The next time AJ walked in, he dragged me out of the room by my hair.

She was standing in the room that led to my cell, her arms crossed and her eyes glaring down at me with disgust.

"We're going to play a game," she said with a smirk. "If you find the key to the front door within half an hour, you can go free."

I looked at her, my eyes brightening. "Really?" I paused for a moment. "But what if I don't find it?"

"That's the catch. Your friends are on their way with the police," she told me slowly. A smirk appeared on her face. "I hacked into your phone to let me hear their conversation. If you don't find the key in time, AJ will kill the police and your friends right in front of you. And then you will die as well."

I stayed silent as AJ cut me free.

"Now go on, the timer starts now," She lifted her hand. In it was a small timer set to 30:00, and she clicked a button on the side. The time slowlt began to wind down.

I scrambled to my feet and dashed into the living room, throwing every movable object out of my way. I looked under the couches and the recliner, and in between any cracks. I checked the bookshelves, the TV stand, the cabinets, behind the TV.

It wasn't in the living room.

"Twenty minutes left!" she yelled, cackling.

I gulped. I would have to hurry.

Think, I heard Yukio's voice say. It should be somewhere obvious.

I felt my heart beat faster and faster. I hurried into the kitchen, looking through every shelf, drawer, and cupboard. I even checked the sink and the drainer. I dumped out the garbage can and sifted through the trash, gagging at the smell but continuing to go on.

I frantically searched the dining room, the bedroom, the bathroom.

Nowhere.

"Five minutes, honey!"

Her voice sent shivers down my spine. She said it like it was so...normal.

I felt a lump growing inside of my throat and I struggled to breath around it, thinking.

Somewhere obvious.

Somewhere obvious.

I looked at the front door, lifting up the mat.

Underneath it was a small, slightly rusted golden key.

"Time's up, sweetheart."

"I found it!" I grinned, turning around to face her, holding up the key.

She threw back her head, laughing.

Her next four words froze me to the core, making me tense with horror.

"That's the wrong key."