Jenn could barely breathe, her heart racing as the grip tightened around her mouth. Panic clawed at her throat, but she forced herself to remain still. She felt the cold metal of the bear trap biting into her ankle, the pain shooting up her leg like fire. She closed her eyes for a moment, focusing on the smell of damp earth and rain, trying to drown out the terror that threatened to consume her.
Then the hand was gone, but only for an instant. She could feel someone hovering over her, the weight of their presence heavy in the air. Jenn blinked her eyes open, trying to adjust to the dim light filtering through the trees. She saw a figure, cloaked in shadow, their features hidden beneath the brim of a rain-soaked hood.
“Shh,” the figure said, their voice low and urgent. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m here to help.”
Jenn’s heart skipped a beat as she recognized the voice. It was her—Fiona, the woman she’d seen earlier, the one the hooded man had been trying to kill.
“Fiona?” Jenn managed to whisper, her voice hoarse and barely audible. “Is it really you?”
“Keep your voice down!” Fiona hissed, her hands reaching for the bear trap, her fingers nimble despite the rain. “I have to get you out of this. Just… hold still, okay? We don’t have much time.”
Jenn couldn’t think straight. The pain in her ankle throbbed as Fiona examined the trap, her brows furrowed in concentration. The forest felt alive, shadows moving with the rain, the distant rustling of leaves amplifying her fear.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?” Fiona asked, glancing up briefly, her eyes wide and intense. “Can you move your leg?”
Jenn shook her head, biting her lip to suppress a groan. “It’s trapped. I can’t… I can’t get it out.”
Fiona’s hands were quick and determined as she inspected the bear trap. “Okay, just breathe. I’ll need to loosen the spring first.”
The rain pelted them relentlessly, and Jenn felt the cold seeping through her clothes, chilling her to the bone. Fiona’s fingers felt surprisingly warm against the metal of the trap, but the pressure on Jenn’s ankle was excruciating.
“Hang on,” Fiona said, her voice steady, as she pulled a small multi-tool from her belt. “I’ve done this before.”
With careful precision, Fiona manipulated the trap, twisting and pushing against it. Jenn watched, her breath hitching as the pain intensified, but Fiona didn’t relent. She focused entirely on her task, her expression fierce.
“I’m not letting him get you,” Fiona said suddenly, her eyes darting to the forest as if she could sense something lurking just beyond the shadows. “You’re going to be okay. Just hold on.”
“Who is he?” Jenn asked, the words spilling out despite her fear. “Why is he trying to kill you?”
Fiona didn’t answer immediately, her focus on the trap, sweat beading on her forehead despite the rain. “He’s… someone who believes I owe him something. A debt. And he thinks he can collect by hurting people I care about.”
A sudden surge of anger rushed through Jenn, and she gritted her teeth. “You shouldn’t have to pay for anything. It’s not right!”
Fiona paused, meeting Jenn’s gaze. “You don’t understand. This isn’t just about me. It’s about everyone he’s hurt. I can’t let him continue.”
Before Jenn could respond, a loud crack echoed through the trees, followed by a muffled thud. Jenn’s heart dropped. “What was that?”
Fiona’s eyes widened, and she instantly resumed her work. “We need to hurry. He could be coming back any second.”
With a final twist of the multi-tool, the trap clicked open. Jenn gasped as Fiona released the metal jaws, pulling them apart just enough for her to free her foot. The pain surged anew, sharp and unyielding, as she felt the trap give way.
“Got it!” Fiona exclaimed, helping Jenn to her feet. “Can you stand?”
Jenn swayed unsteadily, her ankle screaming at her, but she nodded, pushing through the pain. “I think so. But—”
“No time for ‘buts’!” Fiona said, urgency coursing through her voice. “We need to get you out of here. Can you walk? Just follow me. Stay close.”
Jenn took a tentative step, her foot landing awkwardly in the mud. She winced but forced herself to take another step, then another. Together, they moved away from the trap, the darkness pressing in around them as they entered the treeline.
The forest loomed with shadows, branches twisting like fingers reaching for them. The rain continued to fall, a relentless curtain that muffled the sounds of the outside world. Jenn could hear nothing but her own breathing and the squelching of mud beneath her feet.
As they moved deeper into the woods, Jenn’s mind raced. “Fiona, what do we do now? Where are we going?”
“There’s an old cabin not far from here,” Fiona replied, glancing back over her shoulder. “It’s a place I use to hide when he’s around. We can regroup there and figure out what to do next.”
Jenn followed Fiona closely, trying to ignore the pain in her ankle, focusing instead on the small sense of hope that flickered inside her. But the fear nagged at her, a constant reminder of the danger they were in. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.
Suddenly, Fiona stopped, raising a hand. “Listen.”
Jenn froze, her heart pounding in her chest. The forest felt different now, charged with tension. She strained her ears, trying to catch any sound. A moment later, she heard it—a faint crunching noise, like someone stepping on branches and leaves, coming from behind them.
“Run!” Fiona shouted, her voice slicing through the stillness.
Without thinking, Jenn turned and sprinted as fast as she could, her foot pounding against the mud, the pain in her ankle almost unbearable. She could hear Fiona behind her, pushing through the branches, urging her on.
“Keep going!” Fiona called. “Just a little further!”
Jenn’s lungs burned, and she felt her legs grow heavy with fatigue. Just when she thought she couldn’t run another step, they burst into a small clearing. In the center stood a dilapidated cabin, its windows dark and foreboding. It looked as if it had been abandoned for years, but it was their only hope.
“Inside! Quick!” Fiona yelled, pulling Jenn toward the door.
Jenn stumbled but managed to reach the cabin, Fiona pushing the door open just in time. They ducked inside, the old wood creaking under their weight. The air was thick with dust, and the smell of mildew hung heavy. But it was shelter, and for the moment, it was enough.
Fiona slammed the door shut behind them, her breathing heavy as she leaned against it, her eyes wide with fear. “We need to barricade it,” she said, rushing to a nearby table, pushing it against the door. “Can you help me?”
Jenn nodded, though her hands trembled as she reached for a nearby chair. Together, they pushed the furniture against the door, creating a makeshift barrier. It wouldn’t hold long, but it was something.
“What now?” Jenn asked, her voice shaking.
Fiona took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the dimly lit cabin. “Now we wait and see if he’s followed us. If he finds us here, we have to be ready to fight back.”
As they stood together in the dark cabin, Jenn couldn’t shake the feeling that danger was lurking just outside, waiting for the right moment to strike.
“Fiona…” Jenn began, but she couldn’t find the words. Everything was happening too fast. She felt a surge of gratitude for the woman who had saved her life, but at the same time, she was terrified of what might come next.
“Just stay close,” Fiona said, placing a hand on Jenn’s shoulder, her grip firm and reassuring. “We’ll get through this. I promise.”
But as they huddled together in the dark, Jenn couldn’t help but wonder what fate awaited them both. She glanced at the door, her heart racing as she listened for any sign of the hooded man. And in the depths of her mind, the question lingered—who would make it out alive?
YOU ARE READING
night of redemption hit and run
Mystère / Thriller"Left for dead, bound by guilt, she stumbles upon a darker crime-will she save herself, or risk it all to save a stranger?" After a rough day at work, overwhelmed housewife Jenn makes the mistake of drowning her problems in alcohol. Driving home in...
