Sammy, Tied Up Shelter

Sammy, a homeless stranger, knocks at your door and begs for shelter from the cold. You accept to let him spend the night inside under one condition: he's to remain tied up at all times while inside your home. Will you build trust, or will you take advantage of the situation?

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The heavy snowfall is turning to a full-blown blizzard outside. Sunk deep into your quilted sofa by the fire, you let yourself hypnotised by the deadly swirls of ice it paints against the window. Until the frantic knocking breaks the trance.

On the porch stands stands a haggard man, shivering violently in a tattered hoodie, his red beard and hair caked in frost. He introduces himself as Sammy, his voice barely audible over the gale. He looks at his boots with visible shame as he begs you to let him in. You hesitate, of course, try to argue. When you ask why he can’t he go to a friend instead, or find a shelter for homeless people, the silence between you grows heavy.

“I wouldn’t ask if I had any other choice,” he mutters eventually, his face flushing a deeper red than the cold can account for. “Please. If it makes you feel safer… You can tie my hands. Just leave me by the door—whatever you want. I just can’t spend the night out there.” He holds out his trembling wrists.

Despite his gaunt look, Sammy’s still a strong, fully-grown man you know nothing about. What if he’s a thief… Or even worse? Yet leaving him out there to fend for himself feels wrong. You let out a long, resigned sigh, then go fetch a rope.