Two days passed faster than Calli had hoped as Ada drove her to the auditions. The car Ada drove was a classic. According to Ada. Any opportunity to drive it filled the woman with an obvious sense of pride. It didn't phase her at all that public transport was much more accessible. Hardly any parking remained in the city for those who still chose to drive personal vehicles. Calli would have preferred to travel by bus. It would have been much faster. Not as fast as the subway though, but she would not be going anywhere by subway in the near future.

The slow-moving traffic would've made for ample time to chitchat, but Calli was in no mood. The last couple of days, Ada had pestered her relentlessly about possible things she could wish for aside from money. It was all Calli could do to remind the woman that there was little chance she would be chosen as a contestant and so changing her wish was of no consequence.

Outside the car, Calli watched as the city droned on. The heavy mist of the morning hadn't risen above the smog yet. It obscured the ad covered buildings, illuminating them with a glow behind the darkened veil. It was vastly different than the sunshine of her dream. She'd tried her best not to dwell on that place. The warm sun she had never seen in the city.

"I fear the consequences of our actions were too steep."

Calli shivered. The dream hadn't come back in the last two days, and she was glad for it. She would need to start focusing on moving forward with her life. When Ada saw that Calli wouldn't be chosen as one of the six contestants, she would move on as well.

The row of old warehouse buildings came into view. As expected, there were no parking spaces available that Calli could spot. It was obvious which building would hold the auditions as the line went out the door and wrapped around the block.

"Maybe this was a bad idea," Calli chewed at her lip.

Ada ignored her and pulled up to the end of the line, "Go ahead and get out. I'll find somewhere to park and meet you inside."

"This line will take hours to get through," Calli argued. "Maybe it's not worth it. I should be out looking for a job instead of wasting a full day waiting in a line to get told I won't be a contestant."

Ada only smiled.

You never know until you try. Calli could hear the unspoken words now. Encouraging words from an older sister. Regurgitated on a regular basis.

Calli rolled her eyes and exited the vehicle. She trudged over to the end of the line and joined the queue with the rest of the hopeful crowd. As Ada drove away, Calli realized she'd left her phone in the seat. She cursed under her breath. Hopefully she finds a parking spot quickly.

In the time spent waiting, Calli listened as the throng of people excitedly talked about what they would be wishing for. Some wanted new homes, others wanted a new life. Many wanted money and a lot of it. Most were skeptical of how far Dorian James' generosity would go. They seemed willing to push it.

I just need enough to pay Ada so she can retire, enough to cover bills while I'm out of work and maybe a little more in case I need to pay for an insane asylum, Calli didn't know what that number would be, but she didn't want to be greedy.

A few people ahead stood a tall man with shaggy blond hair just past his ears. He never once acknowledged those around him as people continued chattering. The man stood stoic and transfixed, looking forward over the heads of other queue holders. Seemingly lost in thought of his own wish.

"Wow," exclaimed the man directly in front of Calli. "You're Jonah Parker. Man, I can't believe it's you. Almost didn't recognize you with the hair." The tall blond didn't turn his way. He nudged his friend next to him. "This guy was headed to the top of the NFL draft list. Everybody was gonna want him as QB. Until that game that took him out for the season," he added, shaking his head.

Calli studied the tall blond. He still hadn't turned around to acknowledge the gawking fan. Aside from the sling across his shoulder that cradled his right arm, he seemed physically fit.

The friend nodded, "That's right. Oh man, that play was trash. I'm sorry you didn't heal in time for this season." He patted the tall blond on his good shoulder, offering his condolences.

The first man continued, "You know, I was at that game when you got injured. That play was entirely unfair. They pitted you against a beast of a guy," he shook his head sympathetically.

The tall blond named Jonah continued staring forward, never meeting their eyes. Only a grumbled response conveyed that he could hear them.

"I bet your wish will be to take out that guy who broke your arm."

Jonah twisted suddenly to face them. Although disheveled and ungroomed he was still rather handsome, but his face filled with a revulsed horror, "No." The one word was said with so much disgust that, even though it hadn't been directed at her, Calli's heart dropped to the pit of her stomach.

"Come on, be real. You're saying you don't wish someone would take him out, ruin his football career for revenge?" The man leaned in and whispered, "Kill him?"

The sound of his voice brought back the memory of the demon on the subway. With every ounce of her will, Calli reminded herself she was safe. She was in a crowd of people. Demons aren't real.

Jonah's eyes glazed over. His face slackened, lost in thought. He had been shocked, nearly offended that they would think he wanted to harm the one responsible for his arm. Now he looked as if the scenario were playing out in his mind, and he was considering it.

It's a sad thing to feel so much hate you'd want to hurt someone, Calli thought. The tall blond hadn't seemed the type to want that at all. He'd nearly knocked her over with the conviction in his "No." It was apparent how heavily it weighed on him.

Calli stumbled forward, knocking into the men in front of her, who in turn bumped into the tall blond. "Sorry. It was a complete accident," she said, putting a hand behind her head and smiling sheepishly for show, "Be a shame if you decided to take it out on me."

Jonah winced in pain, grabbing the arm in the sling. It shook him loose of himself and he nodded, "It's fine. It was just an accident." He nodded again and returned to stare over the crowd toward the front of the line as he cradled his arm.

He probably just wants to wish for his arm to get fixed, Calli thought. Of all the people expressing their wishes aloud, Calli wondered how many were being honest.

Ten minutes passed but there was no movement in the queue. No one had come to stand behind Calli and she remained the last in line. The longer they waited in the unmoving line, the more Calli began to worry about Ada's whereabouts. Just had to leave my phone in the car. She anxiously shifted her weight from leg to leg. The district they were in was notorious for housing the unwanted of society. My future home if I can't get it together. Scheming criminals often prayed on the unsuspecting passersby there. If Ada had to park in some dark crevice of the warehouse district, she could have very easily fallen prey to the evil that lurked in the shadows. No, Ada is more capable than I am. She's perfectly fine - if not exhausted - from trying to find somewhere to park, Calli assured herself.

A scuffling noise coming from the nearby alleyway caught her attention and she nearly jumped. Ada? She glanced at the people ahead of her who had yet to move an inch. It's not like I'm going to lose my place in line, she rolled her eyes. Maybe it was a waste of time to come here after all.

Calli left the queue to peer around the corner of the building into the dim alleyway. It was easy enough to see that it was just a young woman in an oversized sweater. Her long dark hair fell like a curtain over her face as she leaned down to reach for something. Sharp yapping barks echoed between the buildings. A small puppy bounced back and forth at her feet, its tail wagging as the woman tenderly pet it. She giggled, tossing her hair over her shoulder and revealing a smile that squinted her eyes. The puppy chased her hand in circles, barking at her for more attention.

Further down, a door opened with a rusty screech. It surprised the woman, and she backed up a step toward where the crowd waited in line. The puppy yapped at the open door and then set off, running through it. The young woman waited a moment, but the puppy didn't return. She took a few hesitant steps forward and then unexpectedly took off, running after the puppy and through the door. It shut with an ominous slam behind her.

Calli jumped at the loud noise. A feeling of wrongness was beginning to creep its way into her gut.

In the darker depths of the alleyway, a man snuck out from behind a dumpster. His focus solely on the door the young woman had just stepped through. He licked his lips as he pushed at the door attempting to open it. He didn't seem to notice Calli watching as he struggled and pounded with all his strength.

Something's wrong, she thought. This man was too frantic. Too hungry. The sickening memory of a sharp-toothed smile made Calli shiver. Demons aren't real. She shook her head, No, they aren't. But bad guys are. After all, they were in the warehouse district. Home of the desperate. There was real danger here.

The man managed to strongarm the door open and disappeared quickly through it. Calli panicked and ran, throwing herself against the door with as much force as the man had put into it. The door gave way easily and she was thrown to the floor inside. Behind her, the door slammed shut.

Fluorescent lights brightly hummed. Calli blinked against the stark contrast from the dim alleyway as her eyes adjusted. Around her were empty office desks. Each had a green antique corded rotary phone, a simple desk lamp and a manila folder. She quickly searched her surroundings, but the man and young woman were nowhere in sight. Curiously, she approached a desk and flipped open a manila envelope.

Nothing. How odd. She checked the next desk and found that it was empty as well. Is this just staged to look like an office? There was no dial tone when she picked up a phone to test it, and she realized she wouldn't know how to use such an archaic thing anyway. God, I wish I had my phone.

A scream echoed through the room. The sound sent goosebumps along Calli's arms. She didn't want to imagine what the man might be doing to the young woman, but she knew she needed to save her. Calli bolted out into the hallway, but what she found did not settle her discomfort. The hallway connected to more rooms that were all the same. Room after room, Calli passed identical offices, but neither the young woman nor man could be found. Each room led into more hallways and Calli began to panic.

It's not real. This can't be real, she thought. The hallways and offices were a maze of unimaginable depth. Everywhere she turned it simply continued to be more hallways and more office rooms. Her fear escalated. If not for the young woman in need, Calli would have crumpled to the floor and accepted her insanity. She needs my help, Calli steeled herself.

Another scream rattled through the air. So sharp and near. Calli covered her ears to save her hearing. This time it was more evident which direction it came from. Calli turned the corner, passing into one more office. On the floor near one of the desks the young woman held herself in a ball.

"It's not real. It's not real," the woman repeated. She gripped her head between both hands, her eyes searching but seeing nothing.

Calli knelt, placing a hand on the young woman's arm. "It's okay. You're safe now," she promised. "That man won't hurt you."

She met Calli's eyes, her face filled with terror, "Not a man. A demon."

A demon? The terrible shadow creature from the subway raked its claws down Calli's neck. Sweat drenched fear threatened to drown her. No, just a memory. This can't be real, she thought, shaking her head. "Did the man turn into a demon?" She tentatively asked.

The young woman shook her head, "No, not a man. The puppy." Tears filled her eyes, and she hugged herself as her body trembled.

The puppy? Calli's stomach twisted, and she fought the urge to vomit. "You're okay now. Let's get out of here," she offered a hand, and the woman took it, rising to her feet. "My name's Calli. What's yours?"

"Lucy," the young woman replied, shrinking into her large sweater.

"Everything's okay now, Lucy," she reassured with a smile. "We're going to get out of here."

Hunched and meek, Lucy gripped close against Calli as she attempted to guide them from the office maze. Turn after turn, Calli begged herself to remember the path she had taken to get to the young woman, but every path was the same. More hallways and more staged offices.

It's not real. This can't be real. We're in a building. It can't go on forever like this, Calli attempted to reason. If not for Lucy, Calli would've chosen to lie on the ground and accept her madness. She gently smiled, "I seem to have forgotten if I turned left or right here. Does this look familiar to you?"

Panic rose in Lucy's face, "We're lost? We're lost in here with that thing?"

"No, no," Calli assured, "whatever it was is long gone." She had no idea if it was true or not. "Besides, I'm sure we're very near the exist now. I know we were both in a bit of a hurry when we came through here, but does right or left seem familiar to you?"

Lucy nodded, "I – I think it was left?" She offered unsure.

"Okay," Calli beamed. "Left it is."

But Lucy stopped Calli as she pressed forward, "What if I'm wrong?"

"Then we'll try again. No problem," she patted her hand. Lucy needed her strength, so she would continue to smile. She would not lie down in defeat.

The young woman nodded again, and they proceeded forward to the left. After two more hallways and another office, Calli spotted the door she'd fallen through. She let loose a heavy sigh of relief. Above it was a sign clearly marking it as the exit.

"We did it!" Lucy rejoiced, letting go to run for the door.

Calli returned the young woman's excitement with a smile. 

"I found you."

Calli felt it before Lucy grabbed the doorknob. The young woman turned to look back at Calli, her smile twisting into shock. "The demon! Calli run!" She screamed, swinging open the door.

Without thought, Calli lunged through the door. She cradled her head, expecting to land on the hard asphalt of the alleyway but instead found a low-pile carpet similar to the staged office maze. The door slammed shut behind her.

"So glad you could join us today, Miss Calli," offered a man at the front of a classroom full of students.