a man is petting a lion that is laying down

In a secluded village, an old woman named Agnes lived alone in a crumbling cottage at the edge of the forest. The villagers whispered about her strange habits and eerie green thumb, claiming her garden thrived on the misfortune of others. One stormy night, a curious teenager named Jake dared his friends to knock on her door. They approached, laughter echoing nervously against the howling wind. As Jake knocked, the door creaked open, revealing a dark interior filled with overgrown plants. The air was thick with a musty scent and whispers that seemed to beckon him inside. Ignoring his friends' warnings, Jake stepped in. The door slammed shut behind him, trapping him within. Shadows danced across the walls, and the whispers grew louder, twisting into haunting pleas: “Help us… stay with us…” In a panic, he turned to flee, but the plants grew, reaching for him with tendrils like fingers. He realized too late that Agnes had sacrificed many souls for her garden. The last thing Jake heard was a chilling laugh as d