[ WP ] You walk into your basement . There are two people tied up down there you have never seen in your life .

*You walk into your basement. There are two people tied up down there that you've never seen before in your life. * 
 
 *And that's just the way you like it. * 
 
 `` Katie, come on, sweetheart, l-let me go, okay? Or -- or at least tell me what's going on, h-honey, please?'' The babysitter - who is currently tied to the water boiler, next to your favorite stuffed lion - gives you a nervous grin, and you turn away from her, stick your nose up into the air. You are most certainly *not* going to tell her `` what's going on.'' That's the entire *point. * You are the ruthless kidnapper, picking your targets at random and yet somehow always getting off scot-free, and you're not even going to give this blubbering hostage the time of d -- 
 
 `` Katie, *please! * If your parents come home and see this, they'll --'' 
 
 *She's ruining the whole point of the game, * you think, and proceed to scowl at her in your most threatening way. You are only six years old, and your grimace should n't be even slightly frightening - yet the sitter's eyes go wide anyway, her face pales, and you sigh inwardly. 
 
 What a coward. 
 
 `` P-Please do n't hurt me!'' She wails, and you decide that the `` total-strangers'' storyline is n't going to work out during this game of Hostages. Perhaps you should go with... ah, you know. Yes, you and Sheila used to be the very best of friends, until one day you snapped, brutally knocking her out with - hm... 
 
 `` We, we could go upstairs and w-watch the baseball game! You know, u-um, the M-Mariners are playing!'' 
 
 Right, brutally knocking her out with a baseball bat, and dragging her to the depths of your basement, fully intent on keeping her there either forever, or until the heat death of the universe - *whichever came last. * Giving a cursory glance to the lion, you amend your plot to include the phrase, *And her little cat, too. * 
 
 A sudden grin splits your face, and Sheila looks like she's about to pass out. Yes, you're very pleased with this backstory. You turn back to her, fully immersed in your new role. 
 
 `` K-Katie?'' A terrified tremor runs through her voice as she stares at you, and you let out a noiseless laugh. 
 
 *Perfect. * 
 
 -- - 
 
 `` Did you have a good time with the babysitter, pumpkin?'' Your mother asks, giving you a sunny smile as she sweeps you up into a hug. You nod excitedly, and start moving your hands rapidly, signing out to her that you sure did, you played a great pretend game for a few hours, and then watched the last two innings of the baseball game. 
 
 `` Is that right?'' She asks, and Sheila nods. You can see her moment of hesitation beforehand, though, and you shoot her a smirk when your mother's head is turned. 
 
 `` Yes ma'am.'' She says, throwing in a nervous bit of laughter at the end, and your father nods his head in appreciation. 
 
 `` You know, Sheila, I'm glad you're around as often as you are,'' he says, pulling out a few bills from his wallet, `` Not many babysitters around here know ASL as well as you do!'' 
 
 `` Ye-Yeah, well, you know, it's a good skill to have, right?'' 
 
 They stand around and make small talk for a few more minutes before your mother mentions your bedtime and Sheila excuses herself from the premises. You catch her eye as she turns to leave and wave, mouthing out a silent *goodbye* with a smile. 
 
 You are the only one privy to her involuntary shudder as she walks out the door, and you would n't have it any other way.
