I knew The Thing was there before I even entered the basement. The usually dark and decrepit room had been set ablaze with orange and red flame light. Switching off my torch, I hesitantly walked into the room only used for cleaning clothes that would only get dirty again. I had dropped said clothes by the door when I noticed the fire-like colours on the walls.

"He...Hello?" My voice echoes off the walls, causing whatever was there to move slightly.

All I wanted to do was do some laundry; Not be in some horror movie.

Slowly moving forward, somehow thinking my torch would be a good weapon, I walked towards where I thought I had heard the noise. My breathing slowed, mainly because it started to get harder and harder to breathe. Burning filled my nose and I started to sweat.

Just in front of the machine, it becomes unbearable. Taking a few steps back, I call out, pretending to sound brave.

"Who...Whoever's there, show yourself! And... If possible, stop burning."

Suddenly, a bright light shoots out from behind the machine. The sound of a bird in flight reaches my ears, in an almost deafening way.

I have to shield my eyes to be able to look at it, but even then, it hurts.

Sunset yellow and red surround the blinding white creature. Slowly, it becomes clearer and I can see it properly.

A huge bird, with orange, red, yellow, colours twisted in a way that resembles a roaring fire, lowered itself. The bird lands on the washing machine and places its huge wings to its side. I guess that the bird would come up to around my waist.

My eyes are wide, and I quickly realise that my mouth is hanging open. I almost get on one knee, seeing how regal it looks, but then remember something.

What was this creature doing in my basement?

"Who are you? What are you?" I ask.

The bird shuffles slightly before, surprisingly, speaking. "My name is Cinder and you shall address me as such."

I roll my eyes, repeating the action after I hear him mumble how stupid humans are.

"Cinder" continued to speak. "I am a phoenix, brought to Earth because it is my time. My time to study humans. We have observed your species from afar. I have chosen you to be my guide."

I stare at him blankly.

A Phoenix, is in my basement, claiming to be from some other planet or something, and expects me to help him.

All I feel is... emptiness. Maybe this reveal is so great, I can't comprehend it. Or maybe "Cinder" just seems like an egotistical idiot.

Maybe I'm just dreaming. My hand gripped the torch and my feet shuffle backwards.

Step by step, my feet collide with the stairs, nearly causing me to stumble. Cinder flies over and lands just in front of me.

I blink. He doesn't disappear.

"Why are you so scared?"

My breathing hitches up.

I run.