“Let’s get this over with,” she says through gritted teeth, her eyes narrowing at the speaker on the wall.

If I could reach it, I would rip it down.

“Okay,” I reply, very unsure if this is the right thing to do.

I don’t know why they are doing this or what they’re getting out of it. But if they think they can laugh it off when we get out of here, they’re mistaken.

Hazel and I hold hands as we slowly shuffle toward the door. Her breathing is heavy…or mine is. At this point I don’t know. I’m just glad I’m still breathing. The tie of her friendship bracelet brushes against my skin.

Neither of us speak as we approach the door.

There is no lock on this door.

Hazel shakes her head. “I can’t open it.”

Her eyes are wet with unshed tears.

“It’s okay, Haze. I will,” I whisper.

Reaching out, my hand shakes so hard I almost miss as I grip the handle and push down.

“I changed my mind,” Hazel says, gripping hold of my wrist to stop me from opening it.

“What other option do we have?”

“Orientation is in the room at the end of the hall.”

We both jump as the recording of Caleb’s voice plays again.

“I’m scared, Piper.”

“I am, too, but we’re in this together, and when we get home, we’re never going out again.”

Nodding, she presses her lips together like she’s trying to prevent herself from falling apart.

“Okay, I’ll go first, and we’ll be out of here soon.”

Her grip on my wrist loosens, and I push open the door. We take a step back, afraid that one of them might jump out at us.

They don’t.

The room is dark, the lighting from the corridor offering a glimpse of what’s inside. The only thing we can see is the herringbone wood floor.

“Caleb?” I tentatively call out. How could I be so wrong about him?

“Orientation is in the room at the end of the hall.”

“Oh my God, okay, we’re going in!” I shout. Fire ignites in my stomach. We need to get out of here right now.

I walk ahead, my desire to get this over with outweighing my fear. Hazel, still holding my hand in a death grip, stumbles inside behind me.

“Close the door, Piper,” Caleb says through the speaker. This time his voice is soft and human.

Turning on my heel, I grab the edge of the door and slam it shut.

Almost instantly, the door makes a clang.

My body overheats. It’s locked, and we’re cloaked in darkness.