Eight o’clock on the dot, my shift had just ended. I packed up quickly, eager to head home. As I approached the automatic doors leading to the boulevard, I was met with a familiar frustration, the power was out again, and the doors wouldn’t budge.
By now, the office was completely empty. I was the last one left, and my only option was the side exit, which led to a quieter, less-traveled part of the city. The area had a rough reputation, but with no alternative, I stepped outside, scanning my surroundings as I searched for a taxi or some other way home. The streets were eerily still, and a strange tension hung in the air.
After several long minutes, a lone car finally pulled up. To my surprise, the driver was Peter, an old friend I hadn’t seen in years. A wave of relief washed over me. It was a welcome surprise, and I figured it would be a good chance to catch up. But as the drive stretched on, I noticed something strange, Peter hardly spoke, his focus locked on the road.
The further we went, the darker the surroundings became. The city lights faded behind us, replaced by looming trees and thick fog. The headlights barely cut through the mist, and an uneasy feeling settled in my chest. I tried to brush it off, telling myself I was just overthinking, but the deeper we drove into the woods, the stronger my instincts screamed that something was off.
Eventually, Peter slowed the car near a murky lake, its surface coated in moss. The sight triggered a distant memory, I hadn’t been here since we were kids. Without a word, Peter stepped out and gestured for me to follow. My heart pounded, but something, curiosity or maybe just the need for answers,pushed me to open the door. The cold, damp earth squelched beneath my feet as I followed him toward the water. My mind raced, grasping for explanations, but before I could make sense of it, a bright light flickered in the distance.
And then, the shock hit me. From the darkness, a chorus of voices erupted. Laughter. Cheers. The last thing I expected was to see a group of our old friends, grinning, clapping, holding balloons. « Surprise! » they shouted in unison, their faces glowing with excitement. Peter finally broke into a wide grin, and in an instant, everything made sense, this was a surprise party.
The fear melted into disbelief, then laughter. I had walked straight into their elaborate plan, and for a moment, I just stood there, shaking my head at how completely they had fooled me