As Beth walked slowly down the path ahead of him and Kelly, she heard him name all the birds they saw, pointing out different species of plants, but she wasn’t listening. Her senses, dulled from months in that room, were waking up, taking in everything around her. She felt herself coming alive again, even under the sedation of the drugs. It was like the world was blossoming and glistening, just for her. They walked in silence for a while, the sounds from the wind in the trees and animals scurrying under bushes the only noises, until she heard a loud crack behind her. She turned back looking for the source of the disruption. The man was standing above Kelly’s body, a large rock gripped in his hand, now covered in a white latex glove like a doctor would wear. Kelly was crumpled on the ground, her eyes closed, her hair matted with blood where it pooled on the side. Beth froze. The smile fell from her face. He hunched over and slammed the rock into Kelly’s head again. And again. Then his eyes shot to Beth, a disturbing twinkle sending a cold stab of fear rushing down her spine. She screamed and shuffled away from him as fast as she could. He laughed, loud and deep. Beth stole a quick glance behind her. He was following her at his normal pace, seemingly unconcerned by her attempt to flee. Beth screamed again.

The man said in a taunting voice, ‘There’s no one around to hear you, darlin’.’

His legs were much longer than hers. He was gaining on her with minimal effort, only a few feet away. The crunch of leaves and branches beneath his boots echoed around her as he closed the distance. She frantically shuffled faster. The shackles dug painfully into the skin around her ankles but she didn’t stop. Her foot caught on a small branch littering the path. She stumbled and felt a stab of pain shoot up her right leg, her twisted ankle pulling her to the ground. She scrambled back up. When she tried to put weight on her right foot, she yelled out in pain. Frantically, Beth hopped on one foot, dragging her useless foot along behind her. The man was so close she could hear his excited breathing.