Chapter 43
You decide you’d better open the door. It’s just good manners, after all. Especially since it’s cold out, and you don’t want to leave a visitor waiting at the doorstep.
You notice, however, that there is a chain lock on the door. That means you can unlock it and see who is out there without opening it all the way. You suppose that with a large mansion like this, you can’t be too careful, although the gate around the estate seemed like a fortress.
You unlock the door, and when you peek out through the crack, you are stunned. Standing before you is the hitchhiker that you passed way back on the road. You recognize his big bushy beard and unkempt hair.
“Oh, thank God,” he cries. “I’ve been wandering this mountain for the last hour. It’s so cold out there. I thought I was going to freeze to death!”
“That sounds awful,” you say.
The hitchhiker hugs his chest for warmth, bouncing on his heels. “Could you let me in? Just for a minute? I won’t bother you. I just need to call a friend to pick me up.”
It’s a reasonable request. The man wants shelter on a cold night, just for the length of a phone call. Except…
“Um,” you say, “I’m not sure if I should. This isn’t my house…”
“I understand,” he says, “but I’m not looking for a place to stay. Just the use of your phone. Please.”
You start to reach into your pocket to give him your cell phone, but then you remember there’s no service out here. The only way he’ll be able to use the phone is to come inside and use the landline.
“Please.” His teeth chatter against each other. “It’s so cold out here. I just need to call my friend.”
“Uh…”
His eyes widen. “Please. If you don’t let me inside, I’m going to die out here.”
Obviously, you don’t want this man to die. But you also don’t know if it’s a good idea to let someone you know into the house. That’s Stranger Danger 101.
What should you do?
To let the hitchhiker inside, turn to Chapter 44 (page 106)
To send the hitchhiker away, turn to Chapter 45 (page 110)