.”
Johann frowned slightly, annoyed, but quickly regained his smile.
“Of course. The servant will provide the best this house has to offer.”
“I’m sure I won’t be disappointed,” said Matthias, satisfied.
The servant guided them inside the mansion.
The interior was an explicit portrait of excess: carpets made of animal skins covered the floor, gold coins rested in open trays, valuable scrolls were carelessly scattered, and in the back stood a large lion-headed statue, silently observing everything.
Johann sat in his red chair, adorned with exotic bird feathers.
“Bring them the most expensive wines in the house,” he ordered.
“Immediately, sir,” replied the servant, stepping away.
Isabella sat elegantly on the sofa, crossing her legs and adjusting her hat carefully. Her eyes scanned the room before she spoke, her tone too soft to be innocent:
“I couldn’t help but notice… so much wealth. It’s unusual for a mayor to possess so much. It would only be possible if he were amassing money by other means… perhaps taking it from the very citizens. After all, positions like yours rarely generate such fortune. Unless the city is being neglected.”
Johann, drinking wine, suddenly choked. He coughed forcefully, the liquid running down the corner of his mouth.
Isabella observed the scene with bright eyes, satisfied.
In the end, she thought, this visit served a purpose. If the mask falls, it will be easy for any kingdom to buy this city.
“It’s just that…” Johann tried to speak, but another cough interrupted him.
Matthias jumped up.
“Mercy of God! He’s choking! Call for help!”
He hit Johann on the back with force.
Meanwhile, Sebastian observed the scattered treasures, his eyes full of envy.
These riches do not belong to this wretch, he thought. Soon, this kingdom will be mine. It will be revenge for my father.
The coughing finally ceased. Johann took a deep breath, visibly nervous.
“No… I would never steal from the citizens,” he said, regaining his tone. “As mayor, I help them. That is why I provided this great feast.”
Isabella smiled falsely, tilting her head slightly.
“Of course, I didn’t mean to suspect you. I just found… so much wealth.”
“I understand,” replied Johann.
Matthias stared at the coins, a discomforted gleam in his eyes.
“Such prosperity, old friend,” he said, forcing a smile. “May God bless your life.”
Johann smiled, satisfied, absorbing every glance of greed and envy as if it were nourishment.
The servant returned with the wines, serving each one carefully. Then he leaned against the wall, placed the tray on the table, and said:
“Sir, if I may, I’ll take my leave.”
“Go ahead,” replied Johann.
The servant left.
Johann raised his glass.
“Let us celebrate, friends. Celebrate the end of this great plague… and the union between our cities.”
Isabella raised hers, smiling.
“Of course, great Johann. May our cities help each other… as it should be.”
Matthias raised his glass enthusiastically, spilling wine on the floor.
“Let us celebrate this grace of God!”
Sebastian raised his glass calmly.
“May this kingdom prosper.”
The glasses clinked.
The sound was sharp, metallic — like gold breaking.
Like broken bonds.
Like false promises sealed in wine.
---
After everyone drank, Sebastian and Matthias bid farewell, leaving only Isabella and Johann in the room.
Isabella, eyes alert, said:
“Now that everyone has left, can you tell me how you managed to get rid of the rats?”
Johann looked nervous, hesitating before replying:
“I… gathered all the guards and carried out a purge. We killed all those cursed creatures.”
Isabella smiled coldly:
“Even so, there were so many rats. How did you manage to kill them all?”
“Enough talk, Lady Isabella. Now I must check on the citizens…” Johann replied, turning his back. “My servant will take you out.”
“Of course. I hope we have more opportunities to talk, Mr. Adler!” Isabella said, following him with her eyes.
Johann replied, without turning:
“Of course!”
He left the room, closing the large golden doors behind him.
Isabella looked at the floor, her gaze cold and slightly frustrated. She bit her lips, thinking:
I’m a bit frustrated for not discovering something truly useful…
She bit her lips harder, thinking:
Perhaps… if I have more evidence, I can remove him from the mayor’s office.
The servant passed by her and said:
“Lady! Your carriage is ready. Follow me; we’ll leave through the back.”
Isabella rose delicately, holding her hat. Her eyes opened, alert.
Perhaps he knows something! she thought.
The servant raised his arm, pointing to the corridor leading to the exit.
Isabella walked slowly, her shoes softly tapping the cold, white floor of the corridor.
“What’s your name?” she asked, breaking the silence.
“My name, lady?” replied the servant, hesitating. “It’s Friedrich Lenz. Why do you ask?”
“Nothing much,” Isabella smiled gently. “It’s just important to know people’s names, you know.”
Friedrich remained silent, looking at the floor.
When they reached the end of the corridor, Isabella stopped and said:
“Wait! I wanted to ask you something, Mr. Lenz.”
Friedrich stopped, staring at her.
“Ask.”
She smiled coldly.
“You must know how Mr. Adler managed to get rid of those cursed rats in the city.”
Friedrich’s expression filled with despair, his heart pounding.
Isabella von Harten is not here for a visit… but for political interest. If I reveal anything, I could endanger Mr. Johann’s position. So I will lie. Luckily, I heard part of her conversation with Johann…
He forced a smile and said:
“He gathered the guards and carried out a purge, as Mr. Johann told you.”
Isabella lowered her head, eyes shining with delight. A cold, loud laugh echoed through the corridor:
“Hahahahahahahahahahaha!”
Friedrich tensed, arms crossed.
“What are you laughing at, Lady Isabella?”
She approached, her gaze icy.
“You don’t even know how to lie. Your face looks like an animal facing its predator, desperate for life.” — Isabella came closer, placing her hand on Friedrich’s heart. “Your heart beats fast… what a good feeling.”
A small smile appeared on her lips. Friedrich was startled.
“And besides that, you revealed something no one who wants to keep a secret should!” Isabella continued, coldly. “You said you overheard my conversation with Johann when you said ‘as Mr. Johann told you.’ And on top of that, your mistakes are so pathetic: nervous looks, racing heart. Even better… your face shows your nervousness hahahaha!”
Friedrich gripped her arm, trying to remain firm. She’s not normal, he thought.
He feigned a neutral expression and said:
“So far you’ve pointed out my mistakes, but you haven’t said what you really want. And you also reveal that you came for political purposes.”
Isabella composed herself, surprised.
“Exactly! You are smart for realizing I came for political reasons. You reached this conclusion because my city still suffers from these rat plagues, and… what better than to buy a city free of this plague. That’s what you thought, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.” Lenz replied. “I reached this conclusion. But what exactly do you want?”
Isabella smiled and placed her hand behind her back.
“I want you to tell me the truth: how he managed to get rid of the rats! I know there’s envy and hatred… I saw it in your eyes when you followed his orders.”
Friedrich looked thoughtful.
“On second thought… I will speak,” he said. “But it’s better if we talk somewhere more private.”
Isabella smiled, satisfied.
“Of course.”
“Follow me,” Lenz said, guiding her.
- -
---
Meanwhile, Johann stood at the center of the square, surrounded by the townspeople. Torches illuminated their faces, stained with wine and euphoria.
One of the residents approached and said enthusiastically:
— All of this is thanks to you, Johann!
Johann opened a wide smile.
— Of course. We will celebrate until the end of the night!
He raised his wine glass, about to toast again, when something disrupted the order of the festivities.
A boy with short brown hair ran through the crowd, dodging drunken bodies and makeshift tables.
All eyes turned to him with contempt.
— How disgusting… that inferior. What is he doing here? — muttered someone.
— He must have come to steal. How horrible! — said another, in a tone of repulsion.
The boy heard everything but did not react. He continued running, ignoring the voices as if he were already accustomed to such hatred.
Guards began to chase him.
— Catch that boy! — one of them shouted.
In an attempt to escape, the boy bumped into Johann. The impact caused the wine glass to slip from his hand.
The wine fell slowly, staining Johann’s luxurious cloak. The glass hit the ground, and the metallic sound echoed across the square, cutting through the music and chatter.
Johann’s gaze filled with hatred and disgust.
— You… inferior! — he growled.
Those around whispered, watching with cruel curiosity.
— Poor kid… after this, that inferior will get a lesson.
— Is that the mute boy? — asked another voice.
Johann stepped forward and grabbed the boy by the neck, squeezing hard.
Silence fell over the square. Everyone watched, tense, fearing — or secretly wishing — to see what Johann would do to the poor child.
---
— END OF CHAPTER —
Author’s Note
I sincerely hope you enjoyed this story.
This book is loosely inspired by the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, reinterpreted through a darker lens, focusing on power, silence, and the consequences of human choices. More than retelling a legend, I aimed to explore what lies beneath it: the accepted lies, broken promises, and the things society prefers to ignore.
Writing this book marked an important step in my development as an author. Each chapter was crafted to evoke strangeness, discomfort, and curiosity — feelings that, to me, perfectly match the psychological horror present in this story.
If you want to follow my creative process, future ideas, and the evolution of this work, you can find me on TikTok:
@SunSun
Any form of support, comment, or share helps this book grow and reach new readers.
Thank you for reading this far. Truly.
📖🖤
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Fun Facts
Normally, I would answer fans’ questions… but since this work is still in its early stages, I decided to share a few interesting tidbits:
1.
The story has a general summary, focusing only on the main events. In the book, I chose to expand the details, develop the scenes further, and include several characters who do not appear in the summary.
2.
Isabella von Harten is my favorite character. That’s why she receives a much larger role in the story :3
3. “Where’s the horror?”
The horror in this work is built slowly and gradually. Throughout this first volume, the aim is to create strangeness, discomfort, and tension little by little, rather than relying on jump scares. I hope I managed to convey that feeling :3
And that’s it! Bye bye :3
If you read this far, I would be very happy if you could leave your thoughts, a comment, or simply support me.
And, if you like, tell me: which character caught your attention the most?
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Soon, I will be adding images to the chapters! I hope you enjoy the results.