'Negotiate' with the old man
From Create Your Own Story
"You don't have the right to keep us here!" you challenge. You take a firm grip of Charmaine's shoulders and you turn back to the cellar door. "We're going home!"
The old man snaps his fingers. The door to the stairs slams shut. He cackles with glee.
"We'll have to see about that!"
"Where's my brother?!" Charmaine demands, swallowing her fear.
"He's being well taken care of!" Chang half-walk, half-dances to an old chair covered with cobwebs. He sinks down into it amidst a cloud of dust. "Just like you will be!"
Suddenly he closes his eyes and falls asleep.
Charmaine and you glance at each other, then back to the horrible black thing sprawled in the filthy chair.
"He's crazy," you whisper to her. "He can't keep us here. We'll find Kwan and get out."
"B-b-but what if he won't let us escape?" she whispers back.
"Wait till he's fast asleep," you promise. "Anyhow, we're only ten minutes from home." Suddenly you begin to feel brave, very brave. "When we don't come back, Mum and Dad will call the police. They'll search for us. And when they find our bikes outside-"
Chang jumps up from his chair. He gives another mad laugh.
"I forgot to tell you something!"
He takes a torch from his pocket and shine it into the darkest corner of the room.
Your shoulders slump. Your knees turn to jelly. Charmaine gives a sad whimper.
Your bicycles are all neatly stacked against the wall, with a big, thick chain around them.
That's when you know it.
Both of you have no hope.
No hope at all.
