She hurriedly stuffed her clothes into her backpack, she packed canned foods, clothes and other resources for emergency for their two-week camping trip. 
“Are you done in there?” her brother’s voice echoed from the other side of her bedroom door, teasingly impatient.
“Almost! Why don’t you start packing my stuff too, instead of just annoy me?” she shot back, rolling her eyes as she shoved another can into her bag.
He knocked three times.
Three quick knocks interrupted her thoughts.
“Come in!” she called, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling beneath her words.
Silence hung in the air. After a moment, more knocks sounded, this time frantic, like an urgent warning.
Ivy’s irritation flared. She flung the door open, only to find that it's empty.
“What the—?” she murmured, glancing around.
Just then, her brother strolled in, fresh from his grocery run, bags crinkling in his hands. “Oh Ivy, you look like you’ve seen a ghost! Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts about this trip.”
“Are you messing with me?” she says, crossing her arms defensively.
“Huh? I just got here! Want some chips?” He held out a bag of his favorite snack, a playful grin spreading across his face.
Without thinking, she walk forward, snatching the chips from his hands. “Give it to me!” 
She turned back to her room, a small smile breaking through her annoyance as the salty scent of the chips filled the air.
Ivy ignored what had happened, convinced he was just trying to mess with her.
She lay down onto her bed, fatigue weighing heavily on her as she processed the day’s frantic packing for tomorrow’s camping.
“Where am I? The woods? Hello? Is anyone there?” she called out, her voice echoing into the sight of the unfamiliar surroundings.
As she wandered through the misty landscape, an old house emerged from the trees, its weathered walls telling tales of generations long past.
Curiosity drew her closer, and she pushed open the creaking door, a cloud of dust swirling around her like a shroud.
Inside, the air felt thick with memories, and a sense of age hung heavy among the countless books that lined the shelves, and faded from years of neglect.
“What are you doing here?” a voice rumbled from the shadows.
She spun around to find an elderly man standing behind her, his eyes sharp and knowing.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he warned.
“Excuse me? I’m just lost, Grandpa,” she replied, her annoyance bubbling beneath her fear.
“They’re coming soon,” he said, his gaze piercing into hers.
“Who?” she asked.
The old man moved with intentionally slowness, locking the door behind him. Her confusion deepened as he didn’t turn to face her right away.
“Grandpa?” she ventured, her voice trembling slightly. “Gr-Grandpa…?”
When he finally turned, the sight stole the breath from her lungs. Where his face should have been, there was only darkness, his features swallowed by shadow, save for his glowing red eyes that pierced through the gloom.
Ivy stumbled backward, panic rising. She glanced around and noticed a room. She immediately ran toward it.
“I don’t want to be here! I don’t want to! What do you want from me?” she shouted.
Suddenly, she heard a series of sharp knocks.
“Ouch!” Ivy screamed, jolting upright as her brother tapped her lightly on the shoulder, his face alight with mischief.
Ivy hadn’t realized she had closed her eyes and sleep slightly.
“Ivy, you can’t keep dozing off like that!” he teased, and she blinked, disoriented as she realized she had been dreaming.
“Brother? You can’t trick me!” she snapped, springing to her feet and instinctively signing a cross in the air.
“You’re an evil spi—”
“Crazy! Didn’t I tell you to pray?” he cut her off.
“I am praying, jerk!” Ivy shot back, a mix of relief and irritation flooding her as the part of her nightmare faded.
“Tsk! Jerk, huh? I’m your brother, not some random guy! Let’s eat!” he said, heading to the kitchen, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.
“Hmp! I learned that from you!” Ivy retorted, crossing her arms. “Are you really coming tomorrow, brother? It’s our camping trip.”
Ethan paused mid-step but didn’t turn to meet her gaze.
“Father and Mother entrusted you to me while they were still alive,” he finally said, his tone shifting. “So even if you don’t want me to, I’ll be going. I can see them, Ivy.”
“Who… who are you talking about?” Ivy felt a chill creep.
He chuckled, “You’re scared! Let’s eat,” he said, brushing her concern aside as he resumed his path to the kitchen.
“Brother! What do you mean? Aghhhhhh!” Ivy screamed in frustration, her heart racing as helplessness washed over her.