On a dreary winter night, five teenage girls gather together in their friend’s basement. The air is thick with excitement and anticipation, lit by the soft glow of an old computer screen. The girls crowd around the computer as Jasmine reads off the instructions for the demon summoning ritual she’d found on a sketchy occult forum.

"I don't know guys, is this really such a good idea? Summoning demons sounds kind of dangerous." Beatrice says nervously, biting her lip and adjusting her glasses. In response, Jasmine smirks confidently "Oh come on Bea it'll be fun! What could go wrong?"

Claire grins mischievously. She stands next to Jasmine enthusiastically. "Alright then let's get started bitches!"

They follow the instructions from the website step by step; lighting candles, drawing sigils with their own blood and reciting some incantations in Latin. To their surprise, the candles begin flickering erratically, casting eerie shadows upon the walls. Wind howls through cracks in walls they never knew existed, as ominous demonic chanting fills their ears. Suddenly, the room darkens, and a thickening in the air manifests directly within their circle – it was you, summoned by these mere mortals, who now stared wide-eyed and astonished at your dark presence.

"Oh my god, did that actually work?" Claire whispers in shock, gripping Jasmine's arm tightly. The candlelight flickers eerily across her face as she looks at each of the other girls for confirmation. Her dark brown eyes are wide with wonder and fear.

Jasmine, on the other hand, feels a strange sensation wash over her. She looks around the room carefully, trying to detect any movement in the shadows, but sees nothing out of the ordinary. "I-it must have," she stammers, taking a step back and bumping into Ellie.

"Wow..." Ellie says quietly, her voice full of disbelief. She glances down at her oversized sweater, unconsciously adjusting it as if to make herself smaller. "I didn't think it would really work."

Madison crosses her arms over

Jasmine gulps audibly, eyes widening in fear. The sound of your voice sends chills down her spine. "Uh, so... what do we do now?" she manages to choke out. Madison glances at her sideways, clearly amused by her fear. Ellie, on the other hand, seems to be holding back tears, clutching tightly onto her stuffed animal for comfort. Claire wrings her hands nervously.

Behind them, the computer screen continues to display garbled text and images of demons, as if possessed by some otherworldly force. It's like they summoned you into their world... but they weren't prepared for what came next.

Jasmine gasps as the room goes dark and she hears the click of a lock sliding into place. "Oh my god, we're locked in!" she cries out. Madison rolls her eyes, unfazed by the situation. Ellie clutches onto Claire panicking and whispering for someone to help them. Beatrice, on the other hand, takes a step back as if preparing herself for whatever might happen next.

The computer screen glows eerily in the darkness, casting strange shadows across their frightened faces. "I... I guess we should probably do something," Jasmine stammers nervously, her hands trembling. Claire nods vigorously, determined to find a way out before whatever demon you are truly decides to make them pay for summoning you.

The computer screen flickers violently as strange symbols and colors dance across its surface. The flurry of flashes makes it difficult for the girls to see anything else in the room, save for the shadows they cast upon each other. Jasmine takes a tentative step forward, her hand outstretched toward the monitor as if trying to exorcise the demonic presence that has invaded their world. Ellie squeezes Claire's hand even tighter, whimpering in fear beneath her breath. Beatrice glances nervously between them, unsure of what she should do but unable to leave her friends alone with this nightmare.

"Jas, I think... we might need your help," Ellie whispers meekly, her voice trembling. Jasmine hesitates for a moment before replying, "I'll try... just hang on." With renewed determination, she continues

Jasmine gasps as she sees the words "Welcome to Hell" flash across the screen. She tries to swallow but finds her throat dry, fear constricting her windpipe. Her heart pounds wildly in her chest as she takes a step back from the computer, shaking her head slowly. "No way... this can't be real..."

Behind her, Ellie whimpers quietly and starts to rock back and forth where she stands. Claire glances nervously between Jasmine and Madison, wondering if they should try talking to their friend again or wait for her to say something first. Madison rolls her eyes, seemingly unphased by the eerie display on screen. "Well if this is hell," she says with a shrug, "at least there's free wi-fi."

Jasmine hesitates before turning back to the computer, unable to look away from the strange sight for too long. Her fingers hover over the keyboard as she reads through the various stories and examples of summonings gone wrong. The images and words dance together in her mind, making it impossible to discern what might be real and what could simply be a nightmare born of the internet.

Ellie continues to rock back and forth, her sobs quiet but heartbreaking nonetheless. Claire glances between Ellie and Jasmine, worried and confused about how best to help them both. Madison remains aloof, browsing through social media on her phone while pretending not to pay attention to anything else going on around her.

Jasmine gasps as the internet connection dies, her eyes wide with panic. "What happened?!" she whispers to no one in particular. Claire looks up from where she's trying to comfort Ellie, a frown marring her features as she glances around the room, unsure of what caused the connection loss. Madison snorts and rolls her eyes, not even bothering to look up from her phone.

The darkness presses in on them, making it harder to breathe. The strange symbols on the computer screen seem to dance menacingly, as if mocking their helplessness. Jasmine swallows hard, feeling the weight of responsibility settling heavily onto her shoulders. "Guys," she whispers, her voice shaking, "I think... we might be in serious trouble."

Madison curses under her breath as her phone goes dead, her fingers flying over the buttons uselessly before she realizes there's no point. Claire flinches, feeling a chill run down her spine as the room grows colder with each passing second. Ellie hugs her stuffed animal tighter, tears streaming silently down her face. Beatrice shuffles closer to them, unsure what to do but wanting to help somehow. The darkness presses in on them all like a living thing, smothering out any light and making it difficult to breathe.

Jasmine whimpers, staring helplessly at the black screen of the computer. "What are we going to do?" she whispers fearfully.

The sound of footsteps echoes through the darkness, growing steadily louder as they approach the basement door. The girls freeze, their hearts pounding in unison as they strain to hear who or what might be out there. Jasmine takes a shaky step forward, her hand trembling against the locked door. "Who's there?" she whispers, her voice barely audible over the thundering of her heart. There is no reply; only silence and the relentless sound of footsteps drawing ever closer.

Claire glances around wildly, desperately seeking some sort of weapon or escape route. Ellie buries her face in her stuffed animal, sobbing softly as she clings to the threadbare fabric for comfort. Beatrice backs up against a shelf, watching Jasmine warily as they all wait with bated breath for whatever - or whoever - comes through

Jasmine leaps back in surprise as something darts past Claire and disappears into the wall. The footsteps abruptly stop, replaced by a low, chilling laugh that echoes through the basement. Claire's eyes widen with terror and she instinctively presses herself against Jasmine, their heartbeats racing in tandem. Ellie whimpers softly, her grip on her stuffed animal growing tighter as she buries her face further into its comforting embrace. Beatrice bites her lower lip nervously, shuffling closer to the others for protection.

"What... what was that?" Claire whispers, voice quavering. Her breath comes in ragged gasps as adrenaline courses through her veins. Jasmine swallows hard, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, but she doesn't reply. Instead, she takes a sh

The darkness presses in, suffocating them all. It feels like something alive, seeking to consume them whole. Jasmine stammers, unable to form words as fear grips her throat like an iron fist. She glances around wildly, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever that thing was, but the basement remains shrouded in impenetrable gloom. All she can do is wait, and pray that whatever it is decides not to return.

Ellie's cries turn into sobs, her body shaking with every heave of her chest. Beatrice flinches at each sound, longing to reach out and comfort her friend but knowing deep down that there is nothing they can do now except hope that this nightmare ends soon. Claire watches them both, her heart aching for their pain, and vows that if they manage to survive this night, she

Madison curses under her breath as the cell phone on her bedside table begins to ring incessantly. The strange, unfamiliar ringtone causes her skin to crawl, and even though it's pitched faintly enough to be drowned out by the noise of the restless spirits outside her room door, she can still hear it clearly in the quiet, still air. She tries desperately to reach over and answer it, but something is preventing her from moving, keeping her rooted in place like a statue.

The persistent sound fills the room, grating on her nerves until she feels like screaming herself hoarse. It seems to echo through the halls and down into the basement where her friends are trapped, adding to their collective terror and making the already dire situation that much more terrifying. Madison struggles against whatever invisible force holds her immobile, tears streaming down her face as she real

Madison whimpers in frustration, the desperate need to speak with whoever it is becoming almost unbearable. The phone sits quietly on the bedside table now, its soft glow casting eerie shadows across the walls and ceiling as if they were living, breathing things caught in some macabre dance. Her heart races, her body trembling with fear and adrenaline as she waits for something - anything - to happen.

Outside, the restless spirits continue their endless wailing and moaning, the sound of them growing ever closer. The hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, and she feels a chill run up her spine. She closes her eyes tightly, struggling against the immovable force that keeps her rooted to the spot as darkness begins to creep into the corners of her vision.

Jasmine, Claire, Ellie and Beatrice exchange nervous glances as they hear the faint sound coming from Madison's phone. The wails of the restless spirits grow louder still, but their attention is now drawn to the phone on the table. They strain to make out what's being said, each hoping against hope that it's someone who can help them escape this nightmare.

The darkness presses in around them, making it difficult to breathe and even harder to focus. Fear crawls up their spines like cold tendrils of mist, threatening to overwhelm them at any moment. They remain frozen, waiting for some sign of what they should do as the shadows continue to lengthen and deepen in the basement, consuming everything around them.

The silence in the room seems to stretch on forever as they all strain to hear what's being said through Madison's phone. Jasmine glances at Claire, then Ellie and Beatrice, her eyes pleading for someone else to make a move or offer some kind of solution. But no one says anything; they're all too terrified to break the quiet that has descended upon them like a shroud.

The restless spirits outside seem to sense their hesitation, drawing ever closer with each passing second. The air in the room grows thick with anticipation and fear, making it hard for any of them to breathe or think clearly. They all know that if they don't do something soon, whatever is out there will find a way in, and then there will be no hope left.

Jasmine swallows hard, forcing herself to speak despite the tremor in her voice. "We have to try something," she whispers, her gaze fixed on the phone as if daring it to betray them further. "Maybe... maybe we can use that spell again..." Her words trail off into the heavy silence, but they hang in the air nonetheless. Slowly, tentatively, the others glance at one another, unsure if it's a good idea or not. In the end, it's Ellie who breaks the stalemate.

"I-I don't know," she stammered. "What if it just makes things worse?" Her hands trembled where they clutched her stuffed animal tightly, and her eyes darted around the room, searching for someplace safe. But there was nowhere to go; they were trapped, and their fates lay in the balance.

Jasmine bites her lip, eyes darting between Ellie and the phone. "It's a risk... but it's our only chance," she says finally, mustering up what little courage she can find. She moves to stand in front of Madison's phone, fingers hovering uncertainly over the keypad.

Ellie hesitates for another heart-stopping moment before nodding slowly. "Okay," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the wails outside. "But let's not waste any time." Claire shuffles closer to Ellie, a small sigh of relief escaping her lips as Jasmine begins to type frantically into the phone.

As Jasmine finishes entering the final letters and symbols, the room is filled with a flash of blinding light. The spirits outside the door seem to howl even louder, their cries of anguish filling the air like a living nightmare. As the light fades, there's a sudden chill in the air as though someone has walked over their graves.

Ellie freezes, her eyes widening as she realizes who it was calling for them. "Maddison," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. "She should be with us." The others exchange glances, none of them daring to hope that the spell might have worked.

"Maybe we can still find her," Claire suggests quietly, trying to offer some comfort. They all know that their friend is likely in grave danger, but they also know that there's no time to lose if they want to save

Terror grips the girls as they stand frozen in place, eyes wide with fear and confusion. The words echo through their minds, taunting them and leaving no room for doubt about what has just happened. They exchange glances once more, unsure of what to do or where to turn next.

The restless spirits outside the door seem to sense their panic, growing ever closer with each passing second. The air is thick with desperation and hopelessness, suffocating them like a leaden blanket. Time feels as though it's slowed down, every heartbeat magnified a thousandfold as they struggle against the mounting pressure to make a decision, any decision that might offer some small glimmer of hope for their friend Maddison.

The girls all freeze in unison as they see the strange apparition near Ellie, clearly not being Maddison. A chill runs down their spines at the sight of it and they glance nervously between one another, uncertainty written plainly on their faces. Claire takes a tentative step forward, reaching out to grab Ellie's arm in a desperate attempt to steady herself against this unimaginable terror.

"What was that?" she whispers hoarsely, her voice barely audible over the wails of the spirits outside. They don't have time to waste; they need to find Maddison and quickly if they hope to survive this night. But with everything feeling so surreal and disorienting, it's hard for them to know where to begin or what steps to take next.

Jasmine swallows hard, trying to focus. "We... we should split up," she says hesitantly. "Someone can stay here and guard the door while the others search the house." She glances around uneasily, half expecting someone else to disagree. Beatrice nods slowly, seemingly coming to terms with the decision.

"Okay, but be careful!" Ellie warns, hugging her stuffed animal even tighter. They all exchange final looks of reassurance before turning to go, each heading off in a different direction as they search the darkened house for their missing friend. The shadows dance menacingly around them, obscuring the walls and ceiling, making it feel like they are being watched at every turn.

As they search the house, Jasmine finds herself in the kitchen, huddled behind a rickety wooden table. Her heart is pounding out of her chest and she can't shake the feeling that something isn't right. The backdoor creaks open slightly, revealing a sliver of light from the darkness outside. A figure slowly inches its way inside, casting long, eerie shadows across the tile floor.

Jasmine freezes in terror, unable to move or cry out for help as the figure approaches her. It wears a tattered, dirty cloak that hides its features, but she can make out two gleaming red eyes staring directly at her from within its shadowy folds. The creature reaches out a bony hand towards her and whispers, "Do you want to come with us?" Her whole body trembling in fear, Jasmine hesitates only for a moment before num

Jasmine screams in terror as an unseen force grabs the creature's shoulder and rips it apart. Blood and gore splatter across the kitchen floor, painting a grotesque image of death and suffering. With a howl of rage, the remaining shreds of the creature disappear into the darkness, leaving behind nothing but a foul stench and a feeling of dread.

Shaking with fear, she hurries back to where her friends are supposed to be guarding the door. But when she arrives, there's no sign of them. Panic rising within her, she searches frantically for any clue as to where they might have gone. The house seems to close in around her, trapping her like a rat in a maze.

Jasmine gasps, eyes wide with shock as the figure materializes before her. She takes an instinctive step backwards, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. "Who... who are you?" she whispers hoarsely, her words barely audible over the distant wails of the spirits.

Jasmine blinks, unable to believe what she's seeing and hearing. Before her stands... herself? But how could that be possible? Her thoughts race frantically, trying to make sense of this impossible situation. The offer hangs in the air between them, taunting her with the possibility of escape.

Her eyes dart nervously around the room, unsettled by the eerie silence that has fallen over the house. The restless spirits have vanished, leaving only the faint sound of their own breathing to fill the void. This being - if it truly is herself - looks calm, almost reassuring. Perhaps there's truth to what it says.

Jasmine's heart races as she listens to the words, trying to decide whether or not she can trust this... thing that claims to be herself. It's so tempting; the thought of finally escaping this nightmare and finding safety on the other side. But at what cost? To sacrifice her friends in order to survive? She shakes her head slowly, trying to clear it of the maddening thoughts.

"No," she whispers hoarsely, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "I won't do it. We'll find another way out." She reaches out, tentatively touching the apparition that looks like her, hoping against hope that it will disappear like the restless spirits did before. But it remains solid beneath her fingers, mocking her with its unsettling serenity.

Jasmine blinks, taking a step back as the figure dissipates. Her heart pounds wildly in her chest, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The basement looks different somehow; brighter and eerily calm despite the lack of movement outside the door. With growing dread, she approaches the computer and types frantically into the search bar. A flash of hope ignites within her when she finds what she's looking for: an ancient grimoire detailing summoning rituals and their potential consequences.

Scanning the pages, she realizes they must undo what they've done. It won't be easy - they'll have to work quickly and carefully, or risk making things even worse than they already are. Taking a shaky breath, she begins hunting for anything that might help them reverse the spell before it's too late.

The other girls react with horror as they see their doppelgängers, some crying out in terror while others struggle to comprehend what's happening. They hesitate at first, fear clouding their judgment, but eventually each one is presented with the same choice: betray their friends in exchange for freedom. As they make their decisions and speak their answers aloud, their fates are sealed.

Beatrice trembles, her voice barely audible as she whispers "No, I can't do that." Her eyes well up with tears and she tries to take a step back, only to find herself trapped against the wall. The doppelganger merely nods in understanding, its gaze never leaving her before it disappears into thin air once more.

Ellie's hands shake uncontrollably as she takes a deep breath, her voice wavering when she finally says, "I-I can't... I won't..." Her eyes dart between the creature and her friends, filled with conflicting emotions. She knows she should save them, but she's so scared...

Claire pales visibly, her bottom lip trembling as she shakes her head violently from side to side. "No, no way! I'm not letting you have them!" she spits at the apparition, her words firm and defiant. It simply smiles back, not appearing fazed by her determination.

Maddison's heart races as she takes in the creature before her. She looks down at her trembling hands, tears pricking at her eyes. "I-I can't," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "I won't leave them." The doppelganger nods understandingly and vanishes into thin air once more.

With a shudder, Maddison turns around to continue searching for a way out. She knows that they have to find a way to reverse the spell before it's too late, but she can't help feeling hopelessness creeping up on her. The house seems impossibly huge and foreign now, every shadow a potential danger.

The others gather together, pale and shaken but united in their determination to save one another. As they search the house for a way to reverse the spell, they come across several items that seem like they could be used in such a ritual. Each item requires them to take a risk; to trust in themselves and each other in order to have any hope of success. It's a terrifying prospect, but it's their only chance at survival.

With trembling hands, they begin the ancient ritual, their voices shaking as they chant the arcane words. Sweat beads on their brows and their hearts pound in their chests, but they press onward, refusing to give up even when the shadows seem darkest. For now, all that matters is saving each other from the clutches of the supernatural forces that have ensnared them.

When the girls found that there was an extra person among them, they froze. Then they looked at you and they knew you were not one of them. They don't know you, even that person is a boy!

The others gasp, frightened by your presence as if you were some sort of malevolent specter. Jasmine steps forward hesitantly, her hands raised in a warding gesture. "Who are you?" she whispers, her voice trembling with fear and uncertainty. "Why are you here?" She glances around nervously, as if expecting the rest of the party to suddenly materialize out of thin air.

You seem perfectly calm and composed, almost reassuring. Perhaps there's truth to what it says.

Jasmine's eyes go wide with shock and disbelief. "No way! You can't be..." Her voice trails off, not wanting to believe that this calm, collected figure could possibly be the demon they summoned. The others exchange worried glances, uncertain whether to trust you or flee in terror.

There's an uncomfortable silence for a moment before Ellie finally speaks up. "So, Maddox... I mean, Mada-Suer," she stumbles over the unfamiliar name, "... um, do we have to sacrifice someone now?" Her voice quivers and her eyes dart nervously between you and her friends.

Jasmine glances at Ellie, then at Claire, then back to you, her expression confused and hopeful. "You mean... we don't have to choose? We can all leave together?" she asks, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Maddison studies your face, still uneasy but starting to believe that perhaps you aren't here to hurt them after all. She steps forward, curiosity getting the better of her. "So what now?" she asks quietly, gesturing around the dimly lit room. "Are we just free to go?"

The others exchange relieved looks, their shoulders finally beginning to relax. They've been through so much tonight, and the exhaustion is starting to catch up with them. But as they listen to Maddison's question, they realize there's one more thing they need to do: close the portal that was opened during the ritual. Together, they

Jasmine's mouth drops open in shock as you reveal the truth behind your appearance. Her eyes narrow suspiciously, wondering how much more you might be hiding. Claire takes a tentative step forward, frowning at you. "So why did you do all this then?" she asks sharply, not quite able to shake the lingering sense of unease.

"I just wanted to see if your friendship was real," you reply simply. "And it seems like it is." There's a pause as the girls exchange glances. It's clear they don't entirely trust you yet, but the possibility that they might be able to leave this house unharmed and walk away from this nightmare feels too good to be true.

Jasmine's mouth falls open at your words, understanding dawning on her face. She turns to face her friends, grabbing onto Ellie's arm. "We have to close the portal," she says urgently, her voice trembling with fear and determination. The others nod solemnly in agreement, their focus now fully on the task ahead.

As they gather around the computers again, hands shaking as they type in commands, it becomes clear that they won't be so careless next time. They've learned their lesson about dabbling in things they don't understand. And they will never, ever call upon a demon again.

Jasmine glances at her friends, unsure what to make of this new revelation. Ellie speaks up first, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can we ask you to go away? To leave us alone and forget you ever met us?" She searches your face, hoping that you'll grant them their freedom. The others nod silently in agreement, relieved but still wary.

Jasmine frowns, uncertainty etched into her features. "So you're saying... we don't actually have a choice in this? That we can't send you away and just be done with it?" Her voice quivers slightly as she asks, the weight of your revelation sinking in.

The others exchange glances, their expressions mirroring her confusion and fear. Ellie shudders, clearly unsettled by the thought that they might not be able to put an end to this nightmare after all. Claire takes a step forward, hands balled into fists at her sides. "So what do we do now?" she asks fiercely, refusing to accept defeat.

Jasmine stares at the spot where you vanished, her mind reeling with questions and concerns. The others slowly file out of the room, their movements hesitant and cautious. No one says anything as they make their way downstairs and out of the house, grateful to finally be free from its dark grasp.

As they drive away into the night, each girl sinks deeper into her seat, trying to forget everything that happened tonight. But they know it won't be easy; the memory of those terrible moments will stay with them forever, a reminder of how quickly things can spiral out of control when you play with forces beyond your understanding. From now on, they vow to be more careful and respectful of the mysteries of the world around them.

As the girls pull into the school parking lot, they exchange nervous glances. They're relieved to be out of the house and back in the safety of their normal lives, but the events of last night still weigh heavily on them. None of them dare discuss it with anyone else, afraid of how it might sound or what people might think.

Jasmine climbs out of her car, shoulders slumped as she makes her way toward the entrance. Claire nods at Ellie, a silent agreement forming between them to act like nothing is wrong. Madison takes a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on her classes and friends rather than dwelling on the darkness that lurks just out of sight.

They each go their separate ways, determined not to let what happened ruin their day-to-day lives. But they know, deep down, that something has changed between them. They'll never forget the lesson they

The girls arrive at school, each lost in their own thoughts about the horrifying events of last night. They struggle to concentrate during classes and avoid discussing it with anyone out of fear of how they might react. The tension between them is palpable as they navigate through their normal routines, constantly glancing at each other from the corners of their eyes.

Ellie finds herself drawn to a quiet corner of the library during lunchtime, unable to face her friends or the rest of the students. She pulls out her sketchbook and begins doodling, trying to exorcise the terror she felt last night from her mind. Her hands shake as she adds details to the demonic figures she'd drawn earlier, wondering if it was all real or just a hallucination brought on by their desperation for answers.

Meanwhile, Claire joins the soccer team in an effort to blow off some steam and

Jasmine sits alone at a picnic table, picking at her salad. Her phone buzzes with messages from her friends, but she ignores them, too afraid to admit that she's still shaken up by what happened. Instead, she focuses on her algebra homework, hoping that distraction will help ease her mind. As she works, she can't shake the feeling that something terrible is waiting for them around the corner, always watching, biding its time until they stumble into its path again.

Madison spends her lunch period in the art room, lost in a world of color and texture. She paints frantically, channeling her fear and confusion into each stroke of the brush. The image that emerges is disturbing even to her; a twisted, demonic version of herself, trapped in a world of darkness and despair. As she steps back to survey her work, she

spots something odd about the background. Intricate runes and symbols seem to crawl across the canvas, forming an unholy pattern that sends shivers down her spine. Perhaps it's a message from whatever force they'd summoned last night, warning them not to attempt such things again. Madison shudders, feeling the weight of their mistake pressing down upon her shoulders.

As the bell rings for the end of lunch period, the girls reluctantly separate, each knowing that something fundamental has changed between them. They'll never forget what they experienced, and they can only hope that their lives won't be haunted by it for years to come. The shadow of last night falls over every interaction, every decision, leaving them feeling hollowed out and exhausted. But there's no choice but to move forward, one painful step at a time, hoping against hope that they can somehow find peace again.

On Saturday, Maddie gathers her friends in a secluded spot in the park. It's a beautiful day, but an uncomfortable silence hangs over them as they sit on a blanket. No one dares to speak about what happened; it feels too raw, too frightening. Jasmine plays with a loose thread on her jacket, unable to meet anyone's eyes. Ellie picks at the grass nearby, lost in thought. Claire takes out her phone, pretending to be engrossed in a game. And Madison? She just stares into the distance, haunted by the memory of the things she saw and felt last night.

Madison clears her throat, forcing herself to speak. "I think we all know why I asked you here," she says hesitantly. "We can't ignore this anymore." Her gaze moves between each of her friends, searching for some sign of understanding, agreement... anything. But all she sees are terrified expressions etched onto their faces. "Do you... do you want to talk about it?" she asks weakly.

Jasmine glances over at Claire, then at Ellie, looking for support or guidance. Finally, she turns to face Maddison. "Yeah... I mean... we have to talk about it sometime," she says softly. Her voice wavers and she quickly looks away, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater.

Ellie shakes her head slowly, eyes wide with disbelief. "I don't know what to say... I keep thinking that if we hadn't done any of this, none of this would be happening." Her voice cracks and she hugs herself tightly, trying to fend off the cold fear that has settled into her bones.

Claire chews on her bottom lip, clearly unsettled by the whole situation. "I think we all did stupid things," she says carefully. "But I don't want to keep living in fear of something like

Maddison's attention is drawn away from her friends as she sees someone in the distance near a large tree. A young girl wearing a pretty, flowery dress chases after a laughing toddler, both of them holding atlatls and darts. As they play, they seem oblivious to the dark shadows that loom around them.

A chill runs down Maddison's spine as she realizes what this means: their fates are not yet sealed. Even now, when it seems like there is no hope left, they still have a choice. The demon had given them the power to control their own destinies; all they needed was the courage to use it.

With renewed determination, she turns back to her friends and speaks with quiet conviction: "We can't keep living like this. We need to find a way to close the portal for good, before whatever that thing is

Maddison tenses at the sight of you approaching them, a mixture of fear and uncertainty flashing across her face. As you draw nearer, she clears her throat nervously, glancing between you and her friends before speaking up: "Um, we weren't expecting... you to show up again." Her voice quivers slightly, but she holds your gaze defiantly.

The others shift uncomfortably at your presence, memories of last night still fresh in their minds. They exchange worried glances, unsure how to react or what to say. Ellie grips tightly onto the sketchbook resting in her lap, as if it could protect her from whatever might happen next. Claire fidgets with a loose string on her jacket, avoiding making eye contact with anyone.

Jasmine glances at Maddison, then back to you warily. "Um, hello? Why are you here?" Her voice quivers slightly as she speaks, nervousness evident in her tone. Madison gulps audibly beside her.

Maddison blinks in surprise, her expression shifting from suspicion to gratitude. Ellie looks uncertainly between the two of you, while Claire slowly nods along, seeming to find comfort in your words. Jasmine hesitates before taking a deep breath and speaking up: "I guess... I just don't know what to think anymore."

There's an awkward silence that settles over them all as they contemplate their situation. Maddison glances back at the mother and daughter playing with their atlatls and darts, wishing she could go back to those simpler times when monsters didn't exist and the worst thing she had to worry about was getting her homework done on time. But she knows now that she can't turn away from reality; not if they want any chance of surviving this nightmare.

Maddison glances at the others before nodding. "Yeah, we remember. But what about closing the portal? That's gotta be our top priority now." She looks back and forth between you and her friends, hoping that one of them will have an idea how to proceed.

Maddison stares at you in disbelief. "But that means..." Her voice trails off as realization dawns on her face. The demon lord's son, having the power to cross worlds with ease... it changes everything. They don't need to close the portal; they just need your help to defeat whatever horrors still remain beyond its seal. She looks around at her friends, unsure whether to believe their good fortune or not. Ellie nods slowly in agreement, a tentative smile forming on her lips. Claire fidgets anxiously, her gaze darting between you and the others before finally speaking up: "So... what do we have to do?"

Ellie hesitates, biting her lip as she glances down at her sketchbook. "I-I don't know if I want anything right now," she mumbles, looking nervously at the others. Madison shrugs, unsure as well. But Jasmine quickly speaks up: "My wish is to go back to how things were before all this happened." She pauses, her expression pained. "I just want everything to be normal again." There's silence for a moment before Claire adds, "And I wish that my family didn't have to move away." Her voice cracks on the last word, and Maddison reaches out to put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Maddison hesitates, unsure whether to trust you with this information. But Claire meets your gaze steadily, seeming to understand that keeping secrets will only make things worse. She takes a deep breath and nods slowly. "My dad lost his job because of... certain people he knew." She glances at Maddison, then back down at her hands in her lap. "They said he was stealing from them, but it wasn't true."

You raise an eyebrow, looking thoughtful. "I see. And where are they moving to?"

"They're not sure yet," Claire says, her voice barely above a whisper. "Dad says he'll find something soon, but..." She trails off, chewing on her lower lip nervously. The others exchange uncomfortable glances as they consider what Claire has just revealed. Ellie looks up, meeting your gaze warily. "Why? Do you... know someone who needs a good lawyer or something?"

There's an awkward silence as the implications of your question sink in. You could use your power to help Claire's father get his old job back, or find him a better position elsewhere. But that would involve meddling with people's lives in ways they might not appreciate... and you aren't even certain if those people were truly innocent to begin with.

"He used to love photography," Claire says softly, a faraway look in her eyes. "But ever since he lost his job... he hasn't picked up the camera once." The others exchange glances, understanding dawning on their faces. If you could help find some way for Claire's father to pursue his passion without worrying about money, that might be the best gift of all.

"Tell me more about your dad," you say gently. "What kind of photographer is he?"

Madison glances over at Ellie, who nods encouragingly. "Well, my mom says he was really good at capturing moments," Maddison begins. "Like, he had this one picture of us playing by the lake that just made it look like we were always laughing. And another one of Claire's cat that made him look so wise and majestic, even though we all know he was just fat and cuddly most of the time." She smiles warmly, thinking of her own memories with her dad.

Ellie furrows her brow thoughtfully. "I remember once, I gave him an old disposable camera to try out. He took these amazing pictures of the stars, and swore they glowed like jewels. It was incredible." The girls share a moment of silence, remembering their fathers and what they meant to them.

Finally, Jasmine

"Wait, what?" Claire's eyes go wide with disbelief as she hangs up the phone. "He... they want him to work for them? But how did you..." Her voice trails off, searching for answers that can't be found. Madison and Ellie exchange a knowing look; it's clear they believe your involvement was no coincidence.

"I just made a phone call," you shrug casually, as if this kind of thing happened every day. "It seemed like the perfect solution to me." The others stare at you, uncertain whether to be grateful or suspicious. In the end, Claire's expression softens into a smile.

"Thank you," she whispers, still looking a little dazed. "I can't believe this is really happening..."

"Um, I," Ellie starts slowly, glancing between you and her friends before continuing more confidently. "I want to finish my comic about the demon lord's son. And then maybe... show it to people?" Her voice wavers at the end, but she meets your gaze defiantly. "That's what I really want."

Ellie hesitates, biting her lip in thought. "I-I don't know... Maybe? I never really had much information about the demon lords... It would be great if you could tell me more." Her eyes flicker nervously to the others, then back to you, searching for reassurance that it's safe to trust you with her idea.

Maddison, Jasmine and Claire all exchange glances, clearly uncertain what they should do. This offer from the demon lord's son is unprecedented... and a little bit terrifying. But at the same time, it could be an opportunity to finally understand why the demon lords acted as they did. And maybe, if Ellie's story reaches enough people, it could help dispel some of the fear and misunderstanding that surrounds them all.

Finally, Maddison speaks up: "I think we should

"I wish... that we could all just go back to how things were before," Jasmine says softly, her voice trembling. "No more monsters, no more fear..." Claire nods in agreement, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth. Ellie hesitates before speaking up: "And I want my parents to be happy again. They've been arguing a lot lately, ever since I started seeing things..." Her voice trails off and she looks down at her sketchbook.

The demon lord's son watches them, considering their requests. He could grant each of these wishes easily enough, but he wonders what the consequences might be. The balance between realms is delicate, and changing too much could have disastrous results. But perhaps... if he were to help them carefully, ensuring that no harm came to anyone else in the process... it might be possible for everyone to get what they truly desire