Andrew dropped to his knees, slowly raising both hands in surrender.


<< Better stay still, kid..>> Milo’s voice came, cold and clear.


<< The owner must have fallen into the water..>> Andrew muttered, swallowing hard.


<< You can’t save him.. He’s already dead.. and eaten…>> Frankie replied.


<< What do you want for me?! >> Andrew screamed with fear bringing tears in his eyes.


<< Just you.. Like Ches before you, you’re our next sacrifice..>> Milo said with a short laugh.


<< Please.. don’t kill me…>> he begged.


<< You kept us alive here.. Andrew.. Trapped in this cursed place..>> Frankie said with a smile filled with darkness.


<< What… trap? >>


<< Why are you keep talking kid? >> Frankie shouted, shoving him toward a gaping hole. << Go save the drowned man! >>


Andrew looked into the dark water and plunged his hand in, reaching desperately for something solid to grab hold of.


<< I found him! >> he whispered, pulling something heavy toward the surface.


There it was- the outline of a man. Panic surged through him, giving him the strength he needed. Milo and Frankie backed away as Andrew singlehandedly pulled the man out of the water and dragged him onto the frozen lake’s surface.


The wind picked up, and snow started to fall; the hound began to howl in eerie circles around them.


<< Look at me! >> Milo’s voice cracked<< Lamia is here! We’re all trapped in her world. And you’ll be her next victim! >> he finished, placing the blessed stones around Andrew.


<< The more tormented, the more fearful the soul she takes.. the stronger she becomes! And we intend to feed her with as many souls as she needs! >> Frankie shouted, aiming his gun at Andrew.


<< No! >> Milo cried, grabbing for the gun.


<< I’ll kill him! >>


<< No! Please! Don't kill me! >>


<< He can't, you fool! You are already dead ! >> Milo shouted as he was struggling to wrest the gun from Frankie.


Andrew looked down in shock at the lifeless face in the body he’d pulled from the water- his own! Horror filled his heart as silence blanketed them. He was staring at himself, frozen, lifeless.


Then, a sweet, haunting tune filled the air, growing into a mesmerizing lullaby. A figure emerged from the darkness, advancing quickly toward him, her dress billowing like a shadowy tempest, a single finger pointing at him.


<< I’ll wound him! I’ll send him straight to her!! >> Frankie yelled as their screams echoed against Andrew’s stunned calm.


<< No! The sacrifice must be done right! Otherwise, she’ll return for us! >>


<< Bullshit! >>


A loud blast rang out, deafening him! Andrew leaned forward, clutching his head! A second blast shook his body! He touched his skull, his chest- no wounds. Frankie’s lifeless body fell beside him, its empty gaze fixed on him.


<< No,no.. >> Milo shouted, pacing back and forth nervously as he pondered his next move. << No! The sacrifice must be done properly! Not for her insatiable pleasure! Not by her rules- because she has NO RULES! Until her next victim comes, i have to keep feeding her! I have to keep me safe! Even though i am trapped here, i don't want my soul to leave this world! No, no, no! Not like this! No.. Come on Milo, you've got this! >> Milo muttered<< I'll find a way out of here! Sooner or later I'll return to the real world. I'll find a way..>> Milo started hitting his head with hurry to think as he was seeing the woman figure standing across him!


Andrew watched with chills the scene as Milo was losing his temper presenting a desperate man who was banging his head against the wall, hoping the pain would finally stop! Andrew tried to stand up slowly to make a run for it, but then a second crack beneath his feet, formed.


<< Lamia, Lamia! We know its you! Lamia, Lamia, here’s a sacrifice for you! >> Milo sang, putting the blessed stones around Frankie’s unconscious body!


The figure rushed toward them with a fierce scream. Andrew cried out, falling backward with a strong crash. CRACK- the ice gave way, and he plunged into the freezing lake.


Lost in the dark depths, he felt the cold piercing through his veins. He couldn’t see. He couldn’t hear. All he could feel was his brain turning numb as his last thoughts began to slip away. Everything had been a lie. A nightmare. And now, it was coming to an end. As he sank deeper into the abyss, he felt his lungs clog and his breath cut short. This was it! He closed his eyes, hoping to awaken in paradise. Whatever trap he’d fallen into, no matter what those madmen had said, Andrew knew this would end. Fear had abandoned him; he no longer dreaded the death in front of him. Instead, he found himself eager for it, even though he had no idea what he’d face. It was terrifying and thrilling all at once. And he craved it!