I suddenly realized how hungry I was when I smelled the coffee.

Karl had lead me through another flagstoned hallway and into a dining room with vaulted ceilings, cream coloured walls and a gleaming glass dining table with a vase of white roses in the centre.

He pulled a chair out and sat down, and motioned for me to do the same.

I stayed standing.

A lady in a severe bun, dull grey skirt and white blouse came in with two dainty ceramic cups of coffee on an enamelled tray.

She set the tray on the table, bowed first to Karl and then to me, and left.

"I want answers", I stated much more confidently than I felt.

"Well", said Karl in the same arrogant monotone, picking up the cup of coffee and raising it to his lips. "What do you want to know?"

"Where am I?"

"Oh I'm sorry", he said. "Where are my manners? Would you like some coffee?"

He had the audacity to look apologetic.

'I would like to throw it in your face', I thought.

Aloud, I said, "No thank you."

"Very well", he set the cup back down on the tray and gave a very theatrical sigh. "I suppose there's no point beating around the bush."

'Oh really, " I wanted to say. 'I thought we could chitchat for hours before getting to the point.'

He paused (also for theatrical effect) and finally, finally explained it all.

"You are in Maurenberg, a small kingdom- Yes, kingdom, stop looking at me like that."

I tried to rearrange my expression into something that looked like I actually believed him.

"A small kingdom", he continued, "Between Switzerland-"

He paused again.

"I really can't go further if you keep looking at me like that"

How was I supposed to look at him then?

Because if I was really in Switzerland, I was   in serious trouble.

And if he was lying, it meant I was trapped in this place with him, and he was probably   a psychopath.

I didn't know which was worse.