The dark gray clouds loomed over the road. Thunder echoes through the tall and overpowering pine trees. Tires splash through mud puddles while the rain pours. Ghost hunter, Alex Sparrow, has been looking for the local, supposedly haunted vineyard for two years now. He finally has all of the information on the history, the owner, and why it is haunted. Rumors are that a kind and generous man used to own the vineyard, until he suddenly died in his sleep out of the blue, at only 49. His ambitious, absolutely gorgeous, yet insane, daughter inherited the vineyard. But now, when people would visit, they would never come back. It had only been a few years since the first disappearance. Another rumor states that the vineyard is haunted by everyone who has disappeared. They were all killed. By the owner herself, Artemis Rubens. A cannibal. Alex spots the rusted and broken gates ahead. Hazard tape is wrapped around the gates. A sign reads: _Do not enter. This property is hostile and deadly. 109 deaths have been recorded here. Do not enter. _Alex shrugs and parks his truck. “Can’t be too bad, right?” He says, grinning to himself. He takes down the tape. A giant padlock was underneath it. Alex pulls a Bobby pin out of his pocket and unlocks it. He opens the gates with a grunt. When he steps inside, something doesn’t feel right. Like something was watching him.

The bushes rustle. Alex jumps. Voices echo through the vineyard. “Go! Leave from here if you want to live!” The ghosts. “Rumors say if you say the owner’s name three times, she’ll come out and kill you. I’m totally trying it,” Alex says to himself, grinning. “Artemis Rubens! Artemis Rubens! ARTEMIS RUBENS!” Something—or someone—crawls out of the bushes. Glowing brown and beautiful, yet deadly, eyes look into his. The figure’s lips are stained with blood. “What… pesk?” It asks bitterly, studying him. Alex sallows hard, “my name is Alex Sparrow. I came here to see you. You’re Artemis, right?” He says cautiously. The figure stands. It’s a little smaller than Alex. “Yes…” it hisses. “Stop calling me an it in your head. I’m a female.” Alex shakes his head, _how did she know?! _She circles him, poking his arms and back. “Well. You aren’t like the others. No tension. No fear. Maybe I could spare you,” she says, stopping in front of him. Her voice drops to a flirtatious tone, “or I could keep you…” Alex’s breath catches like those characters in a movie or show when their crush flirts with them. Artemis laughs under her breath, “simping for me already? Bold move.” Alex blushes furiously and looks away from her. Artemis cackles and grabs his chin. She turns his head to look at her, “most don’t fall for me. Too ‘insane’ and ‘cannibal’.” She adds little finger quotes. She flicks at his arms. “Do you work out or something? Like—do push-ups?” She asks. “Do you even know what working out means? Like—weren’t you raised cooped up in a mansion away from society? Or an asylum?” Alex asks, slapping her hand away. “Ooh! Fiesty! I like it!” Artemis exclaims, jumping up and down. Alex sighs, “you really are insane,” he yawns. “Do you have a house or anything on this property? I’m tired…” Artemis grabs his wrist, leading him to the mansion behind the vineyard.

Alex gasps in awe, “it’s amazing…” Artemis snorts, opening the front door. “You’re like—my favorite visitor by far at this point!” She leads him to a giant guest bedroom. He tries to walk in, but she pulls him back. “Sleep well…” Artemis says, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Then she slinks into the shadows.