Chapter 2

Meg's heart pounded in her chest as she stealthily made her way towards the source of the scream, her senses on high alert. As she was about to enter the killer shack, she felt a chill run down her spine, sensing a potential danger that lurked somewhere near.

Peering cautiously around the corner, Meg's breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of the towering figure of the Trapper emerging from the shadows. With quick reflexes, she ducked behind a nearby crate, praying that she wouldn't be spotted.

Her eyes widened in horror as she watched the Trapper expertly set a bear trap near the entrance of the shack, a cruel testament to his deadly efficiency. With bated breath, Meg waited until he moved on, her heart racing with each passing moment.

Once the coast was clear, Meg cautiously made her way to the other entrance of the shack, her eyes scanning the floor for any sign of danger. Just as she was about to step forward, she caught sight of another bear trap strategically placed in her path. With a silent curse, she quickly retreated, narrowly avoiding a potentially deadly encounter.

Thinking quickly, Meg spotted an open window on the opposite wall of the shack. Without hesitation, she leaped through it, her adrenaline-fueled instincts guiding her movements.

As she landed on the ground outside, Meg wasted no time in making her way towards the basement, the pained moans of her friend guiding her towards her destination. With each step, her determination grew, fueled by the desperate need to save Claudette from the clutches of the killer.

Upon reaching the basement, Meg's heart sank at the sight that greeted her – Claudette hanging from a meat hook, her face contorted in agony. Without a moment's hesitation, Meg rushed to her friend's side, her hands trembling as she carefully worked to free her from her restraints.

As Claudette's weight was lifted from the hook, a sigh of relief escaped her lips, her gratitude evident in the tear-filled gaze she cast towards Meg.

"Thank you, Meg. I don't know what I would have done without you," Claudette murmured, her voice hoarse with pain.

Meg offered her a reassuring smile, her own fears momentarily forgotten in the presence of her friend. "Don't worry, Claudette. We'll get through this together," she vowed, her determination unwavering.

As Meg tended to Claudette's wounds, the woman notoriously known for her botany knowledge reported on her progress. "I've already repaired two generators together with Mikaela, but we were then separated by the killer. I don't know what happened to her. I hope she's still alive."

Meg told her what she had experienced. She told her how she had met Jake and how they had almost finished a generator until they heard her screaming.

"I'm sorry, Meg." Claudette said with an apologetic look on her face. "If I hadn't walked into the trap, I'm sure you would have finished the generator right away."

Meg smiled lightly at her. "Don't worry. I'm sure Jake is about to finish it. And if we're lucky, Mikaela is already working on the next one. The MacMillan estate is huge, and both are good at hiding. Hell, if necessary, let the killer try to get me. I'll just be running away from him!"

The sprinter finished treating Claudette's wound and both drew some hope. They knew they still had a chance. All they needed to do now was to repair a generator or two and then they had to open the exit gates. To do so, however, they had to stick together and keep the lurking trapper in mind. The trial was not over yet.

"Then let's not waste any more time!" said Claudette confidently and was about to run up the stairs of the basement when Meg held her by the arm.

"Wait! When you go out, climb through the window. There are traps in the doors and the trapper doesn't need to know that you're already gone."

Claudette pursed her lips in excitement. "Good idea! Alright, let's go. I know where another generator is!"

They both left the basement, and with a courageous vault through the window of the shack, Meg and Claudette escaped the dark nightmare. For now. The fresh air of the night flowed towards them, coupled with the scent of pine needle and damp earth. The moon, a cold crescent, bathed the scene in a ghostly light.

"So, where is it?" whispered Meg as they scanned the surroundings.

Claudette pointed to a faint gleam of light in the distance. "Over there, behind the trees."

The two women ran, their footsteps echoing through the silence of the night. Blood rushed to their heads, fear in their necks. They jumped over fallen trees, ducked under branches, and ran through tall grass that brushed their legs.

Suddenly, Meg stopped. "Do you hear that?"

A low growl muffled but unmistakable. The trapper had picked up their trail.

"Hide next to the generator!" whispered Meg. "I will draw his attention to me, and as soon as we move away, you'll start fixing the generator."

Panic filled Claudette's eyes, but she nodded in understanding. She stumbled at first, but then continued to run through the tall grass.

The deep growl turned into loud breathing that had almost reached Meg. She remained steadfast and ready in the clearing.

"Come on. I am right here. Bring it on!"