By nightfall I’d come to terms with the fact that Al wasn’t returning and I was out here on my own. I’d woken up on the mountain road leading up here, so had no idea how long it was or how far away from civilization. Surrounded by woods of unknown depths that are filled with Professor O’s feral goons. They started patrolling as soon as the sun went down. I heard branches cracking just past the perimeter of the clearing surrounding the house. Peered through the kitchen window, and didn’t see anything at first. Stood there and let my eyes lose focus like I was looking at one of those hidden-image pictures or trying to find Waldo or something. And then I saw them. Shadowed outlines crouched low to the ground, blending into the brush. Watching me.

That bullshit was not going to fly. Some Peeping Tom may have saved Priscilla, but I wasn’t about to strut around naked like some fucking live sex stream for these creeps outside. The bathroom has two large towels that I used to cover a couple of the windows. Tore one of the bedsheets apart to create blinds for the others. Made the place dark and even more claustrophobic, but at least I have my privacy and can move around without being monitored. Assuming the place isn’t wired for surveillance, which it must be. Fucking Purge Palace my ass. How the hell did they get Al to set me up like this? The only thing I can think of is that website from the card in my pocket. Those images flashing across his face. Who knows what he was subjected to, either directly or subliminally. More likely, though, they got to him earlier and threatened him in some way. It had to have been some dire shit, that’s for sure. Or hell, maybe they convinced him this was some elaborate role-playing game I had signed up for and he was doing me a favor. Priscilla was right about another thing: Professor O is one clever fuck.

I spent that first night tearing the place apart. Looking for surveillance equipment, supplies, or anything else useful I could find. Aside from the creepy books and stale crackers in the cupboard, there wasn’t much out there. Found the Ouija board Priscilla had referenced in her journal in a trunk by the front door. That and the board game LIFE, which seems like some inside joke. Hardy har, Professor O! What a card you are.