Keep Talking to the Intruder
You see a stunning woman with long red hair. She’s dancing at home, her movements graceful and seductive.
This is a collaborative choose your own adventure story. Click here for the chapter guide. Go back to chapter 1 by Linden Schneider here. Return to the previous chapter here.
Your blood boils that this unknown caller, Varia, keeps bragging about having sex with your partner.
For some reason, your partner seems calm and confident that you’ll see this as just another scam caller.
But what’s the real truth?
No matter how disgusted you are, you’re not giving up.
Varia chuckles. “If you have the guts to do it, you and your partner should come on vacation with me.”
“Vacation?” you gawk and exchange a shocked glance with your partner.
“Why, are you such a workaholic that you won’t even consider a vacation?” Varia taunts. “Look, I know we got off on a bad footing, but I promise you I’m not a horrible person. Why don’t we meet up and have fun together, just the three of us?”
Your partner shakes their head at you, and you frown as you reply, “Why should we hang out with a random stranger? My partner says they’ve never heard of you, either.”
“Ha! Maybe your partner is too forgetful. I’m sure they will remember once they see me again.” A dry laugh. “Oh how about this? I’ll send you a video of myself to spark your memory.”
Your partner’s phone pings as a message arrives. It’s the link to the clip.
Your partner furrows their brows, but doesn’t stop you when you press the play button.
In the video, you see a stunning woman with long red hair. She’s dancing at home, her movements graceful and seductive.
Soon, she talks to someone behind the camera. That someone has your partner’s voice.
The two talk with the intimacy of lovers, teasing and bantering. Near the end of the video, it looks like she and your partner are about to get naked together.
Gritting your teeth, you’re about to slam the stop button. But the video stops right when the woman begins to disrobe.
On the phone, Varia laughs. “Are you disappointed that I ended the video there? In case you forgot, this was what we decided. I would cut this video short and continue the video on a different clip. But to whet your appetite, I would keep the second clip. You would have to beg me for that sequel!”
Your partner snorts. “I don’t need to see anymore.” They sound cold, far colder than you have ever heard.
Varia says, “You’re impossible. Always playing so hard to get. Heck, I’m considered a decently beautiful woman, yet you still make me feel insecure. Alas. Does your spouse get cold-shouldered like this, too?”
“Leave my spouse out of this,” your partner says, their voice hard as frozen glass.
“Wait,” you interrupt. “Everything is happening too fast. Do you really recognize her? Who is she?”
Your partner closes their eyes and takes a deep breath. “Yes, I didn’t recognize her voice but I recognized her face. She was someone I knew from a long time ago, way before I met you. I have no more feelings for her.”
“And you haven’t seen her since you got together with me, right?” you have to ask.
Your partner shakes their head. “I lost interest in her ages ago. Sure she was pretty but she was also manipulative and cruel.”
Varia cuts in, “That’s not true.” Her voice becomes desperate. “You have no idea how it’s like, being abandoned after giving yourself to someone, body and soul. You are the cold one. I was fun to you at first, but you only like new things. How long will it be before you get tired of your lovely spouse, too?”
Your partner clenches their fists. They look up at you. “We don’t need to keep hearing her yapping. She’s just a bitter ex. Breakups happen. Feelings change. She took it way too personally and now she’s painting me as the villain.” Your partner’s glance is supplicating now. “You believe me over her, don’t you?”
How do you respond?
- Believe your partner
- Believe Varia
