279: A Way Out

Camilla I stumbled down the narrow corridor, my heart racing with a mix of relief and anxiety. The dim light got brighter with each step, and the muffled sounds I'd heard earlier became clearer. I finally reached the end of the corridor, which opened up into a huge, dark room. The atmosphere was oppressive, making my skin crawl, but I pushed forward, desperate to escape. I spotted a door in the corner, its wooden surface all scarred and weathered. I put my shoulder against it and pushed, feeling it creak under the pressure. The door slowly swung open, revealing a dimly lit exterior that seemed to be bathed in the eerie light of a few flickering street lamps. As I stepped outside, the sight that greeted me was far from what I'd hoped for. I found myself smack in the middle of the woods, surrounded by towering trees that seemed to stretch up to the stars. Their branches formed a tangled mess against the night sky, making me feel tiny and lost. The air was heavy with the smell of damp