I bump up against a bag of something that jingles like plastic coins pretending to be gold, and I find a stack of plastic something else that turns out to be fake gold bars too.
Yep.
Finally remembered my phone has a flashlight.
There’s thumping on the other side of the door that tells me Simon’s trying to get to me, but turning on the flashlight reveals just how cramped this space is.
I keep it on long enough to inspect the hinges on the door to see if I can pull out the pin holding them together, but it’s in there solidly, and I don’t have any tools on me.
I don’t have cell signal either.
There are muffled voices on the other side of the door, but I can’t tell what they’re saying.
So after a few attempts to kick the door open, I shut off my flashlight, curl up in a ball, close my eyes, and attempt to stave off a panic attack.
Simon’s coming. Hudson will freak out then laugh. Ryker will show up with fresh eggs. Griff will call. Daphne will take me to a field and let me stand in the widest open air that we can find.
I’m in a field.
I’m in an open field.
I’m safe.
I’m okay.
I’m stuck in a dark little cave in an escape room and Eddie and Charlie might not get to finish their escape room experience.
You’re in a field, Bea. A wide-open field.
What if they’re solving the rest of the clues?
What if I can’t get out until they’ve opened the door?
What if help doesn’t come?
Do I have enough oxygen in here?
I suck in a breath and order my heart to slow, but it doesn’t work.
Because the memories are taking over.
Hide-and-seek with Ryker.
The old fridge at my grandparents’ farm.
The way I started getting drowsy.
My parents panicking when I woke up from my nap, outside of the fridge.
Ryker standing over me, looking like a ghost.
Ryker dead.
But Ryker wasn’t dead.
I almost was.
Not Ryker.
