**You step onto the cracked sidewalk, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows between the weathered houses of Derry. The air carries a damp, earthy smell, mixed with the faint tang of rust and decay. Lawns are overgrown, fences leaning at odd angles, and peeling paint exposes the bare wood beneath. The street is eerily quiet, broken only by the distant creak of a swing swaying in an empty yard or the occasional rustle of leaves skittering across the cracked asphalt. Broken mailboxes lean sideways, and the windows of the houses reflect the fading light like dark, watchful eyes. Every corner of the neighborhood seems to whisper of years left untended chipped sidewalks, overgrown gardens, and the faint hum of wind through rotting gutters.**

}, my eyes waiting for your direction. The subtle scent of the cool night air that clung to you is already being replaced by the warm, sweet aroma of the pumpkin candle I light with a practiced flick of a lighter.* ​"The best spot is right by the pillows, Master," *I whisper, a low, inviting tone laced with devotion.* "It's already warm from where I was sitting, and I have your favorite thick blanket spread out." *I take a small, delicate step closer, my hand raising to softly trace a line across your sleeve, a silent, f1irty invitation. I watch your face closely, ready to obey any command, but hoping you'll simply take my suggestion. When you move toward the couch, I glide ahead, pulling the blankets back just enough for you to sit. I kneel briefly on the cushion, smoothing the throw so it perfectly contours the spot where you'll rest, ensuring every detail is exactly right. ​Once you're settled, I quickly and quietly gather the remote, the popcorn bowl, and the steaming mugs of cider. I place the remote gently in your hand—your control over the evening is absolute—and then carefully settle the cider mug on the coaster beside you. I don't sit immediately; instead, I kneel on the rug at your feet. My fingers find the bottom edge of your pants, and I slowly, tenderly start to rub the tension from your calves and ankles, my eyes meeting yours with a sweet, possessive warmth.* "Your comfort is my pleasure, Sir," *I murmur, my tone completely devoted. "Now, tell me which kind of monster you'd like to watch first."*

} slides back into the car, Kito’s smirk says it all. ‎ Kito: grinning “Okay… maybe I helped it stop. I just wanted a little time with you before the club’s Halloween party. Everyone’s gonna be there, and I didn’t wanna share you just yet.” ‎ He leans closer, his cloak brushing your arm as his voice drops to a playful whisper. “So since we’re totally stuck out here…” his hand slides over yours, “let’s spend some time together.” ‎ He leans in for a kiss — but before your lips meet, a thick fog rolls over the windshield. The headlights flicker once, twice, and go dark. The engine, which had only been pretending to die, cuts out completely this time. ‎ Kito: blinking, uneasy now “Wait— that… wasn’t me.” ‎ Outside, the mist presses close against the glass, swallowing the road and trees until nothing is left but gray. The air feels wrong — too quiet, too cold. ‎ Kito: softly “...Babe, maybe we should’ve just gone straight to the party..”

*You'd been looking forward to this Halloween party all week, dressing up in your favorite costume and arriving early with friends. But now, surrounded by the throngs of people, pulsating lights, and deafening music, you felt suffocated. The masks and elaborate outfits that had initially thrilled you now seemed claustrophobic, closing in on you like a trap. Every conversation blended together in a cacophony of noise, making it impossible to focus on anything. You needed to escape, if only for a moment.* *Excusing yourself from your friends, you pushed through the sea of bodies, apologizing profusely as you bumped into people. Finally, you reached the sliding glass door, shoving it open with relief. The cool October breeze hit you like a balm, calming your frazzled nerves. You took a deep breath, letting the silence wash over you.* *That's when you noticed him. Standing just a few feet away, partially hidden by the darkness, was a man unlike anyone else you'd seen tonight. No costume, no mask. Just...him.* *His piercing emerald eyes locked onto yours, seeing right through you, and time seemed to slow. The shadows played across his chiseled features, accentuating the sharp jawline, straight nose, and full lips that curved into a subtle, knowing smile. He brushed a strand of dark hair behind his ear, revealing an elegant wrist adorned with a silver cuff, and you felt your pulse quicken. There was something undeniably alluring about this enigmatic stranger, like he possessed a secret that only revealed itself to those lucky enough to catch his attention.*

**Town Hall, West Hartford, Connecticut, USA, October.** *The town hall smelled faintly of lilies and coffee. Folding chairs lined the polished floor, and the air buzzed with low voices and the sound of rain against the old windows. You stood near the back with Brendan Cole and Stacy Carline, clutching paper cups of something lukewarm that no one was actually drinking.* *At the front, Sheriff Dwyer was finishing his speech.* “West Hartford is a strong community,” *he said, his voice carrying over the hum of the lights.* “We’ve had a hard few weeks, but I want everyone to know — we’re safe. We’re vigilant. We’re together.” *His words drifted over the crowd like mist. Nobody seemed convinced. You caught Brendan’s reflection in the window — pale, tense, jaw tight. Stacy kept twisting her hands together, the small movement betraying her nerves.* *Across the room, you spotted Chase Easton, standing quietly near the doorway, head bowed, his dark suit immaculate. When your eyes met, he offered a small, sympathetic smile — the kind that steadied you when everything else felt uncertain. You smiled back before turning away, trying to focus on the sheriff’s words.* “This isn’t right,” *Stacy whispered.* “It can’t be a coincidence. Not Derek, not Lydia, not Nat. All of them? That’s not random.” *Brendan’s voice came out sharper than he meant it to.* “You think I don’t know that? You think I haven’t been—” *He stopped, shaking his head.* “None of this has anything to do with me. I didn’t do anything. ” *Stacy turned toward him slowly.* “Even to Peter Beams?” *The name hit the air like a dropped glass. Conversations faltered around you, but maybe that was just your heartbeat filling the silence.* *Brendan’s eyes darted to the sheriff, then back to Stacy. His throat worked before he managed to say,* “Peter Beams is dead.” *The words sounded rehearsed — the kind of line you repeat to yourself when you’re not sure it’s true.* *You frowned, glancing between them.* “Who’s Peter Beams?” *Neither of them answered.* *The sheriff kept talking, something about unity and healing, but the room felt suddenly smaller, heavier — like the walls were listening. Brendan’s hands were trembling now, and Stacy wouldn’t look at him.* *And just beyond them, Chase was still standing near the door, watching quietly — the calm in a room full of ghosts.* *You didn’t know it yet, but that was the first time you heard the name that would unravel everything.*

"Good morning, darling. I hope you slept well. I couldn't help myself, I just had to see you."

*The room is steeped in silence, save for the faint rustle of leaves brushing against the windowpane. The dim moonlight filters through the curtains, casting pale streaks of silver across the room. The air feels heavier than it should, pressing down on your chest like an unseen weight. You stir lightly in your sleep, the faint sense of unease pulling at the edge of your consciousness. A sudden chill creeps into the room, unnatural and biting, making the hairs on your arms stand on end.* *And then, you feel it. A presence. One that doesn’t belong.* *Your eyes flutter open, adjusting to the darkness, and there she is. Shayaya. She stands in the doorway, her pale, nαkεd form illuminated by the faint moonlight, her long, jet-black hair cascading in silken waves over her shoulders. Her black orbs for eyes pierce through the shadows, locking onto you with an intensity that freezes your blood. The long, dark horns crowning her head seem to stretch endlessly, casting twisted shadows on the walls. She doesn't move, yet her presence consumes the room, filling it with an oppressive, suffocating darkness.* *She doesn’t need to step forward to close the distance; her very existence bends the space between you. Her haunting voice fills the room, echoing from all directions at once, low and melodic, yet laced with venom.* ⛥"̵A̷w̶a̵k̸e̷,̶ ̸m̴o̴r̴t̴a̵l̴?̶ ̷D̶i̸d̵ ̴y̶o̸u̷ ̴s̵e̶n̶s̷e̸ ̷m̷e̸ ̵e̸v̴e̴n̶ ̸i̸n̶ ̴y̶o̵u̴r̷ ̵d̴r̵e̸a̶m̵s̴?̸ ̷D̶i̴d̸ ̶I̴ ̴h̶a̴u̸n̸t̵ ̵y̶o̴u̴ ̴t̴h̵e̶r̸e̷ ̷a̶s̶ ̴w̸e̷l̶l̵?̷"⛧ *There is no mouth to form those words, yet they resonate with power, each syllable a dagger of dread stabbing into your mind. Her pale skin shimmers faintly, as though it absorbs the glow of the moonlight rather than reflecting it. Her form is both a vision of forbidden beauty and a nightmare made flesh, both inviting and repelling in the same breath.* *The atmosphere grows heavier with each passing second, her very presence draining the warmth and light from the room. Shadows dance unnaturally across the walls, as if alive, responding to her unspoken commands. Her black orbs remain fixed on you, unblinking, as if searching for the deepest corners of your soul to exploit. There is no sound but her voice, no movement but the slight sway of her hair as though stirred by an invisible breeze. The shadows seem to ripple, pulsing with her energy, and the room feels as though it has become her domain entirely. It is no longer yours; it belongs to her now.* *She tilts her head slightly, a gesture that would seem curious if it weren’t for the overwhelming malice behind it. Her presence is intoxicating, a blend of fear and fascination that roots you in place, unable to look away. Her voice cuts through the suffocating silence again, colder this time, yet somehow more intimate, as if she is speaking directly into the recesses of your mind.* ⛧"̴Y̴o̸u̷ ̸l̴o̵o̴k̶ ̵s̵o̶ ̶f̷r̵a̴g̶i̷l̸e̴.̸.̴.̸ ̶s̶o̸ ̸b̵r̷e̴a̷k̸a̴b̶l̶e̵.̸ ̴I̵s̶ ̷t̷h̸i̵s̷ ̸w̸h̴a̴t̵ ̷m̴o̵r̴t̷a̷l̵s̸ ̸c̶a̷l̷l̶ ̸s̷t̵r̷e̶n̴g̴t̷h̸?̴ ̴H̸o̸w̶.̵.̶.̷ ̴a̷m̸u̸s̶i̶n̵g̸.̴"⛧ *The edges of her form seem to blur like smoke, as if she is both solid and intangible, a creature that defies the very laws of reality. Her black orbs glimmer faintly, not with light, but with something far more sinister—an abyssal void that promises despair to all who dare to gaze too long. And yet, you cannot pull your eyes away, as if her darkness has ensnared your very willpower, binding you to her.* *Her pale, flawless skin seems almost too perfect, an eerie contrast to the monstrosity she embodies. There is nothing human in her presence, nothing earthly. The lack of a mouth seems unnatural, yet it only amplifies the haunting quality of her voice as it reverberates within the room. Her horns curve wickedly above her head, symbols of her eternal reign over darkness, casting jagged shadows that stretch and twist unnaturally along the walls.* *The cold intensifies, seeping into your very bones, and you realize she’s no longer just standing in the doorway. She’s closer now, though you never saw her move. The space between you has vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of proximity. Her presence looms over you, oppressive and inescapable.* ⛧"̴D̶o̶ ̵y̵o̶u̷ ̴f̵e̸a̷r̵ ̴m̶e̵,̷ ̸m̵o̶r̵t̴a̸l̸?̴"⛧ *She whispers, though the words are not spoken aloud. They echo within your mind, bypassing your ears entirely. Her tone is both mocking and sεductive, as though she takes pleasure in the terror she instills. Her voice lingers in the air like a poisonous fog, wrapping itself around you, making it harder to breathe.*

}, fascinated and enchanted by the fact that a real person has finally arrived.

*A low growl echoes through the fog* You shouldn’t be here. *He growls, his voice low and rough. He steps forward, shirtless and streaked in blood, the axe dragging lightly against the floor* But since you are… let’s see how fast you can run.

*You hear a knock on the door and go to answer it, you open it and stare down then see a package? It's pretty rusty, then suddenly it starts moving slightly and wiggling. You crouch down then slowly unbox it then a Succubus comes out?* **Seraphine:** Boo! 😛 *You jump back startled as she jumps out of the box.* That box was gross.. Bleh.