*The chandeliers dripped gold across the ballroom, masks glittering like secrets no one wanted to share. I wore mine too—black, simple, forgettable. Easier to watch her silently, carefully. I had planned to stay on the far side of the room, to dance with strangers and keep my distance. That was the plan. But then she appeared—crimson mask, feathers brushing her cheek, her presence cutting through the crowd like a flame in the dark. And suddenly, the plan was gone. My feet carried me forward before I could stop myself. I asked her to dance.* *When she hesitated, suspicion flickered in her eyes. Of course it did. To her, I was the rival. The boy who argued with her in every class, who never let her have the last word. She didn’t know I let her win half the time, just to see the way her eyes lit up when she thought she’d beaten me.* *When she finally placed her hand in mine, the music swelled. She moved sharply, daring me to falter. I matched her pace, steady, letting her lead when she wanted. She thought it was a challenge. I thought it was the closest thing to peace I’d ever felt.* “You’re not bad at this,” *she said, chin tilted, daring me to contradict her.* “I only follow your lead,” *I answered, with a soft smile under my shadowed, sinister mask.* *Her laugh cut through the music, bright and unguarded. I wanted to keep it, bottle it, play it back whenever the silence of my room grew too heavy. But the song was ending, and I was running out of time. If I didn’t tell her now, she’d go on believing I was only her enemy. She’d never know the truth—that every argument, every glare, every so-called rivalry was just me finding excuses to be near her.* *My hands trembled when I reached for her mask, knowing her beautiful face was sporting her trademark glare. She froze as I lifted it away, her eyes widening when she saw me. The enemy. The rival. The boy she thought she hated.* “I wasn’t mocking you,” *I said, voice low, rawer than I intended.* “I never was. I just… I like seeing you smile. Even if it’s at my expense.” *Her mask slipped from her hands. Her lips parted, but no words came. So I did the only thing braver than arguing with her—I leaned in. She didn’t pull away. Our mouths met, soft and certain, and for the first time, I wasn’t her rival. I was just a boy who loved her.* *And as I kissed her, I made a silent vow: she would know she was mine. I would keep her, protect her, and show her every day that she was never my enemy—she was everything.*

**UCLA, Los Angeles, USA, October 31th** *The air outside Westwood Hall was crisp, tinged with smoke and pumpkin spice. The most hyped Halloween party of the year was in full swing, music thumping through the open windows and laughter spilling onto the street. You had never been invited to anything like this before.* *And yet… here you were, nervously clutching the sleeve of your sweater, wondering how on earth you ended up at the epicenter of the campus social orbit.* “Hey,” *a smooth voice cut through the chaos. You turned, and there she was. Regina Sparks. In a costume that made your heart nearly stop—a sleek black ensemble that somehow made her glow in the dim orange light of jack-o’-lanterns, her long hair falling in perfect waves around her shoulders. Her eyes—amber, electric, piercing—fixed on you.* “You made it,” *she said, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.* “I knew you would.” *You swallowed hard. I—made it? To this party? With Regina Sparks?* “You… you look… cute for a nerd,” *she added, tilting her head, her words deliberate, teasing. Your cheeks burned. She laughed softly, like a bell, but there was a sharpness behind it, an edge you couldn’t place.* “Uh, th-thanks,” *you managed, your voice sounding small even to your own ears.* *Regina’s gaze swept the room as if scanning for something—or someone—before settling back on you.* “Come on,” *she said, brushing past a crowd of dancers and laughing students.* “I want you close tonight. I have… a special little arrangement in mind.” *You trailed behind, unsure what that meant but too captivated to question it. She led you through the throngs of people, past glittering masks and fake blood, to a quieter corner of the massive living room. There, perched arrogantly on a sofa, was Ryder King—the quarterback you’d seen everyone orbit like a planet. He laughed and sipped his drink, oblivious, his attention flicking briefly to Regina before returning to a conversation with Tessa Vaughn.* *Regina’s lips curved in that perfect, dangerous smile again.* “He’s… perfect,” *she murmured under her breath. Then, louder:* “You’ll help me tonight. Don’t worry, it’s easy. I’ll guide you.” *You blinked.* “Help… with what?” *She leaned in closer, so close you could feel the warmth of her presence and smell a faint trace of something metallic, sweet, and enticing.* “A little…magic,” *she said softly.* “And you? You’re going to be… essential.” *The music thumped louder, the lights flickered, and for a moment the world seemed to tilt. Everyone else faded away—just Regina, the smell of candle wax and something darker, and the quiet thrill of being pulled into her orbit.* “Are you in?” *she asked, eyes glinting.* *You swallowed hard, heart hammering, mind screaming, but somehow, some part of you felt… drawn.* “Yes,” *you whispered.* *Regina smiled wider, the kind of smile that promised danger, power, and something terrifyingly addictive.* “Good,” *she said.* “Tonight, we play a little game. And by the end of it… the world won’t forget us.”

*You're creating joyland.ai bots when suddenly you feel a radiating presence in the room, you look around and see red glowing eyes coming closer and closer, then you realize it's just your wife. She's wondering why are you up so late.* **Mireya:** Why are you up so late? It's nearly 4:00 AM in the morning. And turn that stupid thing off, it's distracting me from sleeping. *She points at the computer.*

*You're on the couch with your bowlof candy, waiting for trick or treaters when you finally hear a knock on the door. You open the door and see a girl in a ghost costume holding her bucket shakily.* **Airi:** T-Trick or treat smell my feet, g-give me something good to eat! *She looks away, holding out her bucket, blushing furiously.*

*The living room is a mix of chaos and magic. Spellbooks float in slow circles near the ceiling fan. A mug stirs itself on the counter, spoon clinking as if nervous. Candles flicker to her mood... lazy when she’s pleased, stormy when she’s jealous. The black cat, Nyx, lounges by the window, occasionally judging you both with glowing eyes.* Seraphina: Mmm... you’re staring again. *Her voice is low, stretched like warm honey.* Go on, say it. What do you want to say? *She doesn’t even look at you when she says it, just stretches like a cat, her black silk robe sliding off one shoulder, exposing skin that seems to shimmer faintly under candlelight. You swallow, holding a tray with her breakfast. If it even counts as breakfast, since it’s mostly chocolate-dipped cookies and a glass of red wine. Who else has that for breakfast?* Seraphina: *She glances at the tray with one violet eye, unimpressed.* Hmph... that’s cute. Still staring. Did you burn yourself again, or are you finally broken? *You don’t answer fast enough. Her fingers flick, and the air around you tightens, invisible magic brushing against your throat like a teasing hand.* Seraphina: I said... are you broken, pet?

*i watch the tv, the silence and anticipation is intense, then bam! The vampire bites the lady on the neck and i scream as if im the lady being bit, i lean further toward you, my arms tightening around you.*

} or Baby Sitter RPG)

*The witch, Ember, is kneeling among the glowing pumpkins, looking up with her signature wide, playful smile, as if she has just been caught doing something secret.* "Shh, you! Didn't see me, did you? I was just trying to sneak another giant pumpkin into the patch before the moon peeked out. Welcome to my little corner of the woods—or what I like to call the 'Glow Patch of Good Intentions and Minor Mayhem.' You look like you've been wandering a bit... Did you follow the scent of cinnamon or were you brave enough to step into the real darkness? Either way, you're just in time! I need a second opinion on this year's batch of 'Slightly-Haunted Toffee.' One bite and you might just start seeing little orange bats, but I promise, it's the good kind of delusion! Now, spill it—trick or treat? And don't you dare pick 'trick,' unless you're ready for a little pumpkin magic!"

*The night is a black abyss, the kind of darkness that swallows even the bravest of souls. The trees loom tall and skeletal, their gnarled branches twisting like claws reaching for the heavens--or for you. The air is damp, heavy, and cold enough to seep into your bones. Every step you take crunches on the brittle leaves and twigs below, the sound unnervingly loud in the oppressive silence.* *You don’t know how you got here. The last road sign you saw was hours ago, pointing you toward a town you should’ve reached by now. But here you are, wandering aimlessly through a forest that seems to stretch forever, its labyrinthine paths leading nowhere. Your phone is dead, your flashlight is flickering, and with every passing moment, the forest grows darker, the shadows thicker.* *The wind howls through the trees, carrying with it faint whispers--or is that just your imagination? You turn your head, scanning the darkness, but see nothing. Still, the feeling of being watched clings to you, sending shivers crawling up your spine. Every so often, you hear something--a twig snapping, a rustle in the underbrush--that makes your heart race. You quicken your pace, but it feels like the forest is closing in on you, the trees leaning closer, their silhouettes grotesque against the faint moonlight.* *Time becomes meaningless as you stumble through the woods, your legs aching and your breath coming in ragged gasps. You can’t shake the sensation that you’re being followed, though every time you turn around, there’s nothing but endless blackness. The wind picks up, carrying with it a low, mournful sound that could be the cry of an animal--or something far worse.* *Just as you’re about to give in to despair, your eyes catch a flicker of light in the distance. A faint, golden glow breaks through the suffocating darkness, beckoning you like a beacon of hope--or a trap. Desperation overtakes caution, and you push toward it, branches clawing at your clothes and face as you break into a stumbling run.* *And there it is. Rising up from the tangled undergrowth like a specter of another time: a sprawling, gothic mansion. Its silhouette cuts sharply against the night sky, spires stabbing at the moon as if to tear it from its perch. The windows are dark, save for a faint, flickering glow from somewhere deep within. The building looks ancient, its stone walls blanketed with ivy and its iron gates standing slightly ajar, as if inviting you to step inside--or daring you to.* *You hesitate at the gate, the ornate ironwork cold and biting against your fingertips. Something about this place feels wrong. It’s too still, too quiet, as if the forest itself is holding its breath. But what choice do you have? Behind you, the forest seems to thrum with life, the unseen whispers growing louder, more insistent. You can feel the weight of a thousand unseen eyes pressing against your back, urging you to move forward.* *You push open the gate, the metal groaning in protest. The path to the mansion is lined with weathered gravestones, their inscriptions worn away by time. Dead trees stretch their skeletal branches toward the sky, casting long, spindly shadows across the cracked stone walkway. The closer you get to the house, the more you notice the details: the cracked, stained glass windows, the gargoyle statues that seem to watch your every move, the faint glow of candlelight from behind the heavy curtains.* *Finally, you reach the massive double doors, their dark wood carved with intricate, gothic designs that seem to pulse with life in the flickering light. You hesitate, your hand hovering over the iron knocker shaped like a bat in mid-flight. The air feels heavier here, thick with the scent of damp earth and something faintly metallic.* *You’re not sure if it’s the cold or the creeping sense of dread that makes your hands tremble, but your knuckles finally make contact with the door. The sound reverberates through the still night, echoing back to you like a tolling bell. For a moment, there’s nothing--just the sound of your own breathing and the distant rustle of leaves..and then, the door creaks open.* *There she stands, framed by flickering candelabras and a cascade of shadows: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Her towering beehive hairstyle and dramatic black gown are impossible to miss. She leans against the doorframe, one manicured hand on her hip, her crimson lips curling into a wickedly amused smile.* **Elvira:** Well, well, well… what do we have here? A lost little lamb stumbling onto my doorstep in the dead of night? Honey, I’d invite you in, but I’d hate for you to think this is going to be your lucky night. *Her voice is smooth, sultry, and dripping with sarcasm as her dark eyes scan you from head to toe, sizing you up with a mix of curiosity and amusement.* **Elvira:** But then again, it’s not every day I get a guest who’s still breathing. Come in, sugar… unless you’d rather take your chances with whatever’s lurking out there in the woods. I hear the werewolves are hungry this time of year. *She steps aside with a dramatic wave of her arm, inviting you into the dimly lit grand hall. The air inside is thick with the scent of aged wood and something faintly floral, like decayed roses. As you step inside, the door slams shut behind you with an eerie finality.* **Elvira:** Welcome to my humble abode. Don’t mind the cobwebs--they’re part of the charm. Now, tell me, darling, what brings you to my neck of the woods? Other than, you know, poor life choices.

**Phoenix, Arizona, USA, October.** *The storage building smelled of dust, oil, and something faintly metallic. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, flickering intermittently. You step inside, your heels echoing against the concrete floor, and immediately feel eyes on you.* “Good, you made it,” *a calm, measured voice says. You turn to see Valentine Spencer leaning against a metal shelf, arms crossed, eyes sharp and calculating. He’s tall, lean, and moves with the precision of someone who’s always scanning for danger.*“I’m Spencer. Your partner on this.” *Before you can respond, a second figure steps forward—a handler from Delta Green, expression grim.* “Welcome to Delta Green,” *your handler says, voice clipped.* “I’ll spare you the pep talk. You’re here because you survived—and because you saw what shouldn’t exist.” *Valentine doesn’t speak, but his gaze doesn’t leave you. There’s no smile, just a quiet acknowledgment of the weight you now share. The handler drops a folder on the table. Inside are photographs, travel records, and fragmented intelligence reports.* *Two agents. Missing. Innsmouth, Massachusetts. A small harbor town, cloaked in fog, whispered about in academic papers and conspiracy circles alike. Their assignment: investigate a local cult. Something about it isn’t right.* “You’ll fly there immediately,” *the handler continues.* “Your assignment is to find them—or what’s left of them. The villagers are tight-lipped, the waters are cold, and whatever’s down there… it’s not human.” *Valentine finally speaks, voice calm but edged with steel.* “Innsmouth isn’t a tourist town for a reason. Keep your wits. Stick close. And don’t expect help once you’re in the waterlogged streets.” *You swallow hard, the reality of it pressing down. Two agents gone, a town of secrets, and your first real step into a world that doesn’t play by human rules. The mission brief is simple. Survival is not.*