Escape

By Darci Ward

Escape. It's a powerful and terrifying emotion. In the moment of realization, fight or flight has already kicked in with the sole focus of getting out, getting away and getting to safety. Sally finds her, and Janet's lives on a timer. With no way to escape and forced to complete this game before sunrise, Sally must give up and die, or move forward hoping to save both of them. Can she handle the physical pain and not allow the psychological torture to stop her in her tracks?   

• Language: English
• Publisher: Darci Ward
• Release date: Jun 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393847908

Book preview

Escape. It’s a powerful and terrifying emotion. In the moment of realization, fight or flight has already kicked in with the sole focus on getting out, getting away, and getting to safety.

Escape

Ugh, my head is killing me. When did I go to bed? How long did I sleep for? Sally sat up, shaking the fog from her mind, and trying to collect her thoughts.

Why is it so fucking dark? What time is it? Rubbing her eyes and switching between slow blinking and squinting, they slowly adjusted. What in the—actual fuck. Where am I?

Scanning the room, she could see it was large, the chilly air smelled damp, no windows or furniture; except for the mattress on the floor she woke up on. There were old beams lining the place, with dusty tools and worktables scattered throughout. This must be an old warehouse or something. Getting to her feet, an intense pain stabbed the back of her eyes.

Fuck! Ugh, my head! Gripping her forehead, Sally let out quick breaths to ease the throbbing. What the fuck is going on! She screamed. After a few moments of standing still, the pulsing headache slowly subsided, and she brought her face up from her hand. That split moment of relief quickly turned into fear, for she was no longer alone. Standing before her was the faint silhouette of a person, just far enough away that she couldn’t identify them.

I see you’ve woken up Sally. Trying to process the flood of emotions rushing through her system, no words could leave her lips. Fear holding them captive in the back of her throat, the only voice she could hear was the one in her head.

A guy? But who? I don’t recognize his voice.

What is it, Sally? Cat got your tongue?

Okay Sally snap out of it. This has gotta be some kind of prank!

Well, you don’t seem to be in the mood to chat, so I’ll leave you to figure things out on your own. His silhouette stepped back, making him harder to see. Panicking, and before Sally noticed, she was already taking steps forward, hand raised, crying out to him.

No, wait! This is a prank, right? Still putting one foot in front of the other, trying to close their distance.

Oh Sally. This is far from a prank. If you can make it out of here by the time the sun rises, you’ll win the game. Stopping in her tracks, a sudden rush of relief washed over her.

So, it’s just a game then! Like one of those escape rooms? Did Janet sign me up for this or something?

Girl, if you signed me up for one of those games, you are so dead!

It’s something like that. But, if you can’t escape before sunrise, Janet will suffer more than she already has. Escape before sunrise and you and Janet will both live. If you fail or die, Janet dies. So, what kind of friend will you be, Sally? How important is her life to you? Before Sally could speak, the door closed behind him.

What. The. Actual. Fuck! Her relief short lived, shock and disbelief setting in, a sudden ‘bing’ and light from a small item on a table next to the door before her. My phone! Running to the table and snatching it up, she unlocked the screen. Shit, no reception. I can still try 911. Before she could hit the green button, a text appeared:

Your phone has enough battery to last until sunrise. I would monitor it. Which means you know what will happen if it dies before you make it out. Also, I wouldn’t call 911. It won’t work. If you cannot abide by that rule there