LANCE
Just a little more and I could have gnash whoever splash smoke bombs inside the apartment.
I keep my ears alert for a soft shuffling of feet or whispers above the smoke. I pick up nothing. I inhaled some to my lungs. Then breathe in relief.
There wasn't any sleeping or poison components. Just a usual smell of choking smoke when burning down houses.
What I didn't expect, is for the transparent figure to stand out behind me. I can see shaggy head, build same as me, and a hand reaching out to touch me.
It's Sam. This is Sam. This smoke is to bring out Sam. It's a trap. I leaped to tackle him down. Too late. A rope, with thorny sides wrapped at my chest, tying both of my hands down.
Somebody pulled me away from Sam. I land at the floor with a loud crash. Body squirming, convulsing, the rope is not your ordinary boat sailing knot rope. It's electrical. And definitely connected to some power source.