The next morning, I managed to drag myself out of the tiny room after taking the worst shower of my entire life. The water was freezing, the pressure was nonexistent, and the soap smelled like someone's bad decisions.
When I stepped out, I instantly realized—I was lost. Completely.
I had no idea where I was anymore.
"Umm… Jamo?" I called out. "Where am I?"
Nothing.
No footsteps, no whispers. Not even a rat squeak.
Just silence thick enough to swallow me.
A shiver crawled down my spine as I walked deeper into the dark hallway.
Then I found it.
**Jamo's Dungeon.**
The moment I pushed the door open, I knew I needed to leave.
And so I did.
Immediately.
The room was terrifying, creepy, cold—BUT definitely bigger than mine.
Wait… **mine?**
How long was I supposed to be here?
Was I even here to *stay*?
I walked a little farther, still thinking, still confused—when suddenly his voice came from behind me.
"Oh, you're awake already?"
I spun around, startled. He was right behind me.
Too close.
He noticed the way I was staring and gently turned my head forward again, like he didn't want me seeing something.
## **THE DINING**
He led me to the dining area and pulled out a chair.
My chair.
Apparently, I had a place at the table now.
There were about eleven other people sitting there—all tattooed, all looking like they'd survived the apocalypse. Then there was one man in a different chair—bigger, scarier, clearly the boss.
I sat quietly, trying not to stare at anyone for too long.
Then the boss finally spoke.
"Is this her?" he asked, his face unreadable.
Jamo stiffened. "Yes, boss."
He glanced at me quickly, and I saw him swallow hard, like his throat suddenly shrunk.
The boss stared at Jamo with a death glare that made *me* want to disappear.
Sweat started forming on Jamo's forehead.
Then… silence.
Complete.
Silent like nothing had happened at all.
Thirty seconds of awkward, terrifying quiet.
Then I broke it.
"So… am I here to stay or die?"
Jamo practically choked on his toast.
He stood up immediately and walked away without a word.
I sat frozen.
I had never been so confused in my entire life.
What was going on?
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