CHOICE: C: Rush to your neighbor’s phone.

You pause when he says your name, but not to turn around and face him.

All you glean from his words is that there are others.

Quickly, you change course. Your neighbor’s house is a small brick place with a bold red door. You knock as hard as you can. Over and over. To no answer.

The back of your neck tingles. When you swivel back, the man in the overcoat stands closer to you. Casual. Brows up in expectation. Of what, you can’t know. You want to ignore him, but his proximity is concerning. Eyes locked together, you try knocking again. No answer.

A swift glance to the left reveals an empty driveway. Are they out of town?

“I can get you inside,” the man says, voice carrying on the winter breeze. “If that’s really where you want to go.”

What… is happening? You’re not sure if anger or confusion is winning over your brain. All you know is you’re cold, standing here with a stranger, perhaps seconds away from a horror movie murder.

He lifts a hand and snaps his thumb and middle finger.

Your neighbor’s red door unlocks and creaks open to darkness.

No one on the other side.

The man in the overcoat seems to wait for you. For what? A reaction? A panic attack? You have no idea what the hell is going on. But that doesn’t mean you don’t move.

In a second, you leap into the house and slam the door shut, locking it in place. You check the dark front hall for an accomplice, someone who could have opened the door, but see no one. Hear no one. You question how he managed the trick, but don’t dwell on it.

If you hurry, you can get to the phone and call the police before he does it again. Or rush out to the backyard, over the fence back home. This guy doesn’t seem to be hostile, but he’s not leaving you alone either.

His shadow fills the small window in the top of the door, casting you in complete darkness.

“We can do this all night,” he says through the door.

“Or,” a voice says behind you. You jump, hands up and fisted. It’s him. The man in the coat. Somehow… right there. When he was just outside and… now he’s… “We can cut to the end of the goose chase. I’m here to...protect you. Or whatever.”

“How… did… you…” You point to the door, then him, then the door, then him again.

He snatches up your pointed finger, grip tight enough to pull a gasp from you. The rounded cheek amusement fades from his face. “Real talk. Your parents? Probably dead. You? In a hell of a lot of danger. And as cliche as this sounds… you have to come with me if you want to live.”

Seriously… what is happening?

“I need to wake up,” you blurt, pulling your hand away from him. Instead, he tightens his hold, pulling you closer. He smells odd, like a strange car oil.

“You need to listen,” he says. A lilt to his voice slips out, an accent he’s trying to hide. “We’re about a minute away from being found here. Another minute from getting killed. You want answers? I have ‘em. But after we’re a least a thousand miles from this place.”

“No,” you say, mind reeling. Nothing is making sense, but you know this isn’t right. You try to tug away again. “Let go of me.”

“They’ll find you,” he says. Urgency cracks his voice. “They’ll kill you.”

“You’re the only one around here hurting me,” you say, and finally he releases your hand.

“Fine.” From his pocket, he pulls a ring and slides it on a finger. “I’ll give you one last chance to come with me voluntarily. The ride’s a lot easier if you’re willing to be on it.”

He holds out a hand yet again, ring glowing a dull blue.

You:

A: Take his hand and agree to go with him

B: Run to the back door and escape back home

C: Demand answers now instead of later

***Deadline for choice: August 18th, 2017 11 PM Mountain Time***