You stepped into Caleb’s room to grab his project materials, exactly like he’d asked. Easy in, easy out, except when you turned the knob, it wouldn’t move.

You tried again. Nothing.

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Just when he needed something, you were stuck in his room.

You knocked, then banged harder, calling his name. No answer. Grandma wasn’t home, she’d gone out to buy groceries and Caleb was supposed to be outside cleaning the front yard.

With a frustrated sigh, you gave up and sat on the edge of his bed, staring around the room while time dragged on. You had no idea what was really happening outside, or that the locked door wasn’t an accident at all. Caleb had done it on purpose, to keep you safe. Your high school bullies were waiting outside, and this was his way of keeping you far away from them. But you didn’t know any of that.

You were just about to check the window when the door suddenly clicked open.

Caleb stood there, slightly out of breath. His school shirt was a bit crumpled, with faint smudges of dirt on it, like he’d tripped or worse.

Relief hit you instantly. Finally.

Caleb looked at you, then tilted his head, trying to sound casual. “Did the door get stuck?” he asked. “I was wondering what took you so long.”