Chapter 7

Marty and Mia tried the police. Even though they knew they wouldn't be taken seriously, the laughter with which they were received was jarring.

Ricky's psychiatrist also refused to believe them. He even thought that the couple was hallucinating because they were too tired of dealing with Ricky's problems. Their friends had the same idea. No one helped.

Desperate, they tried to leave. Every time, they were scared out of their wits by the shadows and the voices.

"What should we do? We tried everything." Mia lamented.

Marty was lost in his thoughts when Mia's voice pulled him out.

"Have you thought of that?" Marty said in a weak voice.

"Of what?" Mia answered aggressively.

She knew what he wanted to say. She didn't want to hear it. It was just a coincidence. Marty, seeing her reluctance, tried another approach.

"And what if they were right?" He asked.

"Who?"

"Everyone. Think about it. The shadows only come when we are alone. Even the voices sounded only when the three of us were there."

"What are you saying? We're not crazy." Mia's voice betrayed the stress and anger she felt.

"No, we're not. But think about it, what if Patrick only came when we're alone."

"What are you trying to say?"

"What if we don't stay alone? Listen to me. He is preventing us from leaving, so it means that if we leave, he can't follow. He doesn't appear if there are other people. So..."

"We need someone to stay with us when we leave." A smile appeared on Mia's face. It was her first smile since the nightmare began. Even though the explanation was far-fetched, she finally had hope.

Their previous attempts to flee emptied their bank account. Their only way out now was to take their car. However, they had no money for gas.

The following day, Marty called one of his friends, who always talked about having a road trip. They hatched out a plan in which Marty provided the car while the friend paid for the gas. They would each take care of their own accommodation and food.

The following Saturday, Ethan, Marty's friend, rang their doorbell with his girlfriend next to him. According to some other friends, Marty had been acting weird, but Ethan didn't think much of it.

With his girlfriend, he had been planning the perfect trip for months. He accepted Marty's invitation because he lacked the money to travel alone. With Marty, he could spend less money and still go where he wanted.

He and his girlfriend had been excited for the trip. That is, until this morning.

His girlfriend didn't understand why they had to come to Marty's place. They could have just waited outside or at their own home since it was on the way out of the city.

"Hey, Marty," Ethan said as soon as the door was opened. "This is Cassie, my girlfriend, and this must be Mia, right?"

"Nice to meet you." Cassie greeted the family of three.

"Nice to meet you too..."

"Marty, let's go." Mia interrupted the greetings.

She put her bag in Marty's hands, took Ricky, and left. She stood right by the couple, looking fidgety.

"Come on, let's go." she urged once again.

Ethan and Cassie shared a glance filled with doubt and apprehension. Would the trip even go well when one of the participants refused to greet the others?

"Well, we should be going. Don't mind Mia; she's eager to hit the road." Marty closed his door while trying to normalize Mia's restlessness.

They made their way to the elevator. Nothing happened. Mia and Marty looked at each other, trying to suppress their joy.

It was a good start. Mia and Marty never even managed to reach the elevator door in their previous attempts to flee,

At the parking lot, in front of the car, Marty gave the keys to Ethan.

"You start driving, and when we leave the city, I'll replace you."

"Okay." Ethan watched as the family of three went into the backseat.

His girlfriend made a face at him and went to the front passenger seat. The trip had barely started, and problems arose already.