The Sitting Alive - Season 3

Episode 12 - Out Of The Woods

Colin gripped his makeshift weapon tightly as he crept up the stairs, his pulse quickening with each step. The faint creak of wood under his feet seemed deafening in the silence, his breath shallow as he strained to listen for any signs of movement. The noise he had heard wasn't loud, just the slightest shuffle, but it had been enough to set his nerves on edge, "Stay calm," he whispered to himself, his mind racing with possibilities. Could it be the wind? A stray animal? Or worse-The Marauders?

Meanwhile, Ethel remained downstairs in the basement, her gaze flicking nervously between the Marauder they'd captured and the staircase leading up to Colin. She clutched her knife tightly, trying to calm the panic rising within her. Every second felt like an eternity, and she couldn't help but imagine the worst.

Upstairs, Colin reached the top of the stairs and paused, pressing his ear against the wall. He heard a faint, barely perceptible scuffle. Someone was inside. His heart sank. He took a deep breath and peered around the corner, scanning the corridor cautiously. In the dim light, he caught a glimpse of movement-a shadow flickering just out of sight. His heart raced as he stepped forward. Then he saw them. Two figures moving silently through the school. Mike and Daurine. It was only a matter of time before they found him. Or worse, before they found Ethel and the Marauder in the basement. Colin swallowed hard, trying to think of a plan. He had to act fast. If they realized he was there, he would have no chance to warn Ethel.

Downstairs, Ethel remained on edge, unaware of the danger lurking just a floor above. Ethel whipped around, her heart jumping as the Marauder's voice cut through the tense silence. She glared at him, gripping her knife even tighter. The Marauder smirked, his eyes glinting with malicious amusement, "You ain't gonna get very far, little lady. Y'know that, right?" His voice was low and taunting.
Ethel's nerves were already stretched thin, and his words only made her more anxious. She didn't respond at first, her mind racing as she tried to figure out what to do next. Colin was upstairs, and if he didn't return soon, she'd have to handle this situation alone.
"Shut up," she finally muttered, trying to sound braver than she felt.
The Marauder chuckled again, shifting slightly in his restraints. "You think you and your friend upstairs stand a chance?"
Ethel clenched her jaw, refusing to let him see her fear, "We've handled worse than you."
"Have you?" His smirk grew wider, "Because it sounds to me like your little rescue mission's already falling apart. We don't leave loose ends. You and your man are as good as dead."
A surge of panic threatened to rise in Ethel, but she forced herself to stay calm. She couldn't let him get into her head. Not now, "You're bluffing," she spat. "Colin's upstairs right now, and he'll come back any second. We've got everything under control."
But even as she said the words, doubt gnawed at her. The Marauder's smirk remained, his confidence unnerving, "You really believe that?" He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Then why do you look so scared?"
Ethel's heart pounded in her chest.

Colin's breath caught as he saw the unmistakable figures of Mike and Daurine moving through the school. His mind raced, weighing his options. He could try to confront them, but he was outnumbered, and they were both more experienced fighters. He could also retreat and warn Ethel, but that would leave the Marauders a clear path to her and the hostage. As his heart pounded in his chest, Colin considered creating a distraction or luring them away, buying enough time for Ethel to prepare or for them both to make an escape. He crept back, staying low and hidden behind the walls, trying to formulate a plan on the fly.
The sound of their voices carried faintly through the air.
"Make sure you check upstairs," Daurine said, her voice cold and steady, "We don't leave until we find every last one of them."
Colin's eyes darted around, looking for anything he could use to turn the odds in his favor. A creaky floorboard, a vase he could knock over, anything that would buy them some time. He spotted a small, half-open window that led to the outside. If he could slip out and circle around, maybe he could lead them away from Ethel. His pulse quickened as he quietly unlatched the window, preparing to make his move. He knew he had to be fast and careful-one wrong move, and Mike and Daurine would catch him. He couldn't let that happen. With a final glance over his shoulder, he slipped through the window and out into the cool night air, moving quickly but quietly around the school. As Colin crouched by the side of the school, he picked up a small rock, tossing it toward a nearby bush. The rustling sound startled Mike, and Colin watched as both of them turned toward the noise.
"What was that?" Mike muttered, his hand resting on the handle of his weapon.
Daurine nodded toward the noise, signaling for Mike to investigate, "Go check it out. I'll finish sweeping the house."
Colin's heart raced. He had managed to lure at least one of them away, but he knew this was only a temporary solution. He needed to get back inside, warn Ethel, and figure out a way for both of them to escape before it was too late.