Epic Escape Read Online Free Page B

again, “We’re in the movie.”
    Veronica’s fearful expression cleared. “Of course not. That’s ... it’s … we got thrown out of the theater or something.”
    Leaves rustled, undermining her words.
    Veronica peered around as if trying to get her bearings. “Or someone’s playing a trick and dumped us in the woods.” Her words dwindled on an uncertain note. “At night.”
    The rustling sounded louder.

Chapter 10

RUSTLING
     
    R iley stepped toward the tree line. “We should go. I’m not waiting for his friends to show and continue this prank, not with you two here.”
    Veronica turned in the other direction, and yanked out her movie ticket. “But the theater’s over there.” She used the ticket to gesture to the place where they’d seen the audience then paused, her eyes narrowed, fixed on the ticket. She lifted it to the moonlight. “Guys.”
    “What?”
    “Give me your tickets.” Her voice sounded freaked and excited at the same time.
    They handed them to her, and she held all three up. Two of the tickets had changed. One still read the title of the movie, Cabin of Terror . The other two said, Find the cabin , and Get through eight to escape .
    Megan’s mouth grew dry and her heart continued to pound, but Veronica’s shoulders relaxed, her tension seemed to have eased now that she had some type of direction. She thumped the tickets against her palm and shoved them into the pocket of her jeans. “We need to see what Chase’s ticket says.”
    The rustling sounded even closer.
    Megan swiveled her head to the tree line. She swallowed. “Yeah, let’s find Chase and go home.”
    Riley held back branches as they struggled through the dense underbrush and pine needles crunched under their steps. The night air smelled earthy, like a forest, and bugs buzzed--nature in the dark.
    They reached the end of the woods. Ahead lay a large clearing with a dilapidated cabin at its center. Not good. The cabin looked like the Bates Motel’s smaller, poorer cousin.
    But at least they’d found Chase. He stood at the door, jiggling its handle. Having no success with the lock, he lifted a nearby empty flowerpot.
    Riley strode past and kicked at the rotten wood. The door gave with a crack and swung inwards.
    Chase straightened with the key in his hand, shrugged, and followed him.
    Megan took the steps slowly, careful with the rotten wood. A single, bare light bulb, sixty-watt at most, lit the living area and kitchen nook, showing a near empty room. Dust and stale air were the only occupants besides a small table and two chairs. Why had anyone bothered to lock up?
    Making her breaths shallow so as not to suck in the dust, she moved further in.
    Riley headed to the kitchen and yanked out one of the two chairs. He dragged it along the wooden floor, wedged the back under the front doorknob, and started searching the cabin.
    Megan wondered how to help. The other three seemed so take-charge, and all she could think to do was brush the twigs off her clothes.
    Veronica said, “Let me read your ticket, Chase.”
    He handed the stub over without interest, focused on trying to get a signal on his phone. When Veronica laid the tickets out on the kitchen table, Chase became interested. His read, High or low, up is the way to go.
    Veronica tapped the ticket with the title. “This is where we are.” She touched the next ticket. “ Find the cabin. That’s what we had to do. Yours must be another clue.” Her finger swiveled the last in a circle. “ Get through eight to escape .” I don’t know what this means.”
    Riley opened an overhead cabinet. The items inside clanked, and a large hunting knife fell out. The blade nicked his arm on its descent. Riley sucked in a breath and jerked back.
    Veronica ran to his side.
    Chase bent back to his cell phone. “Huh.”
    Megan shifted on her feet and asked, “You okay?”
    “It’s nothing.”
    Veronica pulled Riley to the table. She opened a drawer, stepped back, and opened the