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 shit! Did that really work?" Ellie whispers, her eyes wide with disbelief and fear. She clings to Madison's arm for support as they all watch you in shock. "You can talk, right?" she adds, suddenly feeling brave enough to speak directly to the demonic presence before them.

"Easy there, Ellie," Jasmine says calmly, nodding at you. "I guess he must be real then." She flashes an almost triumphant grin, while Claire cackles nervously beside her.

"Oh my god!" Beatrice exclaims, taking a step back as she scans your form in fear and fascination. She nervously adjusts her glasses again, trying to hide behind her long hair. "Wait, can you like... make our wishes come true or something?" Her voice wavers between hope and dread.

"Yeah!" Claire chimes in, regaining some of her earlier bravado. "We wanna be rich and famous, get hot guys, and have all the candy we could ever want! Like a cheesy horror movie version of our dreams or whatever." She grins at you expectantly.

Jasmine crosses her arms over her chest, studying your reaction intently. "So what do you say?" she demands. "You're our demon now, and we want results!" Her voice holds a note of authority despite her youthful appearance.

"You don't have to give us anything if you're tired," Claire pouts, clearly disappointed at your offer. "We can wait." Ellie glances over her shoulder nervously as if expecting some sort of punishment for summoning you in the first place.

Madison rolls her eyes and pushes herself off from the wall. "Fine," she says coldly, adjusting her designer purse on her shoulder. "Then give us something else. Anything useful." She looks at you with disdain as if you're nothing but a bothersome servant.

Beatrice hesitates before speaking up, her voice shaking slightly. "O-or... we could make a deal or something? Maybe help each other out?" Her eyes dart between Jasmine and the demon before she quickly looks away again.

Jasmine narrows her eyes at you, considering your offer. "

Jasmine tilts her head thoughtfully as she studies you. "Alright, demon boy. How about this? We'll help you get stronger in return for some favors." She pauses, grinning maliciously. "And if we don't feel like holding up our end of the bargain... Well, let's just say things could get pretty ugly for you."

The other girls gasp and whisper among themselves, casting wary glances at their leader as she speaks so boldly on their behalf. Ellie fidgets nervously, her long legs kicking beneath the pajama bottoms, while Beatrice nods vigorously in agreement with Jasmine's words, unaware of the implications.

"So," Jasmine continues with a triumphant smirk, "what do you say?"

Jasmine grins wickedly, drawing her friends' attention back to her as she speaks for the group. "Well, Wes, if you help us out and earn our trust... maybe we could let you have some fun with us?" Her words hang heavily in the air, suggestive and dark.

The other girls giggle nervously or blush deeply, averting their eyes as they try not to imagine what kind of favors Jasmine might be offering on their behalf. Ellie takes a step closer to Madison protectively, while Beatrice shoves her glasses up her nose and leans forward curiously, studying your reaction.

"What do you say, demon?" Jasmine repeats, her voice now laced with cruel amusement. "You in or out?"

"Oh my god!" Claire squeals excitedly, her hands flying to cover her mouth. "He agreed! Now we really are the demon-bitches from hell!" She giggles uncontrollably, punching Jasmine lightly on the arm in celebration before collapsing into a fit of laughter that infects the others as well. Beatrice looks less than amused by your transformation but plays along nonetheless.

"Wow," Ellie whispers, staring at you with wide eyes. "I never would have thought we'd actually get to do this." She takes a small step forward, reaching out tentatively to stroke the fur on your head before withdrawing her hand quickly. "So uh... what can we expect from our new pet demon?"

Jasmine, still grinning triumphantly, steps even closer to you. "Well, rabbit boy," she purred

"We expect you to follow our orders and do whatever we say." Jasmine's tone is now commanding, her eyes boring into yours with authority. "If you ever disobey or cause us harm in any way, we won't hesitate to make sure you regret it." She pauses, leaning closer still as if sharing a dark secret. "And remember, we're girls... We know how to get what we want." Her voice drops dangerously low at the end, making the other girls shiver with excitement.

Claire and Ellie exchange knowing glances, their grins wicked as they imagine all the mischief they could cause together with their newfound power over you. Only Beatrice seems uneasy, her fingers nervously picking at a loose thread on her sweater. But she remains silent for now, unsure of what to make of this strange new situation.

Jasmine looks at you slyly before nodding in agreement. "Alright, fluffy bunny boy. If you play nice and do everything we say, we'll help you get stronger." She glances around at her friends, who all eagerly nod their heads as well. "But first," she continues with a mischievous grin, "we need to have some fun with our new pet demon!"

Beatrice's eyes widen in alarm but she doesn't object as Jasmine begins to issue orders: "Okay, so today we want you to do this and that," motioning vaguely with her hand. "And remember not to leave the house or tell anyone about us, got it?" Claire leans in conspiratorially, whispering ideas in your ear while giggling uncontrollably. Ellie pets you softly, her fingers brushing against your fur as if

an extension of herself. Madison, on the other hand, stands off to the side with her arms crossed, looking bored until Claire prods her and whispers something in her ear that makes her chuckle maliciously. The girls all exchange amused glances as they watch your reactions, clearly enjoying their newfound power over you.

"Alright then," Jasmine says eventually, clapping her hands together to get everyone's attention. "Let's get started." She nods toward the stairs leading up from the basement. "There's plenty of fun to be had up there!" The others giggle and nudge each other excitedly as they begin to make their way up, leaving you no choice but to follow them in your new fluffy rabbit form.

You hesitate for a moment, glancing back at Jasmine who meets your gaze coolly. "Come on,"

You feel the shift within you as your form morphs and changes, stretching and contorting until at last you stand before them in a half-demon, half-human hybrid shape. Tall and muscular with sharp claws and glowing red eyes, your features now hideously beautiful to their innocent mortal minds. Your new form elicits gasps of surprise and fear from the girls, as they slowly back away until they are pressed against the walls of the basement. Even Jasmine looks shocked and a little bit impressed at what she's unleashed within you.

"So," Madison finally manages to say through her quivering lips, "what do we call you now?" The others glance between each other nervously, unsure how to react to their powerful new pet demon.

You look around the room, taking in each of their terrified expressions before speaking with a voice that seems

Jasmine, the unofficial leader of this group, finally regains her composure. "Well," she says slowly, glancing at her friends for reassurance, "I think we should call you... Shadow." Her voice is surprisingly steady despite her earlier fright. The others nod in agreement; it seems like an appropriate name for a being that can shift between demon and human forms so easily.

"Good choice," Ellie whispers, moving closer to you again. "Now that we've given you a name, maybe we should show you around the house? There are lots of fun things to do here." She smiles warmly, unaware of the effect her words have on your predatory instincts.

Madison narrows her eyes at Ellie before speaking up herself, "Yeah, Shadow. Wanna see our favorite hideout?" Her voice is cold and calculating as she motions for you to follow them

The girls exchange uncertain glances, unsure whether to trust their new pet demon. Claire, always the daring one, steps forward defiantly. "Fine," she says with a carefree shrug. "I'll do it. Just don't get carried away." She extends her wrist toward you, offering a vein-filled target for your demonic hunger. The others gasp and take a step back, eyes wide in fear and fascination as they watch the exchange unfold.

"See?" Claire says with a smirk. "I told you we could make this work." Her bravado seems to be an attempt to mask her own fear and discomfort, but it only serves to make her bolder. She pushes herself even closer to you now, studying your glowing red eyes as if trying to gauge how much pain she might feel from the loss of blood.

The others shuffle nervously

Jasmine clears her throat nervously as she watches Claire and Shadow interact. "Um... maybe we should show him our hideout first?" She suggests uncertainly, glancing at Ellie and Madison for support. The others nod in agreement, still seemingly more interested in avoiding their new pet demon's hunger than actually helping him get stronger.

Ellie tentatively steps forward, "If you want to go to our hideout, Shadow, we should probably hurry before someone else comes down here." Her voice is gentle and calming as she tries to ease the tension in the air. The others follow suit, slowly moving towards the stairs that lead up from the basement, relieved to be heading away from the potentially dangerous situation unfolding between Claire and Shadow.

As they climb the creaky steps into the main part of the house, Jasmine shoots a warning

The girls breathe sighs of relief as they hear your promise to hold off on feasting. They quickly lead you upstairs and through the house, pointing out various hiding spots along the way. Behind a painting, behind a bookshelf, even inside an old wardrobe. They giggle excitedly as they show them off, eager for your approval.

The hideout itself is tucked away in the attic, accessible only by climbing through a small wooden ladder at the back of their parents' walk-in closet. It's lit by candles and adorned with posters of horror movies and rock bands they all love. There's even an old bean bag chair and a mini fridge stocked with snacks and drinks. They beam proudly at you, hoping that you like their special place.

"So," Jasmine says after a moment, recovering

Jasmine grins at your comment, "Yeah, we thought it'd be pretty cool. And," she adds with a mischievous glint in her eye, "it's easy to keep secrets up here." The others nod in agreement, looking pleased that you seem to like their hideout.

"So," Ellie begins hesitantly, perching herself on the edge of an old wooden desk, "what should we do first?" Her gaze darts between you and Jasmine nervously as she asks the question, unsure how far she can push their new pet demon before he snaps.

Madison flops down onto the bean bag chair, unimpressed. "We could play some board games or watch movies or something," she suggests with a shrug, not bothering to hide her disinterest in any of these options.

"Oh wow!" Beatrice gasps in surprise as she watches you float and writhe in the air as if swimming through water. Her fascination with your demonic abilities momentarily outweighs her fear of the group's new pet. "Can you do that on command?" she asks, studying you intently.

Jasmine crosses her arms over her chest, unimpressed by your display. "Cool," she mutters, clearly unphased. "Now can you do something useful for once?" She narrows her eyes at you challengingly, daring you to prove yourself worthy of their trust and assistance.

Jasmine glances at the others, who seem reluctant to volunteer for such a task. "Fine," she says finally, her voice laced with resignation. "I'll do it." She takes a deep breath and extends her arm toward you, offering up her own blood as a meal. The other girls gasp and look away, their eyes widening in fear at the thought of losing even a drop of precious blood from their leader.

As your demonic form reaches out to accept Jasmine's gift, a shiver runs down Ellie's spine; she can't help but feel both fascinated and repulsed by the display unfolding before her. Madison sinks deeper into the bean bag chair, unreadable expression hidden behind a curtain of black hair. Claire looks on eagerly, trying to appear brave despite her pale skin and quivering lips.

Only

Jasmine winces as your teeth sink into her flesh, blood dripping down her arm and pooling at the crook of her elbow. The others all gasp and cover their eyes or mouths in horror or disgust, unable to bear witness to this brutal display. As you feed on Jasmine's blood, your demonic form begins to grow stronger, claws becoming sharper, muscles more defined.

The pain is intense but Jasmine remains stoic, refusing to show any weakness in front of her followers. She grits her teeth and bears it until at last you release your grip on her arm. Blood trickles down her wrist and drops to the floor with a soft splat, leaving an ugly smear across the wooden boards beneath them.

She looks at you now with newfound respect, acknowledging that you've proven yourself capable of following through on

Jasmine's breath catches in her throat as you lick the wound clean, leaving her skin perfectly unmarred. For a moment, she feels nothing but surprise and admiration for your skill... until the pain begins to set in. Her eyes water and she winces, pressing a hand against her arm to staunch the flow of blood.

"You..." She starts, voice wavering between gratitude and anger. "You healed me." The others look on in shock as they realize what you've done; their new pet demon has somehow gained the power to heal injuries, making him even more dangerous than before.

Claire steps forward cautiously, eyeing Jasmine's arm warily. "Jas... are you okay?" She whispers, her voice tinged with fear and awe. The other girls exchange glances but no one dares to touch the fresh wound for fear

Jasmine raises an eyebrow at your comment, her expression unreadable. "Very considerate of you," she says coolly before glancing around the room at the others. There's a newfound respect in her eyes now, but also a hint of caution. They have just become more dependent on you than ever before... and that realization fills her with equal parts excitement and dread.

"So," Ellie ventures hesitantly, "now that Shadow here has had his fill..." She trails off, not quite sure how to proceed now that the dynamics of their little group have shifted so dramatically. Claire eyes her curiously while Madison flops back onto the bean bag chair, looking thoroughly unimpressed with the entire situation. Only Beatrice seems unaware of the tension in the air, still studying you intently as if hoping to learn more about your demonic abilities.

The

Jasmine hesitates, her gaze flickering between you and the others. They've given you their trust... but at what cost? She glances down at her arm, still sore but now beginning to heal. "Well," she finally says, clearing her throat. "Why don't we start with some more of our favorite movies? Maybe a game or two?" Her voice is cautious, as if testing the waters before fully diving back into whatever activities they had planned for you.

The others look relieved at this decision; it means that things can return to normal... well, as normal as possible with a half-demon, half-human creature floating in their midst. Ellie grins and perks up, already heading toward the makeshift TV stand where they've got all their favorite DVDs stacked up. "Ooh, I know what we could watch!" she chirps

Jasmine rolls her eyes good-naturedly at Ellie's eagerness but is secretly pleased that everyone seems to be getting along better now. "Well," she says, glancing over at the others and then back at you before continuing in a slightly firmer tone of voice, "since you seem to have an appreciation for our hobbies, Shadow... how about we start with one of our favorite horror movies? Something spooky, just to set the mood?" She grins, clearly hoping that this will help maintain the uneasy truce between them all.

Jasmine's eyes widen slightly at your reply, surprised by your lack of fear. "In that case," she says with a mischievous glint in her eye, "how about we start with the one that scared us all first? It's called The Exorcist." The others nod eagerly; it's been years since they've watched it together and they can't wait to see your reaction.

Ellie pops in the DVD, a creepy score filling the room as the opening credits begin to roll. Madison scoffs but sinks deeper into her bean bag chair anyway, unable to escape the morbid fascination that seems to have gripped them all tonight. Beatrice hides behind her hands, eyes wide with terror even though she's seen it a hundred times before. Claire smirks, taking pleasure in sharing this experience with you... and more importantly, prov

Jasmine exchanges surprised glances with Ellie and Madison as you continue to show no reaction to the terrifying scene playing out before them. Even Beatrice, who is usually quite jumpy during horror movies, seems unaffected by your lack of fear. They all begin to question whether or not they truly understand what it means to be afraid... and what else might lie within their own hidden depths as a result.

The movie continues, becoming more intense with each passing minute; the acting, the special effects, even the music seem designed specifically to elicit fear in its audience. And yet still, you remain unmoved. Finally, after an excruciatingly long hour and a half of enduring their favorite scary movie together, the credits roll and silence falls over the room once more. The others exchange glances, unsure how to react now that their demonic pet has proven himself seemingly impervious to

Jasmine's eyes widen in shock as you burst out laughing at the end of the movie. Her jaw drops and she glares at you incredulously; anger and betrayal washing over her features like a tidal wave. The others exchange confused glances, unsure how to react now that their leader's trust in Shadow has been so blatantly mocked.

"What is wrong with you?" Jasmine asks finally, her voice quivering with rage. "That was supposed to be scary!" Claire moves closer to her friend, nervously eyeing your floating form as she does so. Madison just rolls her eyes and flops back onto the bean bag chair, clearly unimpressed by this new development. Ellie's eyes dart between you all, searching for any sign of what you want her to do next.

Beatrice, however, remains fascinated by

Jasmine's face pales as you speak, her eyes fixed on yours. She takes an unsteady step back, feeling a chill run down her spine despite the warmth of the attic. The others exchange nervous glances but don't dare to look away from your piercing gaze. Claire swallows hard, unable to believe what she's seeing. Ellie shudders, more scared now than she was during the entire movie. Even Madison seems rattled by your words, sitting up straighter on her chair and avoiding your eyes.

Only Beatrice continues to stare at you with fascination, oblivious to the terror that seems to have gripped the rest of the group. Her heart races in anticipation of what comes next as she dares herself to look deeper into those otherworldly orbs.

Jasmine takes another step back, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tries to compose herself. Her eyes dart around the room, searching for some kind of escape from your unsettling gaze. "Perhaps... we should take a break," she stammers, her voice shaking. The others nod in agreement, visibly relieved to have an excuse to look away from you and focus on something else.

Ellie stands up slowly, reaching out a tentative hand toward Jasmine. "Come on, Jas. Let's get some air." Claire hesitates for a moment before joining them, shooting nervous glances at your floating form as they head toward the door leading back to the main part of the house. Madison eventually relents and gets up off her chair, muttering something about getting snacks under her breath as she follows them out.

Only Beatrice remains behind, trans

Beatrice shakes her head slowly, eyes still fixed on yours. "No," she whispers. "I don't think I want to leave just yet..." Her voice trails off as she continues to study you, curiosity and fascination warring with fear and unease. She crosses the room until she's standing directly in front of you, close enough that her slight frame is nearly enveloped by your shadow.

Her hands find their way to your chest, tentatively feeling the warmth beneath your leathery skin. "T-tell me more about what I saw," she stutters, her voice barely a whisper. "About why you aren't afraid... of anything..." Her touch feels light and innocent, almost childlike despite the boldness behind her words.

Beatrice listens intently as you speak, her blue eyes widening in understanding and wonder. This... demon before her was once a man, just like her. Had felt fear and pain, had experienced life and all its joys and sorrows. And yet now he floated here, seemingly free of such things. She shivers slightly as she tries to imagine what it must be like, to lose that humanity in exchange for power.

"Do you ever wish..." Her voice trails off, unsure if she should ask the question aloud. "Do you ever wish you could feel something again? Anything?" She reaches out with a trembling hand, hovering just inches from your chest as she waits for your response.

The admission hangs in the air between you, weighty and sad. Beatrice bites her lower lip, feeling a pang of sympathy wash over her as she listens to your confession. It's clear that this creature before her is not only powerful, but also tormented by its own existence. She takes a tentative step closer, reaching out with both hands to cradle your head gently in her palms.

"Then I will be your friend," she whispers softly, gazing into those ancient eyes. "I may not understand what you've been through or what it's like to be... like this, but I can try." Her voice trembles with emotion as she leans in closer, pressing her cheek against yours. For a moment, the room is silent save for their shared breath.

The others exchange glances from outside the room, confused by what they're seeing but unable

Beatrice's lips curl into a small smile at your teasing words. "Well, I guess we'll just have to find out," she says softly, her voice laced with the faintest hint of mischief. She pulls back slightly, studying your expression carefully before leaning in once more, this time pressing her lips against yours. The kiss is gentle at first, tentative and unsure, but soon grows bolder, more confident as she begins to feel the stirrings of desire beneath your skin. Her hands slide upward, threading through your hair and holding you close while their bodies mold together in a dance that is equal parts exploration and seduction.

Outside the room, the others exchange surprised glances but remain where they are, unable to pull themselves away from this unexpected turn of events. Madison slinks closer to Ellie, her eyes fixed on the door as if willing it open so they can

Beatrice pulls back slightly, panting heavily as she gazes at you in wonder. Your eyes are wide with surprise but filled with desire as well; she can see it written all over your face. She grins mischievously, running a hand through her tousled hair before leaning in once more for another hungry kiss. This time, there's no hesitation or uncertainty; their lips move together expertly, exploring every inch of each other's mouth in a passionate embrace that leaves them both breathless and aching for more.

Outside the room, Ellie lets out a low moan as she watches Beatrice and Shadow together. Madison eyes her warily before turning away, blushing furiously at the sight of such intimacy between two members of their little group. Claire licks her lips nervously, feeling an unexpected thrill course through her veins at what's happening mere

Jasmine's voice rings out sharp and angry as she crashes through the door, her expression furious. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" She demands, pointing an accusatory finger at Beatrice. "This was supposed to be a game, not some twisted orgy!" The others look on in shock, their expressions mirroring Jasmine's horror and disbelief.

"What? You think that makes it better?" Jasmine snarls, her voice rising in anger. "She's our friend, and you... you just take advantage of her like this!" Tears roll down her cheeks as she steps forward to grab Beatrice roughly by the arm, pulling her away from Shadow.

Beatrice struggles in Jasmine's grasp, her own tears spilling over as she tries to pull away from Shadow and back toward her friend. "Jas, let go of me," she sobs. "I'm fine." But the others are having none of it; they crowd around Beatrice protectively, glaring daggers at the floating demon in their midst as he watches impassively from above.

"You should have known better," Jasmine hisses through clenched teeth, her voice dripping with disgust. "We trusted you." Ellie steps forward, hands balled into fists at her sides. "What kind of demon are you anyway?" she snarls. "Are we just supposed to be your playthings now?!"

Madison rolls her eyes, still managing to look disdainful despite the tension in the air. "And how is this

Shadow," she drawls sarcastically. "Exactly how are you feeling right now? You think that makes us weak? Afraid?" She glances between the others, daring them to disagree. "Well, I for one don't feel any weaker knowing what you truly are, demon-thing." Claire shuffles her feet awkwardly, not quite sure how to react to Madison's defiance or the newfound hostility in the room.

Jasmine eyes Shadow warily, taking a step back as she processes everything that's happened. "I want you out of here," she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper. "And I want you to leave Beatrice alone." She turns toward the door, clearly ready to leave and put some distance between them all from this unwanted intruder into their lives. The others exchange glances but slowly begin to follow Jasmine's lead,

Jasmine whirls around, her face contorted with fury. "What part of 'I want you out' did you not understand?" she hisses through clenched teeth. "We don't know what you are or what you want, but we do know one thing: you aren't welcome here!" The others nod in agreement, their expressions hardening as they stand behind Jasmine.

Ellie glances at Beatrice sympathetically before turning her attention back to Shadow. "And just so you know, if anything happens to her..." Her voice trails off, but the threat is clear enough. Madison snorts derisively, rolling her eyes and stepping even closer to Jasmine for protection. Claire takes a shaky step forward, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

Beatrice pulls free from their grasp, her chest heaving as she tries to

"You don't understand," Jasmine says through gritted teeth, taking another step toward Shadow. "She's our friend, and you..." She gestures angrily between the two of them. "... you just used her against us." Tears begin to fall from her eyes again, this time for Beatrice as well as herself. The others nod in agreement, their expressions fierce with determination now.

Ellie takes a hesitant step forward, her voice trembling as she speaks. "Shadow, please..." She looks pleadingly at Shadow, wanting him to understand where they're coming from but unable to say anything more. Claire glances back and forth between them, uncertainty etched into every line of her body. Only Madison remains defiant, her jaw clenched tight as she continues to glare daggers at Shadow from behind Jasmine's protective

The others exchange shocked glances as Shadow floats down toward the ground, the air around him crackling with unnatural energy. Jasmine takes a step backward, unsure what to make of this new development but still wary. Ellie whispers a quiet prayer under her breath while Claire grips onto Madison's arm tightly, their faces pale with fear. Only Beatrice doesn't seem as frightened; in fact, there's an almost mischievous glint in her eyes as she watches Shadow.

"You..." Jasmine starts, her voice trembling with anger and uncertainty. "How could you do this to us?" She asks, pointing an accusatory finger at the demon before them. Behind her, Ellie takes a cautious step forward, hoping that perhaps there's still some way they can make things right between them all. Claire just shakes her head slowly,

"You tricked her!" Jasmine cries, shaking with rage. "You used your powers to control her mind and make her do this!" The others nod in agreement, their eyes darting between Shadow and Beatrice as they try to figure out what's really going on.

Beatrice gently pushes past Jasmine, moving closer to Shadow. Her expression is defiant as she meets his gaze. "I made my own choices," she says firmly, her voice steady despite the tension in the room. "And I choose him." She reaches out and touches Shadow's arm reassuringly, glaring daggers at Jasmine when she tries to interject.

Shadow looks down at Beatrice with a mix of surprise and relief. For a moment, he almost believes her words. Almost.

Jasmine looks furious as Shadow speaks, her fists clenched at her sides. "You can't trust him!" she insists, stepping forward to place herself between Beatrice and Shadow once more. The others nod in agreement, their expressions uncertain but still wary of the strange demon boy.

Beatrice gasps at Jasmine's words, taken aback by her friend's fierce protectiveness. "But I do!" she protests, tears streaming down her face now. "I chose him because I want to!" Ellie takes a step forward as well, trying to mediate between the two girls.

"We just don't understand," Jasmine says, voice shaking. "How could you want something like that after everything we've been through together?" Her words are a wound, deeper than any physical injury Shadow might inflict upon them all. They hang in the air

Jasmine's face flushes red with anger and hurt as Shadow suggests they talk about it. "There is nothing to talk about!" she snaps, her voice raised and shrill in the small room. "You can't expect us to just accept this!" Her eyes dart back and forth between Beatrice and Shadow, filled with betrayal and despair.

Beatrice tries to reach out for Jasmine, but her friend flinches away from her touch. Tears stream down her face unchecked as she pleads, "Jas, please. I love him." But it's like speaking to a wall; Jasmine's anger is all-consuming. The others exchange glances again, looking torn between their loyalty to Jasmine and their own confusion about what's happening.

Shadow feels a pang of sadness at the sight of Beatrice's tears. He knows this

"It doesn't matter!" Jasmine cries out, her voice cracking with emotion. "You can't understand what it means to be human! How could you want this for yourself?" Her gaze flickers momentarily to the others, as if begging them to see things her way.

Beatrice's shoulders slump, defeated. Tears continue to fall from her eyes as she looks down at the floor, unable to meet anyone's gaze. Ellie steps forward once more, trying to ease the tension in the room. "Can we just take a step back?" she suggests quietly, reaching out to touch Jasmine's arm. "We don't have to decide anything right now."

Jasmine shrugs off Ellie's hand roughly, spinning on her heel and storming toward the door. "I can't be here anymore," she mutters under her breath

Shadow drifts toward the door as well, hesitating only briefly before following Jasmine out into the hallway. He knows he can't force her to stay, but it hurts nonetheless. Behind him, Ellie gently takes hold of Claire's hand, squeezing reassuringly as they watch the two figures disappear from view. Madison glares daggers at Shadow until he's out of sight before turning her attention back to Ellie and Claire, muttering under her breath about "stupid decisions" and "ridiculous drama."

The room feels strange without them; cold and empty despite the candles still flickering along the walls. Beatrice wipes away her tears, sniffing loudly as she glances around at the mess they've left behind. She sighs softly before starting to pick up books and papers, carefully returning everything to its

Jasmine pauses at the end of the hallway, one hand resting on the wall for support. Her breath comes in ragged gasps as she struggles to calm herself down. She can feel Shadow's presence just beyond her vision, like a phantom whispering through her thoughts.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice comes out harsher than intended. "Don't you have someplace else to be? Someone else to torment?" Tears well up in her eyes again despite her best efforts to hold them back.

Jasmine turns to face Shadow, anger and hurt warring across her features. "I don't want to talk to you," she says through gritted teeth. "You have no right being here, no right coming after her like this." Her voice cracks on the last word, raw emotion spilling out despite her efforts to hold it in.

The hallway feels smaller with Shadow so close; Jasmine can almost feel his presence pressing against her skin. She looks up at him through tear-streaked lashes, searching for any sign of remorse or understanding but finding none. "Just leave us alone," she whispers hoarsely. "Please."

Jasmine stares at Shadow, her expression softening slightly despite herself. "You can't understand what it's like to lose someone you care about," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. "To feel like the world is ending because they're gone." She looks down at her feet, unable to meet his gaze for long.

The silence between them stretches on for what feels like hours, each breath Jasmine takes echoing loudly in the still air. Finally, she speaks again, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "Why do you want to help me?" she asks quietly. "Why not just leave us alone?" There's a hint of desperation in her tone; she knows that what she's asking is selfish, but she can't help it. She needs to know the truth about Shadow, about why he's really here.

Jasmine's eyes widen in surprise at his admission, her breath catching in her throat as she considers what he's said. Part of her wants to push him away, to not believe a word that comes out of his mouth. But another part... another part longs for someone to understand, someone who has been through something similar and can offer comfort in the only way they know how.

She takes a hesitant step forward, reaching out to touch Shadow's arm gently. "I don't know if I can trust you," she whispers, her voice trembling. "But... thank you for telling me that." There's a flicker of something in her eyes now; hope perhaps. It's terrifying and exhilarating all at once, this vulnerability that Jasmine feels in this moment.

"I don't want to hurt anyone else," she continues,

Jasmine sniffles, wiping away the last of her tears with the back of her hand before taking another step toward Shadow. "I do need someone to talk to," she admits softly, tilting her head slightly as she studies his face. There's a question in her eyes now, one that she's not sure how to ask but feels like it needs to be said nonetheless.

"You really are a demon?" she manages finally, her voice barely above a whisper. She braces herself for whatever answer he might give, expecting the worst but dreading the knowledge of it all the same.

Jasmine takes another step closer to Shadow, her expression unreadable as she waits for his reply. Part of her is afraid to hear the truth, while another part desperately wants to know if there's any way they can make this right between them. As he confirms that he truly is a demon, shock ripples through her body and pain rises in her chest like bile.

"Why... why would you want to help me?" she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes drift downward for a moment before meeting his gaze again, searching for any hint of duplicity or mockery in his expression. But all she sees is sincerity, honesty. It confuses her more than anything else.

Tentatively, she reaches out and touches his arm again, this time not pulling away as easily. "I don't understand," she says quietly, struggling to

Jasmine freezes for a moment as Shadow pulls her into a hug, feeling the warmth and solidity of his embrace. It's strange, unnerving... but also comforting in its own way. She leans into him, her shoulders shaking as tears finally begin to fall down her cheeks. The pain she feels is raw and intense, a physical weight pressing down on her chest that threatens to crush the air from her lungs.

"I don't understand," she whispers again, her voice muffled against Shadow's shoulder. "Why would you help me? Why not just let me suffer?" There's a desperate note in her voice that cuts straight through to Shadow's heart; he can feel the anguish she carries, like a shadow cast by a flickering candle in a dark room.

Shadow hugs her tighter, his heart aching as he feels her pain. "Because I care about you," he whispers softly into her hair. "And even if I am a demon, I'm not your enemy." He pulls back slightly to look into her eyes, searching for any hint of understanding or hope. "Your friends and family are gone, but you don't have to be alone anymore. You can trust me."

The words hang in the air between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. Jasmine looks up at Shadow uncertainly, her expression a mixture of fear and hope. She swallows hard, unsure whether or not she believes what he's saying but wanting desperately to believe that there is some good left in the world. Someone who will care for her and protect her despite all her flaws and past mistakes.