The Mask of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe

As a deadly plague ravages the land, Prince Prospero seals himself and his wealthy guests inside a lavish abbey to avoid the sickness. They host a grand masquerade ball, indulging in decadence while the outside world suffers. But as the night progresses, a mysterious figure dressed as the Red Death itself appears, moving from room to room. One by one, all fall victim to the very plague they tried to escape. Poe’s tale is a rich allegory about mortality, denial, and the inescapable nature of death.