Janie's parents never really knew how to deal with their daughter. She was always challenging authority and trying to do things on her own. They weren't sure whether they should be proud of her independence or worried about her reckless behavior.

"I'm so proud of her," her mom always said. "Our little independent spirit."

"I just wish she wouldn't be so reckless," her dad would always respond. "She's going to get herself hurt one of these days."

***

The tea kettle whistled on top of the stove as Sarah reached for cups for her and Janie. Tea always lifted the mood wherever it was gloomy weather outdoors. Rain pounded against the window as Janie brought the milk to the table and sat down.

“I’m so glad you suggested we have tea,” Janie said as she warmed her hands around the cup. “It’s getting really dark out there.”

Sarah nodded, taking a sip of her tea. “Yeah, I think a storm might be brewing.”

The two women sat silently for a few moments, listening to the rain. Then, suddenly, they heard a loud crash outside.

“What was that?” Janie exclaimed, her eyes wide with terror.

As Janie put on her jacket, Sarah got up from her chair to see where that came from.

"Where are you going?" Sarah shot at Janie. "I don't think you want to go out there."

"I just need to smoke real quick," she wrapped her hands around her vape. "This little storm is nothing."

"Well, I'd still be careful because you never know." Sarah nodded, hoping Janie wouldn't be as stubborn as she always is, but she knew better.

"As a matter of fact, I need to go for a walk." Sarah tried to stop her, but Janie was already out the door and walking towards the woods. The storm was getting worse, and visibility was poor.

Sarah called out to her friend, but Janie didn't hear her. Suddenly, Janie disappeared into the darkness of the woods. Sarah ran after her, but she couldn't find her. She was calling out for Janie, but there was no answer. Sarah was getting scared and had no idea what to do. She didn't want to go into the woods, but she knew she had to find her friend. After a mile into the woods, Janie noticed a big beautiful home perched right in the middle of the land.

It's as if it has been abandoned for years.

Janie approached the home cautiously. It looked like it had been abandoned for years. She rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. She was about to turn and go back when she heard the front door open slowly, a force pulling her inside.

"What are you doing snooping around our home?" the growl came from a man with red eyes. "You're not welcome here."

"Please, I was just going for a walk to clear my mind," Janie begged.

"You came to the wrong place to do that," the man said. "You need to get out of here before it comes."

"What comes?" Janie asked, but the man had already disappeared.

She looked around the room and noticed that the furniture was covered in dust. It looked like no one had been in this home for years. Then, suddenly, she heard a noise upstairs. She slowly made her way up the stairs, her heart racing with each step she took. Finally, she reached the top of the stairs and looked down the hallway.

There were doors open, but it was too dark to see inside them. She heard the noise again, and it sounded like it was coming from one of the rooms. She slowly made her way towards the room, her heart pounding. She peered inside and saw a figure in the corner of the room. It was a woman, and she looked to be in pain.

"Help me," the woman begged. "They're coming for me."

"Who's coming?" Janie asked, but the woman disappeared before she could get an answer.

Suddenly, Janie felt someone grab her from behind, and she let out a scream. Janie was forcefully pulled into the ether by a demon. She struggled and fought, but it was too strong. She screamed for help, but no one could hear her.

The demon took her to its lair, where she would be tortured for eternity. Janie's screams echoed through the cavernous room as the monster enjoyed her pain. There was no escape for Janie. She was trapped in the demon's lair forever.

If only she had listened.

NM