Fire Exit

"There was only one rule: don’t open the door. Why did you have to break it?"

Anya was wringing her hands.

"Anya, don't worry! Nothing's going to happen because we decided to open a door. It must be the way out. Come on."

Fred held out his hand but Anya was keeping her distance.

"But why would the guy say that? He was weird too."

Fred took a deep breath and went to her.

"Anya. Look. It's an escape room. He's got a role to play to make this experience authentic for punters." He gripped Anya's upper arms and said, "Look at me."

Anya looked at Fred.

"Trust me on this," Fred insisted. "You'll see I'm right."

She wanted to but her gut was telling her something different.

Fred was convinced. The idea was to escape! It would be a health and safety thing. No biggy.

Anya was so paranoid. Worst Hallowe'en idea ever.

"I'll go through, then come back. Okay?"

Anya nodded weakly and Fred went through the doorway.

"Okay...I can see..."Fire Exit"...I reckon this is it..."

A sudden whoosh of hot air engulfed Anya, seering her cheeks followed by the harrowing sound of unearthly screams.

With a sharp crack, the door slammed shut.

Anya stood, shocked, immobile. Trembling, she went towards the door. "Fred!" she shouted. "Fred?" She banged the door but Fred didn't answer.

She panicked.

No visible way out.

Stuck.

Perhaps she'd imagined the heat, the screams. They seemed real though. Fred was right. This must be part of the experience. She was fine; she'd be fine. Nothing to worry about.

Just a bad joke.

But the guy said...

Fuck!

She opened it, stepped through...

As flames lit up the screen in the office again, the guy shook his head, wearily and said, "Humans. Such rulebreakers."