Christmas Eve

There was only one rule: don't open the door. No matter what. That was the rule her parents set for Sam.

She just turned thirteen and was being left home alone for a night until Christmas Eve, while her parents went on some trip to finish some last minute business deals.

The details didn't matter to Sam because she got to stay up all night and binge watch her favourite shows.

On the first night, just past midnight, there was a knock at the door, but Sam was falling asleep on the couch and didn't hear it. The knocking got louder, but Sam was fast asleep. The knocking stopped.

On the second night, the wind was howling and the knock came back. This time Sam was in the kitchen grabbing a late night snack.

"Who's there?" Sam called out.

"Hey Sam, it's mom, we forgot our keys, can you open the door?" Came the sound of her mother.

Sam's phone was ringing as she walked toward the door. With one hand she reached to unlock the door, while with the other she answered her phone. "Hey sweetie, sorry we won't be home until Christmas morning, the storm delayed our flight." Her dad's voice sounded from the phone's speaker while she also heard it from the other side of the door. "Sam, let us in already, it's cold outside."

She was frozen in fear as the knob began to turn and the door opened...