Chapter 76

Megan spent most of the night trapped in the cold, dark forest, confined within the freshly dug grave that the masked men had thrown her into. Bound tightly to a thick tree trunk, her arms and legs restrained so tightly she couldn't even move, she was utterly helpless. Hours passed as she cried, screamed, cursed, and begged for someone, anyone to save her. But the forest remained silent, and no help came. The cold seeped into her bones, and hunger gnawed at her empty stomach. Her tears blurred her vision as she struggled in vain to loosen the ropes binding her. But it was useless. The grave was too deep, the bonds too tight, and her strength quickly fading. As the first faint light of dawn began to pierce the horizon, hope flickered and then died within her. Megan was certain she would die alone, buried alive by those cruel men. Suddenly, footsteps broke through the stillness with rapid, purposeful steps accompanied by voices. At first, Megan thought she might be hallucinating from exh