Arliss put her phone down and looked over at Finn. Her honey brown eyes gave away that something was off.

"What is it?" He asked.
"My mom," she answered. "She demanded I come over right now. She wouldn't say why other than it's important. She sounded hysterical."
"I'll take you there," he said.
"No, she specifically told me to come alone. That it's a family matter," she said.
"And I'm still not considered family despite being with you for three years and living together," he said.
"I'm sorry," she said.

He smiled at her and moved over to her. He ran his fingers through her dark, rich, red hair. She was the red haired step child. Literally. She had been adopted as an infant. Her siblings were her parents' biological children. Her brother was 39, her sister was 38, and she was 37. Her parents said they just felt like adopting a child after having had two of their own.

"I'm not mad," he said. "I'm with you. Not your mother, your father, your brother or your sister. I love you. I wanna be with you forever. I don't care about them."
"Finn," she sighed.

He leaned in and kissed her to silence her. Despite growing up in what would be considered a loving home to most people, Arliss always knew she was different. Her siblings were always the favorites compared to her. She wasn't her parents' flesh and blood, and she had felt that during her 37 years on this earth. They had tried hiding it but it always showed. They would always take the sides of the other two children.

"I love you," he said.
"I love you too," she said.
"No, listen to me," he grabbed her face. "No matter what happens tonight, you have to remember that I love you. I have always loved you. From the moment I met you, I fell in love with you. No matter what, I'll never allow anything bad to happen to you. Do you understand?"
"You're scaring me," she said.
"Do you understand?" He repeated.
"Yes," she said. "What is this about, Finn?"

He didn't answer. He sighed and leaned in to kiss her again. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. He couldn't tell her. She would never believe him. This was something she had to see with her own two eyes. Either way, he might lose her after tonight, and he wouldn't blame her if she chose to get as far away from him as possible.

"You better go," he said. "Don't keep her waiting."
"We're gonna talk about whatever this is when I get back," she said.
"Of course," he nodded. "We will talk later."

She grabbed the car keys and left the house. He walked over to the window to see her get into the car and drive away. She reached her parents' house 20 minutes later. Both of her siblings' cars were parked outside of the house as well. Whatever was going on, her mother had called all three of them. For a moment Arliss worried if someone was sick or maybe even dying. She left the car and hurried to the front door. She walked inside and everything felt off. The house was weirdly quiet considering four people should be here waiting for her.

"Mom? Dad?" She called.
"In the basement!" Her mother called back.

That was weird. The basement had always been her mother's personal space. The only room Arliss had never been allowed to step down into. According to her mother there was nothing of interest down there. Just stuff gathering dust and things they might injure themselves on. It made sense when they were little children but as adults it only raised questions that the basement door was always locked. She stepped over to the door and looked down the wooden steps. Light reached her but it wasn't bright.

"Mom?" She called again.
"Come down here, sweety," her mother said.

She walked down the stairs and saw all four family members standing there in black robes. Candles were burning and were the only light source. There were symbols drawn on the floor that she had never seen before. Everything felt off. It was as if she had been kidnapped by a cult.

"What's going on?" Arliss asked.
"It's time for you to serve your purpose," her mother said.
"What purpose?" Arliss asked.
"Grab her," her mother ordered.

Her brother and sister ran towards her and grabbed her. She instantly knew she had to get out of the house. She started screaming and fighting back, trying to get to the stairs. Her brother pushed her hard. She tripped and hit her head on one of the steps. She felt dizzy and started slipping into darkness.

"Tie her up," her mother said.
"Finn," Arliss whispered.
"She's asking for Finn," her brother said. "What the hell are we gonna tell him when she doesn't come home?"