ONE NIGHT IN THE CABIN HOUSE (Completed and NOW Edited!!...)

16

May 4, 1692. 8:00 pm

A dark-skinned man in a stolen nurse's uniform and mask quietly watched the doorway leading to Marylou's room. He saw the caregiver leave and waited a few moments before approaching the door. Opening it cautiously, his eyes fell on the woman he was tasked with helping escape the clinic. She glanced his way and smiled absently, playing her part so well that, for a moment, he thought she might truly be mad.

"Mrs. Marylou," he said, removing his gloves. Marylou pretended not to hear him, continuing to whistle softly.

"You can stop the act now," he added.

Marylou tilted her head, still whistling.

"I'm the man Sabrina sent to help you escape," he informed her. Marylou stopped whistling and stared at him, clearly wanting to see his face.

"Call me Derek," he said, pulling off his mask. Marylou studied his face, noticing the unsettling mixture of violence and innocence.

"We need to leave immediately," Derek urged.

"I was just treated before you came in," Marylou replied, cautiously. "The nurse said she'd be back soon."

"I saw her leave," Derek reassured her with a nod.

"I can't leave in these clothes." She gestured at her hospital gown.

"I thought of that." Derek reached into his backpack and pulled out some pajamas. "I got these from a store across the street."

"Thanks," she said, taking the clothes.

"Change quickly," he instructed.

"Right away." Marylou disappeared into the bathroom, her heart racing as she hurriedly changed out of her hospital gown. She barely had time to think before a tap on the bathroom door snapped her back to reality.

"You alright?" Derek called.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." She brushed her fingers through her hair, trying to regain her composure.

"We must hurry," Derek said when she emerged. He peeked out of the room to check the hallway. "All clear," he said, scattering her hair messily over her face. "Stay close behind me."

They managed to slip out of the clinic unnoticed, and Marylou exhaled in relief when she saw the caregiver from earlier standing with a physician, neither seeming to recognize her. She was grateful when the woman's gaze shifted away.

A white vehicle pulled up, and a loud voice called from inside. "Get in."

Marylou bent to see who was in the driver's seat. "Hey, Sabrina," she said, waving.

"Quickly!" Sabrina urged.

Marylou climbed into the car, and Sabrina warned, "Fasten your seatbelt. It's going to be a long ride."

"What about him?" Marylou asked, pointing at Derek, now dressed in sweatpants. "Isn't he coming?"

"No. He has unfinished business," Sabrina replied, driving off.

Marylou was surprised when Sabrina pulled out her phone and said, "Alert the hospital that she's gone missing." Confused but not wanting to ask questions, Marylou stayed quiet.

A few minutes later, Sabrina stopped the car at a deserted road and stepped out. Marylou watched curiously.

"Come help me with something," Sabrina called.

"What is it?" Marylou asked as she walked to the back of the car. Sabrina had opened the trunk and was pulling out a large plastic-wrapped sack.

"What's that?" Marylou asked, growing uneasy.