“This is probably a silly question,” Carter said, “but do people die in freezers?”
No one answered.
Beck cleared his throat and said, “I’ll try Lisa again.”
Lisa’s number rang through as well.
“Does anyone have another contestant’s phone number?” asked Beck.
They didn’t.
“We need someone who’ll wake up when their phone is ringing,” Adi growled.
“Or someone who’s already awake.” Carter sighed a steamy breath and pulled out her phone, showing them the notifications of new posts onThe Escape Game’s social media accounts.
“Oh no,” Adi said.
“Yep.” Carter opened her Instagram messages and sent the account moderator—Vera—a short explanation.
A short time later, a reply buzzed through.This better not be a prank.
I wish,Carter responded.
Seconds passed, feeling like minutes, before Vera replied,Fine, I’m coming.
Carter shoved her phone in her pocket, along with her hands. “I’m sure she’ll get here as fast as she can. Right?”
“If she’s not here in twenty minutes, we’ll call the fire department,” Adi said.
“Did anyone else notice from the Real Game Master’s post that her last name is ‘Jolly’?” Beck said with a blue-lipped grin.
Adi snorted, steam billowing from his nose. “I always appreciate a good dose of irony.” He was tapping away at his phone, occasionally pausing to rub warmth into his fingers. “Everyone online says it’s impossible to get locked in an industrial freezer. There’s an unlock mechanism inside.”
“Yeah,” Sierra drawled, “except when someonepadlocks the outside.”
“Psychopath,” Beck whispered. When Sierra shot him a glare, he added hastily, “Not you. Whoever locked us in. This isn’t some harmless prank . . . unless they’re planning on letting us out again soon.”
Sierra strained to hear any sound outside, but it was impossible through the door.
“I’ve decided you’re not a psychopath,” Beck added. “You’ve got some of the traits. Vindictive. Smart. You like to collect information.”
Sierra raised her eyebrows. “Isn’t that most people on the show? Including you?”
Beck pointed at his temple. “Empathy. Confetti.”
“So I’ve heard,” Sierra said.
“But you don’t seem like a narcissist,” Beck said. “You react to upsetting situations automatically. There’s no delay, like a psychopath would need. And you don’t suck up to your superiors.”
“You’ve noticed that, huh?”
“There’s literally a website that tells you what to do if you accidentally end up in a walk-in freezer,” said Adi, still on his phone. “Is there a safety bell in here?”
“Who’s going to hear it?” Carter said.
“Good point.” He skimmed the article. “Okay, we have to worry about hypothermia, frostbite, and air supply. We could break the airconditioning fan.”
“Vera will be here soon,” said Carter, though she sounded uncertain.
