He fell hard onto the muddy grass outside.

I didn’t hesitate.

I bolted past him into the rain.

My boots tore through the mud as I ran toward the ridge trail.

I didn’t look back to see if he was following.

The trail was steep and slick, winding upward into the dark woods.

The branches tore at my jacket and scratched my face.

I had to reach the main road.

I had to find Kelsey before he could reach her and spin another lie.

The wind roared in my ears, drowning out any sound of pursuit.

After ten minutes of climbing, my lungs were burning.

I stopped to catch my breath, leaning against a thick oak tree.

I looked down the mountain.

Through the bare branches, I could see the headlights of a car turning onto Cedar Hollow Road.

The vehicle was moving fast, its high beams cutting through the sheets of rain.

It wasn’t Trevor’s sedan.

It was a white SUV.

Kelsey’s car.

She was coming to the cabin.

She was coming to find him.

I gripped the folder tighter against my chest.