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Introduction

Having a birthday on Christmas Eve really sucks. It's the busiest time of the year, and everyone's too stressed or too busy to pay you much attention. Your family really doesn't get along: almost every year, Christmas has ended in some kind of blazing row between you and your parents, or arguments with various aunts, uncles or cousins. This year was no exception - you stormed up to your old bedroom after dinner but it's almost midnight and you can still hear agitated voices from downstairs.

You sigh, and decide to get ready for bed. At least this year you get to celebrate turning eighteen. You just need to get through the next couple days, and then it's back to your usual life away from home...

The noise from downstairs begins to fade, replaced by the faint ticking of a clock on the wall. You're just about to drift off to sleep when suddenly there's a flash of bright red light.