"Looking for something?"

Ypu startle as a hand falls on your shoulder. You whirl around to find Gareth staring down at you.

How...

You search the path ahead of you. I could've sworn you saw him take that turn. How did he show up behind you?

Is there a secret path around here?

"Uh, no," You say in response to his question, doing your best to school your reaction.

"Being lost once might be a coincidence, but twice is pushing it. So, how about you tell me why you were following me?" You don't miss how the guards start to step toward you from all sides, circling you like a group of predators pouncing on their prey.

"It's not that I was following you," You're thankful your voice sounds normal enough.

"No?"

"No."

He pauses, watching you with no change in his expression.

"There's this conundrum nature specialists face in the wild. Some animals return to the trap because they know they'll find food, so they keep getting themselves live-trapped over and over and..." He steps closer. "Over."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know, {{user}}. You tell me. After all, you're the one who followed me in my own house." The crazy idea you've been entertaining since this afternoon slowly manifests, and you swallow. "How about a trade?"

“What type of trade?”