Caleb sits back in his chair. On either side of him, Owen and the guy with no name stare into the camera and smile.

The video ends and cuts to black.

Hazel and I look at each other. “What do we do?” she asks.

Shaking my head, I shrug. I don’t know what to do or where to go. I have no idea how to get us out of this or even what Caleb really wants. The idea is to scare us, right? Well, he’s already done that. How much further will he take it?

And what’s on the other side of this door?

Hazel sobs. “We can’t stay in here. You said this is a test, right?”

“Yeah, I think that.”

“Do you think they’re going to let us go back the way we’ve been if we refuse?”

“Why are you asking me? Do you think I’m the one with all the answers?” I snap, surging to my feet.

Hazel flinches and drops her chin.

“Damn it. I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to shout at you, but I don’t know what to do, either.”

“Please proceed through the door on the far wall,” Caleb’s robotic voice booms through the speakers.

I take a breath, close my eyes, and open them again, more composed than before. Clenching my trembling hands, I look at Hazel. Her eyes are wide, confused and fearful. Out of the two of us, I’m probably the stronger one, the one who will jump right in and take action, but just barely. Here, though, she’s leaving it all up to me.

This is my fault. If I hadn’t started talking to Caleb, we would be at my house right now.

Oh God, what are my parents going to do when they find out I’m missing? And Hazel’s parents?

“Please proceed through the door on the far wall.”

The speaker is above the door we’re supposed to walk through. I glare at it, knowing Caleb and his friends are watching. They’re probably loving this. Our fear is what they want.

If I had any control, I wouldn’t show them fear.

“We have to go,” Hazel says, standing. She holds onto the arm of the chair to steady herself. “Like you said, let’s get this over with so we can go home.”

“Right,” I reply. I nod, but underneath I’m petrified.

Hazel walks ahead and wraps her hand around the handle. Her knuckles turn white the harder she grips. With a deep breath that whistles past her teeth, she shoves the door open.

This next room is small, more of a hallway. It’s painted mint green and brightly lit. Along one side is a row of hooks holding cloth bags with S, M, L, and XL embroidered on the front.

At the opposite end of the room from us is the door.