Tck-ch.
The lamp doesn't work. Great.
I don't have a lamp.
I reach to feel around the nightstand. Something smooth, metal, touches my hand. It has to be a flashlight. I pick it up and click it on. The room is plain. Made of dirt. There is nothing besides the dirty mattress and the nightstand. A ratty red blanket has fallen onto the floor next to the mattress. Other than that the room is empty.
After a quick turn about, I realize that there are no doors. I check the ceiling, but it is also packed solid. My pats on the walls echo through the room. My breathing quickens.
"First time?" I jump at the voice. "Don't worry. They'll bring you back."
"Who?"
My question is answered with terrifying silence.
"Hello?"
"They are trying..."
"Who are you?" I shout.
"Oh? You weren't strong enough?"
"What?"
The room brightens. And there is a noose lightly swaying in front of me.
"There is only one escape."
"What?"
"Go on. Do it. You know you want to." The disembodied voice cackles.
I rush to the otherside of the room and pound on the wall. "Let me out of here!"
The noose seems to come closer each time I change places. In a flash of light I am on a stool in the middle of the room, noose in my hands. "Take it. Do it. Here. Do it! Put it on. Jump."
My hands shake and I feel the tears build in my eyes as I put on the noose. I don't have any control. It tightens and I feel hands on my back.
"Please don't. This isn't right. This is sick."
"This is Hell."
My body jerks as I am pushed from the stool, and the flashlight clatters to the ground.
Tck-ch.
The lamp doesn't work. Great.
YOU ARE READING
Aim to Participate: An Anthology
General FictionA collection of stories made for the Aim to Engage book of prompts.