Nightbooks

Alex and Yasmin enter the forest through Natacha’s door. They notice the presence of magical plants. Monstrous, red-eyed unicorns follow the children, attempting to impale them, but Alex realizes they are safe on the path. As the children follow the path, the unicorns follow, and Alex wonders if Natacha turned Unicorn Girl into one of these monsters when she tried to escape.

The children realize they are still inside the apartment when they spot wallpaper under the bark of a nearby tree. Aware their plan failed, Yasmin says they must “revise.” They see a cottage made of candy, and Alex suggests that Natacha is the witch from Hansel and Gretel. When Yasmin points out that it’s only a story, Alex disagrees, pointing out the ways in which her apartment is similar to the candy house. They slowly approach the cottage, but before either can stop themselves, they are shoving sweets into their mouths.

Alex awakens on the floor of the candy house’s kitchen. Natacha is preparing food and tells him he’s been unconscious for two days. She says that the apartment’s rumbling is getting worse, that “she” only wants Alex’s stories now.