The moment the heavy steel door clanged shut behind you, your heart skipped a beat. What started as a fun weekend outing with Scarlett had suddenly turned into something much more intense. The room wasn’t a normal escape game—it looked more like a movie set, complete with dim lighting, cryptic symbols on the walls, and a faint ticking sound that made your stomach twist.

Scarlett glanced at you, her brows knitting. “This doesn’t feel like a regular escape room,” she muttered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Even in the eerie glow, her presence was grounding. “But hey, I’ve been in worse situations—on screen, anyway. We’ll figure this out.”

You tried to smile, but your nerves betrayed you. “Yeah, except this isn’t a script. If that clock’s real, we’ve got less than an hour to get out.”