She says to him, "You know what this reminds me of?"
"I don't know. Death?"
"It reminds me of when I was in high school, there was this boy ..." She chuckles. "I can't believe I'm telling you this. Anyway, there was this boy that liked me. He was super nice, but quiet. I was really starting to like him."
"Actually I bet it's darker than death in here," he says. "Does your lamp work?"
"It's a blackout. Why would my lamp work?"
"Your neighborhood has no street lights. There's no moon either. How is that possible?"
"Anyway, he takes me to this burnt-down house on a hill between two highways. Everyone said devil worshippers went there, and it was supposed to be haunted."
"I really have to go home." He yawns. "My wife is probably heading back to the house now."
"It's short. I promise." She clears her throat. "So this boy is holding my hand, leading me to these ruins. And it's dark. I mean, dark like you wouldn't believe."
"I believe it. I think I have to leave without my socks. Are they under the blankets?"
"You can look." She rustles the sheets. "I never believed in any of that horror stuff, but for some reason, I could feel my heart in my throat. It was like I was choking on it, and I never freak out. I mean, you know me. You've seen me at work."
"Yeah, you're a tough one. Is this your shoe or mine? That's yours. Nevermind. Where are my shoes?"
"My hand is sweating, and it's probably grossing him out because it keeps slipping out his hand." She chuckles. "I didn't know what to do though. I've never been the type to back away, but it's getting harder to breathe the closer we get, so I stop him and say, 'I don't think I can do this. I need to go back.' And he says, 'No, I won't let you.'" She gasps. "I swear, I almost fell over. I had no idea what he was going to do next."
"I've got one shoe and no socks. I need a flashlight."
"I'll help you look in a second. So anyway, I'm about ready to die, but then a car passes on the highway, and its headlights shine across us. He's got this sad look on his face that confuses me and then he says … He says …" She giggles. "I've never actually told this to anyone. I'm not even sure why I'm telling you actually. But he says the sweetest thing any human being has ever said to me. I don't even know why I think it's so sweet. You know what he said? Try to guess. I want to see if you can guess."
"I found my other shoe. It was under the bed." A long pause. "Finish your story. My wife is almost home."
The bed creaks as she lies back down. "Forget it. It's dumb."
"Just finish it. What did he say?"
"He said, 'Stay with me. I can't make it without you."
"So what happened?"
"Nothing. I left him there in the dark."