“Hello, this is the Nightmare Hotel. How may we frighten you today?”
“Oh, um…my brother texted me this number?”
“Ah, yes. Daniel Eaton, I presume?”
“Yeah. This is, uh…this is a hotel?”
“Correct. We provide a range of services, from jump-scares to torture chambers. We’ve received numerous industry awards, and enjoy a four-point-five rating on Yelp.”
“That’s… Did you say ‘torture’?”
“Yes, sir. My name is Ramon, and I am the concierge. I am happy to assist you this evening.”
“…okay, can I talk to my brother?”
“I am afraid Mr. Eaton is indisposed. Might I convey a message?”
“I just want to talk to my brother. He’s been MIA for almost a week—”
“I apologize, but it is against hotel policy to interrupt a guest during a service.”
“I don’t care what your policy is, I want to talk to him. He’s missed work. His wife is worried. Even I’m starting to worry!”
“Please remain calm. Mr. Eaton is in perfect health.”
“Put him on the phone, or I’m calling the cops.”
“As you wish.”
“…Dan? Danny, is that you?”
“Mike? What’s going on? Where have you been?”
“Got you! I can’t believe you walked right into that. Happy birthday, man!”
“What?”
“This is Ramon again from WROK 102.1 the Rock’s Live at Five show, and you’ve been tricked! Now for the treat. We’ll be sending you two VIP passes to Sedson’s Haunted Maze.”
“What? You disappeared for, like, five days as a prank?”
“Sarah and mom helped me plan the whole thing.”
“Whatever, man.”
“Happy Halloween from WROK.”
< Click>
“All right, let’s get this over with before Danny decides to track your phone. Smart move sending him the landline. Just not smart enough.”
“No, please! I’ll tell you whatever you want! I’ll tell you whatever you—”
Mary Elizabeth Summer is the author of the young-adult Trust Me mystery series. She lives in Beaverton with her wife, their daughter, their dog, and their evil overlor—er, cats.
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