The night was cold and dark, and I was walking home alone. As I made my way down the quiet street, I felt a chill run down my spine. I quickened my pace, not wanting to linger in the shadows any longer than necessary.
Suddenly, I heard a loud noise coming from an alleyway. I froze in my tracks, my heart pounding in my chest. I cautiously stepped forward, peering into the alley. What I saw made me gasp in horror.
There, standing in the darkness, was a figure wearing a long black coat and a top hat. They were holding something in their hands, and as I peered closer I could make out an old-fashioned doctor’s bag.
The figure seemed to be muttering something to themselves, and I wanted to turn and run away but something held me back. Suddenly, the figure stepped forward and I was able to make out their face. It was a pale, waxy face with dark eyes that seemed to pierce right through me.
The figure spoke in a low raspy voice: “Come with me if you want to live.”
I didn’t know what to do. I was frozen with fear and couldn’t move. Then the figure reached out and grabbed my arm, dragging me down the alley and into a nearby building.
Inside, the building was dark and dusty. The figure led me down a long hallway and into a room filled with strange medical equipment. In the center of the room was an old wooden chair and the figure motioned for me to sit.
I could feel my heart racing as the figure slowly approached me. They reached into their bag and pulled out a pair of rusty scissors. I started to scream but the figure placed one gloved hand over my mouth, silencing me.
The figure started to speak in a low whisper: “You are here because you are afraid of the dark. In this room, you will learn to overcome your fear.”
I wanted to scream and run away but I couldn’t move. The figure moved closer and closer until their face was mere inches away from mine. Then they opened their mouth and whispered: “Welcome to my laboratory.”