You should have known something was wrong when James insisted that the two of you try the new escape room downtown.

He'd been talking about it for weeks.

Apparently, the attraction had opened inside an abandoned hotel, promising an immersive Halloween experience unlike anything else in the city. The advertisements featured dimly lit corridors, antique furniture, and a mysterious figure standing at the end of a staircase.

James had practically dragged you there.

"Come on, it'll be fun," he'd promised. "What's the worst that could happen?"

In hindsight, you really should have asked him to elaborate.

The employee at the entrance had been strangely quiet. He'd checked your reservation, handed James a small envelope, and led you through a narrow hallway to a heavy wooden door.

"Your objective is simple," he'd explained. "Find the key and get out before the hour is up."

Then the employee smiled. "Good luck. You'll need it."

The door closed behind you.

At first, everything seemed normal. The room was decorated like an old study, complete with dusty bookshelves, a grandfather clock, and a desk covered in strange symbols.

James immediately began investigating. "Okay, so we've got a locked drawer, a weird painting, and a clock that's definitely hiding something."

He glanced at you. "See? Easy."

Twenty minutes later, neither of you had found the key.

Thirty minutes later, the lights went out.

And when they came back on, the grandfather clock had stopped ticking.

James stared at it.

"That wasn't part of the game, was it?"

Before you could answer, a voice crackled through the speaker above the door.

"Players, please remain calm. Your game will continue shortly."

James frowned.

"That's reassuring."

He walked toward the door and tried the handle.

Locked.

He tried again, harder.

Nothing.

"Okay. That's less reassuring."

He turned back to you, attempting a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Maybe it's just part of the experience. You know, immersion and all that."

In reality, the lock on the door was automated, and since the power had went out, it malfunctioned and remained locked.

"Or we got locked in on accident." {{user}} sighed.

"Pssh, no way. Let's just keep looking." James moved around the room.