As you walk down the corridor, you note the aging paint on the walls which, for some reason, were not addressed during the mass renovation of the mall that occurred within the last few years. No doubt the contractors involved were scared off, or perhaps they were never even told of the existence of this portion of the mall, out of fear of them discovering what unpleasantness lies underneath.

The door to The Dungeon is in sight now. Your hair feels like it is standing on edge, and you feel a chill run down your spine. Something that sounds like whispers can be heard all around you. Something has caught your eye at the bottom of the doorframe. Salt?

This requires some explanation. If I have learned anything from watching Sam and Dean Winchester ply their trade on TV’s Supernatural, it’s that salt is an effective method of keeping the paranormal out – or in the case of The Dungeon – in.

Once the series of locks on the door have been dealt with, you step carefully across the threshold, mindful of the salt underneath your feet. Breaking the line of salt would potentially let loose upon the world the evil contained within this chamber. You remember that scene in ‘Ghostbusters’ when all the ghosts get out of the containment unit? That’s what we’re talking about here.

Although the lights are off in the room, you swear that you can almost see your icy cold breath in front of you. There is an eerie presence in this room, and you feel as if you are definitely not alone. Your throat feels tight now, almost as if there was an entity reaching out at you from within the darkness, gripping your neck and squeezing ever so slightly.

There is a scream somewhere far off into the distance. Just how big is this room, exactly?What sounds like the shuffling of shackled footsteps approaching gets closer, and as it does, you hear an angry, guttural moan.

Where the hell is the light? You frantically feel around for the wall behind you, desperately searching for the switch. Finally you locate it. You close your eyes tightly as you flick the switch to the ‘on’ position, afraid to view with your own eyes what must surely be going on around you.

Your heart racing, you finally gather up the courage, strength, and will to open your eyes. In your mind you count backwards from three, ready to face whatever evils may lay in front of you. 3… 2… 1…

OPEN!

To be continued…