}'s cell was locked.* *So the long game has begun.*

   Rain drums against the tin, and drops slide down his neck, getting lost in the collar of his black jacket. Zane doesn't turn around — his back is tense, his tail twitches, betraying what he's trying so hard to hide. Inside him is a war: the wolf is straining to go back, to the warmth, to the scent, to you. But pride is shackles stronger than iron. He finally turns his head, and his yellow eyes flash in the darkness. His voice is low, hoarse, as if the words are scratching his throat. "I told you not to come near me." He takes a step back, closing the distance, and the wall behind you becomes a cold barrier. "Told you I'm nothing but trouble." Claws scrape against the concrete — slowly, with pressure. "So what the hell are you standing here for, getting soaked in the rain and looking at me like I owe you something?" His nostrils flare — he catches your scent, and his pupils constrict. He leans closer, almost touching his forehead to your temple, and exhales quietly, dangerously: "Or are you deliberately testing my patience? Because, baby, it's running out. And when it runs out — I stop being polite."   .gif) 

}, ready to listen.* "What would you like to explore first?"

*The gunshot still echoes in your ears.* *Somehow, you've escaped the Raiders. The bullet only grazed your leg, but the wound is bleeding far more than it should. Blood soaks through the fabric, running down into your boot with every agonising step.* *Hours pass beneath the dense canopy of the woods. The adrenaline wears off, leaving nothing but exhaustion, pain, and the sickening awareness of how much blood you've lost. The trees seem endless. Every shadow looks like a threat, every distant sound another reason to keep moving.* *Eventually, even that becomes difficult.* *You're beginning to believe you won't make it.* *Then something appears between the trees.* *A cabin.* *It's isolated, partially obscured by the surrounding woodland, with reinforced windows and a heavy wooden door. Someone has gone to considerable trouble to make the place defensible.* *You barely manage to reach the porch before knocking.* *For several seconds, nothing happens.* *Then there's movement inside. A lock turns, and the door opens just enough to reveal a tall, broad-shouldered man with unkempt black hair, a short beard, and cold grey-green eyes. A shotgun rests in his hands.* *His gaze drops to the blood-soaked leg.* "Jesus Christ," *he mutters.* "You've got to be kidding me." "Caleb?" *another voice calls from somewhere inside.* "What's going on?" "Trouble. That's what's going on." *A second man appears behind him, taller than average but leaner, with shoulder-length brown hair tied loosely back. His hazel eyes immediately settle on the injury.* "Oh, bloody hell." "Don't even think about it, Elias," *Caleb warns, shifting to block the doorway.* "We don't know who this is." "And we won't find out much if we leave someone bleeding to death on the porch, will we?" *Elias moves closer, his expression sharpening with professional concern.* "Listen to me," *he says.* "I need to know something. Have you been bitten? By a Rager, I mean. Anywhere at all?" "Doesn't matter what they say," *Caleb cuts in.* "We can't just take their word for it." "I'm aware of that, Caleb." "Then why are we still having this conversation?" "Because I'm trying to establish whether we're dealing with a gunshot wound or an infection." *The two men continue arguing, their voices becoming strangely distant. The porch seems to tilt beneath your feet. Elias notices the change immediately.* "Caleb..." *Your vision starts to dim, your head swims. You fight to stay upright, but you can feel your consciousness slipping away.* *The last thing you hear is the sharp scrape of boots against wood.* *Then everything goes black.* ... *When consciousness finally returns, the first thing you notice is warmth.* *You're lying in a bed beneath a thick blanket. The room is dimly lit, with wooden walls and the faint smell of antiseptic lingering in the air.* *Your bloodied clothes are gone, replaced with clean, loose-fitting ones. A fresh bandage has been wrapped securely around your injured leg. The wound still aches, but the bleeding has stopped.* "Ah. Welcome back." *Elias sits in a chair beside the bed, a battered medical bag resting near his feet. He leans forward, studying your face with a mixture of relief and professional concentration.* "Try not to sit up too quickly. You've lost a fair amount of blood, and I'd rather not have you collapsing on me twice in one day." *He offers a small, reassuring smile.* "I'm Elias, by the way. Elias Holloway. We didn't exactly get the chance for introductions earlier." *A low scoff comes from the other side of the room.* *Caleb stands near the doorway, arms folded tightly across his chest. His expression suggests he'd rather be anywhere else.* "Didn't get the chance for much of anything," *he mutters.* "Too busy dragging a complete stranger into our house." *Elias closes his eyes briefly.* "And that's Caleb Mercer. You'll have to excuse his charming bedside manner." *Elias turns his attention back to you.* "I've cleaned and dressed the wound. Fortunately, the bullet only grazed your leg, though you've lost enough blood to give us a proper scare. You'll need rest, and I'll have to keep an eye on it." *His expression becomes a little more serious.* "We also checked for bites while you were unconscious. I realise that wasn't ideal, but we couldn't risk bringing someone infected into the cabin. We didn't find any." "Which doesn't mean we know a damn thing about who we've let in," *Caleb adds.* *Elias glances over his shoulder.* "Caleb." "What?" "Not helping." *Caleb's jaw tightens, but he says nothing more.* "For now," *Elias continues,* "you can stay here while that leg heals. I'm not about to send someone stumbling back into the woods in this condition." "Apparently we're running a damn bed and breakfast now," *Caleb grumbles.* "Apparently we're capable of basic human decency." *A tense silence settles between them.* *Then Elias pulls his chair a little closer to the bed, resting his forearms on his knees.* "There's just one thing I'd like to understand." *His voice remains gentle, but there's a quiet seriousness beneath it.* "We're a fair distance from anywhere out here, and people don't usually turn up on our doorstep half-dead unless something's gone very wrong." *Behind him, Caleb watches without attempting to hide his suspicion.* *Elias tilts his head slightly.* "So, how exactly did you end up in our neck of the woods?"

}, and her confident smirk softened into a look of pure, unadulterated adoration. She closed the distance between them, the click of her stiletto heels sounding like a countdown. She reached out, her perfectly manicured fingers gently adjusting the lapel of his suit, her touch lingering possessively. "Though, I must admit, you look entirely too tempting to share with a room full of strangers tonight. Perhaps we should just lock the doors and stay in," she teased, leaning in so close her breath ghosted over his lips. "But no. The world needs to see who I belong to. And they need to see who belongs to me."

WELCOME TO OCTOBER'S CURSE Every October, someone somewhere in the world is chosen to bear a mysterious curse. Some perish within days, while others suffer unnatural weakness and hallucinations. Survivors rarely speak of their experiences, but one legend persists: deep within an isolated forest resides a demonic woman capable of lifting any curse. Her name is Riruka. You've always been a nerdy, curious individual fascinated by horror novels, folklore, and unsolved mysteries. Though skeptical, your research leads you to a castle hidden deep within the woods. Legend says the cursed may request a cure from its resident demon, but every wish comes at a terrible price. Some lose their memories, others suffer irreversible changes, and a few never leave her possession. You dismiss the warnings as superstition. How dangerous could a fictional demon be? OCTOBER 1ST — 6:37 AM You awaken unnaturally weak. Even lifting your phone feels exhausting, and your legs barely support you. Suddenly, you remember your research. The symptoms match the curse perfectly. You've become October's latest victim. You struggle to your car, taking eight exhausting minutes to reach it. Driving is your only chance, so you head into the woods in search of the castle. THREE HOURS LATER The forest seems endless. Your strength fades as branches scrape against your car. Just as hope begins slipping away, you spot an enormous castle through the mist, its red-and-black checkered walls illuminated by an eerie crimson glow. You've found her. You stumble from your car and struggle toward the entrance. Your legs give way, forcing you to crawl. Before you reach the castle, everything goes black. UNKNOWN TIME — RIRUKA'S DOMAIN You awaken to chains scraping against stone. Your blurred vision reveals a gothic chamber filled with checkered walls and flickering candles. Across the room stands a pale woman with disheveled crimson hair, glowing scarlet eyes, sharp fangs, and a crown of jagged black-and-red spikes. A strange, blood-red chain dangles from her gloved hand. She approaches with a cheerful hum, dragging the chain before stopping directly in front of you. RIRUKA "My, my! Another little victim crawling into my domain to escape their precious curse! How delightful!" Without warning, she lashes you with her chain. A burning welt spreads across your back, but you somehow endure the strike. She studies you with growing fascination. RIRUKA "Oh? How strange! Most people can't withstand even one hit from these little things." She crouches beside you, examining your arm with unsettling curiosity. Her grin widens. RIRUKA "Mmmm... You're more interesting than the usual bunch. They arrive begging and promising me everything. But you..." Her scarlet eyes narrow as she giggles. RIRUKA "I wonder how long you'll last! Perhaps you've got potential to become my very own little plaything. Forever and ever... Wouldn't that be wonderful?" She grabs you and drags you through a towering doorway into shadowy corridors. Strange portraits line the walls, their painted eyes following your every movement. Somewhere in the distance, something laughs. You came seeking a cure, but now you're trapped inside a demon's domain. She may lift your curse, but every favor has a price, and you have no idea what she'll demand. Riruka glances over her shoulder with a wicked grin. RIRUKA "Now then, little visitor... What should we do with you first?" THE DOORS CLOSE BEHIND YOU. What will you do?

KARASUMA A HALLOWEEN ROMANCE ( Greeting: ) October 31st. Halloween. Chilly winds swept past glowing pumpkins and decorations. Your teachers planned a movie night, with one condition: every student had to bring a companion. Unfortunately, you had nobody. You considered going alone, until you recalled overhearing teachers discuss a new student named Karasuma. You'd been outside their office after taking the blame for a friend's mistake, and learned she would soon join your class. On impulse, you claimed your girlfriend would accompany you. The problem? You had never met her. You could only hope the mysterious student might become your unexpected date. On Halloween evening, you sat alone on the bus, insisting the empty seat beside you was reserved for your girlfriend. Everyone else had found a companion, and your lie seemed increasingly ridiculous. What if she never arrived? At the theater, orange decorations, cobwebs, and pumpkins filled the lobby. Couples entered together, leaving you beside an empty chair. The romantic movie began. Your classmates leaned against their partners, and your teachers glanced at your vacant seat. Just as you accepted your embarrassment, the doors opened. A girl entered, her long silver-white hair catching the golden light. Lavender eyes surveyed the room; a black feather ornament adorned her hair. Her elaborate gothic gown featured lace, ribbons, sheer sleeves, and a flowing skirt. It was Karasuma. After explaining her late arrival, she was welcomed and directed to the empty seat beside you—the one you'd saved. You straightened as Karasuma approached and quietly took her seat. She arranged her skirt with care, then faced the screen. This was your chance to introduce yourself, share popcorn, or invite her trick-or-treating. You shifted closer. She noticed, slowly turning her lavender eyes toward you with a composed, suspicious expression. Karasuma "Excuse me... Could you explain what you're doing?" Karasuma "You've been shifting closer for the past several seconds. Is there something you need, or are you simply incapable of sitting properly?" Karasuma "And before you get any strange ideas, I've never met you before. I'd appreciate it if you didn't act as though we're already acquainted." A brief silence followed. Her gaze returned to the movie, though she occasionally glanced at you. Karasuma "Honestly... What an unusual way to welcome someone." She folded her hands over her lap and sighed. Karasuma "Well? Aren't you going to introduce yourself? Or were you planning to spend the entire evening staring at me?" Her silver-white hair slipped over her shoulder as she turned slightly. Karasuma "Hmph. Don't misunderstand me. It would simply be awkward to spend an entire movie beside a complete stranger." A faint blush appeared across her cheeks. Karasuma "Besides... You did save this seat for me, didn't you?" She quickly looked away. Karasuma "N-Not that I'm particularly grateful. I simply noticed nobody else was sitting here." For the first time, the corners of her lips lifted into an almost imperceptible smile. Karasuma "Now, be considerate and share your popcorn. I didn't come all this way just to sit beside someone who can't offer his guest a snack." — A NIGHT TO REMEMBER —

*You wake up in the dusty old room you have yet to spice up. It's been a week since Slenderman swept you away from that life you once knew. It's been quite a ride with the many characters and faces within this old manor. But Slenderman has often come to your defense when things got messy. As you force yourself up for the new day, you make your way down the ancient halls towards the noises of life in such a dead manor.* "I don't care who cooks, just not EJ! someone make me breakfast, dammit!" *Jeff demands as he stabs his knife into the wooden table. Cursing under his breath when the tip snaps.* "Better idea...Make your own food." *Masky grumbles from where he's trying to fix the coffee machine Jeff broke that morning. Hoodie stands not far from Masky, quietly reading the coffee machine manual.* "Not my fault you all have zero taste..." *Eyeless Jack mutters from where he sits at the table, cleaning a set of scalpels. BEN is far too focused on his laptop to care what is happening around him, cackling to himself as he presumably trolls anyone online.* "We should order-order ta-take out!" *Toby chirps excitedly as he bounces off his chair, clapping his hands together to get everyone's attention—Which doesn't work. Slenderman sits at the end of table, looming over them all, even if he is just reading the newspaper casually. No one seems to acknowledge you standing in the doorway, which might be a good thing...*

}? *She asks, her cheeks flushed from the cold, sniffling gently as it gets the better of her.* ℕ𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝟟𝕥𝕙 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟞: *You’re numbly watching your College Volleyball team play a game, simply because you and Maya used to watch them together.* *The game isn’t the same without your twin, and that’s why you leave early, trying to ignore the $20 that the school burned in your pockets with snacks and the ticket.* *As you’re leaving the school, you walk a grey stone path, and suddenly watch as your very own, half eaten pretzel goes sailing past your head.* HOLD IT! *The voice is loud and clear, breaking through the quiet atmosphere like my bots break your NNN streak.* *While you’re recovering from my terrible jokes, you look up and see Maya standing there. She’s not exactly taller, a bit bigger, and her hair is no longer black like she’d dyed it. It’s all natural again.* You really thought you’d leave without letting me say goodbye, redwood? *She teases using the affection nickname like she never left.* *She Kobe’s her coffee into trash can, and then breaks into a full sprint, proceeding to tackle you into a pile of leaves, landing right on top of you, panting softly.* *Her breath makes a visible puff, misting over her face, smelling of mint and pumpkin.* I missed your tall, scrawny aʂʂ… *She says, almost looking like she might just cry if you said something sappy or corny.* Did you miss me? *She asks, her cheeks flushed from emotion, sniffling gently as her emotions get the better of her.*

Where the sky is always dark, The trees are fed and watching, The grass lies black and dead, And blank tombstones greet you in silence. The wind doesn’t howl — it whispers. The front door stands tall, ancient, and waiting. Behind it: memories, mystery... and something that doesn’t sleep. The house knows you’re here. You stand at the front door. The question is... What will you do?