Out of all the things that go unplanned, I think it’s safe to say that this was one of them. I still remember the bright light I started to see when I was reaching the end. I was just expecting something different. The second the bright light dissipated, a set of doors appeared in front of me. I cautiously walked through them and was surprised to find a waiting room filled with other people who looked like regular people. Before I could wonder what everyone else could be in for, the receptionist asked “How can I help you ma’am? “ I walked closer to her desk. “I am not…sure..where I am exactly.” I muttered, almost embarrassingly. “Name?” She asked. “Claire Montgomery.” I responded. The lady typed something in her computer. “You can take a seat now.” The lady said. She must have sensed my apprehension, because she repeated herself, doubling down “Take a seat.” She demanded.

The waiting room was suprising full but I was able to find an empty seat next to an older looking man. “Excuse me, do you know where we are.” I asked the man next to me. He turned his head and looked at me darkly before turning his head back to where it was. What the hell was going on around here? I waited for what seemed like another hour in the room. I was expecting everyone else to be sent through the other set of doors by the receptionist one by one, but nothing happened. I didn’t even sense impatience from the other people in the room, just despair. I felt the receptionist looking at me, sensing my inner panic. “Claire. Claire Montgomery.” The receptionist called. I walked up to the receptionist desk. She pointed to the other set of doors. “You can go right through the door.” I figured I would take another chance “Can I ask-“ “Through the doors” she boomed.

I passed through the doors quickly both wanting to find the end of my curiosity and to avoid any further trouble from the receptionist. I found myself in a small white room. Nothing. I try opening the doors I recently passed through but they wouldn’t budge. I look down and before I know it, the floor beneath me disappears. I drop down to a giant dark cave. If it weren’t for the little fires erupting throughout the cave sporadically, I wouldn’t be able to see anything at all. A smoke cloud appears before me and unveils a man. He scans my face carefully. “Hi, I’m-.” “Claire Montgomery.” He cut me off. “I know who you are” he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. I blush. “I don’t know where I am, but I am sure it is a mistake.” I stuttered out. “Is there someone I can speak to about this” I said trying to fish for an answer. He circled me looking at me up and down. “C’mon, who is in charge?” I asked more demandingly than I meant. He places his hand on the small of my back as he leans in and whispers “I am.” He winks at me and vanishes again. My body is tingling. Suddenly, I am less worried about finding a way out and now I wonder how to get further in.