A Chance Encounter

Chapter Twenty: The Escape Plan

The cabin was now a fortress of fear, tension thick in the air. Everyone sat in silence, the stranger's warning playing over and over in their minds. Kylie could feel the weight of her friends' stares, but no one dared say what they were all thinking: Could one of them already be one of the shadows?

Joshua broke the silence first. "We need to get to the cars and drive out of here, now. If we stay, we're just sitting ducks."

"But what if they're already out there?" Ruby asked, glancing nervously toward the windows. "The woman said they can look like us. We could walk right into a trap."

Malia nodded, her face pale. "What if one of us isn't... us anymore?"

A thick, uneasy silence followed. The idea that any one of them could have already been replaced was terrifying. Kylie swallowed hard, her mind racing. She refused to believe that someone she knew and loved could be taken by those things.

Joshua stood up, taking charge. "We can't start turning on each other. If we do, we're as good as gone. Look, we'll go to the cars together, stay in a group. No one splits off. We just have to keep moving."

Kylie stood up next to him, her determination matching his. "We'll stick together. No one gets left behind. We'll get out of here."

The rest of the group nodded hesitantly, but the fear was clear on their faces. They quickly gathered their things, keeping close to one another as they prepared to leave the cabin. Kylie and Malia stayed side by side, their hands brushing together as they moved toward the door.

The stranger sat on the couch, still trembling, her voice shaky. "I can't go back out there. They'll find me. They're looking for me."

"You're safer with us," Kylie said gently, helping the woman to her feet. "We'll all make it out together."

The group slowly opened the door, stepping out into the unsettling silence of the forest. The once vibrant woods were now eerily still, as if every living creature had fled. The only sound was the crunch of leaves underfoot as they made their way toward the cars parked a few hundred feet away.

"Stay close," Joshua whispered, his eyes scanning the area.

Kylie kept glancing around nervously, every shadow in the trees sending a shiver down her spine. Malia squeezed her hand tightly, offering some comfort despite the tension that hung in the air.

They were almost to the cars when suddenly, a rustling sound came from behind them. Everyone froze, their breath catching in their throats.

"What was that?" Dara asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Ruby spun around, her eyes wide with fear. "I don't see anything."

But the rustling grew louder, closer, like something was moving toward them through the underbrush.

"Run!" Joshua shouted, breaking the paralysis.

In a heartbeat, the group sprinted toward the cars, fear driving their every step. Kylie and Malia ran together, their hearts pounding in sync as the sounds behind them grew louder. It felt as though the shadows were right on their heels.

They reached the cars, breathless and panicked. Joshua yanked open the door to his car, ushering everyone inside.

"Get in, get in!" he yelled, his voice cracking with urgency.

Kylie dove into the backseat with Malia right behind her. Ruby, Peder, and Dara crammed into the car while Joshua turned the ignition. The engine sputtered but didn't start.

"No, no, no!" Joshua shouted, turning the key again. The car roared to life, and they peeled out of the clearing, dirt and leaves flying up behind them.

As they sped down the dirt road, the tension in the car was palpable. No one dared speak, but the fear in their eyes said everything. The woods around them passed by in a blur, and all Kylie could think about was getting as far away from that place as possible.

But as they drove, something felt wrong. The road seemed to stretch on forever, longer than it should have. Kylie glanced out the window, her pulse quickening.

"Joshua... are we going in circles?"

He glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. "What do you mean? We've been driving straight."

But Kylie's stomach twisted with unease. The trees outside looked the same as they had five minutes ago, and the sense of dread grew heavier with each passing second.

Then, without warning, the car jerked to a halt. Joshua slammed on the brakes, and everyone was thrown forward.

"What the hell—" Peder began, but his voice trailed off when they saw it.

A figure stood in the middle of the road, completely still. It was the woman from the cabin.

"But... how?" Ruby whispered, her voice trembling. "She was with us."

Kylie's blood ran cold as she turned to look at the backseat where the woman had been sitting. The seat was empty.