“Where are you taking me?” she whispered into the dense forest air, her voice laced with a blend of apprehension and intrigue. The thought of venturing further without informing anyone of her whereabouts crossed her mind, a risky decision that weighed heavily on her. However, Samantha quickly dismissed the idea of reaching out for help, convinced that time was of the essence. Instead, she resolved to rely on a backup plan, should the need arise, a silent promise to herself that she wasn’t as unprepared as she felt.

Feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension, Samantha decided to share her location with her boyfriend, Derek. She quickly sent him a text that read, “Sharing location just in case, I’ll explain later,” before slipping her phone back into her pocket. This small act was a lifeline to the world she was momentarily stepping away from.