The building that housed "The Labyrinth of Shadows" wasn't as overtly terrifying as Sarah had imagined. It wasn't a dilapidated old mansion or a shadowy, abandoned factory. Instead, it was a sleek, modern structure, nestled between a bustling cafe and a brightly lit bookstore. The only hint of its purpose was a subtly gothic font on the sign and the faint sound of unsettling, atmospheric music that seemed to hum from within. Sarah swallowed hard, her palms already damp.
"See? Not so scary from the outside, right?" Vasu chirped, practically bouncing as they approached the entrance. Raj, as usual, walked with a calm, unhurried pace, his hands shoved into his pockets, observing everything with an almost detached air.
Inside, the lobby was surprisingly chic. Dim, recessed lighting cast long shadows, but the furniture was plush, and abstract art adorned the walls. It felt less like a den of puzzles and more like a minimalist art gallery that moonlighted as a psychological experiment. Still, the underlying hum of that eerie music was persistent, a subtle reminder of what lay beyond the reception desk.
"Tickets for the 3 PM slot, please," Vasu announced to the young man behind the counter, who had unnervingly bright eyes and a smile that seemed a little too wide for a casual Friday afternoon.
He nodded, tapping on a tablet. "Ah, the expert level team. Excellent choice. Raj, Vasu, and Sarah, correct?" He looked directly at Sarah, and for a fleeting second, she felt a prickle of unease, as if he could see straight into her churning stomach.
"That's us!" Vasu confirmed, handing over her phone with the booking details.
As the staff member processed their check-in, he gestured towards a large, illuminated map on the wall behind him. It depicted a sprawling, intricate layout of interconnected rooms, each section color-coded. "While I get you set up, feel free to browse our themes for the Expert Tier. Most teams choose based on the narrative or aesthetic. We have 'The Pharaoh's Curse,' 'The Galactic Smugglers,' and our most popular, 'The Psychopath's Study.'"
Sarah's eyes immediately darted to the ominous red-hued section labeled "The Psychopath's Study." Even from a distance, the drawn details on the map hinted at unsettling imagery: a chained figure, distorted shadows, and what looked disturbingly like bloodstains. Her stomach lurched. "No! Absolutely not that one!" she blurted out, her voice a little too high.
Vasu, however, was already leaning in, her eyes gleaming with morbid fascination. "Ooh, 'The Psychopath's Study'? That sounds intense! Raj, what do you think? The 'Pharaoh's Curse' sounds a bit dusty, and 'Galactic Smugglers' is probably just laser noises."
Raj narrowed his eyes at the map, his gaze resting on the red section. "Psychopath edition," he stated, his voice flat but with a subtle undertone that suggested interest. "Higher stakes, more psychological. Less predictable than ancient traps or sci-fi gadgets. It appeals to a specific problem-solving mindset."
"But... but there might be, like, mannequins!" Sarah whispered, her voice laced with horror. "Or blood! Fake blood, but still! And what if it's too realistic?" She imagined a dark room with a single, flickering light, a chilling lullaby playing softly.
Vasu clapped her hands together. "Perfect! Think of the stories we'll tell! And Raj's right, it'll be a real challenge. We need something to push us." She turned back to the staff member. "We'll go with 'The Psychopath's Study'!"
The staff member's smile widened, if anything. "Excellent choice. A truly... immersive experience. Just follow me to the briefing room."
As they followed him down a short, dimly lit corridor, Sarah felt a fresh wave of dread. This was it. No turning back. She glanced at Raj, who walked as if he were simply strolling through a park, completely unfazed. Vasu practically skipped ahead, radiating excitement. Sarah, on the other hand, felt a strange mix of terror and a tiny, almost imperceptible spark of curiosity, buried deep beneath layers of "what ifs."
They entered a small, stark room. A single screen glowed at the front. The staff member turned to face them, his expression now serious, devoid of the earlier wide smile. "Alright, team. One simple rule for 'The Labyrinth of Shadows,' regardless of the theme you choose. One rule that supersedes all others, more important than any clue you find or puzzle you solve." He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes sweeping over them. "You must escape."
He let the words hang in the air, a final, chilling command. Sarah's breath hitched. You must escape. It sounded less like a game objective and more like a desperate plea.