Chapter 65
The hitchhiker seems so certain about the cannibals lying in wait. Carson might not believe him, but you do. After all, why would he lie?
“You know another way out?” you ask the hitchhiker.
“Yes,” he says without hesitation. “It’s not far from here.”
You turn back to Carson, who is frowning down at you. “I’m sorry,” you say to him. “But I think he might be right. I think they’re waiting for us.”
“I really wish you’d reconsider, Sloan,” he says softly. “I’m your only chance to get out of here in one piece. I mean that.”
For a moment, you almost consider changing your mind. But no, it’s too late. This is the path you have chosen.
“Come on, Sloan.” The hitchhiker gestures for you to follow him. “I’ll show you the way.”
You follow the hitchhiker along the side of the mansion. As you walk beside him, you cast a look over your shoulder and find that Carson is staring after you. But after a few minutes, he disappears from view.
“Your friend seemed worried about you,” the hitchhiker remarks. “Do you think he’ll follow us?”
“He’s not my friend,” you correct him. “I only met him tonight. We’re basically strangers.”
“Is that so?” the hitchhiker asks. “Interesting. So I guess that means he isn’t that concerned about you.”
The moon disappears behind some clouds again, and the ground darkens. You suck in a breath. “Are we almost there?”
“Almost.”
The hitchhiker continues to lead you around the mansion, and then through a patch of trees and bushes. Finally, you come to a stop near the gate. Unfortunately, you don’t see any defects in the gate that you can climb through.
“I don’t understand,” you say. “How are we supposed to get out of here?”
“Actually…” A smile spreads across the hitchhiker’s lips. “You’re not.”
Before you can absorb his words, he reaches out and wraps his fingers around your throat.
You try to scream, hoping Carson might hear and rush to your rescue, but the hitchhiker’s fingers have blocked your windpipe.
All you can do is let out a strangled croak, one last syllable before your life comes to a close:
“Why?”
THE END
Want to try for a different ending? Turn back to Chapter 1 (page 1)!