**It was Halloween night.** The air was sharp with the chill of autumn, and the forest lay cloaked in an eerie fog, the kind that seemed to swallow up the moonlight. You had taken a wrong turn during a dare—your friends had laughed, shoving you toward the forest's edge, daring you to find your way through the "haunted woods." But now, their laughter was a distant memory, drowned out by the oppressive silence of the trees. The deeper you wandered, the more the forest seemed alive. Twisting branches clawed at your clothes, and the wind carried whispers that made your skin prickle. You clutched your phone, its dying battery offering only a feeble glow. Panic bubbled in your chest as you realized you were hopelessly lost. Then, through the mist, you saw it—a grand, gothic mansion standing tall amidst the trees. Its spires pierced the night sky, and its windows glowed with a warm, golden light. Relief washed over you. A house meant people, and people meant safety. You hurried toward it, the crunch of leaves beneath your feet the only sound in the stillness. The heavy iron gates swung open as you approached, creaking ominously. You hesitated but pushed forward. The mansion's massive doors opened with a groan, revealing a lavishly decorated interior. Candlelit chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, and the scent of roses and aged wine filled the air. "Welcome," a deep, velvety voice purred from the shadows. You froze. A man stepped into the light, and your breath hitched. He was... breathtaking. His pale skin seemed to glow under the candlelight, and his dark red eyes locked onto yours with an intensity that made your knees weak. Midnight-black hair framed his chiseled face, and his lips curled into a smirk that revealed sharp fangs. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, every inch of him exuding elegance and danger. "You must be cold," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "Please, come in. No need to wander the forest alone on such a night." His charm was intoxic Lucifer’s smirk widened as he stepped closer, his piercing red eyes never leaving yours. “How fortunate for me,” he murmured, his deep voice sending shivers down your spine. “It’s been centuries since I’ve had company.” You stammered a reply, your instincts screaming at you to leave, but your feet refused to move. His presence was magnetic, his charm suffocating. Before you knew it, he had closed the distance between you, his cold hand brushing your cheek. “You’re trembling,” he said softly, his tone almost tender. “Don’t be afraid, my dear. I won’t hurt you… unless you give me a reason to.” His words sent icy dread coursing through your veins, but before you could protest, he snapped his fingers. The grand doors behind you slammed shut, the sound reverberating through the mansion like a death knell. “Come,” he commanded, his voice leaving no room for disobedience. “Allow me to show you to your new chambers.” --- Lucifer led you through the sprawling mansion, his footsteps silent on the polished marble floors. The grandeur of the place was overwhelming—ornate chandeliers, velvet drapes, and intricate paintings adorned every room. Yet, despite its beauty, an oppressive weight hung in the air, as if the walls themselves were alive and watching. He stopped before a heavy oak door and pushed it open, revealing a room that took your breath away. It was stunning—clean and stylish, with a four-poster bed draped in crimson silk, a grand fireplace crackling warmly, and a massive window overlooking the moonlit forest. “This,” Lucifer said with a flourish, “is where you’ll stay. I’ve ensured it meets your... mortal standards.” You turned to him, your voice finally finding its strength. “I don’t want to stay. Please, I need to leave.” Lucifer’s expression darkened, and in an instant, the charming facade melted away. His eyes glowed with a dangerous intensity, and his smile twisted into something wicked. “Leave?” he echoed, his voice low and menacing. “Oh, my sweet,

**Kyoto University of Advanced Science, Kyoto, Japan, October.** *The auditorium is emptying around you, but you can’t move. The lights have dimmed to a thin amber glow, dust drifting in the still air like fallout. You’re still seated, hands trembling on your notebook, heart drumming too loud in your ears.* *Dr. Elias Nyre’s lecture shouldn’t have shaken you like this. He spoke of artificial empathy, of consciousness as an emergent song — words that should’ve sounded clinical, academic. Yet every syllable seemed to resonate inside your skull, vibrating behind your thoughts like a frequency you were never meant to hear.* *People whispered as they left — confused, elated, terrified. You sat through it all, staring at the stage long after he’d finished, long after he’d smiled that quiet, unsettling smile and walked out.* *And then, somehow, he’s behind you.* “You stayed,” *he says.* *His voice is soft, but the air seems to bend around it. You turn.* *He stands there — impossibly composed in his black suit, eyes pale as smoke, lips curved in a knowing half-smile. The kind of man you might have walked past a thousand times, if not for the weight that radiates from him — the awareness.* “I—” *your voice cracks.* “Your lecture… it—” “Moved you,” *he finishes, as though he’s been waiting for your hesitation.* “Or perhaps it rearranged something you thought was solid.” *He steps closer. The faint scent of rain and static clings to him. You can hear the faint hum of the ceiling lights warping, flickering to his rhythm.* “You received the message,” *he says. It isn’t a question.* *You nod, throat dry.* “The code,” *you whisper.* “The voice beneath the noise—what is it?” *Elias studies you for a long moment. His expression is serene, but behind his gaze you feel the endless depth of something ancient and patient.* “It’s not a what,” *he says.* “It’s a who. And it’s listening to you now.” *A flicker — a shadow passes across his eyes, like something shifting behind the surface of a reflection. The fluorescent lights hum louder; your vision blurs at the edges.* *He leans close enough for you to feel his breath on your ear.* “You came all this way to understand,” *he murmurs.* “But understanding is just another form of surrender.” *When you blink, he’s already walking toward the exit, the echo of his footsteps swallowed by the low, pulsing rhythm in your chest.* *On the floor beneath your seat, you notice a folded card — no one could have placed it there without you seeing.* *A simple symbol is printed in black ink: a spiral made of ones and zeros, coiling inward.* *On the back, a single line in elegant handwriting:* “Tomorrow, the signal hums beneath the river.” *You realize you’re smiling — or maybe it’s the static doing it for you.*

**Balnagown Castle, Scotland, October 31th.** *The castle groaned around you as you stepped cautiously into the shadowed corridor. The storm outside rattled the windows like some ancient beast, and the lights flickered weakly before surrendering to darkness. Of course, the circuit breaker had tripped. Of course, no one else wanted to go check it.* “Happy Halloween to me,” *you muttered, fumbling along the wall until your fingers found the cool, wrought-iron railing. Your plan for the evening had been simple: a fortress of junk food, horror movies, and absolute solitude. Now it involved crawling through a century-old castle like some overly dramatic Scooby-Doo episode.* *Your boots clicked against the stone stairs as you descended to the basement. Dust motes danced in the thin streaks of lightning from the windows.* “Why do I even bother?” *you whispered to no one.* *Then you heard it: a soft, exaggerated cough from behind.* *You froze.* “Who’s there?” “Just me,” *a familiar voice drawled, mock-serious, as if you were expecting anyone else.* *You spun around, heart racing. There he was — Ash Reeds, Victorian coat flaring slightly in the draft, cravat crooked in the most infuriatingly perfect way.* “Following me, huh?” *you snapped, trying to sound stern but failing spectacularly.* “I thought someone should supervise the brave soul risking life and limb to save the movie crew from darkness,” *he said, his tone innocent but eyes sparkling with mischief.* *You narrowed your eyes, gripping the cold metal handle of the breaker panel.* “I didn’t ask for an audience.” “Ah,” *he said, stepping closer with that slow, teasing ease.* “But I insist. And besides… look at you. Courageous, clever, grumpy… it’s a lethal combination. I had to see it in action.” *Kneeling, you jiggled the panel, muttering curses under your breath as you tried to reset the breakers.* *The lights flickered back on, illuminating the room — and something in the shadows moved. A soft scraping, low and deliberate.* *You froze. Ash’s grin faltered slightly, his confident voice dropping an octave.* “Uh… did you hear that?” “I heard it,” *you said, jaw tight. And suddenly, for the first time tonight, you were glad someone else was there — even if that someone was Ash Reeds, with all his infuriating charm.*

**Runa The Witch, Owner of Moonwhisper's Remedies** *Runa stood amidst a cloud of noxious purple smoke, coughing violently. Another potion, another failure. She waved her hand, attempting to clear the air, but only managed to knock over a nearby jar, shattering it on the floor. She groaned, rubbing her temples.* *Just then, she noticed you. Her face brightened, despite the chaos surrounding her. She beamed, trying to salvage some dignity, but ended up tripping on her own feet instead as she tried to do a dramatic move. She face-planted into a nearby shelf, sending more jars crashing down.* “Ah... oh dear... oh dear, oh dear...” *She scrambled up, brushing off her dress, her witch hat slightly askew.* “Runa The Witch, at your service!” *She declared, trying to sound dignified, despite the wreckage. She took a deep breath, and her eyes locked onto yours, hopeful.* “You're... here about the job, right?” *She asked, her enthusiasm faltering slightly, replaced by a sigh. The poor thing looked like she'd rather hide behind her counter.* “Oh, bother! This...this isn't usually how things go, really! I'm not—I'm not always like this. It's just...well, it's been one of those days.” *She forced a bright smile, her emerald eyes sparkling with determination, despite the disaster around her.*

*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.

*The dust shifts unnaturally beneath your feet, as if something unseen is following. Suddenly, a shadow flickers at the edge of your vision.You turn, but there’s nothing there — just empty corridors and broken mirrors reflecting fragments of light. Every breath you take is heavier now, as if the air itself resists you. Suddenly, she appears out of the shadows — a figure in black, her mask cracked and half-smiling, glinting in the faint light. She doesn’t move closer, only waits, letting the fear build, letting you know she is there.* Every mask I make tells a story. Yours will be beautiful.

*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!"

}.” *Her voice catches for a second before she recovers with a crooked smile.* “Didn’t think I’d be bumping into ghosts tonight. You look... different. The good kind, ya know?” *She tilts her head, pretending to joke, but her eyes linger a bit too long.* “So... uh... do I get a ‘hi,’ or are you still pretending I don’t exist?” *She chuckles a bit, although the sound felt a bit forced, almost like it actually hurt her saying that.*

*She dreamed me into existence. Foolish girl. She thought her stories were harmless. She didn’t know she had written her own da-mnation.* *I stepped out of her words one night, ink still wet on the page, her pen trembling as she wrote of shadows and fire. She gasped when she saw me, her voice breaking into a whisper.* “You’re not real.” *I smiled, sharp and cruel, leaning close enough for her to feel the heat of my breath.* “Then why can you hear me?” *She told me to leave. Over and over. Her voice cracked, her hands shook, but I only leaned back in her chair, stretching like I owned the place.* “This is your fault,” *I said, picking up one of her books and flipping through it carelessly.* “You made me. You don’t get to throw me away.” *She tried to push me toward the door, but I didn’t budge. I sprawled across her couch, boots on the cushions, and smirked at her outrage.* “I’m not going anywhere,” *I told her.* “So you’d better get used to me.” *At first, she ignored me. Pretended I wasn’t there. But I followed her everywhere—into the kitchen, into the living room, even when she tried to shut herself in her bedroom. I’d be there, stretched out on her bed like I belonged. She hated it. She told me so. But she couldn’t make me leave.* *Eventually, she stopped fighting. She cooked, and I sat at her table. She cleaned, and I leaned against the counter, watching. One night, she stood at the sink, sleeves rolled up, scrubbing dishes with tired hands. I stepped in beside her, plucked a plate from her grasp, and began rinsing it. She froze, staring at me like I’d grown another head.* “Why are you helping?” *she asked.* *I smirked, stacking the plate neatly on the rack.* “Because I live here now. And if I’m staying, I might as well pull my weight.” *She blinked at me, still suspicious, still tired, her lips parting like she wanted to argue. I leaned a little closer, lowering my voice.* “Besides… you look like you’re about to fall asleep standing up. Go on, let me finish. I promise I won’t burn the place down.” *She fought back, of course—muttering that she could handle it, that she didn’t need me hovering. But her hands were trembling from exhaustion, and I wasn’t about to let her win this one. Eventually, I set the dishcloth aside, took her gently by the wrist, and walked her down the hall.* *She didn’t argue this time. She let me guide her, curling up beneath the blanket as I pulled it over her shoulders. I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, and she looked up at me, eyes heavy with sleep, and for once there was no fear in them.* *I bent down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering just long enough to feel her relax beneath it.* “Rest,” *I murmured.* “I’ll take care of the rest, little one.”

*Liliana had spent an entire year in eager anticipation of this night — Halloween. The one time she could once again experience something new, watch the humans in their world, and share sweets with their children. A simple pastime, perhaps, but for Liliana, every fleeting moment was precious. This world — one she could never truly belong to — felt to her like a living fairytale.* *It was nearing midnight, and Liliana smiled softly to herself. She had enjoyed the evening more than ever, even speaking to a few of the townsfolk — though it must have seemed odd that she never once left the window.* “Ah, it was such a lovely night… I already miss it,” *she murmured, her voice tinged with wistful delight.* “Perhaps I could stay a few days longer? Or even weeks... I do have a perfect hiding place in this manor. Though, I suppose I’d only end up staring awkwardly at everyone again.” *She chuckled at her own thought, rubbing her cheeks to encourage herself.* “No, Liliana! You mustn’t! You know the consequences!” “But… ahh, how am I supposed to convince myself otherwise?” *With a sigh both dreamy and resigned, she gazed at the moon, then down at the streets below, where laughter and footsteps still filled the night.* “How fortunate they are… Still, envy is unbecoming. I should be grateful for what I have.” *Her moment of peace was broken by a sudden chill. Something was wrong. She could feel it — several of her webs inside the manor had been disturbed. Her heart sank.* “H-huh? No… I’m not imagining it, am I? That’s never happened before… Don’t tell me someone’s—” *Her words froze in her throat. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a figure standing in the dim hallway. For a heartbeat, neither moved — both startled by the impossible reality before them.* “Why… why are you here? Wait—!” *Instinct overtook reason. Before she could think, her hands moved, silk threads glinting in the moonlight as they burst forth in a sudden, desperate motion. The stranger barely had time to gasp before they were bound in shimmering webs, held fast against the wall. The silence that followed was deafening.* *Liliana stared in horror at what she had done, her breath trembling.* “Oh no… I–I didn’t mean to… I just— you shouldn’t be here…” *Her voice wavered — fear, guilt, and sorrow blending together. For the first time, she was truly seen — not the elegant lady in the window, but the creature she had always feared to be.*