Arthur, whose life currently consisted of lukewarm coffee and spreadsheets, hovered his mouse over the button. It was an ad for The Labyrinth , a "hyper-realistic, life-altering experience." Most people thought it was a game. Some thought it was a cult. Arthur just wanted to feel something other than boredom. He clicked.
"At the version of yourself you’ve been too afraid to meet." Join now!
He crept into the hallway. Standing in his entryway was a man in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, holding a silver tray with a single, physical key and a blindfold. Arthur, whose life currently consisted of lukewarm coffee
"You joined," the man said, his voice like silk over gravel. "Most people just click. Very few actually want to arrive ." "Arrive where?" Arthur asked, his voice trembling. Arthur just wanted to feel something other than boredom
Arthur chuckled, heart hammering. "Cheap parlor tricks," he muttered. But then, he heard it: the distinct click of his front door latch sliding open.