The Coffee Shop

Chapter 3

Madi stared at her phone for a few seconds.
Then, she looked at the man. He was staring right into her soul. He had unkempt hair, bulging eyes and long fingers. Something about him was.... Sinister.

She glared at her phone once again. She had too many questions. Who texted her? How did they get her number? How did they know her name? What did they mean by "found you"? How are they related to the creepy man who just walked in? Are they related at all? Of course, they were all unanswered.

She could grab her stuff and run out, but that meant trouble when her boss comes back. What if this is just a prank? But it can't be. She doesn't know this man. He seemed a little old and unbothered for pranks.

That's when she received another text.

She read, "Why do you look so concerned Madelyn? You look like you've just seen a ghost!"

Madi turned to look at the man. He wasn't looking at her anymore. He was scratching the table repeatedly. She continued reading the text.

"I know you have questions, Madi. I also know you want answers to them. In fact, that's what I'm here for! But you will only get them after you pass all my tests."

"Tests?", asked Madi. She wanted to sound as confident as possible. She was terrified, but she didn't want to give it away.

" Yes, Madi. Tests. Not too many, just 3. Today, you'll have your first test. Your boss will leave you just like this on Friday, next week. That's when you'll have your second test. And as for your third, well, I'll figure that out later. All I know is they'll all be in that stupid coffee shop. "

Then rose another question "What kind of tests?"

"Fun tests! A little ghastly, but soon you'll love doing them. You'll make others do them too!"

"Who are you?", she asked.

" No no no, Madi. Not just yet. You'll have to earn the answers to your questions. Oh! I left one important detail. Read carefully, Madelyn. There's no way out of this. You're in or you're dead."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that if you choose not to do a test, you will die. You will die along with every other person you love."

A shiver ran down Madi's spine.

She texted again.

"How do I know this is real?"

"You don't. You'll only know when you fail and I kill you and your family. "

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"Your questions are maddening. One more unnecessary question and I'll kill one of your people.", he replied.

Madi's hands were shivering. She could barely type.

"Don't do anything to my family. I will take your tests."

"I knew you were smart, Madi. You remind me of myself, except I'm smarter. Now, let's give you the first test... Ready Madelyn Jane?"

"What's the test?"

"See the man next to you? Kill him".

End of Chapter.

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