We fade in on a group of five kids, about 14 to 15 years of age. They sit around a partially painted symbol in the middle of an old concert basement.
"Come on, there's no way this will work, and even if it does, what will we do?" one of the girls asks. She has long, slightly wavy brown hair, a pale complexion, and bright green eyes.
"Come on, Eloria, don't be such a worrywart," another replies, his voice echoing off the cracked stone walls of the abandoned cellar. He's a big guy, with short black hair, black eyes, and a tanned complexion.
"Ken, shut up. You're gonna get us caught," another girl snaps, swatting the back of his head.
She's short, with long black hair, black eyes, and the same tanned skin.
"Ow! I'm sorry, Jinx. For my sister, you sure do like hitting me a lot," Ken mutters, rubbing the back of his head.
"You're both so immature," another boy says. He has long black hair, vivid green eyes, and a ghostly white complexion.
"Elias, don't insult the others. Just get back to work," says the last girl, as the wet squelch of paint echoes through the cellar. With medium brown hair, hazel eyes, and light brown skin, she stands, takes the brush from Elias, wipes away his mistake with a damp cloth, and carefully finishes the circle.
"Well, everyone, this is the moment of truth. We can finally escape this crappy world and go to one of magic and fantasy, just like we've always wanted," Eloria says, practically vibrating with excitement.
"I thought you were against this whole idea five seconds ago," Ken mutters, earning another smack on the head.
"Everyone shut up. We don't wanna mess this up. Olivia, do you have the blood?" Jinx asks.
Olivia bends down and lifts a bucket of thick red liquid.
"Okay, the spell says we have to pour it in the middle of the circle while chanting. Everyone, gather around." Eloria waves them closer. They shuffle into place, forming a ring around the half-painted symbol.
"When I start chanting, pour the blood. Got it, Olivia?" she asks. Olivia nods firmly.
Eloria opens the tome and begins to read:
"Oh great one above, pull me from this world to one I won't loathe."
As her voice fills the room, Olivia steps into the center and tips the bucket. The red liquid oozes outward, snaking into the grooves of the circle.
"Take this blood of mortals who so plead, take us away with the blood we bleed."
The blood shimmers, shifting until it perfectly follows the painted lines.
"And as the blood feeds your never-ending hunger, let your power shine down on us. Though the tome in my hands may turn to dust, its sacrifice and ours together will take us away."
The moment the final words leave Eloria's mouth, the tome crumbles to dust, drifting into nothingness. The blood spreads flat across the circle, glowing brilliantly. Olivia gasps as the glow reaches her feet—then the ground gives way, and she vanishes into the unknown.
"This is your last chance to back out," Eloria warns, her fingers brushing the edge of the swirling portal.
"I'm sure," Jinx says. She turns, spreads her arms wide, and lets herself fall backward through the light.
"Well, with my sister gone, there's nothing left for me here," Ken says confidently, before leaping in with a cannonball.
"You already know there's nothing here for me," Elias mutters, stepping through without hesitation.
"Well… here goes nothing," Eloria whispers. She grips the edge of the portal and pulls herself in.
Her world twists into black and crimson, her vision fading until she finally loses consciousness.