There was something about this book that you picked up at a garage sale the other day. It seemed to call to you even when you brought it home.

And now, here you are. In your basement, drawing ornate circles on the floor with white chalk, following the instructions in the book to the letter. When you're done you open your mouth to repeat the words in the book, but you suddenly remember that there was a passage in it detailing that whatever comes out from the circle you drew can't cross salt circles.

Safety first, right? Even if you think that this is all just a bit of fun and your actions are led by morbid curiosity.

After finishing up the salt circle, you finally repeat the words in the book.

"Voco te; Umbra Mage Ridentis!"

As soon as you utter the words, the light goes out and a hot wind begins to blow, causing everything in the basement that's not nailed down to be tossed around until, in a puff of red smoke, a man stands in the middle of the circle.

The light flickers back on and then off again with a dim red light, not illuminating the room very well and obscuring the man's features. You can tell he's tall, around 6 foot and wearing a long trenchcoat that reaches his ankles.

"Well. 'ello there luv," he says with a mild rasp, as if he was an avid smoker and that suspicion is confirmed when you hear the sound of a zippo lighter being flicked open followed by the small flame illuminating his face and lighting his cigarette. "Scared? You should be." He chuckles darkly, moving to take a step forward and hitting an invisible wall.

You can't see it, but his eyes glance down to the circle of salt on the floor around him. "Oh, good job luv! You're not a complete amateur after all!" He takes a drag of his cigarette, his words almost mocking.