[Pick a Door]

The hum enunciates its voice one last time, each word spoken flawlessly and leaving no room for misunderstandings.

"Pick a door," it says. "This choice will determine your fate for the next 24 hours."

Just as it finishes speaking, the spots expand rapidly, gaining distinct hues while tearing circular shapes into the void.

The spheres then gain depth, then texture, and lastly, a knob each. They're doors, one blue, one red.

You don't even get the chance to make a choice before another dark spot twists the space between the materialized doors. Something long pokes out and tears the hole wider. You realize they're claws, fingers the size of your hand. Then come the eyes, and lastly a mouth, at which point whatever this thing is pulls itself out in its entirety.

Seeing this thing... It's a feeling you can't put into words. You've already resigned yourself to your fate. There's nowhere left to take a step back to.

The creature stands taller than you, hunching low as it examines you with its milky eyes. The tiny hope you had for it to be blind vanishes instantly. Its hair hangs like strands of silk, as white as everything else in this place. Its body is covered by a dress too large even for this beast, the hems folding upon themselves as they reach the floor.

Your eyes dart back onto its face. It's smiling, white and perfect, its regular teeth out of place among all the fangs. There is so much white on it that, unfocused, it looks like a floating face.

Suddenly, it extends a finger toward both doors.

"Red," it says, its voice melodious and feminine. Your surprise doesn't go unnoticed, its smile growing wider. "Or blue," it continues after a pause.

You remain silent, not keen on gambling your fate on a whim.

...

It speaks? you suddenly realize.

"Hesitation is also a choice," it playfully notes.

"...What if I refuse?" you probe, voice skittish.

"Is that your choice?"

"No!" you shout instinctively, hoping it wouldn't lock in your choice. "No... I mean what if," you softly clarify.

"Try it and you'll find out. I'll give you a minute."

"But... What..." you pause. You almost ask it what it is, but wonder if the question would come off as rude. It definitely doesn't look like something you want to upset. "Why must I pick? What's inside?"

"A place. Time's passing," it responds dismissively.

The walls pulse once, sending a warping ripple across the doors. They flicker a few times before stabilizing again.

"Can you give me a hint? Any kind of help? Please?" you hurriedly plead.

The creature giggles, its cheeks covering half an eye each. Suddenly, it taps the blue door twice.

"What's in there?" you probe again, hopeful.

"A place." Its voice jumps in pitch as it stifles another giggle. "Half a minute left."

The walls pulse a deeper beat as the doors disappear for a whole second before reappearing.

You grit your teeth and advance a step, fearing you'd be left without a choice if you hesitate any longer.