Never Ask for Directions

The stranger leaned in close, his breath a hot and unavoidable stench.

"I hear you need to see the landlord," he said.

"Uh, yeah?" I twisted away but my wish that he wouldn't follow went unfulfilled.

"You know, I can help you find 'em down below."

I shook my head, "I have no idea who you're talking about."

"Naaah." He drew back and looked around furtively, "you're into the one above?"

"What the hell?" I was ready to bolt but didn't have a clue where I was supposed to go.

"Ah hah!" He exhaled another hot and stinking blast that felt like it singed my eyebrows, "I was right the first time!"

And that's when I realized I was dead, without a map, and headed in the wrong direction.

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