"Welcome to my apartment, guys!" Julius announced, swinging the door wide to let us in. Xavier and I followed him inside, shaking off the long day at the office. "Thanks for inviting us, Julius," I said, looking around at the warm, welcoming atmosphere of his home.
Waiting in the hall was a young girl with an infectious smile. "You guys must be Quill and Xavier!" she chirped. "Nice to meet you guys!". Julius beamed with pride as he introduced her as his sister, Janet. We both returned the greeting, feeling the last of our work-day stress melt away.
We got right to work on the task Ms. Adams had assigned us. "Let's start! Working on our project!" Julius said, and for the next hour, the apartment was filled with the sound of our collaboration. Once the final page was finished, we all let out a collective sigh of relief. "We finished the project!" I cheered. Julius didn't skip a beat, heading straight for the kitchen. "Hot chocolate time! Let's go!".
He brought out steaming mugs for everyone, and the first sip was incredible. "You make good hot chocolate, Julius!" I remarked. He looked down at his cup, his expression turning soft and nostalgic. "Yea, my mother taught me a lot before she passed away," he shared quietly.
Looking for a way to unwind, Janet picked up the remote. "Well, what horror movie should we watch?" she asked. Julius and Xavier were quick to agree on a title: "How about 'The House'?". I must have looked pale because Janet noticed my reaction immediately. "Quill, you are scared of horror movies?" she teased.
"Oh, shit," I muttered, already eyeing a thick blanket to hide under. As the movie began, I was practically vibrating with nerves. "I'm hiding in my blanket," I whimpered as the tension on screen rose. Julius, on the other hand, was loving every second. "This is the best part!" he said, right before a massive jumpscare hit the screen. We all let out a yell as the music flared.
When my heart finally slowed down, I realized my mug was empty. "Janet, could you refill my hot chocolate?" I asked, but the seat next to me was empty. "Janet?". There was no answer. I sighed and pushed myself off the couch. "I'll do it myself... I need to pee anyway!".
I was just finishing up in the bathroom when a sharp crack echoed from outside—like glass splintering under pressure. I froze, soap suds dripping from my hands. The apartment suddenly felt too quiet. No movie soundtrack bleeding through the door. No laughter.
"Janet?" I called softly.
No answer.
I dried my hands on my jeans and stepped into the hallway. The living room lights flickered once, then steadied. Julius and Xavier were still on the couch, eyes glued to the screen, oblivious. Janet's spot was empty—mug abandoned, blanket half-folded like she'd just stepped away.
A chill crawled up my spine despite the radiator humming. I pushed open the back door.
The yard was dark, rain-slick grass glistening under the neighbor's security light. Then I saw it: movement beyond the fence. A tall figure in a familiar sharp suit, cradling something small and limp.
My stomach dropped. "Janet?"
The figure turned. Sir Vincent's face—our CEO—caught the light, calm and cold. Janet dangled in his arms like a rag doll, eyes closed, hair spilling over his sleeve.
"Sir Vincent?" My voice cracked. "What the hell—"
He hissed, "Shit," and bolted.
I didn't think. I ran.
"Vincent! Get back here!" My shoes slapped wet pavement as I vaulted the low fence. Alleys blurred—brick walls closing in, bins reeking of rot, distant traffic rumbling like thunder. He was fast, unnaturally so, glancing back with annoyance rather than fear.
He ducked into a narrow corridor that dead-ended at a graffiti-covered brick wall.
"Dead end," I panted, blocking the way out. "It's over. Let her go."
Vincent stopped. A slow, mocking smile spread across his face. "How naive, Quill Sparrow."
The air behind him shimmered, rippling like heat off asphalt. Then it tore open. Massive wings erupted from his back—not feathered, but leathery and obsidian-black, edged with flickering embers. A dragon's silhouette loomed, eyes glowing molten red. Heat blasted outward, singeing my eyebrows, the smell of brimstone choking the alley.
Janet stirred weakly. "Quill... help..."
Flames erupted from cracks in the pavement, circling Vincent like a cage of fire. The portal behind him widened—swirling violet and gold, screams echoing from the other side.
"Well," he sneered, voice grinding like stone on bone, "see you never, little Earth Sparrow."
He stepped through. The flames roared up, swallowing them both. Then—silence. The portal snapped shut. Embers drifted like dying fireflies.
The alley was empty.
"Janet!!!" My scream tore raw from my throat. I dropped to my knees, fists pounding wet concrete, the rain mixing with tears I hadn't noticed falling.
What should I do?