Day 330

You stood there on the corner of the bridge between two cities.
With Ipswich behind you and Suffolk in front you waited for the signal.
A child's laughter cut through the air just as the email had said.
Glancing down at the printed message you took four steps in front, three to the left.
And then you waited for the next signal.

The route you took to get there was incredibly specific, made the journey thrice as long.
As you waited a few cars sped past you, not even glancing in your direction.
You wondered why the email said this specific bridge, why did it want you to go there?
More importantly, why did you feel compelled to do so?
The feeling of icy water dripping down your right leg signalled for you to continue on.

Twenty paces forward and turn sharply right (as indicated by the water) and wait.
You were almost in the centre of the bridge now, from what the plaque on one end said you
were around 2,111 feet over the River Orwell and 623 feet above it.
Right before your eyes a whirlpool began to form in the fast-flowing current.
The final signal was almost upon you and fear began to take hold as the end of the email began.

Step twelve
Jump.
If the steps were followed correctly you will feel nothing but softness.
Keep your eyes closed - this is crucial.
There will be voices around you calling with the voices of your loved ones.
Do NOT open your eyes, do not breathe too deeply and do not flinch.
They will tear at your clothing, at your skin but do not cower.

Instead count to forty.
As you reach twenty the air around you will feel lighter, the voices will fade.
By thirty your feet will touch solid ground.
On the count of forty say aloud "The twelfth step is done".
Open your eyes, you will be there.

And that's where the instructions ended.
It never said where you would be, only that you would be.
As you glanced about you saw a torch hovering in front of you, one of those old wooden ones.
On impulse you grabbed it and felt it gently tugging you forward.
Placing all of your trust in that fragile light source you headed off.

You felt warmth behind you and heard faint sirens.
Curiously you looked back and saw your body being dredged from the River Orwell.
You were pale blue and swollen.
There was no ambulance, only a bodybag.
The torch yanked at your hand, drawing you away from that scene.

Had it been real?
Did this mean you succeeded or was this all for nothing?
You followed the message down to the last letter.
Before you could ponder any further neon lights sprung out of the darkness.
It took a few moments for you to read what they said, they seemed to be the seven deadly sins.

You didn't understand, where had you been taken?
The signs turned into arrows, pointing you left as the torch pulled you right.
Torn you stood still, letting go of the torch to think.
As soon as your hand left the rough wooden light everything went dark.
The laughter of children rose around you as you felt hands clasping your ankles with sharp claws.