Forcing herself to move, Olivia tiptoed toward the door, her breaths shallow and erratic. Peering outside, she was met with the cool forest air and an eerie stillness. No lurking figures. No cars.
Her eyes landed on a plain white envelope sitting on the doorstep. Frowning, she picked it up and unfolded the note inside:
"You are free to leave. The door is unlocked. Walk straight for 20 minutes to reach a road where transportation will pick you up. Do not come back."
Disbelief turned to simmering rage. "You've got to be kidding me!" she hissed, crumpling the note in her fist before dumping it on the ground. She glared into the woods.
"Cowards!" she screamed into the silence. "You won't decide when I leave! Do you hear me?!"