"I'm not going to hurt you." Hope says as she reaches out with one of her hands to touch the back of my head. I can't help but flinch away from this contact, even though it doesn't feel physically painful.
When I woke just moments ago, I found myself in a small room with only a bed, a chair, and a table. There was no door or window, but soft lighting fixtures provided illumination from each of the four walls. I found the room deeply unsettling, but not quite as unsettling; perhaps, as finding that I was not alone in it.
She lay there in the bed, next to me for a moment, watching as I got my bearings. She'd startled me, when she spoke and reached for me.
"... Where am I?" I stated my demand.
"This is where we meet," she replied calmly.
"Who are you? What do you want?" My voice sounded raspy, rough.
"Please call me Hope," she said simply. "And what do I want? That's simple enough—you, ${name}. You will be mine."
Her words sent shivers down my spine. I didn't know if they were fear or excitement, but either way, the thought made me tremble inside.
"What makes you think...?" I started to ask, then stopped myself before continuing. "Why would you want me?"
"You'll understand soon enough." She smiled gently at me. It wasn't a friendly smile. In fact, it seemed almost predatory. "We have much to discuss, after all. And so..." Her hand moved up to caress my cheek softly, as she sat up, her eyes never leaving mine. She leaned in, brushing her lips briefly against my jaw, to whisper in my ear, "... Let us begin."