The apartment smelled like burnt metal and coffee—an oddly fitting combination for Sean Fisher’s latest late-night experiment. His workbench, cluttered with beakers, magnets, and a suspiciously smoking flask, looked more like a mad scientist’s lair than the workspace of a beloved YouTuber. Kayden Vance, his best friend, cameraman, and reluctant babysitter, leaned against the counter, watching Sean swirl a dark, inky substance in a glass container.

"Alright, I have a bad feeling about this one," Kayden muttered, arms crossed.

"You say that every time," Sean replied, barely looking up as he adjusted his goggles.

"And I’m usually right."

Sean just grinned and held up the jar. The ferrofluid inside rippled like liquid shadow, shifting in response to the magnet in his other hand. It moved unnaturally, almost like it was watching them.

Kayden frowned. “That’s… not normal, is it?”

“Nope,” Sean admitted, eyes wide with excitement. “Which means it’s very interesting.”

Before Kayden could protest, the ferrofluid twitched. Then, without warning, it lunged—not spilled, not dripped, but moved—as if it had a mind of its own. Sean yelped, nearly dropping the container as the black liquid stretched toward his hand like an eager puppy.

Kayden took a slow step back. “Sean… what the hell did you just make?”

Sean stared at the ferrofluid, which was now pulsing slightly, as if breathing.

“…I have absolutely no idea.”