Chapter 14 - The Escape in the Dark
Noah swung the folding knife in a wide arc, the sharp tip slicing cleanly across the sleeve of Ethan’s jacket, forcing Ethan to dodge backward to avoid the blade.
Taking advantage of his father’s split-second hesitation, Noah turned and sprinted along the narrow cliffside path toward the dense forest boundary that bordered the neighboring state park.
He ran with incredible speed, sure-footed and agile, navigating the dark, rain-soaked terrain like a shadow.
“NOAH! STOP!” Ethan roared, pursuing him through the thick brush, the thorns tearing at his clothes.
Ethan was faster, his long stride closing the distance between them as they reached an old wooden footbridge spanning a deep ravine.
Noah crossed the bridge first, reached the other side, and immediately picked up a heavy iron crowbar that had been left near an old maintenance shed.
With three furious, powerful strikes, he smashed the rotting wooden support beams of the bridge.
The planks groaned under the strain. As Ethan stepped onto the middle of the footbridge, the wooden structure collapsed with a loud crack, sending Ethan falling six feet into the muddy creek bed below.
Ethan landed heavily, groaning as pain shot through his ankle. He scrambled up the muddy bank, looking up at the far side of the ravine.
Noah stood on the edge above him, holding a small flashlight he had pulled from his pocket.
He shone the bright light directly into Ethan’s eyes, blinding him.
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“Goodbye, Dad,” Noah’s voice echoed through the dark woods.
The light clicked off. The sound of small, fast footsteps faded rapidly into the dark, rain-swept forest of the state park, vanishing into the night.
