Stuck in an Island with Twelve Beautiful Women

Jude shook his head. "Why would I go there?"

The man’s expression didn’t change. "Because you’re looking for answers."

Jude let out a short, humorless laugh. "And you have them?"

"I have enough," the man said. "The rest, you’ll have to find on your own."

Jude looked down at the address again. It wasn’t far. Somewhere in the older part of the city. He didn’t recognize it.

When he looked up, the man was already moving toward the door.

"Wait," Jude said. "If I don’t go?"

The man paused, glancing over his shoulder. "Then you’ll keep feeling it. The shift. The questions. The uncertainty."

Jude didn’t speak.

The man nodded slightly. "I’ll see you there."

Then he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him.