Day 20 of my drabble-a-day challenge. Here is today's drabble.

The Puzzle Club

They grabbed me and bundled me off the street and into a pitch black room.

Again.

Gas light hissed on, showing a figure in front of a book shelf: curly blonde hair, green suit, a ridged brown-leather corset over an impossibly narrow torso.

Her artificial voice hummed in my ears.

"Welcome..."

"Sophie, I want out."

She smiled. "I don't."

It had sounded fun, an antidote to life's mundanity. I'd signed up immediately, wanting to be plunged into a world of adventure and mystery. Intrigue. Immersive, high-stakes games.

"I lost two fingers last week!"

"I know."

The door slammed behind me.

I love the idea of bargains made, and regretted. Deals sealed before you realise they were a terrible idea. Contracts that must be honoured, even though they are now unwelcome.

When I say “love”, I do of course mean for narrative purpose. They're a right old nightmare in real life!