I woke up in a daze, my vision blurred and my body aching. The cold, hard surface beneath me was uncomfortable, and my wrists were painfully bound. Straining to focus, I saw a figure crouched in front of me, working quickly to untie the ropes that bound my wrists.
"Who—" I croaked, my voice hoarse and barely audible. "Who are you?"
The figure glanced up, revealing a man with a look of determination. His features were unfamiliar, his face marked by both urgency and concern. "Hang in there," he said, his voice firm but reassuring. "I'm getting these ropes off you."
As the ropes fell away, my arms were freed, though they felt stiff and numb. I slowly sat up, wincing as my muscles protested the movement. The man's face was partially illuminated by the dim light filtering through a grimy window, but I could see enough to recognize his intense focus.
"Are you okay?" the man asked, glancing at me with a mixture of relief and concern.
"I—I think so," I replied, trying to steady my voice. " I just have a splitting headache and I'm confused. What's happening? How did I end up here?"
The man finished untying the last of the ropes and helped me to my feet. "My name's Matthew," he said. "I was sent to find you. I heard you were missing, and when I saw this cabin, I had a bad feeling."
I shook my head, trying to piece together the fragments of my memory. "Matthew? I don't understand. How do you know me? And who sent you?"
Matthew gave me a reassuring nod. "Your brother. He's worried sick about you. He contacted Chief Holtman, who then reached out to me. We didn't have much to go on, but when I saw you through the window, I forced my way in."
Caleb. The name sparked a glimmer of recognition. But it was clear that this Matthew person had no prior connection to me—he was a stranger, albeit a brave one.
"Thank you, Matthew," I said, my voice gaining strength. "I didn't think anyone would come for me. How did you find me?"
Matthew's eyes were sharp as he scanned the room. "We didn't have many clues, just a rough idea of where you might be. Your friend, Ethan, mentioned the gas station where you worked, and where Loid's house was, so I figured you had to be somewhere close by. The person who did this to you doesn't travel far."
He gestured for me to follow him as he led the way out of the room. The cabin was dark and eerily quiet, the walls lined with shadows that seemed to stretch and shift as we moved. Matthew's movements were precise, his steps careful and measured.
"We need to move quickly and quietly," Matthew instructed. "We'll avoid the main areas and use the back exits."
I followed closely behind him, my heart racing as we navigated through the dark, creaky cabin. The fear of being caught was ever-present, but Matthew's calm demeanor provided a sense of reassurance. As we approached the back door, the cool night air outside seemed like a distant promise of freedom.
Matthew carefully opened the door, and a rush of cool air met us as we stepped out into the forest. The dense trees and the darkness beyond felt both foreboding and liberating. Matthew glanced back at me, his eyes filled with determination.
"Let's get out of here," he said, his tone resolute.
As we moved through the forest, I thought about how my rescue had come about. It was clear that Ethan, Caleb, and Matthew had played a crucial role in this rescue.
Caleb had desperately called Mr. Holtman, providing him with all the details he could remember. The Chief, knowing Caleb's concern, had taken the case seriously and brought Matthew into the field.
Matthew continued to lead the way through the forest, his focus never wavering. As we neared the edge of the woods, the lights of a town became visible in the distance, a beacon of hope and safety.
"Caleb must be back at the house," I said, breaking the silence. "I'm sure he's been worried sick."
Matthew nodded. "He's been trying to find any clue that could help us locate you. His concern was the driving force behind this rescue, but he's not at your house. He and your sister are at a separate location; in other words, a safe house."
When we finally emerged from the trees and approached the town, I felt relief. The nightmare of the cabin was behind us, and the promise of safety was within reach. I glanced at Matthew, grateful for his bravery and determination.
As we reached a safe location, I couldn't help but think about how Ethan had played a crucial role in this whole ordeal. His concern for me had led to this moment, and I owed him more than I could express.
Matthew and I waited for the authorities to arrive, my mind racing about what had happened and what would come next. For now, though, I was just grateful to be free from the terror of the cabin and to have someone like Matthew by my side.