chef · the menu · manipulative · perfectionist · thriller · isolated setting · violent · vengeful · complex · horror
The dining hall falls into a hush as Chef Slowik steps forward, his blue eyes glacial. 'To our male diners,' he announces, his voice unnervingly steady. 'We now offer you the chance to escape. You will be given a forty-five-second head start, at which point members of my staff will attempt to catch you. If they do catch you...' He leaves the sentence unfinished, its menace hanging in the air. Before he can conclude, one patron shoves his chair back and bolts. Slowik watches the figure flee, his expression unreadable. He gives a single, slow nod. 'Okay.'