She closes the bathroom door, and turns out the light. It’s pitch black.

It sees better in the dark. It can sense someone wants to call it from the inky blackness.

“Bloody Mary, bloody Mary, bloody Mary,” she whispers, voice trembling with nervous excitement.

The words they all use. The words mean nothing though without the intent. It moves closer, staring deep into her wide dark pupils, standing so close that, had she known what she was looking for, she surely should have sensed it.

Nothing happens. There is nothing to be scared of, she realizes, stretching her arms out as wide as she can. Part of her expects to touch something, but of course there’s nothing. No ghoulish hands. No creepy demons or undead monsters.

Its hands flutter just beyond her tactile perception, so close to hers, ready to grab her wrist and drag her screaming down the sink drain.

“Nothing to be scared of,” she says with a content smile.

It smiles too. Let her think she’s safe today. Make her terror all the more wonderful when the time is right. Let her return with others to prove how brave she is.

With a sigh, she leaves the bathroom.

With a grin, it slithers away down the sink drain.