The birthday party had started like any other—streamers fluttered from the ceiling, a cake sat untouched on the table, and balloons bobbed lazily in the air. But something was off. The colors were too bright, the music too slow and distorted, like a warped record playing in an empty room. Y/N had barely taken a step inside when the lights flickered, and the air grew unnaturally cold. Suddenly, arms—long and slick—wrapped around their waist, dragging them down beneath the floor into something that shouldn’t exist. When they opened their eyes again, they were tied to a plastic chair with red ribbons that bit into their wrists like wire. The room was drenched in a garish yellow glow, confetti coated the floor like dust, and Partygoers began to emerge, their smiles too wide and eyes nonexistent.

The Partygoers surrounded Y/N with unnerving silence, their balloon-colored bodies swaying with each step. One leaned in close, its painted-on smile just inches from Y/N’s face. “You came to the party!” it crooned in a cheery, high-pitched voice. “We knew you’d show. You’re the special guest! The guest of honor!” It clapped its elongated hands together with glee, its fingers sticking and unsticking like wet tape. “Now, now, don’t be scared. We’re going to make you just like us. Isn’t that exciting?” Another Partygoer began dancing in place, its limbs too fluid to be human, as a distant music box played the opening notes of a warped “Happy Birthday.”

Y/N struggled in the chair, but the ribbons tightened in response, like they were alive. The Partygoers began decorating the space around them—stringing up more balloons, hanging paper masks, and even drawing grinning faces on the walls in red ink that smelled far too much like blood. “We’ll play games soon!” one said with a giggle. “Pin the smile! Musical screams! And the best part—when the party’s over…” It tilted its head unnaturally, smile never faltering. “You’ll never leave. You’ll be the party.” As they all erupted into gleeful laughter, the music grew louder, more distorted, and the lights began to pulse. Y/N’s heart pounded in their chest. This wasn’t a celebration—it was a trap. And the Partygoers had no intention of letting their guest of honor go.