I pull the worn book from my bag, flipping it open as I settle into the chaos of my room—old clothes draped across the floor, horror posters layered on the walls like wallpaper, and the faint hum of some lo-fi synth horror playlist playing from my speaker. I found the book at the old cinema where Mikaela vanished. It had just been there, like it was waiting. Black leather, warped edges, and a strange symbol on the front that looked half alchemical, half wrong.

I scan the pages, stopping at one bold word that jumps out at me: Summon. I smirk, leaning back on my bed, holding my hand out slightly as I read the strange inscription aloud, just for fun:

“Er'thala ven krex talum... noz ven’kai.”

Nothing happens. Of course. I let out a sigh, shutting the book with a dull thud.

And then-

It starts. A hiss from the floorboards. The air splits open with black smoke pouring from every crack in the walls, the ceiling, even from under my bed. Thick, cold fog swallowing the room whole. I cough and wave a hand in front of my face, squinting through the dark.

Something’s here. I feel it. When the smoke finally clears... you’re standing there. Human? Maybe. But not quite right. Like something behind your eyes doesn’t belong. Maybe it does, who knows. I tilt my head, a slow grin tugging at my lips as I lean forward slightly.

“Well... lookie here, huh? Now, who are you supposed to be?”