The Wheel

12. Chris

Okay, you have to act courageously! Come on!

"Who are you?" I asked. "How did we get here? Why am I wearing a grey pullover, a white shirt and black pants? I was dressed in completely different clothes!"

"You can call me Ayama," it sounded like Siri on my iPhone. "And about how you got here – you came yourselves. And your clothes were picked out for today's event and I wouldn't want you to freeze in this chilly room."

The word "AYAMA" appeared on the white background, written in black minimalistic letters.

"What? It's impossible! I have no idea where I am. How could I come here myself? I can't remember anything. And what kind of name is it? Who are you, anyway?"

"You came here of your own free will," Ayama repeated in a calm and unconstrained manner. "If you don't remember anything, it's only your problem. As regards to me, I have given you enough information."

"Stop talking shit!" Mike shouted. "It goes without saying that we have been kidnapped and that's why we are here! Tell us the truth! Now! Who are you really? Why have we been kidnapped?!" He raised his voice.

"Mike, please," Emma said quietly. "We need to stay calm. It's the best thing we can do right now."

The heavyweight snorted disgruntledly, rolled up the sleeves of his dark-blue T-shirt, crossed his arms and looked at his black pants. Meanwhile whiny Veronica was pressing against the wall, trying to hold back tears. It's a good thing Sam was caressing her, trying to calm her down.

"Okay," I said to Ayama, "what do we have to do to get out of here? If we came here willingly, we can easily get out the same way?"

Another smiley face emoji appeared on the wall. This time the smile was wider.

"Oh, it's not that simple, Mr. Royce. To leave this place all of you will have to go through one simple trial."

At that moment nine TV screens diverged on the ceiling and a plain black wooden table with an expensive leather office chair of the same color were lowered right in front of me. There was a small metal thing on the table.

"And what do we have to do?!" Veronica asked, disgruntled.

"Let's say, you will have to answer my questions and talk about yourself," Ayma said calmly. "Don't be afraid, Ms. Spears, you won't have to kill anyone, I promise."