| << Chapter 4 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 6 >> |
The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light across the clearing as Madi followed Sid out of the cabin. She blinked against the brightness, her eyes adjusting to the warm, golden glow. The air was fresh, filled with the earthy scent and the smell of nearby wildflowers, a stark contrast to the stale mustiness of the cabin. As they walked down a narrow path, Madi caught sight of the garden just ahead, sprawling and lush, surrounded by a low wooden fence.
It was surprisingly large, stretching nearly the entire length of the clearing. Rows of tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and onions lined the beds, their leaves vibrant in the sunlight. Squash and cabbage filled the corners, their broad leaves heavy with dew. Cornstalks towered over the other plants, swaying gently in the breeze, while sunflowers stood tall near the fence, their golden faces turned toward the sky. Green beans curled around trellises, their delicate vines stretching toward the sunlight.
Despite her fear and the constant, oppressive presence of Sid, Madi couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the garden. It was almost peaceful out here, with the sun warming her skin and the soft sounds of nature surrounding her. For a moment, she could almost forget the collar around her neck, the one Sid had strapped on her as a cruel reminder of her captivity.
Sid stopped at the edge of the garden, his gaze sweeping over the rows of plants. "It’s your job to keep this in order," he said, gesturing to the weeds that were already beginning to sprout between the vegetables. "Pull ‘em out by the roots, don’t just yank ‘em. We don’t want ‘em comin’ back."
Madi nodded, swallowing the rising lump of fear in her throat. The collar felt heavier around her neck, a constant, oppressive weight she couldn’t ignore. But for now, she had no choice but to obey.
"Start with those tomatoes," Sid said, pointing to a row where the weeds were most prominent. "I’ll be over there." He nodded toward a stack of logs near the edge of the clearing, where an axe leaned against a stump. "Got firewood to chop."
Madi knelt down in the soft soil, her fingers digging into the earth as she began pulling weeds. The dirt was cool under her hands, the task mindless but somehow grounding. She tugged at the roots, feeling the plants resist before giving way with a satisfying pull. For a brief moment, the simplicity of the work distracted her from the nightmare she was living.
Sid worked nearby, the rhythmic thud of his axe splitting wood echoing through the clearing. The sound was steady, almost hypnotic, as he worked methodically through the pile of logs. Each swing of the axe was powerful, sending a spray of wood chips into the air as the logs split cleanly in two.
This became their routine. Each morning, Sid led Madi out to the garden, watching her tend to the plants while he chopped wood or worked on small repairs around the cabin. The weight of the collar never left her mind, a constant reminder of the invisible fence keeping her prisoner. Madi had no idea if Sid’s threat about the collar was real, but she couldn’t take the chance.
On the third day, Sid seemed different. He was quieter, more focused, as if his mind was elsewhere. Madi kept her head down, pulling weeds and trimming the plants, her hands moving automatically as her thoughts drifted. She was thinking about escape, planning for the right moment when Sid spoke, his voice breaking the silence.
“I’m goin’ hunting today,” he announced, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. “You’ll stay here. I’ll be back before dark. Be a good girl, and you won’t have any problems. Got it?”
Madi nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. This was it. Her chance.
Sid walked toward the cabin, gathering his rifle and hunting gear, his movements slow and deliberate. Madi continued pulling weeds, her mind racing. As soon as Sid disappeared into the woods, she glanced up, watching his figure grow smaller and smaller until he vanished into the trees.
The moment he was gone, Madi sprang into action. She darted to the cabin, her eyes scanning for anything she could use to remove the collar. Sid had locked away anything remotely dangerous—knives, tools, even scissors—but she couldn’t let that stop her. She yanked open drawers and cabinets, searching frantically for something, anything that might help her.
In the kitchen, she found a small, locked cabinet where Sid kept the knives. She tugged at it, but it wouldn’t budge. Her pulse quickened with frustration as she looked around, desperate. And then she spotted it: her backpack.
It was shoved under the sink, half-hidden behind cleaning supplies. She dropped to her knees, pulling it out and unzipping the small front pocket. Her hands shook with relief when her fingers brushed against the familiar shape of her Swiss army knife.
She pulled it out, her breath catching in her throat. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. Madi wasted no time. She carefully unfolded the knife and began working at the collar. The thick leather was tough, but she sawed at it with determination, her heart pounding in her chest. After what felt like an eternity, the collar finally gave way, falling to the floor with a dull thud.
Madi didn’t stop to celebrate. She bolted out the door, her legs moving on pure instinct as she ran up the driveway, past the cabin and toward the gravel road. The air rushed past her as she sprinted, her lungs burning with the effort. She didn’t know where she was going—she just had to get away.
The road stretched out ahead of her, winding through the dense forest. Madi didn’t stop. She ran and ran, her legs aching, her breath ragged, but the fear propelling her forward was stronger than the pain. She didn’t know how long she’d been running, but when she heard the hum of an approaching car, her heart leaped in her chest.
A car appeared in the distance, and Madi waved her arms frantically, tears of desperation filling her eyes. The driver slowed down, a young man with shaggy brown hair and kind eyes leaning out the window.
“You okay?” he asked, concern etched on his face.
Madi gasped for breath, her voice shaking as she spoke. “Please… you have to help me. There’s a man—he’s keeping me hostage! I escaped, but he’ll come after me.”
The young man’s eyes widened. “Get in,” he said, unlocking the door. Madi scrambled inside, her hands shaking as she buckled the seatbelt.
As they drove, she told him everything, her words tumbling out in a frantic rush. The garden, the collar, the way Sid treated her like his daughter. The young man listened, his face grim as he pressed the gas pedal harder, speeding up to get them to safety.
“We’re almost to the highway,” he said, his voice steady despite the urgency in his eyes. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you out of here.”
But just as the highway came into view, a roar of an engine tore through the air. Madi’s stomach twisted in terror as Sid’s old truck appeared behind them, barreling down the gravel road at breakneck speed. Her heart raced as she looked over her shoulder.
“He’s coming,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
The young man glanced in the rearview mirror, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. “Hang on.”
Before Madi could brace herself, Sid’s truck slammed into the back of the car, sending them skidding off the road. The tires screeched, and the world spun as the car careened into an embankment. Metal crunched as they hit the dirt, the impact jarring Madi’s entire body.
Everything went blurry, her vision swimming as her head slammed against the window. Dazed and confused, Madi blinked, trying to make sense of what had just happened. The taste of blood filled her mouth, and the air was thick with the scent of dust and gasoline.
The world around her was spinning, the edges of her consciousness fading as darkness threatened to pull her under. She glanced over at the man that had saved her but he was unconscious, limp in his seat, face covered in blood.
And then… silence.
| << Chapter 4 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 6 >> |
