It was a dark and stormy night as I made my way through the old abandoned mansion nestled near a river. The wind howled outside, rattling the windows and doors, making the entire house shake and feel as though it was alive. I shivered as I stepped into the mansion and was welcomed by fair darkness, immediately I felt a sense of unease wash over me. 

I have never been in such a spacious mansion with squeaky floorboards and flickering lights. You could see the cobwebs in the corner and the spiders crawling on the ceiling. The chandelier above me was cracked, and literally hanging on a thin fibre line. You could hear the buzzing of the electricity as it transiently tried to light up the chandelier.

"Hello!" I called out aloud hoping to be heard. My voice bounced on the walls triggering distant chatters that sent shivers down my spine. "Is anyone there?"

Earlier that morning I received an invitation in the mail from my long-time friends to attend a Halloween costumed birthday party at BlueBirds mansion; and this was far from perfect.

For a moment I thought my tattered costume was somewhat too much coupled with a full life-like skull mask. My hands were covered with turmeric paste; that made me resemble a dead man walking. The turmeric sent a horrible stench wafting in the air.

"Alex!" I called out to the birthday planner, but there was no response.  "Kimberly! Lucy!" I called out again.

The hallway was pitch black, I couldn't see a thing. Apparently, my costume was equipped with a lighter. I didn't think it would come in handy that day. I used it and managed to locate a peculiar lamp. It took me a while to breathe life into the lamp. 

As I wandered through the dusty hallway looking for the party, my hand stretched out holding the lamp. I could hear distant whispers in the shadows and footsteps that lurked behind me. Ghostly chatters and synchronized hushed laughter echoed in the air. I tried to shake off the feeling of being watched, but it clung to me like a second skin.

Suddenly, a cold gust of wind blew out the lamp I was holding, plunging me into darkness.

"Who's there? I have a weapon and I’m not afraid to use it." I said in a tremulous tone, my voice echoing through the empty hallway. I clenched a fist with my one hand and stood in stance preparing myself for combat.

My palms were sweating, I couldn't firmly hold on to the lamp with my other hand anymore. My heart pounded against my chest, you could almost hear it-like drums playing in a concert.

I reached out my hand to steady myself against the wall when I felt something cold and clammy brush against my fingers. I recoiled in horror, only to see a ghostly figure standing in front of me. It was about the same height as mine. Apparently, it was clothed like me. Its glowing red eyes crept me to the bone.

"Welcome," it whispered, its voice echoing in the darkness. "We have been waiting for you..."

I stumbled back, tripping over my own feet as I attempted to escape. I felt my soul leaving my body. I was drained and unable to scream. It was as though my voice was sealed shut in my throat. My mind broadcasted blurry images that prevented me from any logical thinking.

"Hurry up, we'll be late," it said to me- extending its hand to help up to my knees. I collapsed...