Portance of Fear is a horror fiction podcast
which is intended for mature audiences. Discretion
is advised. Welcome, fearlings, to another weird
and horrifying tale made just for you. I am your
host, Mashulu, and I'll be your guide into the
macabre and mysterious. Tonight, we see how strong
a family bond is in The Offer. Before we get
started... Take a moment to like, subscribe,
and ring that notification bell so you don't
miss a single terrifying story. Winter froze
Chicago in early January. The cold seeped into
a person's bones. But this cold didn't stop two
old friends from meeting up for coffee. It was
Mia's first day back at the law firm. It had
been a month since Calvin's funeral, and staying
home was driving her stir -crazy. Diana had known
Mia since second grade when her family moved
from Atlanta. She'd been Mia's maid of honor
three years earlier. When she heard Calvin had
died, she was the first person to arrive to help
Mia. Neither had dealt with grief on that level.
How are the kids, Diana asked. She sipped her
warm tea. As good as can be expected. They started
back to school two weeks ago, Mia replied. That
soon? They just lost their father. That was my
reaction, but the psychologist said it would
do them good. They wanted to go back anyway,
Mia explained. Have you decided what you're going
to do? You know, about the kids, Diana inquired.
You mean, what am I going to do about my kids?
I'm going to be their mother for as long as I'm
alive. Oh, come on. I'm not trying to make you
angry, but you were only married to Calvin for
three years. He was 25 years older than you.
You have your whole life ahead of you, Diana
argued. I know you weren't a fan of us marrying,
and I know your opinion of kids, but the age
thing didn't matter. We loved each other, and
I didn't just marry Calvin. I became a part of
the family. Plus, they lost their mom, too. I
can't just leave them, Mia snapped. But what
about their grandmother? You said she wants custody.
Didn't she call you a tramp or something? She
called me a big -titted, gold -digging whore.
Joke's on her. Calvin was broke when we tied
the knot. I paid for most of the wedding. If
anything, he was the gold -digging whore. That's
not the only part of the statement that's not
true, Diana smiled. You're right. My tits are
average. They just sit a lot higher than hers
do. They both laughed. I get it. She lost her
daughter and son -in -law within a few years,
and this complete stranger is raising her grandkids.
It's a lot, but she's 80, Mia revealed. And you
don't think she could handle three tweens, Diana
chimed in? No, I didn't, and neither did the
judge. I'm worried that she might be sliding
into dementia, to be honest. Like I said, I know
you don't get why I'm committed to them, but
I am, Mia stated. I know. I'm sorry. I can't
help myself, though. A 23 year old woman marrying
a 48 year old man seems wrong to me. Now you're
stuck with three kids when you should be out
living life. If their grandma wants custody,
I say let her have it. You don't owe them anything,
Diana pushed. Wow, Diana. Their grandmother is
80 and wouldn't be able to keep up with them.
I married Calvin because I loved him. I knew
what I was getting into. I accepted the age difference.
He never hindered my dreams. I still became a
lawyer. We can still go out. Eric is old enough
to babysit the other two. I made a vow to Calvin
and those kids. They're my responsibility, period.
I'm going to raise them. I already won full custody,
so that's that. Now please shut up about it,
Mia warned. Okay, I'm sorry. I'm just trying
to look out for you. I know you're smart and
you have a good job, but being a mom to three
tweens isn't easy. Nothing worth doing is easy,
Mia replied. Again, I'm sorry. I'm a jerk sometimes.
Everything's going to be fine. I appreciate that,
Diana. You know, you should come over Friday.
They could use an aunt, Mia smiled. Oh, God,
no. As I stated, I'm no fan of kids. Besides,
Friday is my movie night with Walter, Diana stated.
I think Walter will be fine. Poor cat needs some
time alone. Come over. Being around kids will
soften that stone heart of yours. Come on, Aunt
Diana. Fine, I'll be there, but I'm not an aunt.
Mom's cool friend is a better fit. I can be the
one they come to with questions about the birds
and the bees, Diana smiled. Nope. You tell them
to come to me, replied Mia. I get that. You're
more qualified being a gold -digging whore. They
both laughed. Mia came through the door with
bundles of law books. There was a mountain of
research for a case that needed to get done.
It was good to be working again, she thought.
Eric came to the door to help. At 13, he was
the oldest. He took a bunch of the books. He'd
been through a lot. He and his dad had been arguing
before Calvin's death, and guilt weighed on him.
Losing both parents made all the kids grow up
way too fast, thought Mia. Thank you, Eric. Just
put them on the table, Mia directed. Okay. How
was work? Good. I can do most of it from home,
which helps. Let me get dinner going. Did you
do your homework, she asked. Yep. All done. Perfect.
Mia had fish sticks, peas, and rice cooking.
It wasn't the meal she wanted to serve to the
kids, but it was the meal she knew how to make.
She wasn't the cook. Calvin was. She set the
timer and then noticed the kids were being quiet.
She decided to check on them. Charlotte and Luna's
room sat across from Eric's at the top of the
stairs. Mia found the girls' room empty. Eric's
door was slightly cracked. She could hear the
whispering, but she couldn't make out what they
were saying. She peered in before knocking. The
kids were sitting in the middle of the floor,
legs crossed, facing each other, holding hands,
their eyes closed. A candle sat in the center
of the floor. She knocked. Hey, is it okay if
I come in? A moment went by. Yes, Mia, Eric responded.
She pushed the door open to see that they were
all now standing facing her. The candle had been
blown out and put on the dresser. What's up,
guys? Nothing, Mom, Luna answered quickly. Luna
was the youngest at 10. She was an imaginative
kid. always seemed to have her head in the clouds.
She warmed to Mia the fastest. We were just talking
to Dad, asking him if we should stay with you.
Grandma says we should live with her, that you're
not really family, Charlotte added. Charlotte,
the middle child, was 12. She had been the most
hostile towards Mia, constantly fighting with
her at every turn. After Calvin died, she seemed
to soften a little. Okay, well, what do you mean
talking to Dad? Oh, you know, sometimes it feels
like he's with us, and so we talk to him. Does
that make sense, Eric offered? Yes, it makes
perfect sense. Your father will always be a part
of you. As for Grandma, what do you think? Do
you want to live here or with her? We've decided
to stay with you, though we'd like more food
besides pizza and fish sticks, he said. Fair.
I'm working on it, I promise. I'm glad you all
want to stay here. I know this has been hard,
but I want nothing but the best for you. I know
we can work together as a family, Mia reassured
them. We'd like that too, Charlotte agreed. I
smell burning, Luna added. Oh no, dinner. The
fish sticks hadn't survived Mia's cooking skills,
so pizza was ordered. The kids seemed quieter
than normal, exchanging glances as Mia tried
to start conversations. They all finished at
the same time. It was Eric's turn to do the dishes,
but the second he was done, they all disappeared.
Later that night, Mia sat at the kitchen table
with a million words of case law in front of
her. The work was a much -needed distraction.
Engrossed in her research, time slipped by. Late
night settled in around Mia and her mountain
of files. Her eyes became heavy and she fell
asleep. The sound of thunder boomed, startling
Mia awake. It was three in the morning. The wind
howled. It was pitch black. The fire had burned
out. One of the kids must have turned the light
out, she thought. Using her phone light to see,
Mia flicked the switch on the wall, but there
was no power. The wind faded. Time to check the
fuse box, she thought. The basement was still
packed with Calvin's belongings. Boxes of clothes,
books, and knickknacks were piled high. She didn't
want to throw anything away. It was too soon.
She carefully made her way through the maze of
memories to the fuse box. Flipping the switch,
she could see that the kitchen light had come
on. At the top of the stairs, she saw shadows.
Charlotte, is that you? No reply. Must be seeing
things, she thought. Back upstairs, she found
small bloody footprints leading to and away from
the basement door. The kids! She raced upstairs
but found them all sound asleep in their beds,
covered head to toe. I don't understand. The
footsteps end at their doors, she thought. She
looked down. The blood was gone. Great, I'm losing
my mind, she mumbled. The kitchen light clicked
off again. What is with this fuse, she wondered.
She never noticed the shadowy figure standing
in the corner, watching her. Each stair creaked
an old wooden groan. Her cell died, the light
went off. Damn it, should have charged it, she
thought. Once back in the kitchen, the light
turned on by itself. Mia screamed. On the floor
was a pentagram drawn in blood and black candles.
She ran back up the stairs. Eric, give me your
phone. I need to call 911. Why? What's going
on? Eric asked. Just give me your phone, Eric,
she demanded. He handed it to her. Yes, I need
the police here now. The cafe was busy with morning
orders. Diana could see Mia was exhausted. What
happened after you called 911? Diana asked. The
police arrived. They called me down to the kitchen.
There wasn't any blood or candles. I scared the
hell out of the kids for nothing. They think
I dreamed it due to stress, but I know what I
saw. Mia was shaking as she lifted the coffee
mug to her lips. You've been under a lot of stress.
You're suddenly a single mom of three kids. You
lost your husband. It's understandable that you
had a nightmare, Diana reasoned. Are you saying
I'm crazy? I know it was there, Diana, Mia insisted.
Okay, I get it. But again, do you want to get
punched in the face, Mia warned. I'm just trying
to help, Diana protested. Want to help? Believe
what I'm telling you, instructed Mia. Okay, so
there was a bloody pentagram on the kitchen floor,
bloody footprints, black candles, and a fuse
that kept turning off. Sounds like a ghost to
me. You don't believe in ghosts. I don't have
a mundane way to explain it, Mia. Me either,
unfortunately. Calvin always believed in that
stuff. He said his grandmother used to visit
him after she died. He claimed his family were
all wizards, that they knew magic and talked
with the dead. I always thought he was joking,
but now? What if his soul is trapped here? I
know you don't believe in these things, but I
do. The question is, why scare the hell out of
me? I loved him with all my heart. I would think
he'd want to talk to me. I don't know. If you
say it's not a dream, then I'll back you up,
but ghost is the only other explanation. Unless
the kids did it, Diana stated. They were asleep
till I screamed and ran back upstairs. I frightened
them. What are you going to do next? I'm having
cameras installed Monday. Till then, I was hoping
you'd stay with us. You know, like a good auntie
would. Mia smiled hopefully. You want me to be
around kids in a haunted house for four days.
I don't know. Please? We have a guest room and
everything. Plus, you know how to cook. If I
get pizza one more time, the kids might kill
me, Mia pleaded. Wait, I'm cooking, fighting
ghosts, and I have to be around kids? You'd better
be ready to put out. They both laughed. Diana
went to the store before arriving at Mia's. She
had been subjected to Mia's food before. Diana
grew up an only child and never had to share
anything with siblings. She'd admit to being
spoiled young. Her parents kept her busy in endless
classes during the summer. Swimming, piano, martial
arts, cooking, computer camp. all in four -week
increments. She liked cooking the best. By high
school, she made all the family meals. Culinary
school in France opened her eyes to the fine
dining scene. She stuck it out, but didn't like
the vibes. Instead, Diana started a burger joint
downtown, open weekdays for the lunch crowd.
The place was always packed. She had a five -item
menu and three well -paid workers. It was the
life. She hadn't told Mia everything that happened
in France. She'd met a woman named Elizabeth
and fell in love. She even thought about staying,
but they had a nasty breakup, which broke Diana's
heart. When she got back, Mia seemed so happy
about getting married that Diana kept it to herself.
What are you cooking, Mia? Eric asked as the
three kids came through the door. Diana stuck
her head out. Luna's face contorted. Who are
you? Luna asked. That's Diana, Mom's friend.
You don't remember her? Charlotte asked. No,
I don't think so. Where's Mom? Luna was still
confused. Are you eating with us or just helping
Mia out, Eric asked. Before Diana could reply,
all three kids were in the kitchen looking over
everything. One question at a time, detectives.
I'm making a roast. It will be done in an hour.
Your mother asked me to stay for a few nights.
She's upstairs sleeping. You don't see me because
I'm not fond of children. I think that covers
it all, Diana rattled off. What's wrong with
children, inquired Luna. They asked too many
questions for one. Now, go do your homework and
let me finish cooking. Diana flashed side -eye.
Dinner was an overwhelming success. The kids
asked a million questions, and by the end of
it, Diana felt dizzy. Mia was grateful for food
that wasn't frozen before it was cooked. The
two sat in the living room. The fire danced as
they drank wine while the kids played upstairs.
Admit it, they're not so bad, Mia smiled. I admit
nothing, Diana smiled back. The wind suddenly
kicked up. Snow banks rose against the house.
The lights flickered for a moment. It was getting
nasty outside. Glad he stocked us up with food.
This blizzard is insane. It said it was supposed
to be a sunny weekend, Mia lamented. We live
in Chicago, land of wind and snow. This is normal.
I guess. I just don't like it, Mia said. The
door to the basement slowly swung open. Both
women looked at each other. Okay, which kid is
messing with us, asked Diana. Kids, are you in
the basement, yelled Mia. No, Mom, it might be
Dad, they replied. Um, that's not weird at all.
But hey, they are calling you mom. It is weird.
They heard a loud noise. What the hell was that,
Mia jumped. I think it's the wind, Diana replied.
God damn it, I hate this haunted house shit,
Mia said. Calvin never liked me. Maybe he wants
me to leave, Diana said with a smile. The basement
door slammed shut. Okay, I don't like that, Diana
admitted. Voices started to chant from upstairs.
They mixed with the wind's howl. The lights went
out. Kids, come down here, please, Mia called.
No response. Kids! The fire blew out. The house
shook. The voices stopped. Calvin, if this is
you, I'm sorry for all the bad things I ever
said about you, Diana said. She'd never believed
in ghosts, but that was beginning to change.
Mia started for the stairs to check on the kids.
Diana followed. You're not leaving me down here
alone, Diana insisted. Luna watched them climb
the stairs. her hands behind her back. She had
an unsettling grin on her face. Luna, are you
okay? Did the others shut you out of the room,
Mia asked? No, Mommy. Eric and Charlotte had
to talk to the man about Daddy and told me to
wait out here. What man? Diana went past Mia
to the kids' door and tried to open it. No luck.
She began to knock. Kids, is someone in there
with you? No reply. What man, Luna asked Mia.
The horned one. He's a demon that owns Daddy's
soul. He's going to give him back if... Kids,
you need to open the door now, Diana yelled.
If what, Luna, Mia pressed. If we give him you
and your friend. It was a good thing your friend
came over. He wasn't going to let us have daddy
for just one soul, Luna replied. Luna then revealed
her blood -covered hands. Magic symbols had been
carved into them. Right then, the door swung
open. In a flash, Charlotte stabbed Diana in
the stomach. Diana yelled, reeling back into
the hallway. Before Mia could react... Charlotte
grabbed Luna by the arm and pulled her into the
room, locking the door behind them. Diana slid
to the floor. Blood gushed from the wound. Oh
my god, Diana, no! Mia rushed to her side, using
her hands to try to stop the bleeding. Blood
strained through her fingers. I told you kids
were assholes. But no, you had to play mommy.
Diana cracked a smile. The color drained from
her face. This isn't them. They're in danger.
I need to get into that room. Charlotte just
stabbed me in the gut and you're worried about
them? Mia, I'm bleeding to death here. I'm sorry,
you're right. Lay down, bend your knees. It will
take pressure off the wound. I'll get towels.
Diana let out a moan of agonizing pain as she
lay flat, knees bent. Mia ran down the hallway
to the bathroom for the first aid kit. The kid's
door opened again. Eric and Charlotte grabbed
Diana's legs and started pulling her into the
bedroom. She screamed for Mia and grabbed the
doorjamb. Mia turned to see her friend desperately
trying not to be dragged into the room. No! Leave
her alone! But before she could get to Diana,
they pulled hard and she was gone. The door locked.
She pounded on it. God damn it, let me in right
now! She started throwing her body against the
door. The third attempt dislocated her shoulder
and she fell to the ground. The kids began to
chant. Diana let out a scream and then... silence.
Blood flowed from under the door in a steady
stream. Mia started to cry. She knew Diana was
dead. The door unlocked and opened again. Mia
found herself staring into Diana's dead eyes,
her face contorted in agony. The children stood
near the corpse looking back at Mia. They all
held knives now. Eric spoke first. Mother, it's
your turn. Mia bolted downstairs to call 911.
She pulled out her phone, but it was dead. The
kids made their way into the living room. They
spoke in unison. Mother, Auntie's dead. It's
your turn. Father wants to live again, so you
must die. They moved closer. Stay away from me!
I'm not dying to bring Calvin back! Mother, we
must sacrifice you to the Horned One for the
spell to be complete. You wanted to be our mother,
didn't you? You must suffer so we have what we
need. That's what being a mother is all about.
Luna jumped up on the couch and launched herself
into the air. Mia quickly grabbed a lamp, ripping
the cord from the socket and slammed it straight
into Luna's face. She crumpled to the ground.
Mommy, why? Luna cried, her face bleeding from
a gash on the cheek. Because you're trying to
kill me, you little shit. Mia ran. Eric and Charlotte
followed. She made it to the basement door, locking
it behind her. Her lungs were on fire. Her arm
hurt like hell. Her best friend was dead and
she just smacked a kid in the face with a lamp.
This nightmare had to be the longest she'd ever
had, she thought. The basement light flicked
on. At the bottom of the stairs, a man with two
large horns stood. He was dressed in a fine black
suit. Who are you? No one to be trifled with.
Mia sat on the top stair. What now? You kill
me? No. The kids must sacrifice you for the spell
to be complete. You told them that they could
bring their dad back? At his request. He married
you for that purpose. He wasn't joking when he
said he was a wizard. Bastard. I loved him. I
loved them. Love doesn't matter to me. Only the
sacrifice, the horn one hissed. If I'm the one
marked for death, Why did you have the kids kill
Diana too? I saw an opportunity. I'll give you
a deal though. You kill those three little terrors
on the other side of the door and you can have
Diana back. I can't kill kids. That's evil. I
know. But come on. You, a woman with no earthly
tie to them besides marriage has taken on their
care and what do they do? They try to send you
to hell to get their dad back? A man who put
them up to it all in the first place? Maybe.
But they're young. Their brains aren't even fully
developed. They're going off pure emotion. That's
a stretch. Throwing a tantrum or saying a bad
word is one thing, but they just slit your friend's
throat without a second thought. What do you
think they'll do when they're adults? Their highwood
hell has no off -ramps, I'm afraid. And if I
say no, then I help them and watch them tear
you apart like a rag doll. No, I'm not killing
my kids. As you wish, the horn once said, smiling.
He faded away, and the kids started to throw
themselves at the door with inhuman strength.
Cracks began to form in the center of the wood.
It wouldn't be long before they knocked it down.
Mia grabbed a bat and hid in the maze of boxes.
The door broke open. Luna was the first to step
in. Mommy, I can't believe you'd hit me like
that. I thought you loved me, Luna called out.
I always knew you were no good. You deserve to
die, Mia, Charlotte taunted. Just give up. It's
what dad wants, Eric added. Mia kept quiet, waiting.
Finally, Eric passed by and she hit him to the
ground with the bat, knocking him out. The other
two ran towards the noise, unable to see over
all the boxes. Luna rounded the corner first
and Mia swung hard, hitting her in the shoulder
and breaking her arm. She screamed in pain. Mia
punched her in the head and Luna blacked out.
She then turned, figuring that Charlotte would
be nearby, but she wasn't there. Two down, one
to go, Charlotte. With no warning, Charlotte
launched herself over the wall of boxes and crashed
straight into Mia. She stabbed her stepmom in
the back. Mia threw Charlotte off of her into
a tower of old LPs. Charlotte recovered quickly
and swung her knife at Mia, catching her arm.
Mia lifted up her bat to smack Charlotte. When
Eric came up from behind, driving his blade between
her ribs into her lung, Mia collapsed. The three
kids dragged their stepmother up the stairs.
She had lost too much blood to fight. In their
room, they started their chant. Diana was positioned
in such a way that the two stared at each other.
Mia smiled at her friend as she said, I should
have listened to you. Mia gave it her all, but
sadly it wasn't enough. Would you have sacrificed
your stepkids to bring back your best friend?
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