Okay, Jeff

"Show me where my gift is. Please!" he exasperatedly said.

"You want to know where?"

The child eagerly nodded its head like a little mushroom, his rosy, red cheeks quirking up.

The stranger smirked now that he successfully convinced a child to come along with him, even though he is just a stranger.

"Your gift is inside that Mansion, kiddo," the man pointed at the abandoned Mansion, which still sits where it was built. He put in a smile to convince the little guy which is now innocently staring back at him.

"Okay, Jeff," he simply replied to the stranger and went on his way to the Mansion with his small steps, waggling like a duckling. He looked back at the stranger and waved his little arm. Jeff gave a wide grin that glowed with the moonlight and waved back to the child.

"Bye," he whispered.

When the child turned to face the door, it opened by itself, followed by the wind that blew hard from behind him.

Colorful lights lit up his face and flashed such beauty. The luminescence faded; a box covered with colorful wrappers met the child's sight. 'It's the gift!' he thought, biting his lips in excitement. A voice resonated from the Mansion softly singing 'Happy Birthday' as he stared at the gift.

He stepped his left foot across the threshold, creaking noises echoed across the corners of the Mansion. He quickly walked towards the gift that is calling him.

"Todd!" someone called outside. Running hurriedly towards the boy. Confusion crossed Todd's face upon seeing his older brother. Fright was written in his brother's exhausted face. "Get out of there!" he shouted, hoping to be clear, breath short.

Todd only waved at his older brother as a dark figure loomed behind him, the door slammed shut in front of Todd's older brother — Stephen. He tried breaking the door, but it won't budge. It's as if it was made of metal, when it's only wood.

"Todd!" Stephen kept shouting his brother's name. He can't hide the fear that's consuming his courage. Stephen is at the brink of crying when he heard Todd's agonizing scream that made him nervous. He couldn't stop his tears from escaping his eyes. He kept shouting his brother's name and kept punching and kicking the door like it will make a difference.

Stephen will surely blame himself if something terrible happens to Todd. He's guilty because he knows he chose to follow his friends instead of staying with his little brother. He prioritized doing a dare instead of taking care of his brother. He may even be gone by now, knowing that lost spirits of murdered people fill up this Mansion.

Stephen stopped banging the door when a slit appeared. Todd popped his head, surprising him.

"Todd," Stephen muttered his name in unbelief. He said Todd's name louder for the second time when he realized it is Todd.

"Come on! Let's get out of this place. Todd, please." Stephen pleaded to his little brother, offering a hand. But Todd turned his head sideways, telling he can't leave.

"Come inside," Todd held Stephen's hand and led the way inside.

"Where are we going?" He tried to ask his brother, but he only kept on walking in an odd direction. Todd did not spoke and was only very quiet along the walk to where he is taking Stephen. Suddenly, they stopped.

"Why don't we stay here for a while," Todd pleadingly suggested, being his usual self. Stephen wanted to ask why but simply agreed to his little brother.