Threw me for a couple loops, I didn’t know what I was reading. Actually, still not sure – could be thriller, could be a kinky sexcapade, etc. But the description is spectacular.

Wow.
I admit I’m a little lost as well. Seems intentional, like you’re setting up a sequel that could go so many directions. If that’s the case, quite well done.

Thanks Mark & INA!

I spent time setting the scene on the fire escape. I toyed with only mentioning one persons physical position, forcing you to calculate how my protagonist is sitting, like describing only one puzzle piece. Maybe I went overboard on that issue. But, I played the scene with my partner, he played the woman and followed the “steps” in my piece, it worked perfectly and he loved the story. He said it the kind you have to read a line, then close your eyes to imagine what you’ve just read, which is a good critique in of itself.

Made some changes, threw an opera theme in the mix.

Ah, so this is where that challenge went. Well it seems to have found a good home here. The present tense is obviously intentional but it makes me uncomfortable. Maybe that’s more me than you. Maybe that’s what good writing is supposed to do.

Oops. I forgot. Excellent descriptions and there are just so many openings and hooks for future installments. Who is cheating on who? Has there been a murder? Why is there a captor? Well done.

@ Robert: YES! Why, Why? WHY?!!

Dark and intriguing. I can see why Elsha threw on a sequel. Great scene and idea. It’s a bit like ‘Rear Window’ in that voyeuristic sense.

I knew from the first line that this would be good. Nice use of first person and present tense, always an interesting combination (and my favourite.) It’s very clever! And almost dream like. Such a great opening! Ooh I’m all excited!

You didn’t go overboard. Great Job. I’m afraid to sequel!