Daria, in that moment, realized that her date was not a wealthy heir, nor a gentleman. The table which was artistically arranged with the most decadent fare— now a rancid mess of carnage and decrepit dinnerware.

“How long have I been in this chair?” she thought, panicked. “And where did Michael go? When had everything changed? Was he ever truly real?”

Just then, Daria heard a creaking coming from then parlor. She remembered, Michael had excused himself to take a call. But, Daria could not recall his greeting, nor echoing the ring ending. Yet, here she was in silence, surrounded by filth and in a home in which she had no recollection.

She snaps back, Michael reentered the dining room, apologizing for his poor manners. Daria is horror-struck, but giving her all to keep her face peaceful to not let on her new found perspective.

He coddles her, rubbing her shoulders and hands, “Are you feeling alright, my dear? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

She froze, unsure of how to respond. Of course she couldn’t hide her fretted eyes and drained face. How could she NOT react. She wanted to laugh, she wanted to cry, she wanted to ask him “What kind of sick joke is this?” and “What did you do to me to make me not remember entering this dreadful place?” She has to say something soon or only he knows what the next call will bring.

“I’m… fine. Who was calling? If you don’t mind my curiosity.”

“Oh, it’s no worry to you. Just a colleague whom wanted my advice on a project at home… I told him I would need to follow up in the morning, since I myself am currently occupied with a… project at home.”

It was almost impossible for her to contain her recoili as he smirked with his final line. Flashing his yellow, grotesque teeth while running his twisted filthy fingers through his overgrown, slimy blonde hair. The more she observed him, the more unrecognizable he became. Who was this man? His voice remained Michael’s, but this foul gaunt beast who presented himself in no way resembled the aristrocrat she had fallen for after haphazardly meeting at the local cafe.

Whatever he is, and wherever she is, Daria realizes she needs to act quickly before he can recognize her panic.