Mike Robinson woke up as every guy should: Naked with a girl in each arm. And this, of course, gave him a legitimate reason to have a big grin on his face. As he shook off his sleeping partners, found his clothes, and prepared to leave the room, he shook his head, still in disbelief of how his junior year at college had gone. As he slipped a hooded sweatshirt on to fight the cool wind that still gripped campus in mid-April, he realized the weather was the same that night his life had taken a huge turn off the βnormal' expressway.
It was mid-September when the call had come. Mike was in his room, studying hard at some course he knew he would never use after college, when his room phone had rung. This was abnormal, since both Mike and his roommate relied on their cell phones, and the room phone usually just sat there.
"Hello?"
A female voice, trying to sound disguised, asked neutrally: "Is this Michael Robinson?"
"Yeah, who's this?"
"Mr. Robinson, can you prove your identity?"
"Huh? Why should I?"
"Mr. Robinson, I represent a unique opportunity for you, but I need to be sure it is really you I am speaking to. Please give us a unique piece of information."
His interest now piqued, Mike questioned back: "Like what?"
"Who was you lab partner in freshman chemistry?"
Mike thought back, thinking hard. Suddenly, it hit him. "It was Katie Germain."
"Ahh," He thought. "Katie." A gorgeous blonde whose height of 5'8" did not do justice to a pair of legs perfected through years of ballet. A perfect ass and beautiful smile that'd flirted with Mike all semester. He'd never asked her out though, as he knew she was dating a football player whose bicep size was bigger than his IQ. They'd stayed in touch, but Mike knew from the voice that it wasn't Katie.
"Very good, Mr. Robinson. Now, go out front. There is a cab waiting for you."
Now Mike's mood changed from happy memories to quiet resistance. He looked out the window.
"I don't see a cab."
"It will be there in a minute. Get a coat, its cold. And hurry, we're waiting."
"Is this some kind of sick joke?"
"Trust us, Mr. Robinson, this is no joke."
"Are you from the Kappa Tau's?" Mike's fraternity, Sigma Lambda, had recently trashed a Kappa Tau party, and Mike worried about retaliation.
"No" the voice laughed. "We're much better than that. Please, Mr. Robinson, trust us for tonight. I insist it is in your best interests."
Mike decided that he didn't really feel like studying right now, so why not try something a little different. He grabbed his cell phone in case something went wrong, and left a note for his roommate to call him if he wasn't back by 2 am. He threw on his favorite hoodie, and headed out to meet the cab, which pulled up as he reached the curb.
Mike got in the front seat, and nodded at the driver, who spoke nothing. The cab pulled out, and headed out a back road. Mike started to get nervous, and asked the driver: "Where are we going?"
The driver shrugged, and replied: "I ain't supposed to answer no questions."
Mike sat back into his seat, and watched the dark countryside fly by. Finally, the cab pulled up to a dark farmhouse. The driver stopped, and Mike reached for his wallet. "Your ride has already been paid for buddy. Enjoy your night."