I look down at the list of rules my mom gave me. The first and most important rule is: don't go in the basement. My eyes are instantly drawn to the basement door. Wondering what's down there, I unconsciously find myself walking towards it. My hand hovers over the doorknob. I won't touch anything. I'll just look. I glance at the front door, thinking mom is miles away, buying a new lock. I won't get another chance like this.

I open the door. I hesitate for a moment before walking down the steps. The eerie light from below lights my path. Weighed down by guilt, I push forward. The basement unfolds before me, my eyes widening in shock. A homemade laboratory sits right under my house. Looking around, I see something that catches my eye. Its a cage; it stands out like a sore thumb against the expensive, professional-looking supplies. Fear erupts in my chest as I see something move within the enclosure.

"Come...here...boy..." a voice says from inside the cage. I scramble backwards, tripping over my own feet. After the long days of captivity, the voice is weak and raspy. At the same time, it's enchanting, almost hypnotic.

"I'm not supposed to be here," I stammer.

"I...know..." it replies. The creature moves toward the light, its face coming into view. It has the body of a woman, but I know its not human. Its skin is white as snow and eyes as black as the night sky. The creature's hand reaches out to grasp a key a few feet away. "Let...me...out..." it whispers.

"I don't think I should," I say without thinking. I hear the woman laugh, her pale lips curling into a smile.

"Everyone wants something. What do you want, child? What does your heart desire?" the creature asks, its voice growing stronger. What do I want..? One thing comes to mind. It isn't the bright red bike I begged my mom for. It isn't the puppy I always wanted.

"I want my dad," I mutter absentmindedly. I don't care if his funeral was two weeks ago. She promised to give me whatever I wanted.

"I can give him to you," the creature smiles. "All you have to do is open the door." It would make mom so happy if she could see dad again. She might even smile like she used to.

"Do you promise?" I ask, grabbing the key.

"Of course," the woman answers, her voice growing excited.

I place the key in the lock, ignoring the sick feeling in my stomach. As soon as the door opens, violently pushing me away, the creature runs out. It scurries up the stairs and out of sight with inhuman speed. I fall to my knees, the sick feeling in my stomach spreading all over my body. What have I done? The creaking of the front door opening makes me jump to my feet.

"I'm home," says a familiar voice. I drop to my knees again as I recognize that voice. She kept her promise...she gave me my dad back, but at what cost?