In the center of the room stood Emily, a curious teenager with a penchant for the supernatural. She had gathered her friends for a dare, one they all hesitated to try. The legend of Bloody Mary was an old tale in their town, one told to frighten children into behaving. But tonight, Emily wanted to see if there was any truth to it.

Jake, a skeptic at heart, stood beside Emily, his arms crossed over his chest. "This is just a silly game," he muttered, trying to mask his unease. Emily lit the last candle and positioned it in front of the mirror. "We have to say her name three times," she instructed, her voice barely a whisper.

Sarah, another friend who had tagged along, clutched Emily's arm. "Are you sure about this?" she asked, her voice trembling. Emily nodded, her gaze fixed on the mirror. Together, they chanted, "Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary."

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a mist began to form within the glass, swirling and coalescing into a figure. The apparition, a woman with hollow eyes and blood-stained hands, emerged, her voice a haunting whisper. "Why have you summoned me?" Emily took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest.

Jake tried to muster his courage. "We wanted to know if you were real," he stammered. "Real enough to answer your call," the figure replied, her voice echoing with a chilling finality. The friends could feel the weight of her gaze, as if she were peering into their very souls.

Emily and her friends watched as the apparition slowly vanished, the air becoming lighter. A sense of relief washed over them, though the encounter left an indelible mark. "Let's never do that again," Sarah suggested, her voice a mixture of fear and awe. They nodded in agreement, understanding that some legends are best left undisturbed.