PART ONE

Remember when you were young and dreamed of having your genie? Remember the excitement when you would find out what it was going to be like to have that wish granted, whether it was winning the lottery or being able to meet your favorite celebrity? Hope found this magic lamp and now she has this magical power, but not all is as easy as just making one wish come true.

They trapped hope inside the magical world with no way home, fighting for survival against enemies she can't see and trying desperately to figure out how she got there. Her only hope lies in her ability to defeat these unseen foes. If Hope holds onto this little hope, she will never lose faith in herself, and she will keep fighting to survive.

"I need you to do something for me," said Hope's father, Warren. He was standing in the kitchen as she prepared lunch on Sunday afternoon. "Can you go into your grandma's room? I want you to bring back any pictures or anything else that might be of value."

Hope grabbed one of the last apples from the basket and popped it into her mouth. The apple was crisp on the outside but soft inside. She loved apples so much; they were perfect just the way they were. Her mother, Susan, had always told Hope that she could eat an entire bushel of apples if she wanted to. Now that Hope thought about it, it seemed like she ate an awful lot of fruit each week. But Hope knew her parents would never make her stop eating healthy because their diet differed completely from hers. Their diet consisted mostly of meat and dairy products, while Hope enjoyed a more plant-based diet.

She pulled out the cookie jar and scooped some cookies onto a plate. Then she poured milk into a glass. It wasn't quite a dinnertime yet, but Hope had been dying to have dessert after lunch. "Yes sir," said Hope. She grabbed a pair of scissors and cut open the bottom of the cardboard box that she had found in the basement earlier that morning. She felt a strange rush when she saw what was inside. After carefully picking up the contents, Hope brought them upstairs to show her parents.

Warren took the photographs first. He held each picture in his hand and turned it over. His face was expressionless as he studied each image. Hope leaned over to get a closer look at the photos. Each photograph revealed another scene from what appeared to be a wedding ceremony. Hope recognized several of the faces: her grandmother, Alice, and two other women. But the rest of the group looked unfamiliar. They all wore formal clothing and grinned at the camera. There was also a small boy wearing a tuxedo and holding the bride's train. Hope did not know why her grandparents had taken these pictures at such a young age. She hadn't even been born yet.

Hope wiped away a tear that escaped before it could fall down her cheek. "Why are you crying?" asked Warren. He didn't realize that Hope had seen him study each photo closely. She was upset, not because she hadn't known about this box of items, but because she wondered what had happened to the people in the photographs. Were they still alive? Did they remember taking the images? Or were they dead now, too, like her mother?

Susan stood behind Warren with her arms crossed tightly around herself. Hope noticed her mother's hands shivering. Hope had never seen Susan cry before. Perhaps it was because Hope had only recently learned that her mother once loved someone else before she met Warren. Before Hope and Susan were born, Susan had been married to Jack. Together, they had a son named Alex. But one night, during a fight between Hope's mother and father, the police arrived to break up the argument. They found the bodies of both Jack and Alex. Hope's mother and dad had murdered Jack. Their relationship ended there as Hope remembered her mom had never spoken of him again.

Hope watched as her father continued to study the photographs. She couldn't help but wonder if he had killed either of those men. She imagined that her father might have been mad at Jack because he had cheated on his wife. Hope's mother must have felt terrible, especially since she had already created Hope and Susan. Hope quickly pushed the thought aside. She needed to concentrate on the task at hand.

Hope placed the box on the table and picked up the last photograph. It showed two little boys. One boy was Hope's age, and the other was a few years younger. Both children seemed happy to be together and smiling at the camera. Hope did not know who these kids were. If they weren't her proper brothers, then where did they come from? Had her parents adopted them? But why would they choose to adopt two children instead of one? Hope frowned; maybe she would ask her parents later. For now, she put the photograph back in the box and closed the lid. She returned it to the cardboard box and placed it under the bed where she had found it.

Hope went downstairs and joined her parents in the den. "How's the new job going?" asked Hope.

Warren nodded and smiled weakly. "It's okay." Not sure how to tell Hope that he hated his job. I did not force him to work there, but he felt as if they trapped him. He knew he should quit soon, but he had always dreamed of being successful. If he worked hard enough, he believed he could achieve whatever he wanted. In Warren's mind, he was working toward a brighter future for himself and his family.

Hope hugged her father and squeezed him tight. Warren moved back slightly and sighed. "What cookies did you make?" Hope asked. Hope rarely visited her grandparents' house. She missed them terribly, but she didn't want to visit too often because she feared they wouldn't approve of her vegan lifestyle. "They're homemade chocolate chip cookies. Please enjoy one." Hope grabbed a cookie from the plate and bit into it. It melted on her tongue and tasted heavenly.

The doorbell rang, and Hope jumped slightly. She looked at her watch. It was almost six o'clock. Hope had hoped to see her friends Sarah and Katie, but she knew they would be busy preparing dinner. Hope took a sip of her milk and turned toward the stairs. "Who is it?" Hope called.

"Hope! Hope!" yelled a familiar voice from the front porch. Hope could tell by the tone of the caller's voice that it excited them to talk with her. She hurried upstairs and found her friend Brian sitting on the couch. He wore a white button-down shirt and khaki pants. He had neatly combed hair, which was unusual for him; it usually came undone and stuck straight out. Hope's heart skipped a beat. She was so happy to see him. She ran over to give him a hug and a kiss. "Brian!"

"Hey, Hope. How's my favorite niece doing?" laughed Brian. Hope's parents had always joked that Hope and Brian were so close in age that they practically grew up together.

"Great!" said Hope. "But I don't know if I can stay very long. My dad wants to take me to the mall tonight." Hope sat next to Brian on the sofa. They both stared blankly at the television as they waited for her parents to answer the door. She couldn't believe that Brian was there. But she was glad. The last time she saw him had been four months ago. Since Hope and her parents hadn't been able to afford cable, they had stopped watching TV altogether. Hope had spent a lot of time with her friends and playing video games in their basement. She had even started getting involved in online communities where she met many like-minded people. But Hope missed seeing her best friend every day.

"Do you want anything to drink?" asked Hope's mother. Warren and Susan entered the living room carrying two glasses of water. Hope accepted her glass, saying nothing. She didn't want her parents to think that she had indulged in too many luxuries.

After a brief discussion, Hope's parents let Hope go shopping with Brian that evening. Hope was relieved. She did not know what to buy for her friends. Hope and Sarah and Katie liked similar things, but in different ways. Sometimes they loved the same movies, music, or even bands. But other times they couldn't stand the sight of each other. Hope's friendship with Sarah was easy, but Katie's required more effort.

When hope and Brian left the house, Hope felt as if she were floating on air. She couldn't wait to leave her parents' home and spend the night with her friends. They had plans to meet up at the mall and then grab something to eat afterward. Hope was nervous about meeting her friends, though. Wondering if they would be interested in what she had become. She was no longer a normal high school student; I had transformed her into an immortal being. But hope also knew that she differed from most teenagers because of her dietary habits. Her diet consisted almost entirely of fruits and vegetables. She consumed none of the meat and dairy products that the rest of her family enjoyed.

Hope arrived at the mall late. She drove her car slowly past the parking garage and circled to park in the farthest corner. Hope and her parents had gone through a lot lately; she didn't want them to worry about her. Hope and Brian met in a food court near the entrance to the mall. They sat at a table together and watched as the crowds flowed by. Hope felt uncomfortable as people passed by, staring at her. I couldn't believe that she had a demon within her body. Hope had always been so careful about what she touched and ate. She had allowed no one to touch her inappropriately, even when she was young. When Hope's mother used to cross-dress, Hope had always told her not to do it in public places. But now that Hope understood better what it meant to be possessed, she wondered what had happened. Was it her fault?

"Are you okay?" asked Brian. He had been watching Hope carefully. He had seen how she acted differently, but he didn't know what caused this change.

"Yeah," said Hope. "I'm fine."

"Can I get you anything?" asked Brian. "My treat." They were late for their movie because they were running late. Trying to hide his disappointment, he knew that he would have to convince Hope to stay the night with him later. He was afraid that Hope wouldn't agree. He didn't want to force her to do anything she didn't feel comfortable with.

Hope shook her head and gave Brian a sad smile. Hope knew that she shouldn't have any regrets, but she couldn't help thinking about how much she had changed since she met the demon. She had given up so many things for this creature. She had never even considered the possibility that she might die. Now, she feared she might lose her life just like her mother had lost hers.

A couple of teenage girls walked by and giggled. Hope recognized Sarah and Katie from the neighborhood. They waved at Hope as they went on their way. Hope was about to wave back when her phone vibrated. Hope pulled it out of her pocket and read the text message. It was from Sarah. Hope had forgotten to call her earlier to confirm that they could still meet up that night. Hope smiled and texted an apology. She knew Sarah would understand. Hope turned off her phone and slipped it back into her pocket.

Hope and Brian left the mall and headed toward the movie theater. Once they had taken their seats in the dark room, Hope noticed Brian was studying her. "What?" asked Hope. She did not know why Brian was looking at her so strangely.

"You've been acting weird all afternoon."

Hope frowned. She had been worried about whether her friends would be interested in her recent transformation. She hadn't expected Brian to notice. "Well, it's probably because I haven't seen you in ages." Hope reached across the aisle and patted Brian's leg. She smiled warmly. He smiled back briefly before returning his attention to the screen.

After the movie, Hope and Brian discussed their favorite parts of the film. It disappointed me to hope that I changed the ending so drastically. She had imagined it differently. Hope had envisioned a scene where Hope had defeated the demon and saved everyone she loved. But the story took a bizarre turn. After their conversation, Hope and Brian parted ways. Hope promised to call Katie and invite her to join them for pizza later that week. Hope was supposed to meet Sarah and Katie at a nearby coffee shop. They had planned to hang out together all weekend. Hope didn't know what to expect. She wasn't sure if she could handle being around her friends anymore. But Hope was determined to prove herself.

Hope droves home alone that night. She had no desire to go inside the house. The lights were off throughout the entire house. Hope had hoped that her parents would be out, but her father had insisted on staying behind. Hope was relieved that he hadn't forced her to come inside. She parked her car in the driveway and went inside. As usual, Hope walked through the house in search of her mother. Hope found her mother's bedroom door open. The room smelled of perfume and incense. She realized that her mother must have been reading a book there. Hope peered into the room but found nothing unusual. She closed the door quietly and continued searching for her mother, waiting until she found her to open each door. Before opening the door fully, Hope knocked on the door frame.

Susan was standing in front of a mirror, wearing a silky robe. Hope could hear her mother singing quietly to herself. She was humming an old song from the eighties. Hope stood outside the bathroom doorway and listened as her mother sang.

Susan finished her song and wiped away tears from her eyes. "That's my girl," she whispered. Hope had never heard her mother sing. She could barely remember a time when her mother wasn't singing or talking to someone. She had always been so animated. But these days, Susan hardly ever spoke. Hope had always thought that her mother was a beautiful woman. But as Hope got older, she realized that her beauty wasn't skin deep; it extended to her soul. Losing this part of her mother saddened her hope.

Hope turned toward the mirror in time to see her reflection. Hope frowned slightly. Her mother was right; she had always been beautiful. Hope had often wished that she could look just like her mother. But Hope's figure was far less curvy and feminine than her mother's. Hope's dark brown hair was thin and lifeless compared to her mother's blonde locks. But Hope knew that her mother was proud of her.

Hope wanted to scream, "Stop it! Stop saying such mean things!" Hope had always hated being compared to her mother. Hope knew that her mother was beautiful, but she also believed that her mother had made choices that led to her death. Hope didn't want to make those same mistakes. She would rather die than become like her mother. Hope had already sacrificed so much for this new life. This is what she had chosen.

Hope turned to leave the bathroom and paused at the door. Hope suddenly remembered the box she had found in her basement. She had placed the small wooden box on the shelf above her mother's vanity table. Hope grabbed the box and carried it out of the house. Hope went downstairs and placed the box on the kitchen counter. She pulled the top off the box and looked inside. There was no sign of the demon. Hope had taken it out of the basement and released it earlier that day, but it had vanished. Hope pulled out the drawer and searched through it for anything else interesting. She found some old photographs in a yellow envelope. She picked up one picture at random and studied it.

As she saw her mother's face, Hope gasped. Hope held up the photograph and stared at her mother's smiling features. Hope recognized the expression immediately. The photo showed Hope's mother and her father embracing each other in a passionate kiss. Hope had never seen a photo like this. How had her mother kept it hidden? Was it a secret? Had her mother done something wrong? Were her parents going to divorce someday? Hope put down the photo and quickly packed up her things. She needed to leave the house soon.

Hope returned to the mall the following morning. She had spent the night with Brian and hadn't slept well. She was exhausted. Hope did not want to go back to her parent's house. She didn't want to risk seeing her mother again. Hope knew that her mother might not control her feelings and emotions. Hope had to assume that her mother had a demon within her body. She didn't need her mother to hurt her any further. Hope also realized that her mother had fed the demon during their time together. The idea frightened Hope beyond belief.

Hope opened her closet and began pulling items from her wardrobe. She selected a pair of jeans and a white shirt. Hope dressed quickly and went into her bathroom to check her appearance. She ran a brush through her hair and applied a little makeup. After brushing her teeth, Hope grabbed her purse and headed toward the front door. She was eager to get out of the house and drive off. Hope was worried that her mother might follow her, so she locked the doors behind her. Hope drove to the mall and parked as close to the entrance as possible. She left her car keys on the passenger seat. Hope didn't want to take any chances. She crossed the street and entered the mall. She ignored the stares of strangers passing by. Hope was certain that people had seen her change and were wondering what had happened to her. Hope didn't think twice about approaching the jewelry kiosk. She casually picked up a necklace and examined it. She saw the words 'Forbidden Love' etched in tiny letters along the side of the box. Hope reached for the box, intrigued. It was lighter than she expected and easily slipped from her fingers. She caught it just before it fell to the ground and then turned it over and examined the contents. There was no note, no letter, and no explanation for why she had received this gift. Hope frowned deeply and set the box back on the display. She walked away from the kiosk, trying to forget the strange gift. She did not understand its purpose. This was the first time she had gotten something like this. For a moment, Hope wondered if this was an early warning sign. If this was true, then she faced a certain disaster.

Hope wandered through the mall, stopping only to browse through stores. She stopped briefly in the bookstore and bought a romance novel. Hope headed toward the food court, where she ordered a slice of pizza and sat down at a table. A young woman with long black hair walked past Hope and handed her a menu. Hope glanced at the name tag on the back of the girl's uniform: Rachel. Hope smiled at Rachel and nodded politely.

Rachel returned to the table and set down a plate of pizza and a glass of soda. She also brought Hope's bill. Hope paid for her meal and left money for Rachel. Hope had never been so grateful to anyone in her life. She was happy that Rachel had helped her. She didn't understand why Rachel had been so nice to her. Hope turned to watch Rachel walk away.

She marveled at how the girl moved. Hope had seen no one so graceful. Hope had always admired the gracefulness of her mother. Her mother had been so delicate. Hope knew that she had lost that quality in her transformation. Hope hadn't thought about it before now. When she had gone to the mall the previous day, Hope had been nervous. She had expected no one to notice her. But Rachel had. And that was more than enough reason to be grateful. Hope smiled broadly and watched Rachel leave the food court. She was determined to do the same thing for someone else one day.

Hope continued shopping, but found a few items of interest. She ended up leaving the mall empty-handed and drove home. Hope made a mental note to visit the mall again the next day. She was determined to find her mother's box once and for all.

Hope arrived home and went straight to her bedroom. She stripped out of her clothes and lay on the bed, naked. She could feel her heart pumping quickly. Hope pulled the covers over herself and closed her eyes. Her agitation prevented her from sleeping. Hope counted the sheep until she grew bored. She rolled onto her stomach and pulled the blankets off her legs. Hope was wide awake now. She had been avoiding her mother's room since that fateful day when the demon had attacked her. Now, however, she needed answers. Hope wanted to confront her mother and learn how she had died. It was up to Hope to find out what had happened that day. Hope had to discover the truth.

Hope carefully lifted the wooden box from her dresser. She used both hands to lift the lid and peered inside. Everything appeared normal. Hope sighed heavily and let the box fall to the floor. She had hoped that her mother would have written a message in the box. But there was nothing. Hope picked up the box and placed it on the bed. She sat beside it and gazed at it for a while. Then she pulled a chair closer to the bed and leaned forward, reaching for the box. Hope could have sworn that the box moved slightly. Hope hesitated for a moment before picking up the box.

Hope opened the box slowly. As soon as the lid came open, the room filled with a foul stench. Hope recoiled from the box and almost dropped it to the floor. Hope had smelled nothing like this before. The smell reminded her of rotting meat, feces, and vomit. Hope sat in the chair and stared at the box. There was no sign of the demon. Hope took another deep breath and reached inside. Her fingers touched something hard. Hope snatched her hand away and screamed out loud. With great effort, Hope pulled her hand free from the box. She staggered back across the room and sat down in the chair. She cradled her shaking hand against her chest. Her eyes burned from the burning sensation that enveloped her body. She had never experienced such pain before. It felt like I had stabbed her multiple times in her palm. But what had caused this? Hope looked at the box and noticed that her fingers had pressed something tiny. She could barely see her fingertips through the swirling muck. Hope gently pulled her hand away. Blood spurted from the wound. Hope gasped for air and covered her mouth with her other hand.

The urge to retch overcame hope. Hope threw up into the wastebasket next to her bed and then vomited again into the toilet. She wiped her lips with a tissue and climbed under the covers. She lay motionless, staring up at the ceiling. Hope's stomach was burning, but she couldn't think about food right now. Hope didn't want to move. She was afraid of what might happen if she did. She waited for her heartbeat to slow and her breathing to regulate. Hope's mind replayed the events leading up to her discovery of the box in her basement. She had found the box beneath her mother's vanity table. She assumed that her mother must have placed it there after she passed. The box looked old, but she did not know what its purpose was. Hope had always feared the basement. She had always suspected that her mother had been hiding things down there. Hope's fear had grown stronger as she got older, culminating in her decision to live elsewhere. Hope had never told her parents about the basement. She didn't know why they would even care. They weren't interested in her life or her choices. Hope never asked them anything. Her demons had always consumed her mother. Hope had never understood that. Hope didn't understand why her mother had given up everything for her father. Why had she made those sacrifices? Hope knew that her mother had loved her father despite his many infidelities. He had promised to be faithful and had broken that promise. She wished he had stayed strong and fought for her mother, to also realized that her mother had not been prepared to lose her husband. Hope was certain that her mother would have divorced him eventually, but he had died before she could tell him anything. Hope believed that her mother had killed him and then turned to the demon that had possessed her. She has arms, so Hope knew this was true. This demon had done terrible things to her mother, and likely still was doing these things. Hope closed her eyes and prayed that her mother was dead. She whispered a prayer of thanks for the life she had led. If her mother were alive, Hope knew she would make her suffer for the things she had done to her daughter. Hope drifted off to sleep, hoping that she would dream of her mother's death.

The next morning, Hope awoke feeling better physically. Her stomach wasn't burning as badly as it had the night before. Her head no longer felt like it was splitting open. Hope knew that the worst of the pain was probably over. She was ready to face reality and try to resolve her issues with her mother. Hope put on her robe and headed downstairs. She found her mother curled up in bed. Hope recognized the scent of bleach from her mother's perfume. She guessed that her mother had cleaned her body with bleach. Hope walked over to the bed and stared at her sleeping form. Her mother seemed fragile and vulnerable lying there on the bed. Hope reached for the covers and pushed them aside. She saw a large bandage wrapped around her neck. The size of the bandages surprised hope. She touched her mom's throat and felt the swelling there. Hope knew exactly what had happened. She had to ask herself why she hadn't figured this out sooner. Hope wondered if her mother had known how to protect herself from the demon. Had she known that the creature would possess her? Hope thought back to the day she had discovered the box in the basement. She had been curious to see what was in the box and so she opened it. She was glad that she had read nothing before opening it. Otherwise, she might have understood what was happening much earlier. Hope had spent years thinking that her mother had simply abandoned her and their family. After the divorce, Hope hated her mother for leaving them. She had believed that her mother had broken her trust and that she would never return. Hope didn't understand why her mother had changed so drastically. She was certain that her mother had turned to the demon because she had been driven mad by guilt and grief. She convinced herself that her mother had murdered her father and had then committed suicide. Hope couldn't accept the idea that her mother would ever kill herself. Hope remembered vividly how frail and pale her mother's skin had become. In contrast, her mother was now well-rested and healthy. She had seen no evidence of self-harm on her mother's wrists. There were no cuts, no scars, and no blood. Hope could only conclude that her mother had not cut her flesh. That meant that the demon had possessed her mother.

Quietly, watching her mother sleep. Her heart ached for her mother, but she also resented her for abandoning her and their family. She was angry at her mother for being so selfish. Hope had grown up with an unrealistic expectation of what her mother should be like. She had imagined her mother to be perfect. She had forgotten that her mother was human. Hope had never considered the possibility that her mother might have been struggling with her demons. She needed time to process everything that had happened. Hope knew that she needed to learn more about her mother. She also decided that she needed to confront the demon that had possessed her mother. Hope could not allow it to remain a mystery. Hope had to figure out what had happened that night in her mother's basement. She needed help but knew that she couldn't go to her friends or parents without revealing the truth. Hope knew that she must learn from her mistakes. She had to be careful. Hope had to be smart. Hope had to keep her distance from the demon.

Hope returned to her bedroom and pulled on her clothes. She left her house and headed for the mall once again. She parked her car and hurried through the parking lot toward the food court. Hope was determined to learn more about her mother, her past, and what had happened to her in the basement. Hope hoped that someone could answer her questions. She walked into the mall and immediately spotted the same kiosk where she had purchased the items the previous day. The woman working the booth smiled warmly at Hope and welcomed her back. Hope was pleased to see that the woman remembered her name. Hope stepped up to the counter to order. She selected two books and a journal.

"How are you today?" The woman asked.

"I'm doing okay," Hope replied. "And you?" Hope was trying to appear friendly but also determined to get information.

"Oh, fine. I haven't sold a book yet." The woman replied.

Hope thought for a moment about telling the woman that she had bought her items yesterday. She wanted to appear confident, but she remained silent. Hope knew that if she admitted she had already read one book, then she might lose some credibility. She could also risk seeming too obsessed with her history. Hope studied the woman carefully as she took her selections. Hope noticed that the woman wore a blue dress and red shoes. She styled her blonde hair into long ringlets which cascaded down her shoulders, teasing it out. I impressed hope with the way the woman held herself; she exuded confidence and seemed to radiate warmth and friendliness. Hope glanced at the woman's feet and admired the stylish high heels. Hope tried to imagine what kind of work this woman might do. She was accustomed to being surrounded by people. Hope guessed that we must employ her in customer service. But what sort of job required such a glamorous appearance? Hope decided that she should ask this lady about herself.

"What is your name?" Hope asked.

The woman paused briefly before responding. "Cindy. My name is Cindy."

Hope liked the sound of Cindy. It sounded exotic and mysterious. It reminded her of her mother. Hope had always imagined that her mother had a different name, one that was more powerful than Hope's own. Hope was sure that her mother had been called by a beautiful moniker. The mother of Hope wore expensive clothes and accessories. She had taken pride in her appearance. Hope had never seen her mother wear clothing that was less than fashionable. Hope felt compelled to question this woman in fashion.

"What do you think about the styles here?" Hope asked.

Cindy giggled nervously and blushed slightly. She hesitated for a moment before answering. "Well, I don't follow the trends. I prefer more classic looks. But my boss seems to have a thing for going with the flow."

Hope nodded her head and smiled warmly. This was good news for Hope. I satisfied her with the direction of the conversation. Hope was learning more about Cindy. The woman's casual attire suggested that she worked in a business office or similar environment. She did not seem like a freak to Hope. There was enough weirdness at the mall for Hope to last a lifetime. When she found out that the kiosk was owned by a woman, she was happy. The hope was that this meant woman was more accessible. Hope had always been uncomfortable speaking with men. She would need to learn how to deal with this. Hope had no desire to reveal anything about herself to strangers, let alone men. She would have to learn how to hide her fears. Hope resolved to be more social if she wanted to survive. Hope decided that she would have to be brave.

"Are you married?" Hope asked.

For a brief second, Hope was concerned that she had offended the woman, but Cindy quickly recovered and laughed politely. "No, I am not married." She spoke. "You can ask me anything you like. What's your name?"

The woman was told about Hope by her full name. Hope explained that she had moved away from home to start college and that she was planning to attend a university in another state. Hope was nervous about moving but felt that she needed to make a fresh start. She told the woman about her love for history and how she hoped to study it someday. Hope talked about something other than the demons and was pleased with her decision. I was disappointed and hope to hear the woman laugh. She had been sure that she would shock the woman with her knowledge of demons and supernatural creatures. Hope was happy to discover that she had mistaken the woman's reaction for amusement. As the woman described her job, Hope nodded and smiled. Cindy lived in a small town. Hope wanted to know who the people were that lived in this place and how they lived there. Hope marveled at the details of the life this woman led. Cindy described the events that brought her to the town. Hope was curious about what this woman had done to land herself in this position. She could not understand what she was missing. Hope paid close attention to the woman's responses and wondered how she should respond. She felt she was being tested. Hope did her best to pay close attention to what the woman was saying. She was desperate to impress this stranger. Hope tried to think of clever ways to compliment Cindy. Hope had to resist the urge to laugh at the absurdity of her situation. Even if it was meaningless, Hope desperately needed information. Hope had to remember to play along with the game and not reveal too much too soon. Hope was aware that she had to learn how to conceal her identity. The woman was testing her. She suspected she was being evaluated for the position. She tried to win this woman's approval rather than offend, keeping her eyes focused on the woman's face and trying to appear interested in what she was saying. Hope listened carefully and act appreciative. She waited until the woman finished describing her childhood before she asked a single question.

"Do you enjoy living in this area?" Hope asked.

Cindy shrugged her shoulders and replied, "It's okay."

This response surprised her. She wasn't expecting anything so straightforward. She was momentarily stunned by the woman's calm acceptance of living in a town that bothered her. When she decided she needed to be careful about revealing anything else regarding her background. Hope wanted to keep the lines of communication open but knew that she must tread lightly. Hope realized that she had to find out more about this woman before making any commitments. Hope had to be smart and not reveal too much about herself. Hope hoped that Cindy would give her the chance to do so. She wanted to find out more about the town and its inhabitants. She needed to be careful not to reveal too much. Her mother had been involved in a tragic event many years ago. Hope had reason to believe that her mother handled this tragedy. Hope wanted to know more about what had happened that night in the basement. She needed hope to understand the significance of the events of that fateful evening. Hope knew that she must protect her family from the dark entity that had invaded their lives. The demon needed to be found before it was too late. Hope felt certain that it was stalking her. She had to be patient, but she also knew that she could not wait forever. She could not afford to miss this opportunity. It had to be careful. Hope had to be smart and careful.

Hope woke suddenly from sleep. It disoriented her for a moment before realizing where she was. She looked around the room and realized that she was safe in her bed. Hope exhaled slowly and settled back into her pillows. She closed her eyes and tried to relax. Hope had dreamed of the basement again. The dream had left her frightened. Hope had woken up with a sense of dread. For a moment, Hope had considered going downstairs to look for her mother, but she dismissed the idea. Hope knew that her mother wasn't there. Hope could hear her mother's voice in her mind calling to her. Her mother was trying to warn her. Hope felt compelled to go downstairs and confront her mother. Hope was certain that her mother was trying to tell her something. I convinced hope that her mother was trying to guide her through the ordeal. It was up to hope to decide how to proceed. She should rest. She had to regain her strength. Hope's father would return after lunch. He would check on her and make sure that she was all right. Hope had to be strong. Hope had to concentrate on her studies. Screams echoed in Hope's head and made her jump. Hope sat up in bed and stared at her bedroom walls. She listened closely and heard nothing. She thought about how much she hated these nightmares. Hope was afraid that she was losing control. Hope was afraid that she was becoming overly emotional; that she was suffering from a breakdown. Hope wanted to scream and shout at the top of her lungs. She needed hope to relax. She needed hope to get rid of her fears. Hope fought against the urge to cry. Hope desperately wanted to know why dreams of the basement had plagued her. Hope wished that she could forget about the basement and the things that she had experienced there. Hope tried to convince herself that the nightmares were just a product of her imagination; that she was simply overthinking. Hope refused to accept the possibility that she had opened the door to a world of evil. She was wrong to think that she would soon be free of the nightmare. Hope did not know that she was about to begin a new chapter in her life.

Hope felt panic welling up inside her. Hope was confused and frightened. The feelings that she was experiencing overwhelmed her. Hope needed to sit up and focus on the task at hand. Hope had to remain calm and think clearly. Hope had to be smart. It had to be cautious. She had to remember everything she had heard and seen. It had to be careful. Hope felt an urgent need for answers and could not afford to become distracted. Screams echoed throughout the house. Hope heard loud thuds and crashes. Hope couldn't help but wonder if it was the same thing that she had seen in her vision. Hope imagined the worst. Hope imagined the walls falling apart and a demonic creature bursting from the wall. Hope pictured her mother's face contorted into a mask of hate and rage. She could feel her heart pounding as she tried to stay calm. It felt like the entire structure might collapse at any moment. Hope had never imagined that she would ever experience anything like this. Hope wanted to run from the house and hide somewhere safe. Hope could not bear the thought of facing her mother. Her mother was waiting for her in the basement. Hope had to know what to do. Hope struggled to maintain her composure. Hope tried to breathe calmly and could keep her fear in check. Hope felt lightheaded and dizzy. Hope's eyes were wild with fright and her breathing became shallow. Hope could barely see because she was blinking rapidly, but she held steady and remain conscious. Hope was forced to rely on her senses as she tried to identify the source of the sounds. Hope immediately recognized the sound of her mother's voice. Hope knew that I had caught her. She had been unable to escape this time. Hope hoped that her mother would be merciful. Hope was relieved when she finally heard her mother's footsteps coming down the stairs. Hope was happy to meet her mother face-to-face once again. It wasn't her mother, but a demon that came into view. Hope knew instantly that it was a demon. Hope realized that this was the same demon she had encountered in her visions, shocking and saddening her. I lost hope for words as the demon approached her. Hope was terrified as she saw her mother in front of her. Hope could only watch helplessly while the demon spoke to her mother. Hope was terrified that her mother was going to kill her. Hope was convinced that she would die in the basement. "You are going to pay for your crimes," said the demon.

Hope watched as her mother screamed at the creature. Her mother had lost control. The mother was laughing at Hope. It horrified hope to hear the demon laugh. Hope wanted to ask her mother what she was doing, but she feared the answer. Hope could sense that her mother knew more than she was telling her. Her mother was trying to control herself. Hope could not understand what was happening. Fear gripped Hope's chest and tightened around her throat. It felt like hope was pointless. Hope was unsure of what to do next. Hope was stunned by the revelation that her mother had been involved in a terrible crime. Hope could not believe that her mother handled something so awful. Hope wanted to reach out to her mother and beg her forgiveness, but she could not move. It paralyzed hope with horror as she listened to the two women discuss her fate. Hope could hardly believe what they were saying. "RUN!" The demon said suddenly and abruptly. She almost jumped out of her skin. Hope had not expected the demon to speak. Hope had completely forgotten that she had a connection to this strange being. She could barely contain her excitement. She was ready to leave the house. Hope was eager to do whatever she must do. Hope was determined to escape from the house and never return. Hope didn't care what happened or who this demon was. I wanted to be free of this place. She had to find out what happened to her mother. She needed hope that the demons wouldn't kill her. I need hope to survive. It was up to hope to make it out alive. She woke up in a cold sweat. It had been a dream. She had another vision. Hope was desperate to find out what had happened in her vision. Hope was certain that she was close to unlocking the secret behind the demon's presence. Hope was worried that the demon was out to get her. Hope wanted to be prepared for any eventuality. Hope was confident that she would soon learn the truth. The house was cold and silent as Hope lay in bed. Hope desperately wanted to know what had happened. Hope had to figure out how to protect them from the dark entity that had invaded their lives. Hope was determined to figure out what to do. Until then, darkness haunted her thoughts. Hope waited until the sun rose before she dared to go downstairs. Hope was nervous. Hope had to be careful.

All she felt was pain, fear, and loneliness until the day she met the man with shining eyes and a black suit. He told her he would protect her from all the evil. Hope tried her best to not let him see how much she needed his protection, but it got harder each day because of what this demon did to her. The man promised to leave if she didn't tell anyone about this demon. But as soon as he left that night, something terrible happened: Hope did not know what was happening around her. She could hear people screaming and crying for help; they were calling out her name. As she ran toward them, the man's voice called out to her again, saying he loved her more than anything in this world. That's when she knew exactly what was going on. Her demon had taken control of her body and killed those close to her. Now Hope has one chance to find someone who can save her before it gets too late.

What she doesn't know is that this demon will bring about the end of everything. Hope wants more, but she does not know how much it will cost her or what she'll have to give up. The demon gets more powerful every time she uses it because it feeds off the things she desires most - things like love, acceptance, and power. Hope's struggle with this creature leads to a tragedy that tears her family apart forever. Her only hope of salvation lies in learning how to defeat the creature, who turns out not to be as weak or helpless as she first thought.