Arrival

Lisa Carter stands on the porch, her professional exterior slightly cracked by a sense of nervous excitement. Behind her, Mike is lugging two heavy equipment cases, his athletic shirt stretched tight over his athletic frame.

Cherie opens the door, wearing a yoga outfit—grey spandex shorts that leave nothing to the imagination and a light blue sports bra.

"You're here!" Cherie says, her voice a bit too high. She gives Lisa a quick, lingering hug and then turns to Mike, her hands brushing his brawny forearms as she pulls him inside. "The kids are already upstairs. Mike, the pool deck is ready for you whenever you want to set up."

Tyler, Chloe, and Jessica (who arrived ten minutes early, looking like she hadn't slept) are already standing at the base of the attic stairs. As they begin the ascent, led by Kenzie, the atmosphere shifts.

The moment they cross the threshold into the Attic, the temperature drops five degrees. A sudden, soft gust of air—smelling of old paper and fresh jasmine—sweeps through the room, though all the windows are latched.

Kenzie shivers, a small, knowing smile on her lips. She can feel you standing in the center of the room. "He's ready," she whispers under her breath.

Lisa stops in the doorway, her eyes widening as she takes in the set. "The light... it’s even better than the photos you sent, Kenzie. It feels... heavy in here. Like the air is made of velvet."

Chloe and Jessica step into the room, and you strike. You send a low-frequency hum through the floorboards that vibrates directly into their pelvises. Chloe’s breath hitches; she instinctively reaches out and grabs Jessica’s hand, her fingers interlacing tightly. Both girls are suddenly, inexplicably flushed.

Tyler sets the laptop on a crate, his hands trembling. He’s looking at his sister and her friend, and for the first time, he doesn't see "family." He sees the dark, silhouettes of the "Star" and her "Prize" in the haunted light.

"Alright," Lisa says, her voice sounding far away. "Tyler, get the tether ready. Chloe, Jessica... we're gonna start with some test shots. You, too, Kenzie.